A bull just goes

What if we went through the streets like a bull, barbarically pounding our way through each photograph we make? With a strong gait, strong legs, and strong feet, you can walk on the street endlessly, on repeat.

Conquer yourself

Perhaps the ultimate goal of man is to conquer oneself. While we have the ability to conquer land and the open terrain surrounding us through conquest, warfare, farming, building, and creating the infrastructure that holds our world together, we can also turn inward for the ultimate battle, the spiritual war.

In our modern world, we are bombarded with distractions and things that are ultimately artificial. Think of the sounds of cars, honking horns, planes buzzing by, and the mindless chatter of people, fueling the air with pollution, celebrity gossip, drama, and bad news. While people smoke toxic cigarettes, fueling the sidewalks with pollutants and cancerous gases, so can the thoughts of others, through the words that they speak.

Man is body, not mind.

When it comes to conquering yourself, consider your physical body first and foremost. Think of somebody who cannot pull up their body weight above a bar, and the effect this will have on their mind. Weakness of the body is weakness of the mind. A strong body is inevitably going to possess a strong mind. Because of this, I believe we should take some simple precautions and measures to notice the way in which our body feels, becoming in tune with nature, and ultimately, what is real.

Flesh is real.

Interacting with humans in the physical flesh is a real embodied experience that can never be replaced through artificial means such as social media, text messaging, or even FaceTime and Zoom calls. Body language is lost through the digital spaces, and there are no pheromones in the air. Think of the ants and the role they play within our ecosystem, and the pheromone trails they leave behind for other ants to follow toward the colony. Like ants, each human has a role to play within the colony. In our modern world, we face artificial separation that atomizes man through bureaucratic systems, whether the FDA, the DMV, or even the corporate office that you work within. With the separation of man from physical flesh, division will be the inevitable outcome. When men are domesticated and put into a cage, they become like a bull, ready to destroy anything in their path.

Desire? Tame it

You often hear this notion, to follow your desire. What if our desires are something to also tame, to conquer, or to overcome? When you think of desire, maybe you think of licentiousness, greed, or the other laundry list of sins that Christianity discusses.

To be disciplined is to overcome desire

The other day, while walking down the street, some homeless man asked me for some money, and I simply continued walking, without acknowledging the man. As I walked away, he exclaimed to me, calling me a “faggot.” A bull would respond immediately, with aggression, knocking the man into the ground, beating him to a bloody pulp, because of the noise and vibration echoed from this man’s lips. However, I continued walking, without batting an eye, responding with words, or turning my head, as I know this man is in the depths of hell. Perhaps like a bull, who cannot tame his aggression, we should be more like an elephant, strong, large, capable of harm, but gentle, intelligent, and empathetic.

Energy flows from the weak to the strong in nature

There’s something strange about the feeling I had within me after this interaction. I almost felt stronger, larger, and more grand than this weak, homeless man, in a seemingly unorthodox or unethical way. However, as I walked away, I also felt deep empathy for this man. I had deep concern for his well-being, his state of mind, and the degradation of his weak and feeble body.

No matter if it’s a homeless man, some random stranger, etc., when the words or actions of a weak person are attempting to hurt you, you will inevitably just feel bad for them when you are filled with strength.

Ultimately, those that hate are weak and feed the strong with their energy.

When I was in high school and would play League of Legends, I always played as the tangiest character, Blitzcrank. Blitzcrank, this super tank indestructible robot, had the ability to produce a shield when his health was low by absorbing all of the hit points from the weak minions that would attack him. In life, perhaps it’s wise to be like this tank, that reflects all of the bullets shot at him, indestructible, unmovable, yet filled with love and empathy.

Focus your energy

If you take your two hands, your palms, and squeeze them together with all of your energy, while moving them outward from your chest and back towards your heart, you will feel an immense sensation of energy flowing through your pectoral muscles. The hormonal response of your physical body, through concentrated energy flow of your muscles contracting, releasing dopamine, is pure bliss.

In this brave new world, we have a new drug that releases these chemicals instantaneously, which sits in your front right pocket, the iPhone. Mind-numbing entertainment, media, whether consumed through video, or even playing video games, allows the individual user to experience this euphoric high of dopamine without putting in any muscular effort. Let’s become in tune with nature, with our bodies, and the environment around us more. By focusing your energy through physical exertion, you will feel good and powerful, even more so than your favorite champion or tank from League of Legends, or some superhero movie you watch on TV. Going forward, let’s focus all of our energy on becoming the real-life embodied superhero, the Ubermensch.

Upgrade the world. Upgrade your soul.

In video games, you often have downloadable content enabled after a few months of the release, which sometimes expands the world, opens up new locations, and missions for you to conquer. What if in real life, we saw the world this way, as an endless expanse for us to conquer? When I travel to new locations, I find myself lost in the unknown, uncomfortable, in a situation that ultimately results in the upgrade of my soul. When you put yourself into an uncomfortable position, by traveling somewhere new or doing something different, you increase your curiosity and courage, which I believe are the ultimate traits that influence the quality of our soul. Whether you go far away from home or simply walk down a new street that you haven’t been to recently in your hometown, these novel experiences upgrade the way in which you perceive yourself and the world around you.

