The assassination of the Gracchi brothers—Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus—is often seen as a significant event in the decline of the Roman Republic. Their deaths marked the beginning of a period of political instability and social unrest that eventually contributed to the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire.

Tiberius Gracchus (c. 169–133 BCE)

1. Background: Tiberius Gracchus was a Roman politician who sought to address the widespread economic disparity in Rome. He proposed agrarian reforms to redistribute public land to the poor.
2. Reforms: In 133 BCE, he became a tribune and pushed through a law (the Lex Sempronia Agraria) to redistribute land from the wealthy patricians to the landless poor.
3. Opposition and Death: His reforms threatened the power and wealth of the Senate and the elite. Tiberius was assassinated in 133 BCE by a group of senators and their supporters who saw his actions as a direct threat to their interests.

Gaius Gracchus (c. 154–121 BCE)

1. Background: Gaius, Tiberius’s younger brother, took up his brother’s cause and expanded on his reforms.
2. Reforms: Gaius introduced a broader range of reforms, including grain laws to supply food at lower prices, further land reforms, and measures to reduce the power of the Senate.
3. Opposition and Death: Like his brother, Gaius faced intense opposition from the Senate. In 121 BCE, after a series of confrontations, he and many of his followers were killed in a violent crackdown by the Senate.

Impact on the Roman Republic

The assassinations of the Gracchi brothers had profound effects on the Roman political landscape:

1. Increased Violence in Politics: Their deaths marked a shift towards political violence and set a precedent for using assassination as a political tool. This increased factionalism and instability in Rome.
2. Erosion of Republican Institutions: The Senate’s blatant disregard for legal and political norms to suppress the Gracchi’s reforms weakened the foundations of the Republic.
3. Social Unrest: The issues that the Gracchi brothers tried to address—economic inequality and land distribution—remained unresolved, leading to continued social unrest and discontent among the lower classes.
4. Rise of Populist Leaders: The Gracchi’s populist approach inspired future leaders like Julius Caesar, who used similar tactics to gain support from the masses, further destabilizing the traditional Republican structure.

Transition to the Roman Empire

The instability and internal conflict that followed the Gracchi brothers’ deaths contributed to the decline of the Roman Republic. Over the next century, Rome experienced a series of civil wars and power struggles among various military and political leaders, culminating in the rise of Julius Caesar and the eventual establishment of the Roman Empire under Augustus in 27 BCE.

The assassinations of the Gracchi brothers were crucial events that contributed to the decline of the Roman Republic and set the stage for the eventual transition to imperial rule.

Hades is a significant figure in Greek mythology, known primarily as the god of the underworld. Here are some key aspects about Hades:

Mythological Background

1. Parentage and Siblings:
   • Hades is one of the six children of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. His siblings include Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia.
   • After their birth, Hades and his siblings were swallowed by their father Cronus. Zeus eventually rescued them, leading to the overthrow of Cronus and the division of the cosmos among the three brothers: Zeus (the sky), Poseidon (the sea), and Hades (the underworld).
2. Role and Domain:
   • Hades rules over the underworld, the realm of the dead. His domain is often referred to as Hades, after its ruler.
   • Unlike the Christian concept of hell, the Greek underworld is not a place of punishment for the wicked alone but the destination for all souls, regardless of their deeds in life.
3. Persephone:
   • Hades is famously known for abducting Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, to be his queen. This myth explains the origin of the seasons: Demeter’s grief over Persephone’s abduction causes the earth to become barren (winter), while her joy upon Persephone’s return brings about spring and summer.

Characteristics

1. Attributes:
   • Hades is often depicted with his helm of darkness, a magical item that grants invisibility.
   • He is associated with the bident (a two-pronged implement) and the three-headed dog Cerberus, who guards the entrance to the underworld.
2. Personality:
   • Hades is typically portrayed as a stern and unyielding god, embodying the inevitability of death.
   • Despite his fearsome reputation, he is not considered evil. His role is more about maintaining balance and order in the afterlife rather than punishing souls.

