Bat Signals to Big Ideas: Parker’s Philosophical Journey

Philosophy is one of those pursuits that invites endless curiosity, challenging us to question the world and our place in it. For Parker, this journey began in the most unexpected way: through the animated adventures of a brooding guy in a bat costume. What began as childhood curiosity has turned into a passion for exploring wild ideas, one deep thought (and notebook page) at a time. 

We hope Parker’s story sparks your own journey into life’s big questions—because who knows where curiosity might take you? It may not be clear where you’re headed but as the saying goes: it’s not the destination, it’s the journey! 

What inspired you to focus on philosophy and what led you to it? 

My oldest memory is of my brothers, my dad, and me watching Batman the Animated Series (BTAS)–specifically, we were watching an episode called “Perchance to Dream” where Batman is trapped in a dreamworld by the Mad Hatter. Batman ended up discovering that he was in a dream world when he tried to read a book and found that all the letters were jumbled. He went on to escape the dream world and foil the Mad Hatter.

I’ve thought about this episode at least once a week for my whole life. It sparked lots of metaphysical questions in me, “what am I?”, “what is the nature of reality?”, “how do I know I’m not living in a dream world?”, “is it possible for someone else to read my mind?”. These kinds of questions gave rise to still further wild questions. As it turns out, most episodes of BTAS have a deeply philosophical theme running right through the heart of them and these themes lodged themselves deep into my psyche. 

But I didn’t know I was interested in philosophy simpliciter until my junior year of college when I met a philosophy student who helped me see that I had been wrestling with philosophical questions, puzzles, and paradoxes for most of my life and that there were lots of brilliant thinkers throughout history that could help me–besides Batman.  

It’s fascinating how something as seemingly simple as a childhood memory can plant the seeds for a lifelong passion. Often, it’s these early, unexpected moments—like questioning reality after watching a favorite show—that lay the foundation for bigger ideas.

In Parker’s case, that spark of curiosity grew into a love for philosophy, proving that even the smallest experiences can shape the way we see and question the world.

Was there a turning point that made you realize this was something you wanted to pursue in life the way you do now, through your Youtube channel? 

As I began learning more and more philosophy, I kept on wanting to talk about it with my friends and family. Now, I have a great social network but there’s only so much manic philosophizing that a friend can endure and I quickly realized that I need another avenue for getting feedback on my own philosophical thoughts.

Initially I started a blog and that was cool, but I found that my best ideas came to me during office hours when I was talking with my graduate school professors. So I decided to start a podcast which basically functions as a recorded office hours session. I read their work, I emailed them to tell them what I’d like to talk about, and then we’d record our conversation.

After doing this for 11 semesters, wherein I earned 3 masters degrees, I discovered that most people in my life were far more interested in how I study than what I study, so I started the ParkNotes YouTube channel where I share study habits and tips and tricks for reading and thinking more deeply, all while Trojan-horsing in deep philosophical ideas. 

This evolution from casual conversations to creating content speaks to the power of sharing ideas and the connections that they can inspire. Yes, supportive friends and family are invaluable, but there’s also something special about finding a dedicated community that shares your passion. 

Through Parker creating content, it became a way to extend these deep and thought-provoking discussions while connecting with others equally eager to explore life’s big questions—and so much more. 

It's a lovely reminder that ideas thrive when shared and grows stronger through the collective curiosity and enthusiasm of a like-minded community. 

How has your journey related to philosophy evolved over time and what opportunities has it opened for you?

When I started with philosophy I thought I could figure out the world and tie up loose ends that I have in my own worldview. Now that I’m deeper in, I’ve learned to love bullet-bitting, that is, I love showing the costs of different views, e.g. “if you believe this, then you have to believe that as well, and believing that is pretty nuts”.

Ultimately, I think the world we live in is pretty nuts, yes it’s beautiful, awe-inspiring, etc., but it is really insane when you think deeply about the human condition, our place in the universe, the nature of abstract and ordinary objects, and how snapping into consciousness at age five while BTAS is on can really change the trajectory of one’s life.  