Guard your time

In a 40-hour work week, we only have so much time. We are all slaves in this modern world, to our salary, our boss, and time itself. What you spend your time doing, or focus your attention towards, is the ultimate currency in this world.

“Spending time”

Simply think of this notion of spending time, and the correlation it has towards spending money. Money is economic energy that flows through the time that we spend doing things. Perhaps the ultimate currency then is time itself. If the thing that you are spending your time doing is generating money, yet giving you displeasure in life, unhappiness, and anxiety, is it truly worth it? If the time you’re spending is enslaved to a computer, emails, text messages, and communication, consistently for 40 hours a week, do you really think this is a healthy way of life? There is so much anxiety in the air, that it is almost palpable through watching the way people in suits move so quickly down the steeet, always on the phone, always on call, slaves to time itself. I believe this way of life causes the majority of people in modernity to have unbalanced hormones, with high cortisol levels, in need of medication. This is the reason why so many people become consumers and slaves to hedonism during their free time.

I see a future where our time is sacred, and spent innovating, producing, with friends, family, creativity, and spirituality. We’ve replaced these fundamental needs of humanity, such as community, or God, and replaced it with productivity. We’ve all voluntarily enslaved ourselves to technology and comfort.

I believe because we spend too much of our time focusing our attention on things that are trivial and monotonous, in a 40-hour work week, sacrificing our physical bodies and our health for material things and wealth. By spending time always working, laboring, and slaving away, we have no time for true leisure, or to even ask deeper questions about life and meaning itself. I think this is a serious crisis and problem because it inevitably leads to the decline of the human population, as we spend more time working than producing, whether the production of innovative ideas, thoughts, products, art, or even children.

We are here to create something beautiful.

No need for external stimuli or other people

The word “augment” comes from the Latin verb “augere,” which means “to increase” or “to make larger.” The past participle form of “augere” is “auctus,” which is where the English word derives its form. The concept of augmentation refers to the action of making something greater by adding to it, enhancing it, or increasing its value, size, or strength.

The word entered the English language through Old French “augmenter,” which also carried the meaning of enlarging or increasing. Over time, it evolved in Middle English as “augmenten,” maintaining the sense of adding or enhancing.

In modern usage, “augment” is often used in various contexts, such as technology (e.g., augmented reality), where it describes enhancing or adding digital information to the physical world, or in general contexts where something is made more substantial or improved.

The Father of Liberalism and Modern Thought

John Locke, often referred to as the “Father of Liberalism,” was an English philosopher whose ideas laid the groundwork for many of the democratic principles we value today. Born in 1632 in Wrington, Somerset, England, Locke’s contributions to political theory, philosophy, and education have had a profound impact on Western thought, influencing key historical movements such as the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution.

The Foundation of Modern Political Philosophy

Locke’s most influential work, “Two Treatises of Government” (1689), argued against the concept of the divine right of kings, which was a prevailing justification for absolute monarchy in his time. Instead, Locke proposed that legitimate government is founded on the consent of the governed. He articulated the idea that individuals have natural rights to “life, liberty, and property”—rights that are fundamental and inalienable. Governments, according to Locke, are established to protect these rights, and if a government fails to do so, citizens have the right to revolt and establish a new government. This idea was revolutionary, as it shifted the power dynamics from monarchs to the people themselves.

One of Locke’s key arguments was:

“The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings capable of law, where there is no law, there is no freedom.” (Two Treatises of Government)

This assertion underscores his belief that laws are meant to protect freedom, not limit it. This principle directly influenced the drafting of key democratic documents, including the United States Declaration of Independence.

Epistemology and the Blank Slate

Locke also made significant contributions to the field of epistemology—the study of knowledge—through his work, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” (1689). In this text, Locke challenged the prevailing notion of innate ideas, proposing instead that the human mind at birth is a “tabula rasa,” or blank slate, and that all knowledge is derived from experience and sensory perception.

Locke wrote:

“Let us then suppose the mind to be, as we say, white paper void of all characters, without any ideas; How comes it to be furnished? … To this I answer, in one word, from Experience.” (An Essay Concerning Human Understanding)

Locke’s emphasis on experience as the source of knowledge was foundational to the development of empiricism, a major school of thought that contrasts with rationalism and remains influential in modern philosophy and science. His ideas about how knowledge is acquired challenged educators to rethink their approaches, laying the groundwork for modern educational theory.

Legacy and Influence

Locke’s influence extends far beyond his own era. His writings inspired a wave of Enlightenment thinkers who advocated for reason, science, and human rights. Figures such as Thomas Jefferson, who famously incorporated Locke’s ideas into the Declaration of Independence, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who expanded on Locke’s ideas of government by social contract, were profoundly shaped by Locke’s theories.

Locke’s vision of a government that exists to serve its people, protect their rights, and be accountable to them remains a cornerstone of democratic ideals today. His thoughts on human understanding continue to influence contemporary discussions on psychology, education, and epistemology.

In sum, John Locke’s ideas were not just philosophical musings; they were calls to action that have echoed throughout history, shaping the very foundations of modern democracies. His belief in the power and rights of the individual continues to inspire those who advocate for liberty and justice worldwide.

By studying Locke, we delve into the roots of our own political and philosophical traditions, gaining insight into the enduring principles that continue to guide us today.

