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K.L. Homme

@klhomme.bsky.social

338 followers 176 following 2.4K posts

Writer exploring myth, memory, and resistance. No Shortcuts to Now is my serialized book — a journey from a volcanic trailhead into the fault lines of American life. Follow the trail: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/beg…

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 7h

Cyrene had known democracy for more than a century. Then Alexander died. Armies moved. Oligarchs returned. And a generation that had known no king watched its political world disappear. The King of No Kings — The Contingent Crown noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-king-o...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

The King of No Kings (6.5)

When kings return, what remains beyond their reach?

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

“Tomorrow is contingent: it might bring unwelcome news, or never arrive at all.” —No Shortcuts to Now

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Reposted by K.L. Homme

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Democracies fall. Kings return. Mobs gather. Aristippus believed freedom could survive all three. Not because institutions don't matter, but because there is one territory a tyrant cannot rule unless you surrender it: Yourself. 🎧 The Heir of Pain noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-heir-o...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

🎧 The Heir of Pain (6.4)

Birth Pangs of a Democracy

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Democracies fall. Kings return. Mobs gather. Aristippus believed freedom could survive all three. Not because institutions don't matter, but because there is one territory a tyrant cannot rule unless you surrender it: Yourself. 🎧 The Heir of Pain noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-heir-o...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

🎧 The Heir of Pain (6.4)

Birth Pangs of a Democracy

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

“The people believed the victory divine. He believed their belief useful.” 🎧 The Heir of Pain (6.4): Birth Pangs of a Democracy noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-heir-o...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

🎧 The Heir of Pain (6.4)

Birth Pangs of a Democracy

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Reposted by K.L. Homme

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

“The people believed the victory divine. He believed their belief useful.” The Heir of Pain: Birth Pangs of a Democracy noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-heir-o...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

The Heir of Pain (6.4)

Birth Pangs of a Democracy

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

“The people believed the victory divine. He believed their belief useful.” The Heir of Pain: Birth Pangs of a Democracy noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-heir-o...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

The Heir of Pain (6.4)

Birth Pangs of a Democracy

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

A king taxed his people without their consent. When they resisted, he hired foreign mercenaries to teach them order. The revolution came. The Heir of Pain (6.4) Birth Pangs of a Democracy noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-heir-o...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

The Heir of Pain (6.4)

Birth Pangs of a Democracy

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The people believed the victory divine. He believed their belief useful.

Reposted by K.L. Homme

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Her name meant virtue. Her inheritance was pleasure. Meet Arete of Cyrene, the daughter chosen to inherit the ancient world’s most radical philosophy of pleasure. 🎧 “The Heiress of Pleasure” is now available to listen to or read: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-heires...

A classical painting of a robed philosopher gesturing as four students listen beneath a tree. Overlaid text reads: “The Heiress of Pleasure (6.3): Arete of Cyrene—The Lady of the Lovely Mind,” by K. L. Homme, with a headphone icon and the No Shortcuts to Now Substack address.

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

“I possess, but am not possessed.” Aristippus welcomed pleasure without becoming dependent upon it. Then he entrusted his radical philosophy to his daughter, Arete of Cyrene. 🎧 Listen to “The Heiress of Pleasure”: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-heires...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

🎧 The Heiress of Pleasure (6.3)

Arete of Cyrene: The Lady of the Lovely Mind

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Her name meant virtue. Her inheritance was pleasure. Meet Arete of Cyrene, the daughter chosen to inherit the ancient world’s most radical philosophy of pleasure. 🎧 “The Heiress of Pleasure” is now available to listen to or read: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/the-heires...

A classical painting of a robed philosopher gesturing as four students listen beneath a tree. Overlaid text reads: “The Heiress of Pleasure (6.3): Arete of Cyrene—The Lady of the Lovely Mind,” by K. L. Homme, with a headphone icon and the No Shortcuts to Now Substack address.

Reposted by K.L. Homme

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

The ancient world’s most radical hedonist didn't believe we should become servants to pleasure. Drink when there is wine. Remain cheerful when there is none. Embrace a lover. Let her go when she leaves. His rule? Possess, but do not be possessed. Then he entrusted the philosophy to his daughter.

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

The ancient world’s most radical hedonist didn't believe we should become servants to pleasure. Drink when there is wine. Remain cheerful when there is none. Embrace a lover. Let her go when she leaves. His rule? Possess, but do not be possessed. Then he entrusted the philosophy to his daughter.

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Drink when there is wine. Stay cheerful when it is gone. Embrace a lover. Let her go when she leaves. The ancient world’s most radical hedonists pursued pleasure without becoming its servants. Then a father entrusted the philosophy to his daughter. noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/63-the-hei...

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

A spiral of right triangles led Plato beyond the senses. Aristippus pulled philosophy the other way—and entrusted his legacy to his daughter Arete. New: “The Heiress of Pleasure.” noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/63-the-hei...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

6.3 The Heiress of Pleasure: Arete of Cyrene

A daughter of Cyrene inherits a radical philosophy of pleasure and becomes the vital link between its founder and the generation that followed.

