In terms of photography, having prints made, and a book is cool and all, but what if you can store your work in a decentralized way utilizing modern technology that can truly stand the test of time.
Indestructible photography archive?
Setting up a decentralized archive for your photography involves several steps to ensure that your files are securely stored, easily accessible, and properly linked to the blockchain. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Choose a Decentralized Storage Platform
The first step is selecting the decentralized storage network that best suits your needs. Some popular options include:
- Arweave: A permanent data storage solution that allows you to pay once and store your data indefinitely. It’s ideal for archiving work over long periods.
- Filecoin: Works in tandem with IPFS (InterPlanetary File System), offering decentralized, verifiable, and scalable file storage.
- IPFS: A decentralized network for storing and sharing files where content is addressed by its hash (a unique identifier). However, IPFS doesn’t offer guaranteed permanence without pairing it with Filecoin or other pinning services. Recommended for you: Arweave for permanent storage or IPFS/Filecoin for scalable, decentralized solutions.
2. Create a Wallet
To interact with decentralized storage platforms, you’ll need a cryptocurrency wallet to manage payments and transactions. Here’s how to get started:
- Install a Crypto Wallet: Use wallets such as Metamask, Phantom, or a native wallet for the platform you’re using (e.g., ArConnect for Arweave).
- Purchase Cryptocurrency: Acquire the cryptocurrency native to the platform. For example, Arweave uses $AR, while Filecoin uses $FIL. You can buy these on popular exchanges like Coinbase or Binance and then transfer them to your wallet.
3. Upload Your Files
After setting up your wallet and funding it with the necessary cryptocurrency, you can start uploading your photography archive. The process will depend on the platform you choose:
For Arweave:
- Install the ArConnect browser extension for interacting with Arweave.
- Visit a platform like ArDrive (a user-friendly interface for Arweave storage).
- Connect your wallet, upload your files, and pay the one-time storage fee. Your photos will now be permanently stored on the blockchain. For IPFS/Filecoin:
- Use a service like NFT.Storage or Pinata to upload your files to IPFS.
- You will receive a unique CID (content identifier) for each file, which can be used to retrieve the file anytime from the IPFS network.
- For guaranteed permanence, pair IPFS with Filecoin storage to ensure long-term storage.
4. Link to the Blockchain (Optional but Recommended)
If you want to add an extra layer of security, transparency, and ownership verification, you can mint NFTs (non-fungible tokens) linked to your uploaded files. Here’s how:
- Choose an NFT platform like OpenSea, Rarible, or Zora (most of these work with Ethereum).
- Mint NFTs by linking your uploaded files (e.g., the Arweave or IPFS file links) to the NFT’s metadata.
- Set up the ownership rules, including royalties or future use rights if desired.
- Publish your NFT collection to a marketplace or just keep them stored on the blockchain.
5. Create a Public Gateway (Optional)
To ensure easy public access to your photography archive, you can create a gateway that allows users to view your files. For IPFS, use a gateway service (e.g., ipfs.io) that translates CIDs into accessible URLs.
Alternatively, if you are using Arweave, your files are directly accessible through URLs generated by the platform (e.g.,
https://arweave.net/your-file-hash).6. Promote and Share Your Archive
After setting up your archive, you can:
- Share the URLs to your images or NFTs.
- Integrate your archive with your website (e.g., embed IPFS or Arweave links).
- Use social media or platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Medium to promote your archived work and ensure its visibility to future audiences.
Cost Considerations:
- Arweave: One-time payment based on file size (relatively affordable for small JPEGs like yours).
- Filecoin: Pay-as-you-go for scalable storage.
- IPFS: Free for short-term storage, but you need a service to ensure long-term availability.
Would you like to dive deeper into any of these steps or need specific recommendations on which platform to choose?
Yes, it is possible to upload your photography archive onto the blockchain to preserve it for future generations, potentially for hundreds of years. Blockchain technology offers an immutable, decentralized, and secure way to store information, ensuring that your work remains accessible and verifiable for centuries. Here are a few methods you could consider for uploading your photography archive:
- Decentralized Storage Solutions: Platforms like Arweave, Filecoin, or IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) allow you to store files in a decentralized manner. They provide a permanent and resilient storage network, ensuring your photography archive remains accessible over time.
- NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens): You can create NFTs for your photos, which are unique tokens stored on a blockchain (like Ethereum). The metadata of each image (such as ownership, rights, and file location on a decentralized storage network) can be linked to these NFTs. Platforms like OpenSea, Rarible, or Foundation allow you to mint and sell NFTs of your photography.
- Custom Blockchain or Sidechains: If you want full control over how your archive is stored, you could create a custom blockchain or sidechain specifically for archiving your photography. This approach gives you complete control but requires technical knowledge and resources to maintain.
The key challenge with blockchain storage is scalability and cost. Storing large amounts of high-resolution images directly on a blockchain can be costly and inefficient, which is why decentralized storage platforms (like Arweave or Filecoin) are typically used in conjunction with the blockchain.
By combining these methods, your archive could remain accessible for hundreds of years, with blockchain serving as the permanent record and decentralized storage solutions maintaining the files. Would you be interested in a specific platform for this purpose?
Athens added copper to its gold coins during a time of financial crisis and decline in the purity of its currency, which can be traced back to the late 5th century BCE, particularly around the period after the Peloponnesian War. This practice was part of a broader trend across the ancient Greek world where states debased their currency by reducing the amount of precious metal (gold or silver) and substituting it with less valuable metals like copper.
Here’s the context:
Financial Strain After the Peloponnesian War
Athens had been heavily involved in costly military campaigns throughout the Peloponnesian War, and the Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE) was especially ruinous. The defeat by Sparta in 404 BCE, followed by the imposition of harsh terms by Sparta, left Athens financially crippled. The economy was severely weakened, and the state’s treasury was depleted, so Athens had difficulty maintaining its military, paying public officials, and restoring its infrastructure.
Debasement of Currency
To address its financial troubles, Athens began issuing gold coins that were not made of pure gold but rather debased with copper. This practice, known as alloying, involved mixing copper into the gold to stretch the amount of precious metal in circulation. While this allowed Athens to produce more coins and meet short-term financial obligations, the long-term effect was a loss of confidence in the currency.
The Athenian public and foreign traders could tell that the coins had less intrinsic value, which led to inflation and destabilization of the economy. By reducing the gold content, Athens essentially diluted the purchasing power of its currency.
The Role of the Athenian Mint
The Athenian mint, responsible for producing coins, likely faced pressure from the state to debase the currency as a means to quickly replenish public coffers. At that time, Athens’ coinage was widely accepted across the Mediterranean due to the city’s political and economic power, especially the famous “Athenian owl” silver tetradrachms. However, as gold coins with higher copper content entered the economy, this reputation was undermined.
Broader Economic Impact
The addition of copper to gold coins reflected not just a specific policy but the broader economic decline of Athens. As the city-state lost its naval empire and political dominance following the Peloponnesian War, its economy became less resilient. Foreign powers, such as Persia and later Macedon under Philip II and Alexander the Great, increasingly exerted influence over Greece, further weakening Athenian autonomy and its ability to control its currency.
In conclusion, the decision to add copper to gold coins in Athens was a desperate economic measure in response to war debts and a depleted treasury, signaling the financial decline of what was once the most powerful city-state in Greece.
Relate this to modern day USA
The debasement of Athens’ currency by adding copper to gold coins during a time of crisis can be seen as a historical parallel to modern economic practices in the United States, particularly in the context of inflation, monetary policy, and the broader challenges of managing a complex, globalized economy.
Debasement of Currency and Inflation
In ancient Athens, adding copper to gold coins diluted their value, which led to inflation and decreased public confidence in the currency. In modern terms, this is akin to the process of inflation caused by increasing the money supply without a corresponding increase in economic productivity.
In the United States, inflationary pressures often stem from expansive monetary policies, especially during times of crisis. For example, the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program (which began in response to the 2008 financial crisis and reemerged during the COVID-19 pandemic) involved large-scale purchases of government bonds and mortgage-backed securities to inject liquidity into the economy. This, in turn, increased the money supply, much like Athens increased the quantity of its coins by diluting their precious metal content.