A bull may react aggressively due to a variety of factors, typically related to their natural instincts, environment, or external stimuli. Here are some common causes of aggression in bulls:

1. Territorial Instincts: Bulls are naturally territorial animals. They may become aggressive when they perceive a threat to their territory or dominance within a herd. This aggression is especially pronounced in confined spaces or when unfamiliar bulls are introduced.
2. Protective Behavior: Bulls can become aggressive if they feel the need to protect their herd, especially if they perceive a threat to cows or calves. This protective instinct can lead to aggressive behavior toward people or other animals they consider threatening.
3. Hormonal Influences: Testosterone plays a significant role in bull aggression. During breeding season or when a bull is around a cow in estrus (heat), testosterone levels increase, which can heighten aggressive behavior. Bulls may display dominance through aggression to establish their status and gain mating rights.
4. Fear or Startle Response: Bulls can become aggressive if they are startled or frightened by sudden movements, loud noises, or unfamiliar objects. If they perceive a threat, their natural reaction may be to charge or defend themselves.
5. Pain or Discomfort: Bulls in pain or discomfort may react aggressively. This can result from injury, illness, or improper handling. Aggression in these cases is often a defensive response to avoid further pain or discomfort.
6. Previous Negative Experiences: Bulls with previous negative experiences, such as rough handling or mistreatment, may develop a conditioned response of aggression toward people or situations that remind them of those experiences.
7. Social Hierarchy Conflicts: Bulls often engage in aggressive behavior to establish or maintain their position within a herd’s social hierarchy. Dominance disputes with other bulls can lead to aggressive displays, including charging, butting, or fighting.
8. Frustration: Bulls can become aggressive if they are frustrated, such as being unable to reach a cow in estrus or if they are confined and unable to move freely. Frustration can lead to heightened aggression, particularly in bulls accustomed to roaming.
9. Lack of Socialization: Bulls that have not been adequately socialized, especially those raised in isolation, may not know how to interact calmly with other animals or humans, leading to unpredictable aggressive behavior.
10. Genetic Factors: Some bulls are genetically predisposed to be more aggressive. Breeding practices can influence the temperament of bulls, and those with aggressive tendencies may pass these traits on to their offspring.
11. Fatigue or Hunger: Bulls that are overly tired, hungry, or stressed may be more prone to aggressive behavior. Proper care, including regular feeding and rest, is essential to maintain a calmer temperament.

Understanding these factors and taking appropriate measures, such as proper handling, reducing stress, and ensuring bulls have enough space and socialization, can help manage and reduce aggressive behavior in bulls.

Also just be a tourist in your hometown

Some random thoughts I had this morning about the future of war and money-

On the Future of War and Money

I remember reading the novel Ender’s Game as a freshman in high school, alongside other books such as 1984 by George Orwell.

In the book, boys are stationed on a spaceship where they practice warfare and engage in simulated battles using virtual reality. Towards the end of the novel, when they think they are in a simulation, they actually wind up winning a war, defending their ship against the enemy.

In modern warfare, and looking into the future, an 18-year-old kid with an Xbox controller can control robots and drones, blowing up villages and killing innocent people without the physical contact traditionally associated with war.

What are the future implications of this technology in warfare? Could its use in remote-controlled combat lead to ethical dilemmas and unintended consequences?

I think, as it currently stands, with every major nation holding nuclear weapons, we are at a standstill. When I consider Alexander the Great and all the land he conquered, spreading Hellenistic culture throughout various regions, I think about his motives and what drove him. While glory, legacy, political, and cultural reasons come to mind, we must not forget the basic primal instinct of man seeking to conquer for the sake of wealth, money, power, and land. At one point, Alexander the Great looted over 6,000,000 pounds of gold from Persepolis.

One of the regions Alexander the Great conquered was Babylon, or present-day Iraq. In 2003, when the United States went looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, we found nothing. However, one of the immediate actions of the United States military in Iraq was to take control of infrastructure and particular oil fields. With control of the oil fields, the United States benefits not by stealing oil but by stabilizing the economy and market value of this critical commodity.

Now that our US dollar is not backed by gold, and the Federal Reserve prints money infinitely, we have the ability to continuously funnel money into the production of weapons, funding warfare through the money we use daily, driving our debts to unresolvable heights, leading to inflation and a depreciation in the value of our dollars. Last year, you could buy a chicken from ShopRite for five dollars, but recently the price has increased to eight dollars per chicken. While this seems like a small increase in price, it’s actually a big deal.

Now, let’s consider our current year, 2024, and all of the technological advancements we’ve had in both war and money. We’ve gone from hunting with bow and arrow to fighting with sword and shield, to muskets and cannons; from line warfare to trench warfare with the implementation of the machine gun, to now the atomic bomb. Our grandparents have lived through the transition of transportation from horse and buggy to motor vehicles, the radio, television, and now the iPhone that sits in your front right pocket. My grandmother purchased her home for $10,000, and now, as the current year stands, homes are hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions. At this rate, the value of our dollars will depreciate over time, and we will consistently see the rise of our debts and the increase in prices.

What is the solution to this critical problem that keeps society flourishing? Do we continuously print more money? Or do we harness the power of technology and implement a future of peace and prosperity?