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Reposted by K.L. Homme

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

A prophecy can explain everything. That’s the problem. In Popper Goes to Delphi, riddles meet falsification, certainty meets the black swan, and the man searching for the answer may already be standing inside it. Chapter 5 of No Shortcuts to Now: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/chapter-5-...

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

A prophecy can explain everything. That’s the problem. In Popper Goes to Delphi, riddles meet falsification, certainty meets the black swan, and the man searching for the answer may already be standing inside it. Chapter 5 of No Shortcuts to Now: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/chapter-5-...

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

How many times can we refuse the way before the way returns? A story about resistance, exile, and the calling hidden inside an impediment. Listen to the audio edition of 6.2, “To Refuse a God”: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/to-refuse-...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

🎧 To Refuse a God

A god told Battus to cross the sea and found a city. He refused again and again. An audio essay about fate, fear, and the limits of self-knowledge.

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

What if the impediment is not blocking your purpose? What if it is shaping you for it? Battus believed his stutter made him unfit to lead. Apollo called him to found a city. Every attempt to escape that calling carried him nearer to it. Listen: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/to-refuse-...

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

A confession, four decades late. And a question about those who mistake cruelty for courage. 🎧 Of ICE and Men: The Curley Edition Listen to the full audio essay: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/of-ice-and...

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

We imagine refusing a calling looks like rebellion. More often, it sounds like common sense: I’m not ready. I’m not equipped. I’m the wrong person. Battus had his reasons too. 6.2, “To Refuse a God”: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/62-to-refu...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

(6.2) To Refuse a God

The Crescent Shape of Certainty

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Battus went to Delphi to cure his stutter. Apollo told him to cross the sea and found a city. He refused. What if the obstacle is the very thing preparing you for your purpose? 6.2, “To Refuse a God,” is live: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/62-to-refu...

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

“All I can say is that on this earth there are pestilences and there are victims—and as far as possible one must refuse to be on the side of the pestilence.” ― Albert Camus, The Plague

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Attention is selective. That’s obvious. What’s less obvious is who selects it. noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/while-we-k...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

While We Keep Score

The Game behind the Game

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

There are two games being played. The one we watch. The other decides what we notice. What are we missing while we’re busy keeping score? noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/while-we-k...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

While We Keep Score

The Game behind the Game

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

This story tells of a young woman who faced down a lion with her bare hands as Apollo watched. A city was founded in her honor. And from that city would emerge one of the most influential schools of philosophy. 🎧 The Lady of the Lovely Arms noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/61-the-lad...

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

“But I have to tell you this: this whole thing is not about heroism. It’s about decency. It may seem a ridiculous idea, but the only way to fight the plague is with decency.” –Dr. Rieux, from Camus’ allegory of fascism, The Plague

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

She strangled a lion with her bare hands. Apollo was watching. A short video excerpt from this week’s essay: The Lady of the Lovely Arms. noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/61-the-lad...

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Good analysis of that peculiar inflationary pressure point (The Iran War) and its causes. Two phrases that stand out, "surrounded by sycophants" and "easy to manipulate so long as you are willing to lie." www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9jD...

Why Nobody Came to Help the U.S in Iran || Peter Zeihan

YouTube video by Zeihan on Geopolitics

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Sometimes mythology hides in plain sight. A mountain flower in Northern California bears the name of a sea nymph. Follow that thread and it leads to Apollo, Cyrene, and the founding of one of antiquity’s great cities. Waypoint 6.1 is live. noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/61-the-lad...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

🎧 (6.1) The Lady of the Lovely Arms

Where There is a Hole in the Sky

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Reposted by K.L. Homme

MFCarter @mfcarter.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

If you enjoyed The Lady of the Lovely Arms, here’s an earlier piece from the series. The Greeks imagined Pleasure not merely as a feeling, but as the daughter of Love and Soul. That idea eventually finds its way to Cyrene. 🦋The Birth of Pleasure: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/waypoint-2...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

Waypoint 2.3 — The Birth of Pleasure: Beauty, Power & the Mythic Feminine

On Beauty, Power & the Mythic Feminine

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Read this. It has massive implications about our status as a free people. I'll post it as a chain: 1. I had Gemini summarize its answer, about why it asserted that the president does NOT have FTD, though my questions were hypothetical.

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Browsing social media this morning, I came across a question I’ve asked myself many times: How can so many people not see what Trump is doing? Then I remembered this experiment. Here is the video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG6...

selective attention test

YouTube video by Daniel Simons

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

“Apollo looked to the sky, summoned his chariot, and lifted the huntress to the heavens.” The story of the Lady of the Lovely Arms—and the founding of one of the ancient Greek world’s greatest cities. noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/61-where-t...

