PHILOSOPHY TO GO

10 Essential Nuggets Of Wisdom From Ancient Philosophers

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Ancient philosophers may have lived in a time long past, but their ideas continue to resonate with us today. In their pursuit of understanding the complexities of existence, they often came up with simple yet profound insights that still hold relevance in our modern lives.

Join us as we uncover 10 fundamental ideas from antiquity’s wisest minds.

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"To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom"

Socrates, the father of Western philosophy, urged individuals to delve deep into self-awareness. He famously argued that an unexamined life was not worth living, as understanding oneself is the key to living a fulfilled life. By questioning our beliefs, desires, and motives, we can navigate the complexities of existence with clarity and purpose.

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"Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you"

Confucius emphasized the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. His Golden Rule of treating others the same way we expect to be treated ourselves is a timeless reminder of the power that empathy and compassion have in fostering harmonious relationships and societies.

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"There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power or our will"

Stoic philosophers like Epictetus taught the concept of focusing only on what is within our control and accepting what is not. This principle liberates us from unnecessary worry about external events, enabling us to focus our time and energy on actions that can actually make a difference in our lives.

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"Virtue is the golden mean between two vices, the one of excess and the other of deficiency"

Aristotle advocated for moderation in all things, promoting the idea of finding the balance between extremes. Whether it's in pursuing pleasure, seeking knowledge, or exercising virtues, maintaining a middle path fosters harmony and avoids the pitfalls of excess.

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"Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being"

The ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi extolled the virtues of simplicity and spontaneity. By embracing the natural flow of life and shedding unnecessary complexities, we can find true contentment and peace within ourselves.

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"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not"

Epicurus defined pleasure as the absence of pain and tranquility of the mind. His philosophy encourages seeking simple pleasures and cultivating inner serenity rather than chasing fleeting desires that go nowhere, leading to a more sustainable and fulfilling life.

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"No one ever steps in the same river twice"

Heraclitus famously argued that change is the only constant in life. Just like the waters of a running river are never the same, every element of existence transforms yet simultaneously retains an element of itself. Embracing this inevitable part of life allows us to adapt and grow, finding strength in the ebb and flow of things.

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"The greatest wealth is to live content with little"

Diogenes, the Cynic philosopher, lived a minimalist lifestyle to demonstrate the insignificance of material possessions. Allegedly, when asked by Alexander the Great what he could do for him, he bluntly asked the monarch to move so he would stop blocking his sunlight. His radical rejection of both wealth and social status challenges us to reassess our priorities and find true value in the intangible aspects of life.

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"Accept the things to which fate binds you"

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius embraced stoicism and with it the idea of fate and the impermanence of life. By acknowledging the inevitability of death and adversity in life, he sought to cultivate inner resilience and focus on living virtuously in the present moment.

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"Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all"

Hypatia, a renowned mathematician and philosopher in ancient Alexandria, championed the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual inquiry. Despite societal constraints placed on women during her time, she fearlessly pursued learning. A tragic heroine of antiquity, she teaches us that thinking is our utmost right, and the only way to reach truth is learning from our mistakes.

YOUR TECHNICAL SLANG IS READY FOR AN UPDATE

Venture Into Silicon Valley With These 12 Techy Terms

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As the epicenter of the global tech revolution, Silicon Valley is not only home to some of the world's most influential and innovative companies but also a fertile breeding ground for a distinct lexicon that shapes the language that we use.

Technology fans use a unique dialect full of acronyms, buzzwords, and neologisms. This article sets on a linguistic exploration to decipher the meaning of 12 words that are part of everyday slang not only in Silicon Valley but pretty much everywhere in the world these days.

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Think of a robot who can answer your questions. Simply derived from "chat" and "robot", a chatbot is a virtual agent designed to simulate human conversation, often powered by sophisticated algorithms and natural language processing capabilities.

In an era where instant communication reigns supreme, chatbots have become ubiquitous, seamlessly integrating into websites, messaging apps, and customer service platforms. From virtual assistants to customer support interfaces, chatbots are just about everywhere.

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At the very center of digital infrastructure, the term "database" is a cornerstone of modern technology, as it shapes how information is organized, accessed, and managed. A database is essentially a structured collection of data that software applications use to access and manipulate information in an organized manner.