When I consider war and money, especially in the context of Alexander the Great looting places for millions of pounds of gold, digital money seems like a very easy solution to fixing this very real, physical problem. Because we are no longer backed by a gold standard, it seems most wise for us to adopt a new standard, a solution to this real problem. Bitcoin, harnessing the power of technology, electricity, and the laws of physics, provides truth in code, the first-ever cryptographically proven, digital, scarce asset. Not only can we consider Bitcoin as digital gold, but an even more interesting way to think about it is as digital property, where you quite literally own a block within cyberspace. Similarly to how there’s only so much land in the physical world, there will only ever be 21 million bitcoins ever to be mined. The problem with gold is that we can continuously mine for more, making it not a truly scarce asset. Much like property, and owning the only pair of keys to your house, you take ownership of your bitcoin through a set of private keys that only you have access to.

Could the adoption of a digital form of money, such as Bitcoin, reduce the economic motivations for war

If Alexander the Great, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, or Xi Jinping wanted to invade a nation and loot their money supply, they couldn’t, as it exists in cyberspace. If somebody were to approach you on the street and put a gun to your head, threatening to kill you unless you empty your wallet, they could take nothing from you because your private keys exist in your head. This becomes a radical and revolutionary technology, as not only is it decentralized, our ability to withhold a true asset that forms as a store of value can potentially lead to the end of gun violence and war generally.

Not only does this technology uplift humanity on an individual level, giving you control over your money, rather than a government or a centralized bank, but also has the potential to transform the world globally. With a fixed supply, this could change the way nations spend money, leading to economic stability and transparency, as every transaction is made public through the blockchain. The future of information, money, and technology is inevitably going to be shaped by these modern, decentralized innovations.

If we harness the power of modern technology, we can create a new world, a cleaner world, a more peaceful world for future generations.

Nobody Is a Match for Me

I was chatting with an older photographer, somebody in their 70s, about the history of photography, specifically street photography. He mentioned that there will never be another Bresson. I then told him,

“You’re looking at him.”

He responded, laughing, telling me,

“Good luck with an ego like that.”

What I learned from this interaction is that one is not permitted to be confident in one’s abilities in this modern world. It is seen as virtuous to kill your ego, to not be audacious or bold in your pursuit of greatness. I think people expect others to just be humble, modest, and recognize their limitations. The thing with me is, I know that there are no limits, and even if I never reach my goals or achieve greatness, I will at least die trying, knowing that I was confident in my ability, and not just another emo photographer. I’d rather not kill my ego; rather, have a balanced relationship with it.

I never want to become a master of photography. I want to forever remain an amateur, perpetually learning through my recognition of my ignorance, while simultaneously pursuing excellence.

Uplift Humanity

I believe the goal of photography is to uplift humanity, to champion the human experience, and elevate it to a new height. Perhaps it is those who love life the most that will make the best photographs.

A photograph is a reflection of your lust for life.

When I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, Africa, working in food security with rural aquaculture, I was invited within the Bemba tribe with open arms. The most profound realization I had about these communities off the grid, and remote villages, is how the community thrives under one God, as one tribe, sharing the land. During one of my experiences, I spent two weeks sleeping under tents that were erected with sticks and tarps, praying under a thatched roof of the Seventh-Day Adventist church. Towards the end of this two-week church camp, I witnessed hundreds of Zambians be baptized in the lake. As I trudged through the water up to my knees with a camera in hand, I made photos as each Zambian man and woman was dunked into the water one by one. You could sense the fear and tension in the eyes and faces of the people before they were lowered into the water, but when they rose, a smile and open eyes on their faces were clearly visible, like they were born again.

As a volunteer, I was expected to be a helping hand in this community, but at the end of the day, they wound up helping me more than I could ever help them. This community taught me just how beautiful this human experience can be. I’ve never seen so many people working together, sharing their land, under one God. My time as a volunteer in Zambia helped me realize just how amazing humanity can be, despite all of the complexities we face in life. I came home with a newfound understanding of what truly matters in life, despite what modern society expects of you.

Break the Simulation

In the context of photography, one is expected to make money from their work. Sometimes, when I tell people I’m a photographer, they expect I photograph weddings, events, or make portraits of people for money. This happens 99% of the time you speak with anybody about your passion, as it always correlates with some sort of income stream or monetary gain. When I tell people about my experiences and the things that I photographed throughout my life, they always tell me that I should make so much money from this, that it is so profound and great, and are shocked when I tell them I do not do it for work.

I believe we should go beyond these basic notions of monetary gain within the realm of photography, especially street photography, where it is not the goal whatsoever. Street photographers do not seek fame, praise, or money. We simply seek to become in tune with life itself, existing in the present moment, photographing life as it is. The simple pleasure of walking, exploring the unknown, and coming home with a new work of art is enough to satisfy my soul. I truly do not care if other people see the photograph, or if I am met with monetary gain from the results. This has never been the goal, never will be the goal, and I will simply continue my practice because it makes life whole and meaningful.

At the end of the day, I never do something that I love simply for the sake of making money. Even when it comes to my current job working in horticulture, it is not for the money whatsoever. As much as humans need money to survive, pay for food, rent, etc., it is simply for the passion of the great outdoors and the meaning it provides in my life. I believe doing things simply for the sake of making money is a death sentence for the soul. This, I believe, will kill your joy and burn you out.

