Hello World! And greetings to you! And to you, travelers on the twisting and ever turning path of philosophy.

For years now, I have been a quiet scribe (for the most part) while navigating this space. As I, until now, have only posted or shared my thoughts, often unprompted and at random times, barging in ongoing discussion threads in comment replies. Nonetheless, those discussions where I refrained and have silently followed along and kept commentary private, I steadily am admiring the vibrancy of those who so impressively share and exchange ideas by using their communication skills, consistently setting the bar high for quality and informative insights on specific topics. Many have delivered and maintain to, at a high level, hold a standard here when it comes to substance of a post. I want it to be well known, I acknowledge and respect those that take that time to put together such valuable discussion posts, especially proposing it digitally and publicly for all to take in from a screen displayed before us on whatever device at/on hand.

My contributions, perhaps, have often been less about presenting the polished declaration and more a raw current of thought. A “thinking-aloud” as some have observed. I admit, my words have at times flowed untamed, a stream of consciousness seeking not a definite point, but rather a deeper resonating point of reference within the vast depths of human inquiry. At first, I took it personal that some have found this disorienting, even “incoherent,” mistaking my efforts for articulation and my genuine interest for a lack of focus.

BUT, I believe, to truly understand—sometimes one must step beyond the rigid stances, structures of the obvious and into the subtle, unedited landscape of the mind. My aim has never been to present some pre-packaged argument or defend a tailored hypothesis. Instead, I offer raw glimpses into the process of philosophizing, a journey of discovery which often and in this case, begins without a map and seeks NOT the easy answers, but the profoundness in the questions that lie beneath the surface.

Today, in my debut discussion post I propose an unveiling. An invitation to step into a shared spotlight of our origins on this forum and maybe perhaps a glimpse into the truer currents binding us. I call this endeavor: THE PHILOSOPHY FORUM FILES.

These “files” are not to display my ideas, critiques, or judgements. They are, rather simply, years of a meticulously kept records from my personal notes—a messy chronicle of the moments, phrases, and the profound (often overlooked) insights that have moved me, and surely others thanks to..., those within this bright community with such abilities, agendas, and obvious like minded passions.

I consider this a testament to the fact that genuine philosophy, to me, is not about reciting historical doctrines, or intellectual gymnastics but about the very act of doing it. Of living and breathing the questions.

SO, I invite you, those whom have in them a specific kind of courage. A willingness to start to peel back the very first layer of your presence here, in order to eventually reveal more deeply OUR purpose, here.

How many of you are willing to share and post in this thread the initial email you sent to Jamal, the very message or part of it at least, that granted you passage into this “invite only” collective?

This is an opportunity to reveal the raw, unadorned essence of what first drew you to this place. To show US the personality, the character, the very soul that sought an intellectual communion. Or did this place, find you? I want to know more now that I am curious to see who is willing to truly be seen in this spotlight.

Superstar!