Cult and Worship

1. Temples and Worship:
   • Unlike other Olympian gods, Hades did not have many temples dedicated to him. Worship of Hades was often conducted in caves or necropolises (cities of the dead).
   • He was also associated with wealth, as all precious metals and gems found underground were considered his domain.
2. Epithets:
   • Hades was sometimes referred to by euphemistic names to avoid invoking his direct attention, such as Plouton (“the Rich One”) due to his association with the earth’s riches.

Influence and Legacy

1. Cultural Impact:
   • Hades has influenced various aspects of Western literature, art, and culture. His story is central to many works of ancient Greek literature, including Homer’s “Odyssey” and the plays of Euripides.
   • In modern times, Hades appears in various forms of media, from literature and films to video games, often embodying themes of death, the afterlife, and the balance of power.
2. Interpretation in Art:
   • Artistic depictions of Hades often show him as a somber figure, in contrast to the more dynamic portrayals of gods like Zeus and Poseidon.
   • He is usually depicted alongside Persephone, emphasizing their connection and the duality of death and rebirth.

Hades remains a complex and multifaceted deity within Greek mythology, representing both the inevitability of death and the hope of an afterlife. His myths continue to resonate with audiences, offering rich insights into ancient Greek beliefs about life, death, and the hereafter.

Hades and Styx

In Greek mythology, Hades and the Styx are closely intertwined, representing aspects of the underworld and the afterlife.

Hades: Hades is the god of the underworld and the ruler of the dead. He is one of the Olympian gods, the brother of Zeus and Poseidon. While Zeus ruled the sky and Poseidon the sea, Hades was given dominion over the underworld. His realm is often depicted as a dark, gloomy place where the souls of the deceased reside.

Hades is not only the name of the god but also the name of the underworld itself. The underworld is divided into various regions, including the Elysian Fields (a paradise for heroes and the virtuous), the Asphodel Meadows (a place for ordinary souls), and Tartarus (a deep abyss for the wicked and the Titans).

Styx: The Styx is one of the rivers that flow through the underworld. It is the river of oaths, and the gods swear by it to make unbreakable promises. The name “Styx” means “hate” or “detestation,” and it is considered the most solemn and binding oath that a god can take.

The river Styx is often described as a dark, murky river that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead. Charon, the ferryman, transports souls across the Styx to the underworld, but only if they have a coin to pay for the passage. This is why ancient Greeks placed a coin, called an obolus, in the mouth of the deceased during burial rites.

The waters of the Styx are also said to have magical properties. The most famous myth involving the Styx is the story of Achilles, whose mother Thetis dipped him into the river to make him invulnerable, except for the heel by which she held him.

Connection Between Hades and Styx: The river Styx is a prominent feature in Hades’ realm, emphasizing the boundary between life and death. It symbolizes the finality of death and the sacredness of promises. As the ruler of the underworld, Hades oversees the passage of souls across the Styx, reinforcing his authority over the domain of the dead.

These elements contribute to the rich tapestry of Greek mythology, reflecting the ancient Greeks’ beliefs about death, the afterlife, and the power of the gods.

The Weimar Republic, which existed in Germany from 1919 to 1933, shares several similarities with contemporary America, though the contexts and outcomes differ. Here are some parallels that can be drawn:

1. Political Polarization:
   • Weimar Republic: The Weimar era saw extreme political polarization with strong support for both far-left (Communist) and far-right (Nazi) parties, leading to political instability and gridlock.
   • Current America: The United States is experiencing significant political polarization between the left (Democrats) and the right (Republicans), resulting in political gridlock and heightened social tensions.
2. Economic Challenges:
   • Weimar Republic: The Weimar Republic faced severe economic challenges, including hyperinflation, unemployment, and the Great Depression, which led to widespread economic hardship.
   • Current America: While not facing hyperinflation, the U.S. has dealt with significant economic challenges, including the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic fallout, and ongoing issues like income inequality and inflation concerns.
3. Threats to Democracy:
   • Weimar Republic: The democratic government of the Weimar Republic was fragile and ultimately collapsed, leading to the rise of authoritarian rule under Adolf Hitler.
   • Current America: There are concerns about the stability and health of American democracy, with issues such as political violence, challenges to electoral integrity, and debates over the balance of power and constitutional norms.
4. Social and Cultural Tensions:
   • Weimar Republic: The Weimar period was marked by significant social and cultural change, with clashes between progressive and conservative values.
   • Current America: The U.S. is experiencing profound social and cultural shifts, leading to tensions over issues like race, gender, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights.
5. Rise of Extremist Movements:
   • Weimar Republic: Extremist movements gained traction as people lost faith in traditional political solutions, leading to increased support for radical ideologies.
   • Current America: There is a noticeable rise in extremist movements and ideologies, with increasing visibility and influence of far-right and far-left groups.
6. Public Discontent and Distrust in Institutions:
   • Weimar Republic: There was widespread public discontent and distrust in the Weimar government and other institutions, contributing to political instability.
   • Current America: Trust in governmental and other institutions has declined in the U.S., with many citizens expressing dissatisfaction with how the country is being governed.

While these similarities are notable, it is essential to recognize the distinct historical, cultural, and geopolitical contexts of the Weimar Republic and contemporary America. The outcomes and potential trajectories are not predetermined and depend on a multitude of factors, including political leadership, public engagement, and institutional resilience.

Special Concerts

Overall, the Ricoh is perfect in my opinion. Nothing really needs to change, be added, or removed, but just my thoughts-

1. Increase power. Battery life is fine, but if the camera becomes more powerful overall, it would help with reducing lag with making multiple snapshots in a row when working a scene intensely.
2. Snap focus closer than 1 meter. Maybe .5 meters? .25 meters? Macro mode snap focus? This would help with running and gunning on the streets to get extreme close up shots of details on the fly. The problem with shooting street and single point auto focus is that it is too slow. Yes, I want to get closer than 1 meter! I want to be able to snap focus right up on somebody’s skin.

The Light Within

In a tribe, we unite
Throughout the day and the night
We find the meaning in the sand
Draw the line and grab her hand

Each member has a role to play
And everyone seizes the day
Community is what gives men purpose
Modernity lacks this and there is no surplus

So what is it that we can do
Our men have become animals in a zoo
Perhaps there was a death of god
Without the transcendent, the world feels odd

Lost in the void, we float through space
Without direction, without grace
Let us reframe our daily pursuit
Seeking meaning, finding root

In bonds we form, both old and new
Creating tribes with values true
Together we can stand as one
Under the moon, beneath the sun

Rediscovering the light within
Embracing life, we shall begin.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dante-sisofo/embed/episodes/ELEVATE-YOUR-BODY-e2lvvjt/a-abea60a

Prune more from your life

In a world with unlimited distractions, the goal should be to spend more time pruning them from your life.

Some ideas:

• Stop watching TV
• Stop watching news
• Stop watching movies
• Stop watching social media
• Stop listening to music
• Stop using your phone
• Stop drinking alcohol/soda
• Stop smoking/vaping
• Stop eating processed food

DON’T TAKE THE SOMA

Modern men are like pigs, crawling around the mud, chasing a carrot dangling from a stick that they will never reach. It will inevitably lead them to a bottomless pit, where they will die, decompose, and be eaten by the worms underground.

Viewing Philadelphia as a modern-day Athens can be supported by highlighting several parallels between the two cities. Here are some key points to consider:

Historical and Cultural Significance

1. Birthplace of American Democracy: Like Athens, which is renowned as the cradle of democracy, Philadelphia played a pivotal role in the formation of American democracy. The city hosted the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the Constitution at Independence Hall.
2. Philosophical Influence: Athens was home to great philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Philadelphia, while not as ancient, has its own intellectual heritage, being a center for Enlightenment thinkers such as Benjamin Franklin, who contributed to the philosophical foundations of the United States.