You Can Create a New World in a Fraction of a Second

The power of photography lies in its ability to change your perspective with each click of the shutter.

While I photograph life as it is, I’m merely curious about what life will manifest to be in the photographs that I make. This means, however mundane life may seem, when I uplift it in a photograph, it can potentially become like a dream. I find that my new process of photographing abstracts reality, reaching towards this surreal, otherworldly, transcendental height. This is my goal as a street photographer: to take the ordinary and create something extraordinary.

We Are Not the Same, I Am a Martian

My coworker, who has been working for 30 years in the same place, is an absolute joy to be around. The reason is, she shares similar qualities to me in regards to her personality, which I find rare to find in most people my age. She has many quirks, where she walks through the gardens, dancing, almost like a big kid. It reminds me of myself and how I enjoy walking through the city streets, teetering and tottering along the curbs, jumping on benches, walking through the grass, and dancing through the streets. She reminds me that it’s OK to be childlike, to embrace our inner curiosities and unique qualities. I find that it’s almost the new norm to just be boring, or the same as everyone else, follow trends, wear the same clothes, act the same way, etc.

I think when you’re in that Zen zone of doing something you truly love, you forget that you even exist, or that anything is really happening, except for the present moment of pure bliss.

Nothing Can Break My Spirit

With the camera in hand, and the ability for me to make something from nothing, at any moment in this world, nothing can break my spirits, or my lust for life. I fucking love life. I wake up before the sun rises, just to get my body moving. I can’t help myself but throw myself out onto the front lines of life to experience another day. The simple pleasures, such as the sunlight, walking, clean water, and good grass-fed meat, combined with good sleep, are enough to keep me waking up on repeat, with a smile on my face, never in defeat. For any L or loss I take is merely a lesson, and not a mistake. For everything happens for a reason, and nothing can break my spirit this season. Fall is coming, the weather is changing, and I am so eager for the change of these seasons. When the sun goes down at night, I can’t help but crawl right into bed, just so that I can wake up as early as possible. When you’re full of vitality, nothing can stop you.

Not Just an Ant in the Anthill

In one of my favorite movies from childhood, “A Bug’s Life,” the main character, Flik, stands out from the rest of the colony. While the rest of the ants are toiling with grains on their backs, one by one, serving the grasshoppers who control their food supply, Flik is an inventor, who seeks to speed up the process of harvesting grains by making machines and different contraptions. When the queen sees he stands out from the bunch, she sentences him to a courtroom and decides what to do with him next, as she believes he is disturbing the status quo. Flik proposes to leave the colony in search of warrior bugs, to fight against the grasshoppers and gain self-autonomy over their colony. When Flik returns to the colony with his warrior bugs, they successfully drive out the grasshoppers. The ants, no longer under the threat of tyranny, can now live freely and prosperously.

This story reminds me to reject conformity, to embrace individuality, and find a deeper meaning and purpose in life. It also brings to mind the story of Jesus driving out the money changers from the temple. Just as Flik challenged the status quo of his colony to fight for freedom, Jesus defied the expectations of His society by confronting corruption. By overturning the tables of the money changers, He sought to restore purity to the temple. Both Flik and Jesus faced opposition for their actions, but they were driven by a vision of a better, more just world.

You Are Divine

At the center of every village in Zambia, there is a church. In the center of the church, there is an altar, where the community recognizes the sacrifice that Jesus made. By recalling the stories within the New Testament, the members of the community have a blueprint, an archetype, something divine to strive towards. By learning about the stories of Jesus’ time on earth, the individual within the tribe is given permission to become like Him. I believe this connection to something greater, to something divine, is what drives a community upwards, towards paradise, creating a New World here on earth. We all have the light of Christ within us, and we are all

divine beings here on this earth. While we are flesh and blood, as Jesus was, we too are divine and connected to something greater, something higher, something transcendental.

You are godlike.

Sun leaking through the shades
Making sure I live my day
Bright light across my face
Slowly shake me out my daze
Being here is just a phase
Till the day I’m back in space

– BONES

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dante-sisofo/embed/episodes/Why-Digital-Photography-e2no224/a-abgige2

Why Digital Photography

In the current year of 2024, digital photography has become the most practical choice for photographers who want to adapt to modern times and maximize their creative output. Here’s why I believe digital photography is the way forward.

The Speed of Digital Workflow

Digital photography offers an unparalleled speed advantage. With compact digital cameras like the Ricoh GR III or Ricoh GR III X, I can shoot, review, and edit photos within minutes. By using a small JPEG file format with settings such as contrast, grain, sharpness, clarity, shadows, and highlights cranked to the maximum, I can enhance the visual impact of my images right out of the camera.

Pairing my camera with an iPad Pro allows me to quickly import photos using a USB-C dongle to SD reader, organize them in a folder by date, and make selections effortlessly. This streamlined workflow keeps me in a productive flow state, enabling me to consistently create and improve my photography.

Cost-Effectiveness in a Modern World

Let’s face it—film photography has become increasingly expensive. When I started, a roll of film was just a few dollars. Today, the cost has skyrocketed, making it a less practical option for photographers looking to shoot regularly. Digital photography, on the other hand, eliminates the costs associated with film rolls, development, and scanning. I can shoot thousands of photos without worrying about the expenses piling up, allowing me to focus on my craft without financial constraints.

