Feedspot — Jack Cummins

Feedspot is a blog reader and content aggregator and is thus nothing new and nothing to worry about in particular.

TPF is a website, by default all posts on TPF are available to non-members and search engines, so people are free to copy TPF content as they are with any other site.

We could make the site entirely private, so all the content would eventually disappear from search engines and things like Feedspot, thus reducing the risk of content theft and plagiarism. I doubt the members here would want to do that, since they joined on the understanding that TPF is a public website.

And if we did make TPF private we wouldn't attract any new members, because we would lose our high ranking in search engines.

So I don't think Feedspot or similar aggregators and feed readers are relevant to the issue of the essays under discussion at the moment.

I don't know if the potential publishers of philosophical essays apply the same exclusivity criteria as many of the fiction magazines do. From my very cursory research, they seem to be more permissive, meaning that if someone wanted to get their essay published, for example on Aeon, it might still be possible.

If anyone is thinking of doing that they should speak up and I'll do what needs to be done — Jamal

Thank you. I think it would be good to clarify for future events. Perhaps, publication issues/ criteria to be included in the Guidance? To warn potential posters of potential or real problems? Or to reassure.

Not everyone will read your advice and reassurance in this post. And best done by PM, if they do.
I'm curious. What, exactly, would need to be done by you?

As it is, most if not all participants would have assumed the essays were going to be viewable to non-members, since that is always the default on TPF and discussion forums generally. — Jamal

Perhaps so. But any participants, who have followed your previous policy of privacy under the Symposium, are just as likely to have assumed that to be the status quo. The need for you to have been able to publish elsewhere applicable to everyone and to philosophy essays.

Thank you. I think it would be good to clarify for future events. — Amity

Yes, I agree. What we need in future is to establish how much people want to be able to publish their TPF work elsewhere. Perhaps some people are unaware that essays already published on the internet often cannot be published in magazines and other publications. It's common knowledge, but it hadn't occurred to me when I put my plum pie in the TPF oven of competition.

EDIT: On the other hand, only two participants have ever shown any concern about getting their work published (me and hyper) and it is otherwise assumed that posts on TPF will be public.

I agree with you ultimately. The fear of plagiarism may be too negative and, in a way, I would feel honoured by anything I say being selected to be plagiarized!

I guess that I have just been wondering about Feedspot ever since I have been getting emails from it. So, your clarification about it is helpful.

EDIT: On the other hand, only two participants have ever shown any concern about getting their work published (me and hyper) and it is otherwise assumed that posts on TPF will be public. — Jamal

Oh, and you were doing so well. I almost gave you a :up:

Ultimately, I have nothing against making the situation clear in the rules next time.

Not quoting @Moliere.

Hello. Apologies. For years now, in the Literary Event and now here, I have included quotes from the story/essay. Fair enough. However, it is the name of the host e.g. Baden, Noble Dust and now, Moliere that appears. You must all have received notifications. Every time. How annoying. For both you and the authors.

Today, I realised that I could edit and remove the name until all that is left is 'quote' at the beginning.
The word quote inside [ ].
There is no doubt a better, quicker way to use the quote system? So that it jumps back to the point in the essay...

So that it jumps back to the point in the essay... — Amity

It jumps back to the top of the post but not to a point within the post, unless there is a special way of implementing anchor links that I’m not aware of.

Yes, that is true. But that only happens when the blue link (name) is activated, no? When you leave it simply as a nameless quote that doesn't happen, does it?

Yes, that is true. But that only happens when the blue link (name) is activated, no? When you leave it simply as a nameless quote that doesn't happen, does it? — Author

That’s right, the numeric code after the semicolon points back to the post.

So, there ya go. 'Moliere' can now be replaced by 'Author'. I like it! :up:

That’s right, the numeric code after the semicolon points back to the post. — Author

Got it.

So, there ya go. 'Moliere' can now be replaced by 'Author'. I like it! — Amity

But Moliere will probably still get the notification, because he posted the post identified by the number.

Really?! Och, Jings Almighty. Whatever can be done... :worry:

Really?! Och, Jings Almighty. Whatever can be done... — Amity

In this quotation I’ve replaced the ID number with the post’s full URL, which you can get from the share button at the bottom of every post. I’m guessing you won’t get a notification, even though you wrote the post.

Trouble is it opens in a new browser tab.

OK. :lol:
Thanks for trying. It's not really worth the bother, is it?! But I will use 'Author' in future, even if it disturbs Moliere. He can take it!

Edit: I did get the notification.

I get the notification, but it doesn't bother me.

Good, I'm glad!

I don't know about the authors, or other readers, but I'm enjoying taking time to read and respond to each essay. To puzzle things out before someone steps in to correct my interpretation. Because I change my mind as I go along. Other aspects of an issue or questions arise. For me, it's a fascinating process. Slow and deliberate interspersed with sparks and flashes!

Even if I'm nowhere near the mark, the essays have stimulated and provoked thoughts and feelings.
Each one has something different to offer. Thank you, again, dear authors.

I wish more readers would join in. Rather than stick to one or two essays, why not explore further? I think some essays and their ideas could do with a bit more attention, love and critical appraisal. Encouragement.

I think I have one left to read and respond to. Two, if you count Wittgenstein...

Looking forward to meeting the authors. Linking up the 'what' with the 'who'.
Thanks to @Moliere - The list of authors will come out on the 15th for the guessing game. Then the reveal on the 16th, so the authors can give feedback and natter...hopefully, if not too discouraged.

A reminder - see bolds.

