The Cogitating Ceviché Week in Review (25-43)
Discussion via NotebookLM
Editorial Summary
This week, our newsletter spans the founding era, the next frontier of digital therapy, the depths of literary fiction, ancient strategy, the contested domain of online democracy, and a serialized noir tale. Contributors converge across disciplines, asking how the past informs the present, how technology reshapes the human condition, and how narrative — whether historical, fictional, or algorithmic—underpins the challenges we face. We move from 1776 to AI in the therapist’s chair, from Melville’s sea to Hannibal’s battlefield, from comment‑sections to chimney‑sweeps.— Calista F. Freiheit · Conrad T Hannon · Gio Marron
Articles
* Through the Founders’ Eyes: How Modern Critics Would Have Been Judged in 1776 — Oct 27, 2025 · Calista Freiheit & Conrad HannonA provocative re‑examination of how today’s cultural and scholarly critics might have fared under 18th‑century standards of the American founding.
* The AI Therapist Will See You Now: The Couch Has Gone Digital — Oct 28, 2025 · Conrad HannonA look at how artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering mental‑health landscapes, therapy modalities, and the question of human connection in the digital age.
* Billy Budd — Oct 29, 2025 · Gio MarronA literary deep‑dive into Herman Melville’s classic novella, exploring its themes of innocence, evil, authority, and sacrifice in a maritime setting.
* Hannibal Barca and the Algorithmic Battlefield: Ancient Strategy in the Age of AI War — Oct 29, 2025 · Conrad T HannonThis essay draws parallels between Hannibal’s strategic genius and how modern autonomous systems might replicate, distort or transcend ancient manoeuvres.
* The Republic of Comments: Democracy’s Last Refuge Is Below the Fold — Oct 31, 2025 · Conrad HannonAn investigation into how comment sections, forums, and below‑the‑fold dialogues are becoming a critical battleground for democratic discourse.
* The Chimney Sweep’s Tale – PART SIX: “Justice Served” — Nov 1, 2025 · Gio MarronA serialized fiction piece in noir mode: the next chapter in the saga of Mimi Delboise as she confronts power, justice, and past shadows in a gritty urban landscape.
Quote of the Week
“The principles of the American founding … can be learned by studying the abundant documents contained in the record. … To learn this history is to become a better person, a better citizen, and a better partner in the American experiment of self‑government.” — Excerpt from the The 1776 Report Trump White House Archive+1
Questions
Through the Founders’ Eyes: How Modern Critics Would Have Been Judged in 1776
* In what ways might today’s academic critics fail the standards of the founding era?
* What does this reversal teach us about intellectual humility and historical context?
* Are there critics today whose work would have been considered radical or dangerous in 1776 — and what does that say about our present?
The AI Therapist Will See You Now: The Couch Has Gone Digital
* How does the shift from human therapist to algorithmically assisted therapy change the definition of “care”?
* What risks arise when machines mediate emotional vulnerability and trust?
* Could digital therapy exacerbate or reduce inequality in access to mental‑health services?
Billy Budd
* How does Melville frame innocence and authority in the story, and to what extent does this mirror modern social hierarchies?
* If Billy Budd is both shipmate and symbol, what does his fate tell us about systems of justice?
* How might this novella speak to present‑day themes of leadership, complicity, and moral courage?
Hannibal Barca and the Algorithmic Battlefield: Ancient Strategy in the Age of AI War
* What strategic lessons from Hannibal’s campaign remain relevant in a world of autonomous weapons and AI warfare? The American Interest+1
* In what ways do modern technologies amplify or diminish human agency in military decision‑making?
* Does applying ancient strategy to algorithmic war risk oversimplifying the unique ethical challenges of modern war?
The Republic of Comments: Democracy’s Last Refuge Is Below the Fold
* How do comment sections function as sites of democratic engagement — or radicalization?
* What responsibilities do platforms and participants bear in shaping below‑the‑fold discourse?
* Can true democratic deliberation occur amidst the noise and algorithmic manipulation of online comments?
The Chimney Sweep’s Tale – PART SIX: “Justice Served”
* How does the narrative structure of the serial influence your engagement with Mimi Delboise’s story?
* What themes of power, justice, and redemption are emerging, and how do they mirror real‑world systems?
* In what way does the noir aesthetic help reveal hidden social dynamics?
Additional Resources
* “The American Revolutions of 1776” – National Affairs National Affairs
* “Timeless Lessons from Cannae to D‑Day: Operational Art on the Sensor‑Rich Battlefield of the Twenty‑First Century” – United States Military Academy mwi.westpoint.edu article Modern War Institute -
* “Lessons from Hannibal’s Tactical Genius” – The B:Side Way blog thebsideway.com
* “They Knew They Were Founders” – The Heritage Foundation article The Heritage Foundation
* “War Elephants: Rethinking Combat AI and Human Oversight” – academic paper on AI and warfare arXiv
* “The Founding Fathers: Myths and Reality” – historyonthenet.com article History on the Net
Calls to Action
* From Calista F. Freiheit: Reflect on one founding‑era value and name one modern critic or voice you believe would have passed muster in 1776.
* From Conrad T Hannon: Try using a digital mental‑health tool this week and note how the experience differs from human interaction.
* From Gio Marron: Read a short story, then write two sentences on how the narrative made you see power or justice differently.
* General Call: Share this Week in Review with someone whose worldview you respect — invite them to discuss one question from the list above and send us your reflections.
Thank you for your time today. Until next time, stay gruntled, curious, and God Bless.