Instant Feedback and Continuous Improvement

One of the greatest benefits of digital photography is the ability to receive instant feedback. I can review my photos immediately after taking them, analyze what works and what doesn’t, and make adjustments on the spot. This rapid feedback loop accelerates the learning process, allowing me to make incremental improvements with each shot. In contrast, the delayed feedback of film photography slows down this process, making it harder to learn and grow quickly.

Flexibility and Creativity with Digital Tools

Digital cameras, especially those from brands like Ricoh and Fujifilm, offer a level of flexibility and creativity that film cameras can’t match. The ability to use an LCD screen instead of a traditional viewfinder opens up new creative possibilities, allowing me to compose shots from unique angles and perspectives. This flexibility enhances my ability to experiment and innovate, pushing the boundaries of street photography.

Embracing the Future of Photography

While film photography has its nostalgic charm, digital photography is the future. It’s faster, more cost-effective, and offers greater creative freedom. For those looking to become the best photographers they can be, adopting a digital workflow is the logical choice. By embracing digital photography, I’m not just keeping up with the times—I’m pushing myself to go beyond, to innovate, and to continually improve as a photographer.

The choice is yours: stay stuck in the past with film, or embrace the future with digital. I’m choosing the latter, seeking to become extraordinary and to create an ever-growing archive of my work.

Digital is not just a tool; it’s a mindset. It’s about producing more, learning faster, and constantly evolving. So, pick up a digital camera and start shooting—your journey to becoming the best photographer you can be starts now.

Don’t Fear the Unknown

Should I go left, or should I go right?

People often consider freedom as an option, free will, or choice itself. However, what if freedom was the elimination of choice, and there was only one option?

I choose to move onwards, into the unknown.

I Stand at the Intersection Between Order and Chaos

Each morning, I like to walk along a small curb at the intersection between two opposing roads. As the cars rush by me left and right, I feel free, standing at the intersection between order and chaos. This part of my walk reminds me of the scene in Fight Club, where Tyler Durden says to just let go when they’re driving a car straight into traffic without holding onto the wheel.

“It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.” – Tyler Durden

The predictable path, the safe route, is the road often traveled. However, I choose the unpredictable, the spontaneous, as a way to thrive as an artist. When I consider order, I think about the structure of the streets, laid out on a grid, the traffic signals that direct traffic, the crosswalks, the architecture, bridges, columns, and the perfectly symmetrical windows upon the façade of 30th St. station. There is comfort in a closed system, surrounded by air conditioning, TV channels with thousands of options, yummy foods, and an easy job that allows you to sit at a computer. This path will lead to mediocrity and is best avoided at all costs.

Let’s get a dog, let’s save up for retirement, let’s go on a vacation to the Bahamas and drink margaritas, let’s sacrifice all of our time, so when we get older, we can have the best nursing home take care of us.

I’d rather stand at the precipice than live a boring life.

Godlike Intuition

My intuition has carried me through chaos and strife, floating through life on a feather bed. I think we should trust our gut, our instincts, as that ultimately is our inner voice, our inner wisdom, or perhaps even God himself, navigating us through life’s complexities. I’ll never forget when my intuition told me to go back to Mass last year after a long hiatus. Something felt off in the city as I looked around and saw nothing but a luxurious prison, after spending the past few years in Covid limbo. At this time, I was working as a photographer for the city and found it extremely unfulfilling; the work you make is meaningless. At this time, I made the bold decision to quit my job as a photographer, as I realized that I’d rather photograph for myself and make zero dollars from it than waste my time making pictures for somebody else. My intuition brought me back to Rome, where I spent a lot of time practicing street photography, praying in churches, and exploring the eternal city. I feel like I have a deep connection to Italy; this is where my roots are from, and my second home, considering I am a dual citizen between both the United States of America and Italy. Needless to say, this experience in Rome was a profound experience in my life, a spiritual journey, if you will, an awakening of my soul. When I returned home to Philadelphia, I felt whole again, like I’ve entered myself anew, as a child returning to my true essence. I found my true vocation in life, which ultimately is art and photography, but now use horticulture as my source of work and income. It provides rich meaning in my life and gives me newfound purpose. I’ve always known that I was a bit different, that I cannot conform, to abide by societal norms, working in an office, or with the typical team in the city. I’ve always thrived in solitude, outside, in nature, and needed to design my life to be this way.

Life as It Is

The beauty of life is the imperfection of it all. Street photography allows the individual to accept reality in its raw form, life as it is. By embracing the spontaneous snapshot, I am creating a visual diary of my day, in a very raw and authentic way. I find this to be the most liberating way to make photographs, as I’m not altering life, or even traveling anywhere far away from home, but merely photographing what is most immediate and close to me in my everyday life.

Unpredictability

“If you really want to escape the things that harass you, what you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person.” – Seneca

After traveling the world, experiencing different cultures, for an extended period of my time here on earth, I’ve been a wanderer, always moving from place to place. I’ve always thrived in the unknown, being uncomfortable, forcing myself to adapt to new environments, moving in and out of places from time to time whether in the Middle East or Africa. After all these experiences, what I find most profound is how great life is, right here, right now. While you can find novelty in the unknown of a different country, there’s also the infinite possibility for you to dive within your mind and come out with something new each day that you will inevitably find. For our individual perspective about life, the world, and our current situation, city, etc., is ultimately what shapes our perception of reality. By embracing the present moment, or treating my hometown like paradise, I find bliss, peace, and order, among the chaos and complexities of urban life. By simply embracing life as it is, while simultaneously remaining open to the unknown and the possibility of changing my perspective, I find infinite novelty despite being in one place. I feel like I’ve reached this point where I could live the same day on loop eternally, as it is, and thrive in it.