Classical painting of Apollo driving a golden chariot pulled by four horses through swirling clouds. Wearing a flowing red cloak and holding the reins, the sun god races across the sky in a dramatic scene of motion and light.

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

“Guarding her virtue with her spear, the huntress won the admiration of a goddess.” A lion. A spring. A god’s passing glance. What if a civilization began with a hole in the sky? New:The Lady of the Lovely Arms—Where There Is a Hole in the Sky noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/61-where-t...

Mythological painting of Apollo carrying the huntress Cyrene away in his golden chariot through towering clouds. The dramatic scene symbolizes the beginning of the legend that would lead to the founding of the ancient city of Cyrene.

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

“Guarding her virtue with her spear, the huntress won the admiration of a goddess.” What if a civilization began with a hole in the sky? This morning, Chapter 6 begins: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/61-where-t...

Cover image for “Where There Is a Hole in the Sky: The Lady of the Lovely Arms” by K.L. Homme. A dreamlike painting depicts three water nymphs (Nereids) floating in a tranquil forest pool. One, wearing a crown of red flowers, gazes directly at the viewer while two others recline gracefully in the water with flowing hair and raised arms. Sunlight filters through trees, reflecting on the blue water in rich greens, golds, and blues. Overlaid white text reads: “(6.1) Where There is a Hole in The Sky,” with the subtitle “The Lady of the Lovely Arms,” followed by “K.L. Homme” and “noshortcutstonow.substack.com.”

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

“Guarding her virtue with her spear, the huntress won the admiration of a goddess.” Tomorrow, we meet The Lady with the Lovely Arms.

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Being wrong feels the same as being right.

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

“Obama Flag.” That’s what my toddler called the American flag. No one yet flew Trump flags. Looking back, that little mistake captured a moment just before the earth began to rumble. This is where No Shortcuts to Now begins. noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/waypoint-1...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

Waypoint 1.1: Vulcan's Evangelist

From Chapter 1: Standing in The Ancient Shadow

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

We all outgrow chewing gum we found on the sidewalk. The harder habit to break is chewing ideas we picked up there. noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/field-note...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

Field Note 3.2 — All The King's Candy

Every kingdom starts with a taste for something sweet.

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Owing to the Iran War, US unable to produce enough fertilizer to meet its needs, and had to declare a food emergency to lift tariffs and import fertilizer. www.youtube.com/shorts/WeTGX...

Trump declares food supply emergency and lifts duties on Moroccan fertilizer.

YouTube video by Aaron Parnas

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Being wrong feels the same as being right. Therefore, criticism is more valuable than confidence.

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K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I don't tell this story because I'm proud of it. I tell it because a blush can teach us something that pride can't. I tell it because it holds a clue about what kind of monster requires 42,700 cages — and what kind doesn't. 🎧 Of ICE and Men noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/of-ice-and...

Promotional graphic for the audio essay Of ICE and Men: Curley Edition. The upper half features the title in large white serif text with a headphone icon, followed by the subtitle, “Field Note 5.6—On choosing those who cannot strike back,” the website “noshortcutstonow.substack.com,” and the author’s name, “K.L. Homme,” on a dark olive-brown background. The lower half shows a quiet, foggy residential path at night, illuminated by soft streetlights behind large trees, creating an eerie, reflective atmosphere.

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

A story about throwing eggs at trick-or-treaters when I was 12. And what it taught me, decades later, about who gets picked as a target — and who doesn't fight back. noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/of-ice-and-men-curley-edition #immigration #essay

Promo graphic for the audio essay "Of ICE and Men: Curley Edition," Field Note 5.6, subtitled "On choosing those who cannot strike back," by K.L. Homme, with a headphones icon and the URL noshortcutstonow.substack.com on an olive-brown background above a dim, fog-lit photo of tree trunks silhouetted against hazy backlighting at night.

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Reposted by K.L. Homme

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

What is knowledge, anyhow? What is it but a reliable interpretation? This essay begins on a mountain trail with my son explaining volcanoes, and ends with a question about maps, myths, and why no map, no matter how useful, is ever the territory. Read: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/waypoint-1...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

The Map Is Not the Mountain (1.4)

Epistemology, Democracy & the Thin Thread of Truth

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

What is knowledge, anyhow? What is it but a reliable interpretation? This essay begins on a mountain trail with my son explaining volcanoes, and ends with a question about maps, myths, and why no map, no matter how useful, is ever the territory. Read: noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/waypoint-1...

noshortcutstonow.substack.com

The Map Is Not the Mountain (1.4)

Epistemology, Democracy & the Thin Thread of Truth

K.L. Homme @klhomme.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

“Obama Flag.” That’s what my toddler called the American flag. No one yet flew Trump flags. Looking back, that little mistake captured a moment just before the earth began to rumble. This is where No Shortcuts to Now begins. noshortcutstonow.substack.com/p/waypoint-1...

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