After the authors are revealed on June 16th the authors can:
1. Respond to the comments and feedback.
2. Join in the general discussion, compare and contrast other essays. Note: authors, as readers, can comment on specific essays before this — Moliere

Authors can, are encouraged to, respond to other essays not their own. The more the merrier.

I have read some of the comments and it might be that an opportunity is being missed

For example, one could ask whether the writing is in fact philosophical writing. Is the content philosophical or is the writing about the content philosophical?

Even if it is philosophical writing, is it a philosophical essay? A philosophical essay is a sub-group within philosophical writing.

Even if a philosophical essay, can it be improved? A philosophical essay has certain requirements. Are these being met?

This exercise is a great opportunity to learn, not only about the nature of philosophy but also about the expression of philosophy within language.

@Moliere
@Leontiskos

I decided, at the time I commented, to wait for another opportunity. It's all good :) I fucked up and missed out on submitting.

Hey there!
Thought I'd post the List of the 13 wonderful essays. Now all we need is for @Moliere to start the 'Meet the Authors' thread, or whatever he's going to call it...
Of course, some authors are easy to guess but best hold fire. Come on, Moliere!!!

[TPF Essay] Wittgenstein's Hinges and Gödel's Unprovable Statements
[TPF Essay] Bubbles and Styx In: Pondering the Past
[TPF Essay] Dante and the Deflation of Reason
[TPF Essay] What Does It Mean to Be Human?
[TPF Essay] Cognitive Experiences are a Part of Material Reality
[TPF Essay] The Frame Before the Question
[TPF Essay] Part 1 & Part 2
[TPF Essay] Technoethics: Freedom, Precarity, and Enzymatic Knowledge Machines
[TPF Essay] The Authoritarian Liberty Paradox
[TPF Essay] An Exploration Between the Balance Between State and Individual Interests
[TPF Essay] My Soul is like the Dead Sea
[TPF Essay] The Insides and Outsides of 'Reality': Exploring Possibilities
[TPF Essay] The importance of the Philosophical Essay within philosophy

30th June 2025. Officially, the June event is over. Whatever happens next is up to @Moliere and team. Thanks to all involved in this fascinating experiment. :clap: :100:

The writing events will not be the same without dear friend, Vera. For those who haven't been following, here is the thread with the news of her sudden passing. Along with wonderful tributes:
https://thephilosophyforum.com/discussion/16032/the-passing-of-vera-mont-dear-friend/p1

I leave now with her words ringing out; positive, clear and wise as ever:

Overall, it's been engaging, challenging, worthwhile and even fun.
— Vera

Just like you, Vera. Just like you. A joy of imagination and creativity. Serious with humour. OK, sometimes a bit of a devil! Thanks for your friendship, care and understanding. Love and Peace :heart: :flower:

I'll unpin this message since the event is officially over, but honestly I'm going to keep commenting on them too. There's two essays I've yet to respond to, and so will do that by the end of day today.

But they all have a lot of richness and capability to continue spurring on discussion. Unlike an OP, though, I've had to put more effort into even a first response in order to respect the time and care that all of the authors put into their works.

I'm really impressed with everyone's work -- I felt a lot of different thoughts going in various ways I wouldn't have without having read them all. The hardest part was even attempting to offer some kind of critical feedback in the spirit of philosophy because of how good they all were. So thanks to everyone for your work! I know I'll continue to respond even though the event is "officially over".

I'm really impressed with everyone's work -- I felt a lot of different thoughts going in various ways I wouldn't have without having read them all. — Moliere

Yes. I think reading and responding to them all is worthwhile. And respectful. The essays aren't going anywhere. Resting in the subforum of The Symposium. So many ways of experiencing, writing and 'doing' philosophy. It's not always possible, given ability, time and energy levels. But, yeah. Keep writing! :flower:

There's two essays I've yet to respond to, and so will do that by the end of day today. — Moliere

I know. I've been keeping a close eye! Looking forward to more of your insightful feedback :cool:
Hopefully, others too...

But they all have a lot of richness and capability to continue spurring on discussion. Unlike an OP, though, I've had to put more effort into even a first response in order to respect the time and care that all of the authors put into their works. — Moliere

Exactly this. Thank you for highlighting the care and effort involved.

Authors will appreciate such acknowledgement. Hell, even a - Great work :100: with a sentence would do. Or - Yeah, not bad but what about this... : Or a - WTF :grimace: with a question!

It's not rocket science, as they say...but an ongoing conversation. I enjoy your encouraging attitude and engaging style. Like many others here. Suggestions can move ideas forward...more food for thought. Making connections.

Carry on the good work.

Yes, @Molieres comments were helpful. It may have felt like a chore at times to write responses. I must admit that 13 essays seemed a bit overwhelming. I tried to give feedback on as many as I could, but a few I missed because I got fairly tired, especially as a lot of the essays were long.

What I felt may have 'gone wrong' a little was a lack of 'fun' element, which was present in the short story competitions. I wonder if it was because there was not a competition, or whether the word 'essay' makes the writing seem too serious and reminiscent of school essays.

Also, giving feedback is not easy on any piece of writing is difficult. The line between criticism and appreciation is blurry. Certainly, there was no mere 'rubbishing' of attempts and an attitude of respect. Some may enjoy 'rubbishing' and critical attack of another's point of view and writing. The ideal may be giving some ideas of what may have worked and what didn't from the reader's perspective. It may be harder to review work which is excellent and the essays which I ignored may have been because I felt a little out of my depth in concentration and understanding. But, yes, short reviews may help because it is hard to interpret 'silence', and whether it signifies lack of interest.

Thanks, Jack, for sharing your experience and thoughtful feedback. As always, reflections most helpful. Useful to consider.