While these modern policies are designed to prevent economic collapse, they can also lead to inflation, where the value of money decreases relative to goods and services, much like the debased Athenian coins lost their purchasing power.
National Debt and Deficit Spending
Athens’ currency debasement was, in part, a response to the massive debts incurred from war, notably the Peloponnesian War. Similarly, the U.S. has accumulated substantial national debt due to military spending, social programs, and responses to economic crises. As of 2024, the U.S. national debt has surpassed $30 trillion, leading to concerns about the sustainability of deficit spending.
Both Athens and modern America relied on fiscal policies that, while effective in the short term, had longer-term consequences. In Athens, the use of debased currency was a desperate attempt to maintain political and military operations, while in the U.S., reliance on debt-financed spending and easy monetary policy can lead to long-term economic instability.
Public Confidence and Global Influence
In Athens, the debasement of currency eroded public confidence and damaged the city-state’s reputation as an economic power. Similarly, the U.S. faces challenges to its global economic standing. The U.S. dollar, much like the Athenian coinage in the ancient world, has long been a global reserve currency, used in international trade and held by foreign governments as a store of value. However, with rising inflation, a growing national debt, and increasing competition from other major economies (such as China), the global confidence in the U.S. dollar could be challenged.
While the U.S. dollar remains strong, the economic challenges faced by the U.S.—including inflation, high debt levels, and dependence on borrowing—mirror some of the pressures that led to Athens’ financial decline. If these issues are not managed effectively, they could lead to a loss of global influence, just as Athens’ economic and political power waned after its monetary crisis.
Socio-Political Instability
The internal political strife Athens experienced during its financial decline, with oligarchic coups and political turmoil, also has echoes in modern America. In times of economic stress, political divisions tend to deepen, leading to instability. In recent years, the U.S. has experienced heightened political polarization, particularly in response to economic inequality, government spending, and the perceived mishandling of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Much like the internal strife that weakened Athenian democracy, these divisions can undermine the ability of a nation to effectively govern itself and address systemic issues.
Summary
In both ancient Athens and modern America, financial crises led to the debasement of currency and inflation. Athens added copper to its gold coins, while the U.S. has expanded the money supply through mechanisms like quantitative easing and deficit spending. In both cases, these measures were intended to address short-term problems but carried long-term risks, such as inflation, loss of public confidence, and diminished global standing.
As Athens’ overextension in war and poor financial management contributed to its decline, modern America faces similar challenges in balancing its economic policies, national debt, and maintaining its position as a global superpower. The lessons from Athens serve as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of mismanaging economic crises and losing control over public trust in the currency.
Photography is a superpower, and the power that the individual with a camera possesses is actually quite strong and profound when you think about it:
You can create a new world in a fraction of a second.
When I’m on the street, I’m not just looking at the world for what it is, but what it could be. What this means is, when I’m looking at life, I’m honing in on the details and the multifaceted complexities of life. Whether it’s the bark on a tree, a cigarette in a puddle, a building blooming so tall, or the interaction between two strangers on the corner, everything is photographable.
Don’t limit yourself to photographing one thing or in one way. By approaching photography and its endless array of things, people, and places, you give yourself the ability to make something from nothing. This may be the ultimate goal of photography, when you think about it—to create something from nothing.
Ultimately, photography is simply drawing with light. We wield light as our medium, and it is ever-changing. No matter how many times you visit the same location or walk the same lane, the light will always be different, with nuances and gradual changes. The fact that light is our medium is the superpower. Light is ever-abundant, despite the conditions, whether soft, harsh, golden hour, sunrise, or sunset. When you focus on light as the primary source of your medium and open yourself to the possibility of creating something from light on a surface, the world becomes your canvas.
