Angus Fletcher's "Storythinking" explores the power of narrative in human cognition, arguing that it is a distinct and crucial form of intelligence alongside logic. The book posits that storythinking, or narrative cognition, is fundamental to planning, creativity, and navigating uncertainty by employing elements like characters, storyworlds, plots, and narrators. Fletcher contends that while logic has been historically prioritised in education, storythinking, rooted in our biological need to understand actions and motives, is equally vital for personal growth and societal advancement. Ultimately, "Storythinking" champions the conscious development of our narrative intelligence through engaging with stories and embracing conflict as a catalyst for creative problem-solving and richer lives.

This deep dive explores Jim Morrison's poem "The Soft Parade," exploring its surreal and disjointed nature as a critique of modern spirituality and American culture. It highlights Morrison's use of fragmented imagery and symbolic language to create a "fever-dream liturgy" that rejects conventional religious and social norms. The analysis examines key phrases and themes, such as the rejection of prayer and the seductive allure of the "trip," alongside the poem's non-linear structure and mythic archetypes. Ultimately, it positions "The Soft Parade" as a provocative and enduring work that challenges societal structures and delves into the subconscious.

Andy Clark, in a discussion about his "extended mind" theory, grapples with the traditional view of the mind as solely internal to the brain. He presents philosophical, socio-technological, and ethical arguments suggesting that external tools and environmental structures can legitimately be considered part of our cognitive processes.

There’s something ancient and alchemical about steeping a cup of lemon and ginger tea. The elements themselves feel like they belong in a hermetic text—fire, air, water, and earth converging in a simple but potent brew. Ginger, the fiery rhizome, awakens the senses and stokes the digestive furnace. Lemon, the golden orb, purifies, clarifies, and brightens. Together, they form a transformative elixir, capable of shifting the body’s internal balance, much like a well-placed sigil or an alchemist’s stone.

But let’s take this beyond mere folk remedies and into the deeper alchemical and philosophical dimensions of this brew. What happens when we approach this simple tea as a spagyric potion, a liquid philosopher’s stone that catalyses internal transformation?