I Am Built Different

The thing about me is that I can thrive in any situation you put in front of me. I’m simply built different, full of vitality, ready to go with whatever life throws at me. I’ll never forget trudging through the darkness of a storm in the swamps of Zambia, with a bucket on my head, sandals on my feet, trying to use the dim headlamp to guide me to the dirt path. When I got home, I took my sandals off and was shocked by lightning as it struck the floor and traveled up my feet, my legs, and throughout my entire body. The next day, when I walked around the village, I saw many dilapidated homes. I got a phone call from home and found out that my grandmother was dying. I got on a plane, spent my last moments with a loved one, and then flew all the way back to Zambia again, only to find out that Covid hit the world and flew back to America once again in a very rushed and chaotic manner just two weeks later. I feel like throughout my journey, there have been numerous times that I should’ve probably died, but somehow God has been by my side this whole time.

Harness the Power of Light

Every morning when I walk to the cliff behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it is basically pitch black, dark outside, despite the moonlight, and a few very faint stars that I see in the night sky. When I stand upon the cliff, I feel like I’m putting my beacon down, as a lighthouse, shining my inner light for the whole river to see. I feel as though every human has an inner darkness, just as much as they have light. I suggest we turn into our greatest version of ourselves and simply shine that light from within.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

We may not be able to directly change other people, but we can simply change ourselves, becoming the best version of ourselves, serving as a blueprint, or a leader, for other free spirits to follow. Even if your words, thoughts, arts, or actions impact the life of one other person, no matter how small it may seem, this is what true success means.

Go Beyond the Ordinary

With everything I do, I strive to go beyond the ordinary, to become extraordinary. I reject mediocrity, seek, or to simply go by the status quo. If I’m told to do a task, I’m going to do it with vigor and vitality at the forefront, completing it to the best of my ability. As a photographer, this means I will be waking up immediately, reaching for my camera, hitting the streets, and photographing before anyone is even awake. Maybe equality promotes mediocrity after all. I do not seek to be your equal; I seek to go beyond.

Don’t Be an Actor with a Mask

The problem with most social media users is that they simply put on a mask, performing like an actor. Honestly, just consider the Instagram filters or Snapchat filters that allow individual users to cover up their blemishes or imperfections. To me, this is fake and not real whatsoever. As a street photographer, I embrace imperfection and authenticity openly. Because of this, I do not seek to participate as an actor within your matrix world, your façade, your illusion of what you believe life is. I find authenticity to be way more important than seeking fame or praise. Maybe the most authentic ones will inevitably ruffle a few feathers and upset other people, similar to the famous saying that “the truth hurts.”

Remove Fear, Guilt, and Shame

When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, perhaps this is what first introduced feelings of shame. While they were naked in the garden, bearing the knowledge of good and evil, it made them feel insecure about their naked bodies. They started to make clothes, covering their genitals and private parts with small cloths that they formed from leaves. When you remove fear from your life, whether it’s fear of rejection, detaching from the outcome, or removing all guilt from past behaviors, you can move forward into the unknown freely. Maybe fear is what holds us back the most in life, and by removing fear, especially the fear of death itself, it is the only thing that will ever set you free.

Set Yourself Free

Freedom is the feeling of a bird in flight, like an eagle, who flies alone. The eagle flies alone because it is most dominant in the sky and does not need a pack or an army to support it in its hunt. When an eagle sees prey, let’s say a sheep that lurks along the cliffside, it strategically swoops down, pushing the sheep off the cliff, waiting for the prey to hit the ground. The eagle then swoops back down, finishing off the kill, and feasts on the flesh of the sheep. Don’t be the sheep; be the eagle.

To Change Is Happiness

It’s easy to be complacent or to follow the same process or practice continuously throughout your life. When you find something that works, why switch it up or change?

What I’ve realized is that by killing my past self and creating anew, I’ve found ultimate joy in life. By embracing transformation, I have found true happiness.

Since changing my process from photographing in color to black-and-white, I’ve been thriving and evolving more than ever in my life. What I’ve realized is that to change is happiness. By changing each day, increasing my curiosity by one percent, and remaining open to the unknown itself, I am growing, evolving, transforming, and feeling the sensation of bliss.

Evolution is the Goal

Perhaps this is where the will to power becomes interesting. As I increase my physical strength through weightlifting, I feel physical change within my body. This physical change, or increased vitality, is the greatest feeling in life itself. Think of it this way:

Person A: Has the ability to walk 30,000 steps per day, outside, standing upright on his two feet for the entirety of the day, never sitting down or taking a break.

Person B: Is forced to sit down for eight hours per day, inside, and only has time to walk 2,000 steps per day, and even if they tried, could never walk 30,000 steps, stand, and walk all day.

Which person will be happier?