With the world as our canvas, you are no longer bound to a particular location to practice street photography. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the most bustling city, such as New York or Philadelphia, or photographing in an empty parking lot or an abandoned small town. Street photography is an ethos, a way of approaching life; it’s a philosophy for how to photograph and see the world. Photography is not limited to capturing candid moments of people. Try honing in on the notion of treating the world as a canvas, and see where that leads you. Try using the macro function on your camera, seeing the world from a higher vantage point, where you’re the ultimate creator, looking at the details and patterns on a leaf like a city laid out on a grid.
When you photograph, you’re not just capturing a moment—you’re distilling the essence of life, abstracting it, and giving meaning to the mundane. You create something from nothing, shaping reality with the click of a shutter. This is the superpower of photography: the ability to create new worlds, to draw with light, and to see infinite possibilities where others see none.
So, embrace your role as a creator. The world is your canvas, and with every photograph, you’re painting your vision of life. There are no limits—only the ones you impose on yourself.
Go out and create.
The Rozou Project is a street photography initiative that brings art back into public spaces, particularly focusing on large-scale projections of street photography. It emphasizes showcasing unposed, candid moments from everyday life directly in the environment where they were captured. By projecting the photos onto walls, buildings, or other outdoor spaces, Rozou connects street art with its natural setting, creating a unique dialogue between the art and its surroundings.
The project often involves contributions from various photographers, such as Tadashi Onishi, and focuses primarily on black-and-white images that highlight the raw, spontaneous nature of street photography. The public nature of these exhibitions encourages a broad audience to engage with the art form in a casual, yet immersive manner, merging everyday city life with visual storytelling oai_citation:3,Projecting CANDID Street Photography to the public | Rozou Project feat. Tadashi Onishi – YouTube oai_citation:2,Tadashi Onishi: Capturing Tokyo’s Vibrant Nightlife — about photography oai_citation:1,5 Tokyo-Based Photographers That Capture Every Angle of the City | Tokyo Weekender.
For Philadelphia to start mining Bitcoin, it would need to consider several key factors to ensure the success and sustainability of such an endeavor. Here’s a breakdown of how the city could approach Bitcoin mining:
By addressing these areas, Philadelphia could position itself as a pioneer in municipal Bitcoin mining, potentially generating revenue for city projects while supporting the growth of a digital economy.
What would be Philadelphia’s best option?
The best option for Philadelphia to mine Bitcoin would likely be a combination of renewable energy sources with a focus on hydropower, supported by other complementary energy solutions. Here’s why hydropower, paired with a diversified renewable energy strategy, would work well:
1. Hydropower as a Primary Source
- Reliable and Renewable Energy: Hydropower from the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers offers a reliable, sustainable, and renewable energy source. Unlike solar and wind, which are intermittent, hydropower can provide a steady, consistent flow of electricity, making it ideal for the energy-intensive needs of Bitcoin mining.
- Existing Infrastructure Potential: Philadelphia has access to existing water management infrastructure, such as historical sites like Fairmount Water Works, which could be modernized for hydropower generation. This reduces the need for massive new construction and lowers upfront costs.
- Low Environmental Impact: Hydropower has a relatively low carbon footprint and environmental impact, especially if existing facilities are used, making it more sustainable compared to fossil fuels.
2. Supplementing with Solar and Wind Power
- Diversification for Energy Security: While hydropower can serve as the backbone of energy production, diversifying with solar and wind energy will provide additional capacity during periods of peak energy demand. Philadelphia receives ample sunlight during summer months, and offshore wind farms along the nearby coast could also contribute.
- Combining with Energy Storage: Solar and wind can be unpredictable, but when combined with battery storage systems (or pumped storage hydropower), the city could store excess energy for use during periods of high demand or when hydropower output is lower.
3. Energy Efficiency through Water Cooling
- Cooling Mining Operations: The city can optimize the energy efficiency of mining operations by using water cooling systems, which are far more efficient than air cooling. By integrating water from nearby rivers or urban water systems, Philadelphia could reduce the electricity needed to cool mining rigs, further lowering operational costs.
- Heat Recovery for Other Uses: Mining operations generate a lot of heat. By using water to cool equipment, the excess heat could be repurposed to provide heating for nearby buildings, creating a closed-loop system that improves overall energy efficiency.