From customer records to complex business transactions, databases serve as the backbone for storing and retrieving vast amounts of data. The ubiquity of databases spans across diverse sectors, influencing everything from e-commerce platforms to healthcare systems.

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While not an actual cloud, "cloud computing" is most definitely a transformative force, reshaping the landscape of data storage, processing, and accessibility. This term illustrates a shift from traditional physical infrastructure to a dynamic, virtual environment where computing resources are delivered as a service over the internet.

The cloud gives powerful tools to businesses and individuals alike, offering scalable solutions that transcend the limitations of physical hardware. From hosting applications to storing huge amounts of information, cloud computing has become a motor for innovation, providing agility and cost-effectiveness.

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A word derived from the Arabic mathematician Al-Khwarizmi's name, an algorithm is a step-by-step set of instructions or rules designed to perform a specific task or solve a particular problem.

In the context of technology, algorithms are just about everywhere, organizing processes from search engine results to social media content curation to everything you can think of. As the driving force behind artificial intelligence and machine learning, algorithms have become the architects of predictive analytics, personalization, and automation. Their influence extends far beyond code, shaping our daily experiences in the digital age.

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A word that has been thrown around quite a lot in the last few years, "Artificial Intelligence" (AI), is firmly established in the lexicon of technology. This term refers to the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding natural language.

AI can be found in diverse facets of modern life, from voice-activated virtual assistants to complex algorithms powering recommendation engines and autonomous vehicles. The endless pursuit of creating machines that can simulate the human brain has led to breakthroughs in machine learning and deep learning, revolutionizing industries and reshaping the way we interact with technology.

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The term "big data" is used to describe the management and analysis of enormous and complex datasets that exceed the capacity of traditional data-processing systems.

Big data maximizes our ability to extract valuable insights from the sheer volume and variety of information daily generated. From business analytics to scientific research, big data has become the basis upon which innovation and decision-making are based.

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One of those terms that, at least to a certain extent, explain themselves, "machine learning" is the capability of computer systems to improve performance and learn from experience without being explicitly programmed.

The very essence of machine learning lies in algorithms that analyze data, enabling machines to recognize patterns, make decisions, and refine their predictions over time. From recommendation engines that personalize user experiences to autonomous vehicles and everything in between, machine learning is an omnipresent technology.

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If you remember the way Arnold Schwarzenegger saw the world in Terminator 2, with added bits of information about whatever he was looking at, then you were an early witness of "augmented reality".

In the immersive realm of technology, "augmented reality" (AR) refers to the integration of computer-generated elements into the real-time environment, enhancing our perception and interaction with the physical surroundings. AR overlays digital information onto the user's view, combining virtual and tangible experiences.

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"IoT'' or the "Internet of Things," is a concept that illustrates the interconnected web of devices that communicate and share data seamlessly. This term refers to the integration of everyday objects, from household appliances to industrial machinery, with sensors, software, and network connectivity.

The result is a vast network where devices exchange information, offering real-time insights and automation designed not only to simplify our lives but also to help industries like healthcare, transportation, and smart cities.

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"Edge computing" refers to the practice of processing data near its source, at the edge of the network, rather than relying on a centralized cloud server. Edge computing brings computational power closer to where data is generated, speeding up processes and enhancing real-time processing capabilities.

From powering IoT devices to enabling faster response times in critical applications like autonomous vehicles, edge computing is a big shift towards decentralized, efficient data processing.

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Another word that gets thrown around a lot these days -but not as much as the next one on the list- is "encryption". This term refers to the process of converting information into a coded format that only authorized parties can decipher.

In an era where data breaches and cyber threats are omnipresent, encryption serves as a shield, safeguarding sensitive information during transmission and storage. From securing online transactions to protecting confidential communications, the ubiquity of encryption technologies is essential to maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of our private data.

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If tech words had a popularity contest, this one would be on the podium. The term "blockchain" refers to a decentralized, distributed ledger technology that records transactions across a network of computers in a secure and transparent manner.

Each block in the chain builds upon the previous, creating a permanent, unalterable record. Beyond its initial association with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, blockchain finds application in various industries, from supply chain management to healthcare.