My name is Pelle Hänel. I studied maths for some time with a particular interest in algebraic topology, type theory and category theory. I am currently finishing my CS degree, so I can get that piece of paper. If you want to hire me, or contact me for any other reason, send me an email.

I like photography, elegance, simplicity, the UNIX-philosophy, thinking, solving certain problems, empathy, thoughtfulness, music, dancing and a few other related things. Everything else I mostly dislike to varying degrees.

The design of this website is intentional, and you can read more about that in the first post. You can visit the non bloated version of this website here: simple.pelleha.nl. That version uses almost no css, loads no fonts and is very simple. It also omits TOCs and summaries.

the purpose of this site

This blog is probably going to focus on society, philosophy, functional programming (hence the name) and some other stuff I want to write about. The question however, is why one would want to write at all, especially about philosophy. For all the effort it takes, it may seem hard to justify repeating the same ideas peddled for thousands of years. Only with great arrogance would someone present their written works and claim that they thought about something truly new. One big regurgitation of concepts that may at first glance seem novel, but upon further inspection turn out to be the same old “classics”.

But even if an idea has been thought before, the joy of discovering it yourself makes at least thinking worthwhile. Writing those thoughts down also isn’t necessarily “useless”. On a personal level, writing a coherent piece of text requires careful consideration and reflection. Sorting your thoughts and rethinking what one took for granted, so it can be a tool to enhance and further thought beyond mental reflection.

When published, it can initiate further discussion, it can remind rather than claim novelty, it can soothe and connect. There is great “value” in writing and I believe what one writes should be accessible to those interested in reading.

To me, writing is what Peter Wessel Zappfe called sublimation. My skill as a “writer” is secondary to me, as nobody is forced to read what I have to say. Thus, I will publish some of my stuff on this site. Note that I do not care whether and by whom any of this has been thought before. Happy reading.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.

The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

Original fahr’ hin in deiner Pracht! –

Wie würde dich die Einsicht kränken:

Wer kann was Dummes, wer was Kluges denken

Das nicht die Vorwelt schon gedacht? –

NOOOO this is not how you are supposed to cite! This is not MLA compliant and plain wrong!! I don't care.