Architectural and Artistic Heritage

3. Public Spaces and Monuments: Athens is known for its public spaces and monuments like the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Philadelphia boasts iconic structures such as the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and City Hall with the William Penn statue by Alexander Milne Calder, symbolizing the city’s artistic and cultural dedication.
4. Museums and Art Collections: Philadelphia is home to world-class museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and the Rodin Museum, much like Athens’ rich collection of ancient art and artifacts.

Educational Institutions

5. Centers of Learning: Athens was a center for learning in the ancient world. Philadelphia hosts numerous prestigious universities and colleges, such as the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and Drexel University, contributing to its reputation as an educational hub.

Political and Social Movements

6. Activism and Social Change: Both cities have been centers for significant political and social movements. Athens was known for its democratic assemblies and philosophical debates, while Philadelphia has a rich history of activism, from the abolitionist movement to contemporary social justice initiatives.

Diverse Population and Cultural Melting Pot

7. Cultural Diversity: Athens was a melting pot of cultures from across the Mediterranean. Similarly, Philadelphia is known for its diverse population, with vibrant neighborhoods reflecting various cultural heritages, contributing to a rich cultural tapestry.

Strategic Location

8. Economic and Trade Hub: Athens was a major economic and trade hub in the ancient world. Philadelphia’s strategic location along the Delaware River has made it an important commercial and economic center in the United States.

Modern Contributions to Knowledge and Arts

9. Contemporary Influence: Athens continues to influence the world with its ancient legacy, while Philadelphia contributes to contemporary culture, arts, and sciences, continually evolving and impacting global trends.

Intellectual and Civic Engagement

10. Public Discourse and Civic Engagement: Like Athens, Philadelphia fosters a spirit of public discourse and civic engagement. The city’s numerous public forums, community events, and active civic organizations encourage residents to participate in the democratic process and public life.

By drawing these parallels, Philadelphia can be seen as embodying the spirit of Athens in the modern world, with its rich historical legacy, commitment to democracy, cultural vibrancy, and intellectual contributions.

The fall of Athens to the Spartans in 404 BCE marked the end of the Peloponnesian War, a protracted and destructive conflict between the Athenian Empire and the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta. Here’s the story of how this dramatic turn of events unfolded:

The Peloponnesian War

The Peloponnesian War began in 431 BCE and was fought primarily between Athens and its Delian League allies and Sparta with its Peloponnesian League allies. The war was characterized by a series of battles, sieges, and shifting alliances. The conflict was driven by growing tensions and rivalries between the powerful city-states of Athens and Sparta.

The Sicilian Expedition

One of the turning points in the war was the disastrous Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE). Athens, hoping to expand its influence, launched a massive military campaign against Syracuse in Sicily. The expedition ended in a catastrophic defeat for Athens, with the complete destruction of its fleet and a significant loss of manpower.

Spartan Strategy and Persian Support

Following the Sicilian Expedition, Sparta capitalized on Athens’ weakened state. Spartan general Lysander forged an alliance with Persia, securing financial and naval support. This allowed Sparta to build a powerful fleet to challenge Athenian dominance at sea.

The Siege of Athens

In the final phase of the war, Sparta established a blockade and siege of Athens. The Spartans cut off Athens’ grain supply from the Black Sea, leading to severe food shortages and starvation within the city. The Athenians, weakened and demoralized, were unable to break the siege.

The Fall of Athens

By 404 BCE, Athens was on the brink of collapse. The city was ravaged by hunger, disease, and internal strife. Facing no other options, Athens finally surrendered to Sparta. The terms of the surrender were harsh: Athens had to dismantle its long walls, surrender its fleet, and become a Spartan ally.

