27 Comments
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Wendy Parciak's avatar

Wonderful! I think you've hit upon the essence of what it means to be human.

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Franco Amati's avatar

thanks, Wendy <3

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Victoria Barrett's avatar

Yes agreed! This part especially: "it’s an essentially human thing

to act just because"

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Franco Amati's avatar

thank you, victoria

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Crapp's avatar

Typical scientific hubris. It’s all in the mind is one of the most destructive, narrow ideas we’ve ever given credence to as a society. Probably a big part of the reason we’re in such a shitty space as a species.

Glad to see you put a sharp, eloquent pin in its bubble.

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Franco Amati's avatar

thank you!

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Mary Corbin's avatar

Great one! This is on all of our human minds these days, especially us artists.

The pieces of the puzzle that can't be replicated, that make creative expression our hidden treasure. Years ago, I used to say, "I'm more interested in Ram Dass than Rom-Dos," and its still true. Unfortunately, it's now quaint in the scheme of AI and all that lies ahead!

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Franco Amati's avatar

Love that phrase, Mary. It truly is our hidden treasure. Thank you for the comment today ❤️

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Russell C. Smith's avatar

Franco, Have you ever read Leonard Cohen's book of (mostly) prose poems, "Death of a Lady's Man"?

The poem is on one page, and a commentary on the poem follows. Maybe worth a look?

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Franco Amati's avatar

I haven't but I will take a look. Thanks for suggesting it :)

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Marjorie Pezzoli's avatar

May we all stay curious and find what comes after the 3rd thing.

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Franco Amati's avatar

exactly! thank you Marjorie :)

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

A beautiful ode to humans. Amen. 🙏

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Franco Amati's avatar

Thank you, Kimberly ❤️

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Alix's avatar

oh wow

i am speechless for anything beyond those two words of expression

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Franco Amati's avatar

❤️ thank you Alixandra

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Adelia Ritchie's avatar

Beautiful. Will and desire and creativity and passions might compose more than just a "third thing"... And until we arrive at the point where Hal says, "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave," we should be ok. Fingers crossed.

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Franco Amati's avatar

haha great point, Adelia!

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Michael Edward's avatar

This was great. The third thing indeed.

I really really enjoyed this - thank you.

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Franco Amati's avatar

glad you enjoyed it. Thank you, Michael.

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Victoria SkyDancer's avatar

Until the bots bow their heads and pray to the "Mother of All Machines," there will be that "Third Thing" - a belief in Something Greater than yourself.

Nice birthday prezzie, btw. 😉😎

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Franco Amati's avatar

Thank you, Victoria. And happy birthday!

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Erick Lima's avatar

I been reading the works of the early Christian Fathers trying to understand what they meant by the trinity. Can't help but laugh at the similarities between their ideas and this piece. It's always that damned illusive third thing that just keeps on putting a spoke in the wheel. Ignore it, misinterpret it (consciously and unconsciously), paint that apple blue, whatever gets you through the day--but it is there.

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Franco Amati's avatar

Ha great points. I always thought that too about Catholicism and the Trinity. We always want things in threes I guess lol

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Jason Holliman's avatar

I am a small business owner. I also write enthusiastically because i hope it can be a retirement for me. I tell my friends that i literally fight for my life everyday i walk out the door to go to work or open up my laptop to begin writing. I hope this makes sense. Best wishes and thank you for what you bring to the Substack community. Keep it up.

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Franco Amati's avatar

Thank you for the insight! makes sense for sure. and I appreciate the feedback :)

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Oct 18, 2023
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Franco Amati's avatar

thank you, Karl! it it's all about finding that core of human identity

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