4. Public-Private Partnerships and Smart Grid Integration
- Involving Tech Companies and Energy Providers: Partnering with technology firms that specialize in Bitcoin mining and renewable energy infrastructure could help Philadelphia adopt best practices and attract investment. Large-scale mining operations require significant expertise, and these partnerships could lower the city’s risk while bringing in experienced players to build and manage the infrastructure.
- Smart Grid Implementation: To ensure efficient energy use, Philadelphia could invest in smart grid technology that dynamically allocates electricity between the city’s grid and Bitcoin mining operations. This ensures that energy is prioritized for essential public services while excess power is used for mining.
5. Policy and Incentive Framework
- Energy Credits and Incentives: The city could offer incentives for businesses and institutions that contribute to the renewable energy infrastructure, such as tax credits for hydropower investments or for those who purchase Bitcoin mined using renewable energy.
- Municipal Involvement: Philadelphia could set up a municipal Bitcoin mining operation that reinvests profits into public services. By positioning itself as a leader in sustainable Bitcoin mining, the city could leverage mining revenues for city infrastructure, education, or environmental initiatives.
Why This Combination is Ideal for Philadelphia:
- Economic Sustainability: Hydropower provides cost-effective and stable energy, reducing the volatility associated with Bitcoin mining costs. This can make Philadelphia a competitive hub for Bitcoin mining without compromising public utilities or driving up energy prices.
- Environmental Leadership: By focusing on renewable energy, Philadelphia can minimize its carbon footprint and become a leader in sustainable cryptocurrency mining, which could attract positive attention from both the tech industry and environmentally conscious investors.
- Job Creation and Innovation: This approach would create jobs in the renewable energy sector, tech, and infrastructure development while also spurring innovation in blockchain technology.
In conclusion, hydropower, supplemented with solar and wind, and integrated with smart cooling solutions, would be the best option for Philadelphia to sustainably mine Bitcoin while balancing economic growth, environmental concerns, and energy efficiency.
I believe the slideshow is a great way to view work. I find that it is the easiest way for me to relive the experiences I have on the street.
When I consider photography, I like to treat it like a personal diary. It’s simply a way to remember the day. Through viewing a slideshow, and specifically sequencing the work in consecutive order, it allows you to retrace your steps. This is an interesting approach, because at the end of the day all we have is now. The pictures become the tangible memories we have of the past. When I photograph, I simply follow my intuition and stream of consciousness. Viewing my work in a slideshow promotes this experience.
“The past is a memory. It’s a thought arising in the now. The future is merely anticipated; it is another thought arising now. What we truly have is this moment.” – Marcus Aurelius
I find that when it comes to editing work, we get caught up with juxtaposing the perfect pictures next to one another and creating visual stories. Sure, this has its place within the realm of bookmaking and other ways of viewing work, but in terms of slideshows, consecutive order is the simplest. To me, I am looking for the fastest solution to create and present work. When it comes to making slideshows, you can simply create them in Final Cut Pro, iMovie, and perhaps even using your iPhone. The point is to create and share work in a stream of becoming. Keep everything simple from the process of making photographs and viewing them.
With slideshows, you can simply upload them to your own, YouTube channel or host them on your WordPress website using Videopress with the Jetpack plug-in. They’re easy to share because you can simply copy and paste a link and send it through text messaging or publishing them to your blog.
It’s an easy way to get your photos out there and share them with others. I also find that the use of YouTube, as a place to archive work is an interesting solution. Maybe, the work will live on forever on YouTube, as it is owned by Google and is one of the biggest websites of all time. Alas, nothing will last forever however, this I find to be the supreme way to share work in terms of accessibility, shareability, and simplicity.
For the last two years, since adopting a barefoot lifestyle, I’ve shifted to only sitting down to eat and sleep. My home has become a bunker—a place for rest, not a space for confinement. Sitting signals my body to enter a passive state, tricking it into thinking it’s time to digest and relax. But movement? That’s when I feel alive, fueled by energy.
