Euthymia is a medical term, and a philosophical one. It refers to the normal state of mind, neither too up or too down, a perfectly balanced humor. Epicureans to refer to a state of cheerfulness, when you don't let things get to you but just keep calm and carry on.These days, when acquaintances bombard you with 'how I'm feeling right now' memes on social media, (remember when people used to keep that stuff in their super secret teenage diary?) and where politics has everyone's blood pressure at max, not to mention the stresses and strains of health, finances, and family, what could be better than some nice reasonable calmness?
Dings Digital: is everyone there
Thirza Ember: yes
Dings Digital: Welcome to „Ataraxia - Tranquility as happiness“. It started as a hobby project garden, and then grew beyond that. A smaller version was presented on OpenSim World Fair. We will have a kind of philosophical art walk. It is about the idea of tranquility and its connections to art, science and the question of what it means to live well. You'll encounter a variety of things, but all are linked by this shared theme.
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| Dings Digital |
Dings Digital: One link is the poem "On the Nature of Things" by the Roman poet Lucretius written around 50 BCE. It is a hymn on the natural world, life and ataraxia - the tranquility of mind. There are countless examples in art and science that were inspired by this poem. We’ve selected a few of them to share on this region. The region was designed by Uta Warbaum and me, and is not intended as instruction, but rather for exploration and enjoyment.
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Thirza Ember: history, philosophy, beauty and tranquility all in one place...
Dings Digital: yes, a kind of philosophical art walk...
Dings Digital: On the left you see the famous painting „Primavera“ by Botticelli. It is composed after a passage about the goddess Flora from Lucretius' poem. The other Flora paintings share this inspiration. I do not say much to specific objects, just look around and have fun... the sofa is a great place to relax
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| Primavera by Botticelli, inspired by Lucretius |
Lavia LLavine: You look comfy Cherry :S
Cherry Manga: I am , I am :)
Dings Digital: philosophy and astronomy are my "hobbies" since I was a child
Luna Lunaria: I love philosophy, I personally love the mystics and the alchemists
Cherry Manga: I worship the philosopher Philip Linden, he said: "Create a cube made of wood, and your world will change, make it flexy, and your mind will be blown away"
Forest Azure: that is virtual world philosophy
Lavia LLavine: Who was your favorite Philosopher Dings?
Dings Digital: I can't say, but at the center of this is Epicurus, and I like him.
Em Jannings: there was a recent new translation into English of On Nature I think
Dings Digital: what is fascinating is the link between philosophy, art and science. This painting by Botticelli is a quote of Lucretius' poem
Luna Lunaria: I love philosophy, I personally love the mystics and the alchemists
Cherry Manga: I worship the philosopher Philip Linden, he said: "Create a cube made of wood, and your world will change, make it flexy, and your mind will be blown away"
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| Cherry strikes a pose |
Lavia LLavine: Who was your favorite Philosopher Dings?
Dings Digital: I can't say, but at the center of this is Epicurus, and I like him.
Em Jannings: there was a recent new translation into English of On Nature I think
Dings Digital: what is fascinating is the link between philosophy, art and science. This painting by Botticelli is a quote of Lucretius' poem
Dings Digital: Actually that is how I started in SL in 2006... there once was a thriving active virtual philosophy scene. it was fun
Thirza Ember: Dings, you built this place with Uta, can you tell us a little bit about how it was working together... does it make a big difference discussing a build like this with a fellow builder?
Dings Digital: we are working together for more than 10 years. it feels organic. we are very different, but we complement each other... I am stubborn, and she is too. but when she says something critical, I know that it is important and I am happy to make changes then
Dings Digital: Lucretius is speaking of the cosmos we live, and how for example spring brings life, and how humans want to be happy :)
Thirza Ember: Dings, you built this place with Uta, can you tell us a little bit about how it was working together... does it make a big difference discussing a build like this with a fellow builder?
Dings Digital: we are working together for more than 10 years. it feels organic. we are very different, but we complement each other... I am stubborn, and she is too. but when she says something critical, I know that it is important and I am happy to make changes then
Dings Digital: Lucretius is speaking of the cosmos we live, and how for example spring brings life, and how humans want to be happy :)
Thirza Ember: that green line you mean, Forest?
