#86 A.A. Kostas and his Way Markers (including Chris McCandless, C.S. Lewis, Robert Pirsig, Thoma... @waymaking23

Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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What Marks our Movement through life?

Andrea Hiott interviews A.A. Kostas, a Singapore-based lawyer and writer who runs the Substack Way Markers, blending poetry, fiction, and essays. They discuss how moving through different places shaped his writing and his interest in avoiding simplistic binaries through discernment—first identifying what kind of decision is in front of you—using hiking metaphors of many paths versus a narrow ridge. Alex cites Into the Wild as a cautionary way marker about seeking truth without rejecting human connection, and describes a Cradle Mountain hike where his wife had to find her own route. They explore how technology reinforces binary thinking, why poetry and music hold meanings beneath prose, and the value of humility from engaging Western and Eastern traditions (including Merton and Suzuki). They examine care as uncomfortable attention, the importance of embodied presence, and Alex’s experience of fatherhood as immediate responsibility and obligation where love grows.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:21 Becoming a Writer
03:51 Growing Up Everywhere
05:15 What Is Way Markers
07:12 Pilgrimage and Substack
10:29 Into the Wild Lessons
14:29 Beyond Binary Thinking
18:49 Cradle Mountain Metaphor
22:36 Discernment and Ridge Lines
25:20 Tech Shapes Our Minds
27:00 Why Braid Genres
31:04 Music and Poetry Under Language
34:12 Law as Applied Philosophy
37:41 Zen Meets Catholic Mysticism
43:00 Humility and Unknowing
46:48 Craving Oneness Safely
48:19 Mystical Moments Explained
50:20 Flow State With Meaning
51:00 Desire Points to God
52:25 You Cant Conjure Awe
56:14 Care In Writing
58:36 Audience Capture Trap
59:27 Pamphlets Off The Internet
01:02:40 Love Is Uncomfortable
01:17:58 Fellow Travelers And Faith
01:24:28 Humor Holds Paradox
01:28:34 Fatherhood And Obligation
01:32:18 Closing Reflections

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#86 A.A. Kostas and his Way Markers (including Chris McCandless, C.S. Lewis, Robert Pirsig, Thoma...

$Kaleidoscopic or Constellatory Cognition: Rethinking Brain Models & Experiments with Andrea Hiott This presentation posts today as Andreas Research diary. #kaleidoscopic #cognition #andreahiott #memory #hippocampus #activeinference #philosophy #kaleidoscopic #cognition This presentation was for the Active Inference Institute on November 14th: https://www.activeinference.institute/ Traditional neuroscientific and philosophical models often aim to simplify and categorize how the brain functions, but Andrea Hiotts recent presentation at the Active Inference Institute Symposium for 2025 challenges these conventions by introducing the concept of Kaleidoscopic Cognition. This radical embodied memory approach prompts us to reevaluate our assumptions about brains, memories, and cognition, urging us toward a more dynamic and interconnected modelling of cognitions. Kaleidoscopic Cognition is a metaphorical way of envisioning a new paradigm of generative modelling, one that suggests the brain operates less like a computer storing data and more like a fractal kaleidoscope, constantly refracting sensory experiences into dynamic, shifting patterns. This concept challenges the traditional views that cognition requires stored models and internal representations. Instead, it posits cognition as an embodied, continuous process, shaped by interactions between the organism and its environment that has to be modeled beyond either/or categories assumed in current research, such as those of representation vs anti-representation. Central to this framework is recent research on the hippocampus—a seahorse-shaped structure in the brains temporal lobes. New findings reveal that the hippocampus does not maintain stable patterns or stored representations. Rather, like light through shifting prisms, it refines sensory inputs into immediate bodily actions. This kaleidoscopic function emphasizes the importance of understanding brain activity as dynamic and interconnected rather than binary and static. Rethinking Representations in Cognitive Science: Andrea Hiott argues for understanding representations as communicative acts rather than storage units. This perspective encourages us to view cognitive processes as constellations of interconnected patterns emerging through the brains kaleidoscopic functioning. By shifting our focus from stored models to assessing regularities of sensory encounters, we open up new avenues for understanding cognition across different life forms. Embracing kaleidoscopic cognition holds significant implications for neuroscience, philosophy of mind, and even technology. It urges scientists to design experiments that consider the multidimensional nature of cognitive processes, moving beyond stimulus-response binaries. In this light, cognition becomes a form of way making where organisms navigate their environments through an ongoing, dynamic interaction. Andrea Hiotts Kaleidoscopic Cognition offers a compelling paradigm shift, encouraging a more holistic view of brain function and cognitive processes. By visualizing cognition as a dynamic, refraction-based process, we can overcome the limitations of binary thinking and advance towards a more integrated understanding of how minds, bodies, and environments interact. This radical approach not only enhances our scientific understanding but also invites us to explore the rich tapestry of cognition as a multifaceted, interconnected phenomenon. Read the paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11245-025-10256-7 Check out the Active Inference Institute and join the community: https://www.activeinference.institute/ DISCLAIMER Educational Content Only This video is for philosophical exploration and educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Important Notice The ideas discussed may challenge your current beliefs and worldview. If you experience emotional distress or confusion while watching, please pause and consider speaking with a qualified mental health professional. No Affiliation Views expressed are personal opinions and do not represent any institution, organization, or employer. Fair Use Any referenced material is used under fair use principles for educational discussion and commentary. Personal Responsibility This content does not prescribe any particular way of living. You are responsible for how you interpret and apply these ideas to your own life. The creators assume no liability for any outcomes resulting from your use of this material. Your Wellbeing Matters If philosophical inquiry ever feels overwhelming, please prioritize your mental health and seek appropriate support.$

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