Posts by AxA

Also looks like they have captions enabled on the video, so we can set them to translate directly rather than using Google Translate separately.

Looks like they ran the Saturday event under the Sunday livestream. We'll see whether they then use the Saturday stream for tomorrow, or else use a new video link.

Quote from Cassius

Quote from AxA

Looking at previous editions, the sound quality is good enough that Google Translate in transcribe mode is able to do a pretty good job.

Which presumably means we won't get much out of watching "Live" but that shortly after it's published to youtube they will do a speech to text, and maybe have an English version of that?

Lately on Youtube I have noticed that some videos that I am sure were done in only english now have a foreign language audio option- 0r at least an auto-generated text translation.

Is anyone following the technology here closely enough to clarify?

From what I can see from their youtube channel, even all their previous symposia are still without subtitles.

What I mean is, you can play the youtube video on one device (such as computer), while on another device (such as phone or tablet) run Google Translate set to "transcribe mode" to process continuous audio. Google Translate will hear the Greek being said live on the youtube video and output English translation captions.

Looks like you can even do it on the same device, using Google Translate web version. You select Greek as the input language and click the microphone to start listening. Then in another window you play the video. The web version appears to limit you to 5000 characters at a time, at which point you would have to refresh the page. Whereas in the phone or tablet app version of Google Translate, you can enter "transcribe mode" which should allow continuous transcription.

These appear to be scheduled livestream links for the conference:

Saturday:

Sunday:

Here are some of the earlier editions, chopped into playlists:

Κήπος Αθηνών

Η Επικούρεια Φιλοσοφία σήμερα, από τον ΚΗΠΟ ΑΘΗΝΩΝ. Friends of Epicurean Philosophy GARDEN OF ATHENS - www.epicuros.gr

www.youtube.com

Unfortunately there seems to be a complete lack of subtitles. Looking at previous editions, the sound quality is good enough that Google Translate in transcribe mode is able to do a pretty good job.

I can imagine a possible consequence of my permissive approach, that it ends up with a bunch of people arguing against everything Epicurus said, and these arguments end up taking up the whole conversation. I imagine that might be what's happening online, and what led to the strict enforcement you recommend.

If this happens, I believe what I will have to do is divide into two groups, this one open to the public, and another one a more personal gathering of friends who agree at least enough to not be arguing all the time about basic positions. But I think the way to that is through this more open approach. I won't be able to assemble my Garden of Friends until I meet them.

Quote from Kalosyni

AxA you may want to check out this section of the forum (if you haven't already):

Outlines, Guides, And Maps

I missed that page. Thanks. I'll use this to help assemble my handout for the first meeting.

My idea for the first meeting is to present some of the major teachings of Epicurus and otherwise have a free discussion. If it strays too far into unhelpful and irrelevant topics, I'll have to bring it back, and if there are participants who insist on sidetracking the discussion I'll have to control them. This will certainly be a challenge, the same any discussion moderator faces.

I don't feel a need to strictly enforce Epicurean positions. I see this as a free exchange of ideas and discussion of them on their own merits. I find that Epicurus has many excellent ideas and I want to share them and discuss them with others, including those who disagree with some or even all of them.

I wonder if the strict doctrinal enforcement here is a consequence of being an internet forum. There are just so many trolls and discussion hijackers that it takes strong policing to keep a good online discussion going. It may turn out to be this way in person as well, but I see the default state as being a free discussion with Epicurean philosophy as a "home base" to keep returning to. Policing of positions is something I only wish to do to the minimum necessary to keep the discussion fruitful for all.

Admin Edit: For a link to the Meetup group, you can find it here.

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Quote from Cassius

AxA check this thread for some past discussion on Meetup group possibilities:

Thread

Planning And Execution of A Local Group

Epicurean Meetings and Conventions

New: Meetup Handouts

Update: As of 2/10/25 as I am writing this, it is my understanding that the Sydney Australia Epicurean meetup group is no longer operational. I have left the links below in case you want to look for prior versions of the page, but at present i am not aware of any operational Epicurean Meetup groups.

In most parts of the world, there are at present very few opportunities for regular people who are interested in Epicurus to get together to…

Cassius

January 8, 2018 at 6:58 AM

Great discussion. Exactly the kind of experience I want to learn from.

The links to the DokuWiki pages seem to be broken.

The latest internet archive I can find for the Sydney meetup is 2021, and its recent events appear to have been in a “virtual garden”:

Sydney Epicurus Philosophy Garden (Sydney, Australia)

The purpose of this Group is to explore the philosophy of Epicurus through discussion and the enjoyment of the simple pleasures of life such as friendship, as…

web.archive.org

I like this statement: “it is probable that almost any metropolitan area of any size would support a Sydney-style meetup group if even one or two people act with determination to keep the meetings on track and recognize that attendance will likely remain small for an extended period.”

This is what I’m going on. The minimum is 2 people per metropolis willing to meet once a month to talk Epicurean philosophy. That seems doable.

I also like this statement: "the academic world ... has labeled Epicurus as a philosophy for losers, misfits, loners, and recluses." I can work with that. Sounds like labels for anyone who doesn't place high enough value in social approval and honours. I have no interest in directly fighting that narrative. I'd rather embrace it with a laugh, and live the way I want to among my friends without regard for mainstream approval. The happier we live, the more hollow anyone else's disapproval becomes.

I like this idea. I've been thinking about a one-page handout to bring to the in-person gathering. I would want it to contain at least the four-fold cure and three classes of desires. Probably some other of the principal doctrines, but stated as simply as possible. And a few of the common misunderstandings of the teaching.

Al-Hakiim von Grof, I really like the back of this brochure with the four principles and Epicurus quote. I might use something like this.

I think I'll learn a lot from this first attempt at a live meetup. I'll have to manage the conversation, make sure it's not just generic chat, and prevent anyone (including myself) from talking too much.

Have any of you held in-person gatherings in the past?

I don't have any particular background in philosophy other than a broad general education. I would say my interest is very practical. While discussion of abstract ideas is a pleasure in itself, my main interest is the mechanics of living a good life. Epicurus's perspective has helped me to clarify that I have an excess of anxieties about unnecessary matters, and a deficiency of good friendships.

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

Don, you mention live events. Do you mean the online events in the Upcoming Events list?

I look forward to attending the next First Monday gathering.

Admin Edit (February 24, 2025) This post is a copy of an earlier post, so that it can serve as a general announcement containing the link to the Meetup group.

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I'm new to the study of Epicurus and have found the teachings of this school very refreshing. In particular the appreciation for friendship and simple good living, and a relief from abstract notions of virtue and "ideals".

I'm surprised how few in-person Epicurean gatherings I can find. I'm starting an in-person meetup group in Toronto to hold Eikas gatherings. Anyone know of others in other cities?

Epicurean Philosophy Toronto | Meetup

Epicurus’s Garden was an ancient Greek school of philosophy whose influence has been felt through the centuries even though few are familiar with it…

www.meetup.com

I'm new to the study of Epicurus and have found the teachings of this school very refreshing. In particular the appreciation for friendship and simple good living, and a relief from abstract notions of virtue and "ideals".

I'm surprised how few in-person Epicurean gatherings I can find. I'm starting an in-person meetup group in Toronto to hold Eikas gatherings. Anyone know of others in other cities?

Epicurean Philosophy Toronto | Meetup

Epicurus’s Garden was an ancient Greek school of philosophy whose influence has been felt through the centuries even though few are familiar with it…

www.meetup.com