The great thing about philosophy is how it has a way of teaching us to embrace complexity. It helps us see that the world isn’t always black and white—instead, it’s a kaleidoscope of questions, contradictions, and possibilities. 

By diving into the gray areas, we learn to sit with uncertainty and see the beauty in not having all the answers.

It’s definitely a humbling experience to realize how much there is to learn but, at the same time, it’s also exhilarating to uncover new ways of thinking and fresh perspectives! 

What has been the most rewarding part of sharing your journey on social media?

It’s so rewarding to see that there are so many other people out there who are like me. Journal nuts who probably collect way too many notebooks. People who want to think deeply about life’s ultimate questions and their own lived experience. Techno-phobes who, like me, are very nervous about the ramifications of “digital life”, and more.

But on top of the camaraderie, I’ve also benefitted immensely from my audience’s suggestions. I’ve found really cool notebooks I never would have known about as well as really cool methods for using notebooks in ways I was completely ignorant of. 

How did you discover Lochby?

I initially discovered Lochby through my audience who recommended that I check them out as a durable alternative to using leather notebook covers. Once I saw the Lochby catalog of items I knew I needed some in my life haha. 

What is your favorite Lochby product and why?

I absolutely love my Lochby A5 Field Journal because I use it for my nature log. I feel confident bringing it with me out into swamps, bogs, creeks, fens, marshes, sloughs, and the edges of ponds as I go on my herpetology adventures. In my nature log I draw (pretty poor) sketches of the animals I find and then I look up information on the species when I get back home and add the details to my log. This is my way of creating a compendium on animals I’ve seen with my own eyes and logging my experience as I found them in situ.

The Lochby Field Journal just feels right. It’s tough and durable, it’s not going to fall apart on me while I’m out “herping”, and it looks and feels like something an old school naturalist would use to log their time in nature.

I’ve found that the right notebooks and covers can help spark your imagination and doing so will help you actually use the products for their intended purposes. It’s cool to have cool notebooks. It’s even cooler to use them to gain cool experiences, for me that includes wading through mud looking for Blanding’s turtles.

We’re always happy to know that our gear, like the Field Journal, can become essential companions in both creative and intellectual pursuits! 

What active role does philosophy play in your life and how do you nurture it?

Philosophy is my life. I’m constantly reading philosophy, listening to philosophical podcasts, talking philosophy with my long suffering wife (sorry hunny), making philosophical YouTube videos or Substack posts, or ‘doing’ philosophy in one of my many notebooks. I actually think that human beings were made for philosophizing and I feel God’s pleasure when my mind is actively thinking about the wild world He made.

To live philosophically is to embrace curiosity as a way of life—a constant quest to understand the world, others, and ourselves. For Parker, this pursuit isn’t just an abstract idea; it’s a way of thinking, creating, and living that shapes everything he does. 

His journey reminds us that philosophy isn’t just something you study; it’s something you live, blending curiosity with creativity to make sense of the world around us. It's not just a curiosity that fuels the mind but also the soul.

What are your other hobbies or interests?

Like I said, I’m a very (very) amateur herpetologist, which means I’m a turtle and frog nerd. I’m a purple belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu, I wrestled from first grade up through a division 1 program and I continue to train with some college wrestlers to help me stay sharp for BJJ, I’ve become far too obsessed with science fiction and fantasy novels, and I am serial YouTube channel starter–as of this post I have 6 or 7 channels with 2 or 3 new channels I’m planning on launching soon. 

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that inspires your creative process?

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. Proverbs 16:16 

This powerful reminder captures the heart of a philosopher’s journey: valuing the pursuit of wisdom above all else. This means following curiosity wherever it leads, whether through the big questions sparked by a childhood hero or the practical insights that shape Parker’s everyday life. 

If you’d like to follow his ongoing journey—because philosophy isn’t just about the answers but the journey of finding them—you can follow Parker on his socials: ParkNotes (Youtube) and @parkersettecase (Instagram).