overview

who we are
We're different from you, and you're different from us; that much is given. Why we have become the people we are is much like any evolutionary process: we are shaped by genetics and environment, desires and fears. In general terms, we're human animals living in an inherited culture. In specific terms, we may be described thus: a man and a woman in their thirties, living in San Francisco and Rotterdam, working in the web-world, but thinking in the art-world. We are freethinkers, amateur philosophers, and yes - hedonists. There is more about us here.

what we think
It's a big world, full of wonders and evils, in ever-varying ratios. We like a lot of things, most of which you've probably never heard of. Very few of these are part of contemporary popular culture, which we generally despise. We also have deeply held philosophical positions about a number of issues. We have reached these positions through careful consideration and objectivity, rather than from following the lead of others or from reactions.

a common thread
If our way of thinking could be encapsulated in one phrase, we'd have to quote Socrates: "The unexamined life is not worth living". Since we do indeed want to live this life, we choose to examine everything we believe and do. This process has taken us far from the common paths of most of our peers. One thing that has emerged is a realization that things are very wrong with the way most people live. Humans have created a dystopia; we seek to create a utopia.

a better way?
Life is a series of decisions, followed by their results and ramifications. These decisions are made - often with little thought - many times each day. The difference between a happy, rich person and a miserable homeless person is primarily the result of the little decisions they have made every day. The burden of that responsibility is unappealing to most people, but that does nothing to change the process. We think it is better to use our minds and actions for positive change.

why "hedonia"?
The term "hedonism" has two common meanings. First is the literary and folkloric reference, usually used to describe an ancient culture such as the Pagan Greeks, or mythic people such as Atlanteans. The other, more common usage is pejorative, most often employed by Christians when condemning "the pleasures of the flesh". Our use of the word is more literal: the pursuit of the pleasures of life. "Hedonia" is the location of that state of being.

towards a positive state of pleasure
It is our assertion that humans are capable of lives full of personal pleasure. We also think that it is essential that humans make decisions and act to improve the state of humankind, the earth and everything else within our sphere of influence. Can these two positions be balanced? Indeed, we think that they are inexorably enjoined. Will you join the process of evolving towards a positive state of pleasure?