Slaves weren’t allowed to train in the gymnasium in ancient Rome

All economic activity is for woman?

All advertisements are for women buying shit that they actually don’t need. Think of the beauty industry, and all the products, fashion, trends, clothing, luxury, etc.

Man doesn’t need to buy anything?

Man just makes, produces, and builds. Now we have all of these lame masculinity trends towards men’s grooming products, ugly hats, cars, and watches.

High cortisol and deregulated hormones

The unmoved mover is a central concept in Aristotle’s Metaphysics, particularly in Book Lambda (Book XII). It refers to the ultimate cause or principle that is responsible for motion and change in the universe without itself undergoing any change or motion. Here’s a breakdown of the concept:

1. The Problem of Motion

Aristotle observed that everything in the universe is in motion or change, whether it’s physical movement, growth, decay, or transformation. For motion to occur, there must be a cause or mover behind it. However, this leads to an infinite regress: if every motion requires a prior mover, what started the motion in the first place?

To avoid this infinite regress, Aristotle posited the existence of a first mover that initiates motion but is itself unmoved.

2. Characteristics of the Unmoved Mover

The unmoved mover is:

• Eternal: It exists outside of time and is unchanging, as any change would imply dependence on something else.

• Immaterial: It cannot be physical because physical things are subject to change.

• Perfect actuality: It is pure act (actus purus), meaning it has no potentiality, as potentiality implies the capacity to change.

• Necessary existence: It must exist by necessity because its existence is required for the universe’s motion and causation.

3. The Unmoved Mover as a Final Cause

Aristotle’s unmoved mover is not a direct, mechanical cause but a final cause. This means it is the ultimate purpose or goal (the telos) that everything in the universe seeks to move toward. Aristotle compares this to how a lover is moved by the object of their desire: the unmoved mover moves other things by being a perfect and desirable reality.

4. The Unmoved Mover and God

Aristotle identifies the unmoved mover with a kind of divine principle:

• It is the pure form of thought thinking itself—a self-sustained, perfect intellect.

• The unmoved mover contemplates only the highest and most perfect thing, which is itself. This makes it an object of love and aspiration for all other beings in the universe.

5. Influence and Legacy

The concept of the unmoved mover profoundly influenced later philosophical and theological traditions:

• In Christianity, the unmoved mover was integrated into the idea of God as the uncaused cause and the ultimate sustainer of existence.

• Medieval thinkers like Thomas Aquinas expanded on the idea in his “Five Ways,” arguing for the necessity of a prime mover as proof of God’s existence.

Key Quote

Aristotle describes the unmoved mover in Metaphysics Book Lambda:

“There must be a principle that itself does not move, eternal and a substance and actual. And this is what we call God.”

In essence, the unmoved mover is the foundational principle that explains why the universe exists and operates without relying on an infinite chain of causes. It is the ultimate explanation for motion, change, and existence in Aristotle’s metaphysical framework.

When it’s summer, I yearn for the fall. When it’s winter, I yearn for the spring.

Photography Shouldn’t Be a Chore

What’s popping, people? Walking around Rome today has me thinking: photography shouldn’t feel like a chore. When you’re out shooting, it should be fun, something that brings a smile to your face. Anything that gets in the way of that—anything that creates friction between you and making photographs—is an issue.

Frictionless Photography

If you ever feel like you need to make these big, dedicated trips just to photograph, or if you’re burned out from long gaps between shooting, something’s off. There should be no friction between you and the act of making pictures.

Having a small, compact camera makes all the difference. It lets you capture moments while taking a leisurely stroll. You don’t need to create an epic documentary every time. Sometimes, it’s about photographing your life journey in a carefree, spontaneous way.

“Go out and see what you will find. You never know what the photographs will manifest.”

Simplify the Process

I’ve found joy in simplifying my photography. High-contrast black-and-white images, straight out of the camera, reveal unexpected beauty. The interplay of light and shadow brings out an aesthetic simplicity that I love.

Why Simplify?

• Avoid spending hours processing large RAW files.
• Focus on the act of photographing rather than post-production.
• Create a frictionless workflow where shooting becomes second nature.

It’s About Feeling, Not Perfection

Photography isn’t about creating the “perfect” image. It’s about evoking an emotional response. Forget obsessing over composition, lighting, or layers. While valid, these aren’t the main goal. Focus instead on the feeling your images convey.

“It’s not about a ‘good photograph’; it’s about the emotional response.”

When you let go of overthinking, you open yourself to more fun possibilities. Stop taking the process so seriously and let photography flow naturally.

Find What Works for You

For me, switching from color to black and white—and moving from RAW to JPEG—has been transformative. It’s sped up my process and made shooting more enjoyable. Everyone’s journey is different, but the key is finding a workflow that feels effortless.

Key Takeaways:

1. Keep your setup simple and portable.
2. Stop overthinking composition and technique.
3. Embrace spontaneity and let moments come to you.
4. Focus on the joy of creating, not the technicalities.

Let Life Flow

Photography shouldn’t feel like a hunt or a laborious task. Let life flow towards you. Instead of chasing extravagant pictures, allow moments to fall into your lap. Capture them as they come, and take what you’ve got.

“Photography should be second nature, a seamless part of life where joy takes the lead.”