Anytime I’m moving—standing, stretching, or contracting my muscles—I feel strength surging through me. Sitting, however, depletes that energy, as though it drains my body’s battery. It’s something I avoid at all costs. Anytime I’m in a vehicle, I begin to yawn, feeling confined and generally unwell. I don’t enjoy being trapped inside, such as in an office building, so I spend my days outdoors. If I need transportation, I take the bus and stand next to the door.
We are the super soldiers—the new Spartans—standing and marching throughout the day. If someone tells you to sit down, say no. We refuse to sit because it goes against our physiology and is detrimental to our health. Sitting is for the weak and the docile. The masses may sit for the entirety of their lives, but we, the elite super soldiers, refuse. Through physical strength, we find freedom. If you work in an office, request a standing desk. If you work from home, start a home gym and get a standing desk.
Is it possible to live an entire life marching outside? How long can we go until the day we drop? For me, walking is bliss. The contraction of my muscles, the movement of my body—this fuels my mind. We often prioritize the mind, sitting down inside, thinking of what to type in front of the computer screen. However, while walking, your thoughts churn more, your ideas improve, and you strengthen your mind by strengthening your body. Walking also improves our photography. By walking more, we see more, and ultimately, photograph more, increasing our chances of improving our craft. As street photographers, it is our duty to march.
One of my favorite things to do on the street is listen to the conversations people have while I walk by. It provides a good insight into the sociology of modern people. As a street photographer, human behavior intrigues me.
Yesterday, while walking down Chestnut Street, I overheard a conversation between two nurses. The woman was describing her brother, who had been dating a woman for eight years. The woman decided she wanted a break from the relationship, and so the man agreed. One week later, he received a text from his ex asking if she could still use his credit card, which was linked to her Uber Eats account. He agreed, but when the driver arrived, he made a FaceTime call to verify the drop-off address. When the door opened, and the man confirmed the address, another man opened the door. The woman was already hooking up with someone else. How brutal is that? Ha ha ha. Imagine going eight years in a relationship, only to find out the woman you were with was cheating on you all along.
Another observation from yesterday’s walk:
Every day, since school has been back in session, when I pass through the tunnels of City Hall, Dilworth Plaza is filled with hooligans, always fighting amongst each other. There are easily 100+ students gathered in droves, always aggressive, screaming, shouting, and physically fist-fighting, whether male or female. The most shocking thing is how the women fight, like animals. Yesterday, however, the fighting was extreme. So many pockets of fistfights were going on, and eventually, one young man, a high school student, started fighting a cop. Next thing you know, cops arrived in droves, drawing their batons and tasers, creating a police line with their bicycles. They arrested many of these young men, especially the ones being very aggressive toward the police. It amazes me how this occurs almost every day, but yesterday was different because a young man had the nerve to fight the police.
Who in their lifetime thinks it’s a good idea to fight a cop? What is the cause of this chaos we see in urban cities like Philadelphia?
My theory of industrialization is that it led to the decline of God and spirituality in modern life. With the automation of work, factory labor, and the implementation of media like television, we’ve strayed further from what gives life deeper meaning—contemplating notions of God, the universe, or something greater than ourselves. When humans are put on a grid, living on top of each other in shoeboxes, there’s a lack of community, a byproduct of the way we live. Even the workplace, confining the individual to a cubicle, atomizes man, separating us physically, emotionally, and spiritually by removing us from the natural environments of the outdoors and placing us in the artificial environments of the indoors.
With this new modern way of life comes a toll on the masses’ souls. There’s a spiritual sickness amongst us, and it all starts at home. The lack of spirituality, a guiding moral compass such as church, religion, or faith, leads to the decline of human behavior in general. With the death of God comes the death of the family and the absence of fathers from homes. With the nuclear family separated, the next generation will have stunted growth—spiritually, mentally, and physically—leading to behaviors like fighting and bickering amongst themselves in the streets after school.
The death of God leads to the lack of religion, and the lack of moral structure leads to a generation of animals.