Dings Digital: ah yes, the green line. one end is the sun at the center, at the other is earth at the center.
We walked on through the countryside until we came to this church-like building, inside more like a house than a place of ceremony, and a garden complete with washing line.
Dings Digital: Same, same but different, that’s how people are. Tranquility resonates in a different way for different people. We will visit a few homes to take a glimpse. Here in the old church to the right, let's look around. A nerdy fellow lives the tranquil life in his own style.
Em Jannings: I wonder who? lovely hangout Dings
Kimm Starr: i like this
Dings Digital: yes, feels comfortable :)
Thirza Ember: nice to see some people still wash their clothes the old fashioned way
Tosha Tyran: If I may say so: This seems to be a very typical Uta build, she has a way to build that inspires tranquility and poetry
Em Jannings: I wonder who? lovely hangout Dings
Kimm Starr: i like this
Dings Digital: yes, feels comfortable :)
Thirza Ember: nice to see some people still wash their clothes the old fashioned way
Tosha Tyran: If I may say so: This seems to be a very typical Uta build, she has a way to build that inspires tranquility and poetry
Dings Digital: you can see her hand writing
Tosha Tyran: I have seen that in all her builds so far... Lucky that you found her as a friend and co-worker, Dings
Petlove Petshop: it's true! seeing the wash is making me feel .... homey!
Further on we came to a hamlet of dwellings, each unique in style, yet well matched to the environment and each other.
Dings Digital: On this island live people who share their passion for tranquility, but who have different ideas and tastes for personal application. That's just how people are... so have a look around and judge their style :) There are also small, almost hidden hints about topics that aren't presented, like what tranquility has to do with Jan Vermeer's paintings or with motorcycles.
Dings Digital: it is so interesting how people arrange their good place
Em Jannings: in Castenada's books its called finding your spot'
Tosha Tyran: that is what Utas buildings do for me: Find my spot
Dings Digital: Uta is sorry she can't come, she's at her job
Em Jannings: yes they are monuments to nostalgia
Dings Digital: Cyrano de Bergerac was a curious thinker and a poet. Among other things, he earned money by writing love letters to order that were the latest fashion at the time.. In 1657 he wrote the first Science Fiction novel of the modern era. And this is the vehicle that brought him to the moon.. In the story he cites Epicurus and Democritus as the inspiration to his trip to the moon. We learn more about his inspiration from his „Letter to Spring“. You will recognize Lucretius’ poem in it... it is a fun story... first he failed, starting in paris, landing a few moments later in Canada
Thirza Ember: Canada is not a bad place to end up
Dings Digital: Em on his way to the moon
Thirza Ember: Canada is not a bad place to end up
Dings Digital: Em on his way to the moon
Thirza Ember: Em are you trying for the moon or for Canada?
Em Jannings: either would be more peaceful than Chicago, where I live
Thirza Ember: this is a great way to find out about things I never heard of, I didn't know about that Moon novel at all
Thirza Ember: this is a great way to find out about things I never heard of, I didn't know about that Moon novel at all
Dings Digital: you know the movie about Cyrano, I guess... but who would have thought that he was such an ingenious writer :)
Was Cyrano ahead of his time? Judge for yourself by this excerpt from the book:
"At the opening of the box I found something in metal almost similar to our clocks, filled with an infinite number of little springs and imperceptible machines. It is a book indeed, but a miraculous book without pages or letters ; in fine, it is a book to learn from which eyes are useless, only ears are needed. When someone wishes to read he winds up the machine with a large number of all sorts of keys; then he turns the pointer towards the chapter he wishes to hear, and immediately, as if from a man’s mouth or a musical instrument, this machine gives out all the distinct and different sounds which serve as the expression of speech between the noble Moon-dwellers." - Cyrano de Bergerac : voyages to the moon and the sun.
Dings Digital: Now let’s go to Diogenes of Oinoanda, who lived in a Greek city in the Roman Empire, around the time of Marcus Aurelius. He was a big admirer of Epicurus. Today we have lost most of Epicurus’ books. Diogenes built a hall, called a Stoa, with a long wall where he inscribed an account of Epicurean philosophy.