I think it’s obvious. Person A is filled with vitality and power. This power, this physical ability to be moving, exerting force, and power in the world, is ultimately what brings you happiness. A person confined to gravity, forcing the body down to sit throughout the day, will lead to the decline of the physical body. The decline of the physical body will lead to the decline of the emotional state of this person, succumbing to weakness.

The feeling of weakness, of the physical inability to move, is the ultimate tragedy in this modern world. The feeling of strength, of the physical ability to move the world, is the ultimate feeling of happiness.

Through physical evolution, we embrace continual self-improvement, striving for a higher state of being. This ultimate striving for a higher version of oneself is what provides ultimate meaning in life.

You Are the Universe

Zoom into the smallest atom in your body out of the seven octillion atoms that make you, you. Then zoom out to the hundreds of trillions of galaxies in the universe.

Become in Tune with the Rhythm and the Beat of the Street

When I’m on the street, I enjoy engaging with the world dynamically. The street is like a stage, and all of the people are merely actors. As the street photographer, I become the conductor of the orchestra, of the cosmic drama that unfolds on a street corner.

Wield the camera as a sword, strike through the heart of chaos, reveal the soul of the street, and create visual order and harmony from the spontaneity of everyday life.

Just watch the feet and the way that people move upon the street. Become in tune with the rhythm and the beat of each step, of each sound, of each movement. Life is like a dance, and perhaps we should treat each day like it’s our last.

You can create a new world in a fraction of a second.

I’m not just a bystander; I’m an active participant in the street. I am order. I am chaos. I am the unknown.

Microbiome Mastery

Overview

• Recap and new insights on the microbiome.
• Discussion on the importance of various microbiomes: gut, oral, and skin.

Understanding the Microbiome

• Microbiome: The universe of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that coexist with humans.
• Mycobiome: Collection of fungi within the microbiome.
• Bacteria are found in various body parts once thought sterile, such as mammary tissue and the pancreas.

Types of Microbiomes

1. Oral Microbiome:

• Located in the mouth; plays a symbiotic role in health.
• Involved in the conversion of nitrates to nitrites, which enter the nitric oxide pathway.
• Frequent antiseptic mouthwash use can increase the risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

1. Gut Microbiome:

• Primarily located in the large intestine.
• The gut is the body’s largest interface with the environment, crucial for immune function and nutrient absorption.
• Gut microbiome acts as a training ground for the immune system.
• Dysbiosis (imbalance) in the gut microbiome is linked to autoimmune diseases and allergies.
• Gut bacteria help produce essential compounds like vitamins and short-chain fatty acids (e.g., butyrate).

1. Skin Microbiome:

• Influences scents and possibly systemic health.
• Recommendation: Avoid using too many non-ingestible substances on the skin.

Importance of the Oral Microbiome

• Oral bacteria convert dietary nitrates (from leafy greens, beets) into nitrites, crucial for cardiovascular health.
• Antiseptic mouthwash disrupts this process and can lead to increased risks for certain conditions.

Importance of the Gut Microbiome

• Functions of the Gut Microbiome:
• Helps train the immune system.
• Extracts nutrients and beneficial compounds from food.
• Produces short-chain fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Impact of Diet on the Gut Microbiome:
• Diverse plant fibers are beneficial for cultivating a diverse gut microbiome.
• Fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut, kimchi, natto) support a healthy microbiome.
• Avoid full-spectrum antibiotics unless medically necessary.
• Minimize exposure to synthetic compounds and ultra-processed food additives.

Key Dietary Practices for Microbiome Health

1. Consume Diverse Plant Fibers:

• Different fibers support different bacterial strains.
• Examples include soluble fibers (oats, chia seeds) and insoluble fibers (roughage).

1. Fermented Foods:

• Include fermented dairy, raw sauerkraut, pickles, and natto for microbiome support.

1. Minimize Use of Synthetic Compounds:

• Limit antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwashes.
• Be cautious with artificial sweeteners, which may alter the microbiome.

1. Increase Fiber Intake Gradually:

• Sudden increases can cause digestive discomfort due to lack of appropriate gut bacteria.

Types of Fiber

• Soluble Fiber: Fermented by gut bacteria to produce beneficial compounds.
• Insoluble Fiber: Adds bulk to stool and promotes regular digestion.
• Resistant Starch: Fermented by gut bacteria, beneficial for gut health (found in unripe bananas, cooled potatoes).
• Viscous Fiber: Helps improve blood sugar and lower LDL cholesterol levels (found in psyllium husk, oats).

Digestion and the Microbiome

• Digestion begins with the cephalic phase: the anticipation of food triggers digestive processes.
• Slow eating and proper chewing are crucial for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Certain nutrients and compounds (like sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables) are activated by chewing.

Supplements for Microbiome and Overall Health

• Magnesium: Supports numerous bodily functions; difficult to get enough from diet alone.
• Vitamin D: Essential for immune function and overall health.
• Fish Oil: Provides omega-3 fatty acids, especially beneficial if fish consumption is low.
• Creatine: Supports muscle health and cognitive function.
• Protein Supplements: Useful for maintaining adequate protein intake and supporting muscle health.

Conclusion

• The microbiome is a complex, essential component of health that interacts closely with diet and lifestyle.
• Focusing on diverse, whole foods, minimizing synthetic chemicals, and understanding the role of the microbiome can support overall health and resilience.