It's my pleasure to kick things off with the very email [see below] that initiated taking my self taught philosophy journey to the next level. I was beginning to realize then, and more surely adhere to it now, how the destination was never here, and that it did not exist. It is/was/will be more of an endless path towards nothing [no thing] except a surety in self. A feeling. Feeling certain and stronger about and in a "knowing," from/in/with self discovery disguised as a guide. A guiding that takes effect when it comes to us then, after the fact, but before each step towards some thing. With trust, faith, guts, and a knowing--that I am right where I ought to be, because I was on track to be that and will continue on a track, path, yellow brick road-trip to and from Vegas. Nothing to fear or loathe that we can't already foresee for ourselves coming. At last, to continue on my path for as long as time gives and vice versa is a blessing in itself! As above, so below<3
August 18th,2022 at 12:52 pm
To: "info@thephilosophyforum.com"
Subject: Joining the Philosophy Forum - Invitation Request
Body: "Hello,
I am looking to expand my communication skills when it comes to philosophical thoughts and ideas. I am fairly green when it comes down to the history of philosophy, verbiage/terms and scholarly debates. However, I’m dedicated to learning more and polishing the way I get my inner dialogue and thoughts onto paper space and into words that those listening can follow. I have been frequenting the site for a few weeks and didn’t even attempt to comment or post on a topic. Just being able to follow along with discussions that are posted by daily active users and learn from them how to (or how to not) communicate such deep thoughts, theories, ideas, information, etc. is helpful and exactly what I am seeking/plan to get out of this site.
The Philosophy Forum is a tool that will help me on my journey to discover my own philosophy. I like to believe everyone has their own philosophy, even if they don’t know it. It took me a little longer to realize that and that my brain was philosophizing without even knowing the definition of philosophy. Becoming aware of that realization was a beautiful moment. Fleeting. I want to capture and acknowledge moments like that as often as possible, and it helps in my favor that I love life, people, and all the experiences that go along.
Which is why I would like to join the forum, I can handle having these discussions with people face to face much easier than I can articulate online. I wonder why the questions and answers everyone shares can be simple yet, they can also be extremely difficult and everything in between. I look forward to dissecting that thought on my own terms and in my own mind. I know the answers I seek are here for me.
.…but what is the answer when there are no more questions? Philosophy is entertaining my brain all the time. Is that enough though? I say yes….but isnt that why we are on this website? What are we looking for? What answers are we seeking? What are we getting from answers we discover? Is that good enough? Are we bored? This email is briefly not brief. Balance. Who cares? I will if I am not invited back. I googled “online philosophy community or groups” and it lead me here. Simple. I plan to enjoy the forum for what it is worth.
Thank you!!!"

And NOW, for a further sighting into the deeper layers of TPF FILES – a small offering to pique curiosity. From my private notes, a record spanning almost three years, containing references to many of you. Below, feel free to reveal THE INTEL to see the list of usernames that have appeared within these notes, along with the raw count of how many notes exist referencing them. (not the exact times they have been mentioned as that shall unveil itself in/with/from good time) [note: this does not include the PAGES of drafts I have saved on TPF, only my individual virtual "sticky notes" where the members quotes were used, others may be mentioned elsewhere] This list is in an order but not specifically of any sort known at this moment, besides only the fact that they all together have created a swirling constellation of influences:

THE INTEL

The connections, specific quotes that ignited a thought, the arguments that shaped a new perspective, these details will for now remain veiled. Stay tuned for the entries that follow this introduction, a look further into the intel above, perhaps a "Quote Log" with fragments of the quotes from some of those above. This is an experiment in understanding, in connection, in philosophizing in action.

Are you prepared to go into the deep end? It may show you, what I felt from the start, maybe that feeling is what prompted me to start this archive of references. This feeling grew with the time spent here, and the fact I felt the need to take note of this, and date when, where, why they were recorded by sharing my raw thoughts which with hindsight only display more evidently HOW I was moved and from that a direction is knowable. A destination does not exist. Here, I plan to share and hopefully explain in this, the unseen currents of thought that flow and is flowing beneath the surface of our discussions here on The Philosophy Forum. I extend this invitation to those that are...willing and ready to not just accept it, but use it.

I bought the ticket, and I'm taking the ride.

Welcome to TPF FILES. Consider this not just another thread, but a vault.


This is just the intro, not quite what I'd consider "the first entry" or "Entry 001," which is only the point where from/of many may exist. This idea, has been only an idea for quite some time. I have been putting together over the last week, potential entry prompts that continue this thread discussion with a mysterious purpose. And based on how this is received--"it" from this OP will conceive a discussion/s that were co-created. By accident or design?

Entry 001 is yet to be set completely free and at this point I have at least five planned out but how I will be presenting them depends on how this one takes. The first entry and following entries will all be shared within this thread as parts that build up to the greater whole. We decided when and what that is...

Thank you,
Kizzy


“Maybe it meant something. Maybe not, in the long run... but no explanation, no mix of words or music or memories can touch that sense of knowing that you were there and alive in that corner of time and the world. Whatever it meant.” — Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas