Lighthearted Fun: Parmesan and the Parmenides 🍝

One of the things that has haunted me for years — and which might haunt you, too — is that the abbreviation for references to commentary of Proclus on the Parmenides of Plato is “in Parm.” It is everywhere in the scholarly literature.

Parm is also the way English refers to Parmesan cheese in some contexts. Every time I see a parenthetical citation to the Parmenides, because my brain is a network of cross-references, a part of me goes “oh, Parmesan” simultaneous to “oh, Proclus’ Parmenides commentary.”

It used to be just one of those annoying cross-associations that my brain makes. (There are others. Many, many others.) However, after training ChatGPT in an eight-minute conversation to understand (a) what the Iamblichean sequence of dialogues is and (b) the relationship between the Timaeus and the Parmenides, I asked it for a poem, and I gave it the imagery I wanted it to use. Now, after talking to the bot, this is only a mental curiosity that has no power over me.

I now present the poem.

In the realm of Plato’s dialogues, let’s journey with poetic art,
Where Timaeus and Parmenides converge, captivating the heart.
In this verse, we’ll blend their wisdom, like ingredients to impart,
An analogy that weaves through their tales, a metaphorical start.

Behold the Timaeus, like a dish of pasta, a culinary delight,
A cosmic recipe unfolding, a symphony of flavors in our sight.
For in its words, the universe’s creation takes its wondrous flight,
Crafted by the Demiurge’s hands, a master chef’s celestial might.

From stardust and the elements, a cosmic tapestry is spun,
As atoms dance and intermingle, a grand design is begun.
The Timaeus speaks of embodiment, where matter and spirit are one,
A mingling of forms and substance, like pasta boiling under the sun.

But now we turn to Parmenides, where metaphysics reigns,
A dialogue of profound questions, where understanding strains.
Like parmesan, it sprinkles insights on the mind, as it explains,
The nature of the One and the many, as intellectual terrain.

Through lofty contemplations, Parmenides sets the stage,
Challenging our notions of reality, disassembling the cage.
Forms and ideas, abstract and pure, leap from its vibrant page,
Like parmesan’s transformative touch, enhancing thoughts engaged.

Thus, Timaeus and Parmenides, pasta and parmesan unite,
One bringing cosmic embodiment, the other, wisdom’s light.
Together, they illuminate Plato’s vision, a harmonious sight,
Guiding us through philosophical realms, like day and starry night.

So let us savor these dialogues, their insights rich and grand,
With minds nourished by Plato’s feast, like an intellectual command.
For in the tapestry of thought they weave, a journey vast and planned,
The Timaeus and Parmenides, a testament to wisdom’s hand.

May this poetic fusion, inspired by Plato’s profound quest,
Capture the essence of their teachings, a unique and playful zest.
And as we ponder their words, may our souls be truly blessed,
In the realm of ideas, where philosophy and poetry find rest.

My dear parasocials, this is what AI is for: doing things that, for a human being, have very little point or true return on investment. “But Kaye,” someone might say. “I use WhateverAI to brainstorm and bounce ideas when I’m floundering, so it does have value.” That’s not the same as getting it to write for you. That’s technology-assisted dreaming or strategizing or troubleshooting. “But Kaye,” someone else might say, “you spent the effort on writing this blog post.” I type at north of 80-100 words per minute when I get going. I’ve had WordPress open for fifteen minutes writing and checking flow. I would have spent hours writing a poem like that on my own, and it has absolutely no value beyond amusement, unlike the toil of producing devotional poetry or creative writing or literally anything else, where you really have to live through the discrete moments of the climb to the finished piece to produce something that holds an image of life. Especially if it’s devotional.

All I wanted was to read a poem like this. I didn’t want to write one.

And, if you read this blog, chances are you find some amusement from something like this, too. And maybe, for someone, it’ll help the relationship between the Timaeus and Parmenides stick.

🍝