By Josh Rueff on May 14, 2013 The strength and courage of the Spartan warrior is historic in truth, and legendary in status. In this article, I explore how the Spartans used their philosophy of simplicity and minimalism to conceal the power of their intellect, and rule the world around them. They guarded their secrets […]
By Josh Rueff on Oct 01, 2013 This post is a bit of a deviation from minimalism, but I thought it could be interesting. Science has many limitations, limitations that no one wants to admit because, let’s face it, science has been a very helpful friend. There’s no denying the importance of science in the […]
By Josh Rueff on Sep 19, 2013 Aristotle’s Eudaimonia (you-day-mow-neea) is a teaching of lifestyle balance and is by far the best way to apply the philosophy of minimalism. Lifestyle balance is an ancient practice, the earliest records showing up in Egypt in the Pharaoh’s custom of Ba and Ka, which is nearly identical to […]
By Josh Rueff on July 29, 2013 Many lives start in tragedy and end in tragedy. Take Socrates for instance. He was born in the wake of destruction and war, in the city of Athens. Athens was leveled by the Persians, it’s once beautiful architecture crumbled into dust. His father was a stonemason, a high […]
By Josh Rueff on July 02, 2013 Right now “world peace” is a cliche beauty pageant answer. Prosperity means possessions to most, working is toiling for another, and the words “good” and “noble” have very little to do with anything. But according to the ancient history of the Greeks, Hindus, Norse, Rome, and much of […]
By Josh Rueff on July 01, 2013 Whoever said, “Life isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey”- I’d like to thank that person. If there ever was a cliche I’d be willing to live my life by, it’s that one. I’ve been thinking about that off and on over the last week, and coming […]
By Josh Rueff on June 28, 2013 Are you addicted to safety? Many of us are. In fact, most are. The vast majority of Americans devote their lives to the pursuit of what? Happiness? No, not happiness. And not freedom. They devote their lives to the pursuit of security. In Plato’s “Myth of the Cave”, […]
By Josh Rueff on June 05, 2013 What is freedom exactly – and what does freedom have to do with minimalism? Am I – A citizen of a nation forged upon the foundation of freedom – Am I truly free? Mankind’s Perpetual Struggle for Freedom It is 1783, a year of moral victory for the […]
By Josh Rueff on May 21, 2013 This simple recipe for traditional Danish Pancakes is a superb addition to our minimalist “Simple Recipe Series”. This excerpt from wikipedia (take it or leave it) is actually quite accurate: Æbleskiver (Danish meaning apple slices (singular: æbleskive)) are traditional Danish pancakes in a distinctive shape of a sphere. […]
By Josh Rueff on May 14, 2013 The Spartans were known for their brevity and dry wit. Their style of speech became known as Laconic speech. Laconic speech or phrasing can be used for efficiency, quick witted humor, or in the philosophical pursuit of minimalism, which can be seen in the philosophy of Stoicism for […]