I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better."—Plutarch (46-120 AD)

Alone in the Tropics on Zero Shadow Day

“I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better."
—Plutarch (46-120 AD)

The titled responsion is "Alone in the Tropics on Zero Shadow Day". Personally, I think you should look this up. Have you consulted the Google Oracle lately? In this instance, you want to search "zero shadow day", unless, of course, you live somewhere on the earth, plus or minus 23.5 degrees. I am being a little cryptic here but my intention isn't to be confusing, I am tempting you with an a priori forme of interpretation.

Better than interpretation, my definition of a hermeneutic is understanding. In fact, I introduce a hermeneutic meme as an individual unit of understanding and so what would that consist of? How would you describe that ah-ha moment when the action potentials break through that threshold of biological felt experience. It feels good, doesn't it?

Actually, the felt experience of understanding is something that is context-dependent. You could, for instance, come to the sudden realization that you no longer have a shadow. Doubt is not what I am referring to as that is too Cartesian for the point that I am trying to make, besides the coordinate system that will reveal itself depending on where in the world you live. Remember in order for you to actually experience zero shadow day you have to live in a latitude that is plus or minus 23.5 degrees.

The honest responsion is the best responsion, and far as I am concerned,  conversation skills trump brutal honesty without sacrificing the quality of the communication the or an animal! What's your approach to the ideal conversation?

Misplaced Modesty

“The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection."
—Michelangelo (1475-1564)

The titled responsion is a perversion of sorts. In this case, Michelango is referring to the power of darkness that we are all aware of. The positivists amongst us need not worry about this non-material, perhaps poetic overture of butchered poetic perfectibility. Why perfect you may ask? I will tell you.

The imagined forme is, in an ideal sense, the perfect forme and nothing of this earthly forme can come close to the pre-interpretive forme that is all around us. Some say divine but as all Good philosophers will insist on, we must define our terms and for me (Plato), the ideal is in itself, made manifest through the acts of others and the reality that is.

Why is it that I continually bring up Plato? Is it, as the subtitle of this responsion to Michelango suggests—misplaced modesty? I think not, the true perversion is the neglect of Ancient Greece from our dominant culture. This is probably because of the grounded transcendence that is the cross and the sacrifice by god's only son. The "sun" that I am referring to is a pagan aberration and not a second coming or reincarnation that the Christian cult is unapologetically orientating the west away from.

I could be wrong but as Plato taught us, the origin is the most beautiful and for the west that begins and ends in the Aegean sea.

Except on Zero Shadow Day

“We cast a shadow on something wherever we stand."
—E. M. Forster (1879-1970)

The titled responsion is, at best an exception, at worst is a metaphor for an ethical claim no matter our position. Reversing this scenario of best versus worst results in an experience from out of this world, something that is worthy of the gods. I have to be careful here because anytime I mention the G-word a certain crowd instantly recoils in disapproval. The topic is too polarized, no matter where on the earth you stand.

The mid-afternoon drift of meaning towards the equinox and palindrome of noon is uniquely shadow-less in a dramatic display of animated surreal reality. Zero shadow day happens twice a year for the places between +23.5 and -23.5 degrees of latitude. Rhetorical positions have a dark side and yet the essence of convincing speech should be taken as an apologetic of sorts, to reconcile the abstract with the ideal reality. As a listener, your responsibility is measured in your ability to respond and the action potentials that follow the very definition of understanding. Ah-ha, you may say in silent wonder worthy of further doubt and a continuation of counterfactual reasoning. For the skeptical version thereof, the insinuation of bad acting is a travesty. Intentions matter!

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