Luna Lunaria: love the architecture
Dings Digital: The ruins of this wall were rediscovered 150 years ago, which is a gift from heaven - or rather, from earth - for archaeologists and philosphers.
Em Jannings: stoa =stoic?
Em Jannings: stoa =stoic?
Dings Digital: yes, thats where it comes from
Kimm Starr: This world runs good, no lag at all
Dings Digital: There is an Instagram-like short version of this philosophy from Diogenes on the right wall of the Stoa.
Em Jannings: the first influencer
Dings Digital: yes, somehow :)there is so much more than I could say in a few sentences, so feel free to explore
Dings Digital: There is an Instagram-like short version of this philosophy from Diogenes on the right wall of the Stoa.
Em Jannings: the first influencer
Dings Digital: yes, somehow :)there is so much more than I could say in a few sentences, so feel free to explore
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| Francisco studies the busts |
Tosha Tyran: well, sometimes the ancient philosophers seem kind of naive.... like children discovering the world without a notion where it might lead them to
Lavia LLavine: It brings to mind the words "be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Thirza Ember: you re 'opening a door' for people to discover some treasures
Dings Digital: yes, I like that
Forest Azure: when the doors of perception are cleansed, you can see the world as it is.. infinite
Luna Lunaria: aurelius was quite the philosopher
Dings Digital: yes, Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor during Diogenes time. so a Stoic philospher and an Epicurean philosopher at the same time
Tosha Tyran: they did not yet know anything about the destruction of the planet, of atomic bombs and orange men
Luna Lunaria: hahahaha... Cherry has a kitty box
Dings Digital: Let's move on, we will have a walk to the next spot
Thirza Ember: ok
Dings Digital: this is funny, it is Lucretius, Uta made it with an AI, though there are no images with Lucretius. wonders of the 21st century :)
Dings Digital: At that time, Lucretius' poem was held in high esteem. Many poets drew inspiration from its style and imagery. Livia had an underground room in her villa with murals that imitate a garden. We do not know whether it is based on Lucretius’ poem, but it beautifully reflects his imagery that was so famous at that time. these murals are 2000 years old
Tosha Tyran: wow - I can see how even the artists of Worpswede were inspired by them
Dings Digital: there is an artist from Worpswede on the island, actually he was the one who contributed to the "beautiful" exhibition hall
Tosha Tyran: :) things always meet - one way or the other
Dings Digital: the fun thing, he did not know about the limitations of mesh in Opensim, so we were working very hard with that build, even applied ai
Taarna Welles: long live AI :)
Dings Digital: lol, yes
Thirza.Ember: this is a great way to remind us all that the search for tranquility has been ongoing for millennia
Cherry Manga: since cats exist, I think
Em Jannings: good point, maybe we have not been looking in the right places
Thirza Ember: we found it here on Craft!
Luna Lunaria: Lovely place and interesting presentation Dings
Xirana Oximoxi: yes..beautiful place, Dings...Congratulations
Tosha Tyran: this is an amazing place and I have to admit that it touches me deeply. Intellectually, emotionally and - well childishly
Thirza Ember: It's refreshing also to see how one piece of writing has inspired so many other 'layers' of creativity
Dings Digital: yes, think of that poem, and that picture of Botticelli. It is breathtaking, wonderfully. I hope you had a little bit of fun
Forest Azure: and so very safari too, all the walking!
Cooper Swizzle: it was a moving experience Ding, Congrats
Francisco Koolhoven: wonderful
Dings Digital: yes, think of that poem, and that picture of Botticelli. It is breathtaking, wonderfully. I hope you had a little bit of fun
Forest Azure: and so very safari too, all the walking!
Cooper Swizzle: it was a moving experience Ding, Congrats
Francisco Koolhoven: wonderful
Cherry Manga: thanks Dings
Lavia LLavine: It was most relaxing
eva Nowicka: a nice work, Dings, i like it
Marlon Wayne: Digital ty you show us your nice sim
Lavia.LLavine: I give it two thumbs up, I very much enjoyed this.
Dings Digital: thank you for visiting, it made me so happy, and Uta says hello to all of you
HG Address: craft-world.org:8002/Euthymia
Thank you for the visit and the blog post. It was fun to take the tour through the "garden" with you all. HG Safari is always such a great company.
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