Geometry or Occultism – This American Life In the podcast episode of This American Life, the host explores the mysterious and seemingly absurd world of geometry and occultism. The episode delves into the idea that behind the complex equations and geometric shapes lies a hidden realm of symbolic meaning and spiritual significance. The main focus of the episode is on an eccentric mathematician named Carl Gauss, who devoted his life to unraveling the secrets of geometry and its connection to the occult. Gauss believed that there was a hidden language of symbols embedded within the mathematical constructs that could unlock hidden knowledge about the universe and human existence. The episode delves into various examples of these symbolic connections, such as the Golden Ratio – a mathematical constant found in numerous natural phenomena and artistic works. The hosts interview experts who argue that this ratio holds mystical significance and can be found in the proportions of the human body, architecture, and even ancient religious texts.
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Description This iconic faux leather Wicked Witch of the West Hat features a 19 tall crown that is fully lined and gathered tin the back to create a striking look. In our judgment, for an apology to be effective it needs to be genuine and heartfelt rather than ordered We have taken into account the bank s failure to apologise when awarding aggravated damages.
The hosts interview experts who argue that this ratio holds mystical significance and can be found in the proportions of the human body, architecture, and even ancient religious texts. Alongside these discoveries, the episode also explores the skepticism and controversies surrounding the idea of geometry and occultism. Many prominent mathematicians dismiss these theories as unfounded and view them as mere pseudoscience or mystic mumbo-jumbo.
Banker wins £2m for sexual discrimination in ‘witch hat’ case
A City banker who had a witch’s hat left on her desk by drunken male colleagues has won more than £2m in compensation for sexual discrimination.
Stacey Macken, 50, sued French bank BNP Paribas after being belittled by her boss who kept telling her “not now, Stacey” – a phrase he used so often that colleagues even copied it.
The £120k-a-year finance specialist claimed that over a four-year period she received hundreds of thousands of pounds less than her male peers in salary and bonuses and that after she complained, managers targeted her with unfair treatment.
Macken won £2,081,449 after suing the international bank, reportedly one of the largest awards ever made by a British tribunal.
The employment judge, Emma Burns, criticised Macken’s bosses for acting “spitefully and vindictively” and increased her compensation because the bank failed to apologise to her.
The London Central tribunal heard that Macken, previously a vice-president at Deutsche Bank, was hired by BNP in Paribas in 2013.
But unknown to her, a man hired with the same job title and responsibilities was being paid £160,000.
Within months of joining, she claimed she was exposed to sexist behaviour involving one of her bosses in the prime brokerage team, Matt Pinnock.
His former PA, Georgina Chapman, told a tribunal: “In October 2013, a large Halloween-style black witch’s hat was left on Stacey Macken’s desk after some of the prime brokerage team, including Matthew Pinnock, had gone drinking at the pub towards the end of the day.”
She added: “Stacey was visibly upset and confided in me that she felt really uncomfortable working with those male colleagues, knowing that one of them had purposefully gone out of their way to leave a witch’s hat on her desk.”
Another boss, Denis Pihan, was accused of routinely demeaning her by replying “not now, Stacey” when she tried to talk to him.
Macken, from Fulham, in west London, was successful in her claims of sex discrimination, victimisation, and unequal pay.
The tribunal ruled the leaving of a witch’s hat on her desk was an “inherently sexist act” and the regular use of “not now, Stacey” was branded a “demeaning comment”.
At Macken’s compensation hearing, Judge Burns said: “We consider the tribunal panel found that Mr Pinnock and Mr Pihan behaved spitefully and vindictively towards Miss Macken because she had raised concerns about her pay and that they did have a discriminatory motive.
“We consider the [bank] should apologise more fully from a purely moral perspective, but we decline from ordering it to do this.
“In our judgment, for an apology to be effective it needs to be genuine and heartfelt rather than ordered … We have taken into account the bank’s failure to apologise when awarding aggravated damages. We consider this is the correct approach in this case.”
Pihan “apologised for causing distress” at the tribunal but “did not acknowledge that he personally discriminated against Miss Macken, nor did he apologise for discriminating against her”.
The bank claimed it has now adopted a “detailed gender strategy and gender action plan” in response to its poor gender pay gap and is “trying to increase the number of women at senior management level”.
Macken, who said her ordeal had an impact on her mental health, is also a qualified accountant who was raised and educated in New Zealand.
A tribunal report said of her: “She has prioritised her 22-year career in banking over other lifestyle choices. This includes remaining single and not having children.
“She enjoyed her work and was fulfilled by it. Other than keeping her personal fitness at a high level she pursued no other hobbies or interests.”
At Macken’s compensation hearing, Judge Burns said: “We consider the tribunal panel found that Mr Pinnock and Mr Pihan behaved spitefully and vindictively towards Miss Macken because she had raised concerns about her pay and that they did have a discriminatory motive.
However, the episode seeks to present a balanced perspective, acknowledging the ambiguity and complexity of these ideas. It raises thought-provoking questions, such as whether there might be a deeper meaning behind the seemingly logical constructs of geometry or whether humans are naturally drawn to find patterns and significance in the world. The episode ultimately leaves the listener with a sense of curiosity and wonder, prompting them to reexamine the nature of mathematical truth and the potential connections between geometry and occultism. It encourages open-mindedness and invites further exploration into the mysteries and hidden dimensions of the mathematical world. Overall, this episode of This American Life offers a fascinating exploration of the interplay between geometry and occultism, presenting differing perspectives while igniting curiosity about the potential hidden dimensions of the world of mathematics..
Reviews for "The Role of Geometry in American Rituals and Magick"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I listened to "Geometry or occultism this american life" with high hopes, as I enjoy exploring different topics and gaining new knowledge. Unfortunately, I found this episode to be incredibly confusing and uninteresting. The hosts seemed to jump from one idea to another without providing any clear explanation or connection between them. As someone who is not well-versed in geometry or occultism, I struggled to follow along and understand the significance of the information presented. Overall, I was disappointed with this episode and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 1 star
I have been a loyal listener of "This American Life" for years, but "Geometry or occultism" was one of the most disappointing episodes I have ever encountered. The topic itself sounded intriguing, but the execution was completely off. The hosts seemed to meander aimlessly between unrelated anecdotes and failed to provide any meaningful insights or analysis. The episode lacked coherent storytelling and left me feeling confused and unsatisfied. I hope that future episodes will return to the high quality standards I have come to expect from this podcast.
3. Jennifer - 2 stars
I tried to engage with "Geometry or occultism this american life" and give it a fair chance, but I struggled to find any value in it. The episode felt too esoteric and niche, focusing on topics that were difficult to relate to or see the relevance of in my own life. The lack of a clear narrative or direction made it hard to stay engaged, and I ultimately found myself zoning out and losing interest. While I appreciate the effort to explore unique subjects, this particular episode missed the mark for me.