Is industrialization to blame for all of this? Not entirely, but I do know the primal way of life was much simpler. Think of how we lived as hunters and gatherers, spending maybe 10 to 20 hours per week gathering what we needed for the next week or two. This way of life led to the formation of communities, where we had more free time to sit around the campfire, tell stories, form families, and embrace spirituality. With this free time, people in the community could strive for something greater than simply slaving away with the “hard work ethic” that modern education systems program into entire generations as the ultimate meaning in life.
I love when people say the Dark Ages or medieval times were bad, because they always picture peasants as these futile slaves with no power, joy, or happiness. However, these peasants, who tilled the land, had more vacation days than modern men. Because the king of a kingdom submits to God, they feel ownership over their entire community. This king will do everything in their power to have a prosperous community, with spirituality or God at the forefront. Because of this, peasants, workers, and everyday folks had way more days off, recognizing all the religious holidays and feast days, prioritizing church, community, and family over work.
Peasants in medieval Europe had 80 to 100 days off throughout the year. The typical 9-to-5, 40-hour-a-week worker gets 25 days off per year.
“But the peasants had to work so hard outside with physically demanding labor!”
Yes, but they were much healthier, happier, and more prosperous than we are in this modern world. Industrialization has created a slave class.
You can change your body. You can improve your health.
My favorite aspect of health and fitness is the fact that the body is democratic. Anybody can achieve a beautiful physique and good health through discipline and hard work. Yes, you must physically demand of your body each day, challenging yourself through weightlifting, walking, eating the right foods, and drinking enough water to achieve good health. The simplest way to improve your body is to eliminate all toxic things from your life—unprocessed foods, sodas, sugar, carbs, cookies, pizza, etc.
The carnivore diet is a godsend. If you want to change your body, your life, your health, your mind, your spirit—give it a try.
It’s never been so simple to change your health, body, and well-being. By eliminating all the food groups that keep you hungry and dependent on eating, and by satiating your soul with the most nutrient-dense food—red meat—you will reframe the way you view health. By satiating your body, you are no longer hungry and can fast for the entirety of the day. Fasting puts you in a state of autophagy, repairing your body and sharpening your mind. Simple weightlifting practices, such as farmer’s walks, pull-ups, and push-ups, will be your best friends and go a long way. I spend only 10 to 15 minutes in the gym per day, but I also walk throughout the day, barefoot, and wear a 40-lb weighted vest for one hour each morning while I do my weightlifting routine in the afternoon.
Just know, the power is in your hands, and you can and will change your body with discipline.
Talking on the phone just makes people stressed and angry?
Every time I see someone talking on the phone while I’m walking on the street, they always seem to be angry, screaming bloody murder, or just stressed in general. One of the funny things I’ve noticed is that sometimes when people get a phone call, they get upset about it, groaning, moaning, or sighing deeply before answering it apprehensively. I think having a phone on you at all times—constantly checking or refreshing your email, waiting for a bell to ring, a notification to ping, or a phone to ring—is very unnatural. These devices, while argued to connect us, disconnect us more than ever.
One of the greatest things I’ve done is to remove the news from my life entirely. By removing the news, I have no idea what’s going on in the world. Some may call this ignorance, but I’m not ignorant, because I’m open and always looking and listening with my own eyes and ears in my hometown, in my city. I’m also not afraid to glance at the newspapers now and then to stay in touch with what’s going on in Philadelphia. The point is, eliminating the global news, the noise, the boneheaded politics, and the ultimate division it causes in society at scale has been freeing.
Whatever is happening in your hometown is what truly matters. Everything else is noise and irrelevant. Treat your hometown like it’s the only thing in the world. Yes, it may seem ignorant, but why do other states, cities, or countries matter to you when you have a community immediately in front of you? We get so wrapped up in worldly affairs that don’t affect our immediate lives. Without social media and the internet, we wouldn’t even know about these things until the newspaper arrived at our door. When you deliberately remove it from your life, it’s as if life becomes better, more blissful, and more joyous. Without constant distractions, you can stay focused on what truly matters in your everyday life.
