About #

From the LSJ:

διατρίβης

1. Wearing away, esp. of Time, way or manner of spending
   • pastime or amusement
   • serious occupation, study, etc.
     • discourse
     • short ethical treatise or lecture
     • school of philosophy
   • way of life, passing of time
   • place of resort, haunt
2. in bad sense, waste of time, loss of time, delay

All of these definitions, in one way or another, seem pertinent.

The reason for this website is simple: I have a great fear of publishing work, and this is my attempt to get over the fear. The anonymity, contrary to the academic spirit of today, is to aid this process—qualms over decorum, style, quality, etc. are all irrelevant here. There is no one to judge me; I am free, if I so choose, to post whatever, however I want.

As such, a few principles may help the reader navigate the website:

1. The newest content will be sorted at the top (minus any pinned content). Returning readers will therefore be greeted, in each section, with the newest post.

2. The content posted here is strictly non-academic. This means that the opinions expressed, as well as original research conducted, analyses, etc. will all be written more or less at random, not to the standards of academic research or expression. Theodor Adorno on academia:

   The occupation with things of the mind has by now itself become ‘practical’, a business with strict division of labour, departments and restricted entry. The man of independent means who chooses it out of repugnance for the ignominy of earning money will not be disposed to acknowledge the fact. For this he is punished. He is not a ‘professional’, is ranked in the competitive hierarchy as a dilettante no matter how well he knows his subject, and must, if he wants to make a career, show himself even more resolutely blinkered than the most inveterate specialist.¹

I would not go so far as to say that all of academia is fraudulent or worthless. But I do not wish to align myself with its crusading and ever-encroaching wing.

Diatribai is for all. However, there are friends and acquaintances for whom Diatribai is for especially. These people will know who they are. After all, why should writing only be for you and me?