Beautifully written, Remy. You've left me at the end of that piece feeling uncharacteristically optimistic. Hats off.
I've been uncomfortable with any kind of religious sentiment since I escaped a rather oppressive catholic upbringing, but I guess there is something ennobling about the search for the divine. My antagonism towards all kinds of faith has definitely softened over the years. I don't think age has made me wiser, true, but it has given me the benefit of some distance. Polytheistic religions like the pantheon you've offered have the benefit of balance. Each deity has her devotees, and whatever one may pronounce the others are there to offer an alternative perspective. It's the monotheism of the abrahamic religions that is so dangerous in the world. I think I could get round your numerated gods. I could work with this. Maybe.
As well as building the metrics by which we attempt to exceed one another, numbers can be limiting, even enslaving. I guess any paradigm can be paralysing. Perhaps the trick for any creative artist is to see the prison as an opportunity. The worst thing you can do to any creative artist is to tell them they can do anything they want. Despair will surely follow. Impose limitations and they will burn their creative energy trying they round them, and often I the process generate their best work.
So maybe this is where numbers are out saviour. Use only one colour. Verses must have seven lines. Use only two chords. Use two bass guitars and zero keyboards. And so on. Self-imposed limits or rules to sponsor creativity. Numbers can be friends after all.
I recall this French author who I think wrote an entire book without using the letter A (I can't recall the name of the guy nor book). But this is a fascinating thought. Maybe even worth a post!
I remember that guy! I think it was Georges Perec. The letter E is the most commonly appearing in the French language, if you ignore whether and how it's accented, so he set himself the challenge of writing a whole novel without using it. La Disparition. Years ago I read some passages from it out of curiosity. There's a strange starkness to it but as you read you're not sure why. It's maybe the unusual rhythm or limited sound palate. Some of it's quite beautiful, in a way. Pretty extreme measure though! Peter Gabriel did something similar but less drastic about 15 years ago when he created a rock album with no guitar and no drums.
Limitations, I believe, is the only way to make significant advancement on your goals - without limitations it’s easy (as we can see proof in the online space) to start, stop, start, stop, shift platform, try this and that and on it goes at no end when sometimes all that is needed is to remain limited in your choice of “strategy” if you will and let it brew enough before moving on and expanding.
on a more practical note, I’ve built my whole embroidery business on the notion of limiting yourself to fewer techniques (there are hundreds and I only use 5 stitches) you can create stunning work ✨
Great read. Very personal. When I took calculus in college I actually had the only nightmare of my life where the integral symbol was chasing me through a city and it was entirely terrifying.
The worst part was how “thin” the integral symbol is. They were hard to spot and to escape from. (Hope this doesn’t give calculus nightmares to others:)
As an 82-year-old Jewish atheist who had to retake math to be allowed to study history and literature, and who still uses fingers and toes to add things up, I respect but refuse to worship numbers. We're already enslaved by algorithms: give me words over figures every time!
Some people treat numbers like a language, others see them as little demons. For me, I think they're great for remembering how many drinks I can have before I pass out 👍
Loved this Remy. For a while there, I was obsessed with hitting 10,000 steps every day, but only because I was gifted a Fitbit, and I didn’t want to break my streak once I started. It’s weird to measure the success of a day in terms of steps taken (rather than, you know, experiences had), but I was committed. Silly in retrospect, but I guess the exercise was a win? Thanks for the great read.
Solid piece! As an accountant, I can’t help but embrace numbers. And, I know we shouldn’t pick favorites, but, as the creator of Rule of Three, right here on Substack, I can’t help it. . .
Thanks, Remy—I’m enjoying your blend of frankness and humour. And as a fellow numerically-challenged soul, this resonates: ‘Whether I succeed at my prophet career or not, I aim to shift from combat to camaraderie with numbers, acknowledging our past battles and seeking an armistice.’ Camaraderie certainly sounds more enticing!
Really enjoyed the article. My nemesis is math but since it seems math and mysticism made friends in the realm of quantum physics, I can be okay with that. I still can't do trig but I'm at peace now.
What a fun one... I have an affinity for 9's and always end up working on projects to do with them in the title or the context. I've read it symbolizes the completion of a cycle. I've never dreamt in numbers but I often have life-sized chessboard dreams that involve the board tipping so the pieces and I are all sliding off into the void. Writer, director, prophet is quite a good Venn. I think mine would be writer, misanthrope, mother... impossible to exorcize the mother :)
I too leave math to the professionals and religion to the believers. Regarding the soufflé, baking is where where it all went wrong. Baking is more of a science that depends on correct proportions. That’s why I stick to cooking—it is an art that allows me to view recipes as mere suggestions and be guided by taste and smell.
Numbers have plagued me since Algebra 1. That’s when I lost faith in numbers. And I believe I could have conquered the world , had I been able to do math. I mean, I did great, even memorable work as an artist, but could have been a CEO of a conglomerate, had I not been afraid of percentages. It’s my one big regret in life.
