Logbook entry #7 - The blog's namesake

Our world is full of wonder; and we take most of it for granted. Have you ever considered how special writing is? It unlocks the potential of our species - we can document our shared stories, store transactions, write down recipes and even create new meanings though literature and poetry. The power of writing and language is something that every engineer or scientist implicitly reveres through the use of programing languages, mathematical terminology and domain related jargon.

And yet there are still many unknowns to us with regard to writing. We haven't yet deciphered many ancient languages. The mysteries of whole civilizations along with their wisdom, daily worries and art is lost to us.

Of particular interest to me was always the enigmatic disk of Phaistos, found in the ruins of the Minoan city of the same name. The disk itself (pictured below) is written in a language of hieroglyphic nature, unknown to us. This marks the third language associated with the same civilization, along with Linear A and the Cyprio-Minoan script. (for more information on the topic you can check this video)

That tantalizing mystery is very dear to me. It is precisely this intersection between science (linguistics and archaeology), identity (who were these people? Were they like "us"?) and philosophy (why drives people to write and create?) that interests me so much. And that is what this blog symbolizes for me: a logbook of my adventure trying to decipher life through my personal lens.

Comments

Easter feast and task pipelines (48)

A Greek Easter feast As this post goes live, your host and author is most likely indulging in the joys of Easter Sunday. In Greece, where I come from, Easter is the biggest holiday of the year. And, as you might expect from a culture famous for its love of food, the Sunday feast is a central part of the celebration. The meal varies by region and family tradition, but one thing remains constant: roasted lamb. It symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus, and it's always the star of the table. If you're reading this on Easter Sunday, there’s a good chance I’m savoring some leftover lamb while you scroll through these lines. Now, let me tell you—preparing this feast is no small feat. Roasting the lamb and getting the rest of the meal ready is a coordinated effort, usually involving many helping hands. To make sure everything is done in time for the classic Greek lunch hour (around 14:00), the tasks must be broken down and distributed efficiently. This is where the real planning begins....

I think, therefore I am (35)

I think, therefore I am Consciousness—or self-awareness—feels like one of the most distinctly human traits. Sure, some animals are clever, but only a handful, like certain primates, seem to pass the “mirror test” and recognize themselves in their reflection. So, what exactly is consciousness? The truth is, it’s hard to pin down. Interestingly, an accessible definition of consciousness doesn’t come from philosophy or biology, but from medicine—specifically anesthesiology. In this field, consciousness is defined as the awareness of pain and our surroundings during surgery. It's a practical, measurable approach: you’re either aware or you’re not. This definition not only makes consciousness easier to grasp but also highlights its connection to our sensory perception. This view brings us to the classic "dual theory" of consciousness. In this framework, the body and mind are seen as separate entities, with the brain acting as the “control room.” The mind issues commands, the b...

A chess game played at a two hundred kilometers per hour (66)

A chess game played at a two hundred kilometers per hour That is how the sport of modern fencing is often portrayed by its practitioners, or, frankly, anyone with an inclination to dramatize. Often, in student fencing circles this phrase is used ironically to juxtapose how simple, pragmatic and brutal this sport can sometimes be. However, I am inclined to approach this phrase by visualizing its contents; fencing is indeed an ancient game, requiring wit and is supplemented with technology unimagined by previous generations. It really is a marriage cold calculation and passion. A passion which is shared by the previous blog exploring modern fencing technology, and which drives one to explore developments of fencing technology even deeper. How Horses Became Formula 1 A common passerby would not think of modern slender, antenna-like blades as swords. And they would be completely right, none of the three fencing weapons (saber, foil and epee) are swords. Assuming the sole purpose of a sword...

New Phaistos

Search This Blog