Think of how a child is not hardened by modern life or societal expectations. A child is pure, full of bliss, following their emotional whims. While we may want to clear our emotional state and not be so childlike in our perception of emotions, there’s something special about a child’s instinctive feeling toward life in general. A child revels in both the ups and the downs with full passion and glory. Think of a child crying and moaning at the shoreline when their favorite ball gets swept away by the ocean, or think of when a child successfully swings the baseball bat and hits the ball into the outfield. The child is full of joy, reveling in the feeling of overcoming a physical challenge. Children embrace life in all its emotional intensity, good or bad. I find this inspiring in a modern world full of sedated lifestyles, where we suppress how we feel through drugs, alcohol, or numbing media.
One emotion a man must conquer is anger. By transmuting anger into compassion, happiness, or something physical like weightlifting, you can transform that feeling into fuel for life. When you feel anger, channel it into productivity or creativity, such as making art or practicing street photography. If you feel anger, go for a long walk by yourself and conquer yourself physically. If you feel anger, hit the gym, lift something heavy, and transmute that energy into physical power. Anger is something that man tends to succumb to, but I believe we can use it for good. Transmute your energy and give it meaning.
If someone comes up to you on the street and pushes you, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to turn the other cheek?
One day, while walking down Chestnut Street, a man came up from behind, pushing me aggressively and telling me to get out of his way. I turned to the man, stood my ground, and stared him straight in the face. He tried to press me, threatening to fight me, so I removed my shirt. With my shirt off, I began to get really mad, almost ready to hurt the man. My anger was visible on my face, and I began to grunt like a wild animal. The poor sheep, looking me up and down, seeing my Spartan physique and vicious face, decided to walk away from the wolf. Sometimes, justified aggression is necessary if someone tries to stunt on you or get physical with you. Other times, turning the other cheek is the right move, like dealing with words thrown at you by the weak or homeless. We mean no harm and do not use physical force unless justified. If someone is physical with you, perhaps it’s best to be physical back? Personally, I’m not going to let anybody stunt on me, flex on me, or push me around. I won’t turn the other cheek if someone slaps me. I’ll at least show my dominance and use my justified aggression accordingly. Honestly, when I think about the police officers yesterday, slamming those fools to the ground for fighting the cops, their justified aggression was necessary. The cops needed to be physical, as these young men were being physical toward them. Maybe Philadelphia truly needs 300 Spartans. The city is getting out of control with wild animals in the street. If everyone else is a wild animal, maybe it’s time for you to unleash your wild animal if needed. Be the wolf, not a sheep.
Let’s live our lives as warriors, marching outdoors throughout the entirety of the day. We never sit down and embrace the primal way, guarding the gate, the halls of City Hall. We need to revive the myth, the legend, the inner hero within each and every one of us men. When I think of America as the land of the free, the home of the brave, I think of men like Washington, crossing the Delaware River with courage at the forefront. The main virtue worth championing in this world is courage. Courage breeds bravery, and bravery leads to freedom.
We live in a very, very safe world, a world of comfort, and actually having way too much more than we need. Maybe our big problem is having too much? With safety comes kindness. Kindness is at the forefront of modern society, but it will ultimately lead to mediocrity and equality. Do you want to be a mediocre equal among the masses? If we were living in ancient Greece or Sparta, would you want to be one of the elite Spartans or a helot slave?
Personally, I can’t pretend to fit in or even get myself to try to. You can’t put me in a box, and I refuse to obey. If you’re ever wondering where I am or what I’m doing, just know that I am outdoors, marching endlessly.
Can you go an entire lifetime without sitting down?
The distinction between centralized and decentralized systems comes down to how control, authority, and decision-making are structured.
Which approach is better depends on the context—decentralization offers greater freedom and security, but centralization often provides more efficiency and control.
Why wait until it’s too late?
Stand firm, stand tall, and follow Destiny’s call.
Embrace today. Let the chips fall where they may.
To reach heaven, you must have roots in hell.
Grow your branches, spread your wings,
fly, and be free.
Like a lion uncaged, roaming the streets,
Roar with all your might, and sleep in peace.
For one day we shall die, memento mori.
This is our only guarantee.
Amor fati.
DANTE