And now that I’m coming up against a big birthday, I’m fighting like crazy against the numbers again. It will only end when it really ends.
oh how much it reates. yes I'm also a black sheep(a white crow?) in my family.
Alzheimer ruins a lot in its wake, but yeah..only now I've let off the hook. I'd rather not pay so dearly for that, yet who's asking us.
It's though like I miss something., in my abstract thinking, when it comes to math..like they dropped me on my head(which they actually did. still in disagreement who among them dropped me)).
So, my numbers are colorful, just like letters are, and all the numbers from 11 to 19 are beautiful teen girls, each with her own physical appearance, character, etc. That helps, somewhat.
The more abstract math gets-somewhere it meets music, philosophy, and all other things obscured to me, to this or that degree. So I think it eventually becomes art as well, not only science.
Sir. I very much enjoyed this piece. I laughed quite a bit, but also really enjoyed the more serious thoughts. And I'm especially glad as you wrote: "This essay turned out more upbeat than I anticipated."
(Numbers get a bad rap sometimes. But...anything in jest I might write here or as if from another version that doesn't clearly communicate my enjoyment of it, can be ignored. Sometimes my trying to be funny limits my ability to be clear.)
Had I not already been a subscriber, I would have subscribed. But at 60% off, I would feel a little guilty about cheating you out of...
Never mind.
P.S. Sorry about the soufflé. And I really did enjoy the Spa Story piece as well, and truly nothing niggled at me. I said that in jest, but felt bad about maybe coming across as serious in a previous iteration of the multi-verse.
Haha, I wish I were rich. My wife and I often like to travel and we absolutely love places where we can live above our means. The spa story was set in one of these. Although I must admit I buy the most expensive eggs at the shop, the ones at the very top of the shelf heheheh
I, too, am in camaraderie with numbers. I love the idea of numbers…the purity of them, the way you can make something work out. All that shit. But, no, I’m never going to be a mathematician, so I’ll settle for a camaraderie just keeping on good terms with numbers to see me through those bits of life that are all about the numbers.
Beautifully written, Remy. You've left me at the end of that piece feeling uncharacteristically optimistic. Hats off.
I've been uncomfortable with any kind of religious sentiment since I escaped a rather oppressive catholic upbringing, but I guess there is something ennobling about the search for the divine. My antagonism towards all kinds of faith has definitely softened over the years. I don't think age has made me wiser, true, but it has given me the benefit of some distance. Polytheistic religions like the pantheon you've offered have the benefit of balance. Each deity has her devotees, and whatever one may pronounce the others are there to offer an alternative perspective. It's the monotheism of the abrahamic religions that is so dangerous in the world. I think I could get round your numerated gods. I could work with this. Maybe.
As well as building the metrics by which we attempt to exceed one another, numbers can be limiting, even enslaving. I guess any paradigm can be paralysing. Perhaps the trick for any creative artist is to see the prison as an opportunity. The worst thing you can do to any creative artist is to tell them they can do anything they want. Despair will surely follow. Impose limitations and they will burn their creative energy trying they round them, and often I the process generate their best work.
So maybe this is where numbers are out saviour. Use only one colour. Verses must have seven lines. Use only two chords. Use two bass guitars and zero keyboards. And so on. Self-imposed limits or rules to sponsor creativity. Numbers can be friends after all.
I recall this French author who I think wrote an entire book without using the letter A (I can't recall the name of the guy nor book). But this is a fascinating thought. Maybe even worth a post!
Perec la disparition- letter e
I remember that guy! I think it was Georges Perec. The letter E is the most commonly appearing in the French language, if you ignore whether and how it's accented, so he set himself the challenge of writing a whole novel without using it. La Disparition. Years ago I read some passages from it out of curiosity. There's a strange starkness to it but as you read you're not sure why. It's maybe the unusual rhythm or limited sound palate. Some of it's quite beautiful, in a way. Pretty extreme measure though! Peter Gabriel did something similar but less drastic about 15 years ago when he created a rock album with no guitar and no drums.
Limitations, I believe, is the only way to make significant advancement on your goals - without limitations it’s easy (as we can see proof in the online space) to start, stop, start, stop, shift platform, try this and that and on it goes at no end when sometimes all that is needed is to remain limited in your choice of “strategy” if you will and let it brew enough before moving on and expanding.
on a more practical note, I’ve built my whole embroidery business on the notion of limiting yourself to fewer techniques (there are hundreds and I only use 5 stitches) you can create stunning work ✨
Apologies for the typos. Insane autocorrect at work!
Great read. Very personal. When I took calculus in college I actually had the only nightmare of my life where the integral symbol was chasing me through a city and it was entirely terrifying.
lol that's hilarious
I Love Math, but Integrals are a pain . . . ( just my opinion ) . . .
The worst part was how “thin” the integral symbol is. They were hard to spot and to escape from. (Hope this doesn’t give calculus nightmares to others:)
As an 82-year-old Jewish atheist who had to retake math to be allowed to study history and literature, and who still uses fingers and toes to add things up, I respect but refuse to worship numbers. We're already enslaved by algorithms: give me words over figures every time!
