My take on the blog "Twisting the Tail of the Cosmos" is that it is a deeply reflective and culturally critical journal that grapples with philosophy, faith, and the complexities of modern life.
The blog's tagline, "Exploring Truth and Beauty with a broad margin for error," perfectly encapsulates its spirit of intellectual and spiritual inquiry.
Here is a breakdown of the blog's main themes and focus:
Key Themes and Focus
Critique of Modernity and Technology: The author (named "ted") offers a critical perspective on what he sees as the dehumanizing aspects of modern culture. Posts frequently critique "western elites," "technocratic" futures (especially regarding AI and transhumanism), and societal trends that lead to "shallow power" and a departure from "existential realities."
Philosophy and Spirituality: The core of the blog is an exploration of Truth, Reality, and Being. The author advocates for a participatory orientation—often with a clear Christian or traditional theological bent—to find a right relationship with God and the world. He contrasts deep intuition and "the Real" with intellectual abstraction and "simulated thought forms."
Culture and Art as a Lens: The blog connects these heavy philosophical themes to various forms of culture, including:
Music: Posts review and analyze indie and post-punk bands (like The Go-Betweens) as examples of "beautifully crafted songs of simplicity and innocence."
Art: Discussions of artists like Icelandic sculptor Einar Jónsson are used to illustrate the importance of grounding art in the "existential realities of suffering and joy."
Humor: The author admires figures like Norm Macdonald for their ability to use humor to point back to sincere truth while navigating the world's absurdity.
A Call for Authenticity: Ultimately, the blog serves as a call for a return to authenticity, virtue, and character, urging readers to avoid "going with the flow" of systems that commodify feeling and obscure what is sacred.