Some people treat numbers like a language, others see them as little demons. For me, I think they're great for remembering how many drinks I can have before I pass out 👍
lol how many is that?
Hhhmmm 🤔 I'm having trouble remembering that number. Maybe another drink will help jog the memory...
Lol in all seriousness, it was a great read! One day when I'm not as broke I might take you up on the paid sub offer😂
Loved this Remy. For a while there, I was obsessed with hitting 10,000 steps every day, but only because I was gifted a Fitbit, and I didn’t want to break my streak once I started. It’s weird to measure the success of a day in terms of steps taken (rather than, you know, experiences had), but I was committed. Silly in retrospect, but I guess the exercise was a win? Thanks for the great read.
Oh yeah, I can connect to this. When I was exercising (Damn I need to get back to that) I was very much targeting specific figures as well
Solid piece! As an accountant, I can’t help but embrace numbers. And, I know we shouldn’t pick favorites, but, as the creator of Rule of Three, right here on Substack, I can’t help it. . .
https://ruleofthree.substack.com/p/welcome-to-rule-of-three
Thanks, Remy—I’m enjoying your blend of frankness and humour. And as a fellow numerically-challenged soul, this resonates: ‘Whether I succeed at my prophet career or not, I aim to shift from combat to camaraderie with numbers, acknowledging our past battles and seeking an armistice.’ Camaraderie certainly sounds more enticing!
Thanks Ruby :)
Really enjoyed the article. My nemesis is math but since it seems math and mysticism made friends in the realm of quantum physics, I can be okay with that. I still can't do trig but I'm at peace now.
Thanks M. N.!
What a fun one... I have an affinity for 9's and always end up working on projects to do with them in the title or the context. I've read it symbolizes the completion of a cycle. I've never dreamt in numbers but I often have life-sized chessboard dreams that involve the board tipping so the pieces and I are all sliding off into the void. Writer, director, prophet is quite a good Venn. I think mine would be writer, misanthrope, mother... impossible to exorcize the mother :)
Yes maybe that's what should be at the center of my Venn: exhausted father :)
Love this! Another fascinating article.
Thanks 🙌
I too leave math to the professionals and religion to the believers. Regarding the soufflé, baking is where where it all went wrong. Baking is more of a science that depends on correct proportions. That’s why I stick to cooking—it is an art that allows me to view recipes as mere suggestions and be guided by taste and smell.
my souffle didn't simply look deflated. It looked like a ball, a crust
Numbers have plagued me since Algebra 1. That’s when I lost faith in numbers. And I believe I could have conquered the world , had I been able to do math. I mean, I did great, even memorable work as an artist, but could have been a CEO of a conglomerate, had I not been afraid of percentages. It’s my one big regret in life.
And now that I’m coming up against a big birthday, I’m fighting like crazy against the numbers again. It will only end when it really ends.
I empathize with your description of being enviable of believers. But now with this numerism thing, I may not have to be envious.
hahah fair enough.
oh how much it reates. yes I'm also a black sheep(a white crow?) in my family.
Alzheimer ruins a lot in its wake, but yeah..only now I've let off the hook. I'd rather not pay so dearly for that, yet who's asking us.
It's though like I miss something., in my abstract thinking, when it comes to math..like they dropped me on my head(which they actually did. still in disagreement who among them dropped me)).
So, my numbers are colorful, just like letters are, and all the numbers from 11 to 19 are beautiful teen girls, each with her own physical appearance, character, etc. That helps, somewhat.
The more abstract math gets-somewhere it meets music, philosophy, and all other things obscured to me, to this or that degree. So I think it eventually becomes art as well, not only science.
Fun read, Remy, thank you
You're much welcome Chen.
Sir. I very much enjoyed this piece. I laughed quite a bit, but also really enjoyed the more serious thoughts. And I'm especially glad as you wrote: "This essay turned out more upbeat than I anticipated."
(Numbers get a bad rap sometimes. But...anything in jest I might write here or as if from another version that doesn't clearly communicate my enjoyment of it, can be ignored. Sometimes my trying to be funny limits my ability to be clear.)
Had I not already been a subscriber, I would have subscribed. But at 60% off, I would feel a little guilty about cheating you out of...
Never mind.
P.S. Sorry about the soufflé. And I really did enjoy the Spa Story piece as well, and truly nothing niggled at me. I said that in jest, but felt bad about maybe coming across as serious in a previous iteration of the multi-verse.
Haha, I wish I were rich. My wife and I often like to travel and we absolutely love places where we can live above our means. The spa story was set in one of these. Although I must admit I buy the most expensive eggs at the shop, the ones at the very top of the shelf heheheh
Well, I hope you DO become rich then. Good on you.
May the blessed number 5 hear your prayers.
Loved this piece.
I, too, am in camaraderie with numbers. I love the idea of numbers…the purity of them, the way you can make something work out. All that shit. But, no, I’m never going to be a mathematician, so I’ll settle for a camaraderie just keeping on good terms with numbers to see me through those bits of life that are all about the numbers.