Aftermath

The fall of Athens marked the end of its golden age. The city-state lost its political and military dominance, and its democracy was temporarily replaced by the oligarchic rule of the Thirty Tyrants, installed by Sparta. Though Athens eventually restored its democracy, it never regained the same level of power and influence it once held.

The fall of Athens to the Spartans was a pivotal moment in ancient Greek history, symbolizing the end of Athenian supremacy and the shifting balance of power in the Greek world.

Live Like a Homeless Person

Yesterday, while listening to the Wanamaker Organ, I was lying back, lounging underneath the eagle statue. I love just kicking back and enjoying this place to relax while listening to some beautiful music every day. They actually played the song most commonly associated with the movie “Titanic,” “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion.

One man came up to me and said,

You must listen to this organ often!

I replied,

Yeah, I’m here every single day, I’m a local. I live just down the street.

He then remarked,

Wait, so you’re homeless?

I broke out into uncontrollable laughter, stood up, and began chatting with this man, who was from Georgia, with a very obvious southern accent, just visiting for the weekend. I showed him around the Wanamaker building, took him to the organ on the second floor, we looked at the TV display which showcases the keyboard, and he even told me he knows how to play an organ. After showing him my sketchbook of photographs and talking about my adventures and lifestyle, he was quite impressed, but also made a comment that maybe a lot of people in my life, family, and friends, probably think it’s really strange or don’t get why I do the things I do. To be honest, I’ve always been the black sheep.

I Am the Black Sheep

I remember when I was a kid, and my neighbors, brother, and I wanted to learn how to Ollie. We spent an entire summer doing manuals down the hill and jumping over sticks. While the Ollie is certainly a good trick to learn and the foundation of pretty much every skateboard trick, I always wanted to pick the board up with my hands, and instead of doing an Ollie, I would always simply do a boneless, planting my foot on the ground, and grabbing the board with my hand. This felt more natural to me, and I found that it allowed for more creativity in the streets when I skateboarded. Even when everyone was trying to learn the kickflip, I would simply flip the board with my fingers and do my own thing. The beauty of skateboarding is that it allows for the individual to express themselves creatively as much as it is a technical endeavor. I just never liked doing what everyone else did.

Life is too short to do things just because other people are doing it or because society tells you that you should behave a certain way. We should become more gay, jolly, and authentic, similar to that of skateboarders, expressing themselves in their unique way with courage at the forefront.

I’ve always enjoyed solitude and simply going my own way. When I was around 12 years old, I would ride my bike for miles on end, following the Schuylkill River Trail into the far distance, sometimes going even 50 miles by myself because none of my friends could keep up. I remember exploring Valley Forge, the log cabins, the bunkers, monuments, and this beautiful national park on long summer days, on my own. In eighth grade, everybody got the iPod touch, and I was the first person to find out how to jailbreak them, and install software that would allow me to play all of my favorite games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and upgrade the device to its fullest potential. Everybody paid me 5 dollars before we got on the bus, and I jailbroke the entire class’s iPods by installing Cydia. I spent my days after school modifying Nerf guns and making it so the darts could shoot farther as I explored with them in the forest where I would build bridges with stones and tipis with sticks.

I always loved to explore, go on adventures, tinker, break things, and create anew.

When I got to high school, I felt confined to the box of a classroom and did not enjoy public education in the way that they force you to learn useless information. School was always very easy for me, and I excelled in every class except for Algebra, with a high GPA. I remember deciding to take physics instead of the basic algebra classes they offered, and preferred the way math was applied to reality. I would skip class, explore the park outside, the streets, and even the university nearby. I felt like time just passed by, and my soul was slowly dying, as I sat there, waiting for the bell to ring. The only people I found myself relating to in high school were the break dancers that would also ditch class and glide along the floor in the halls, perfecting their craft. I’ve always desired to express myself creatively and had a call to adventure bubbling up within me from the time I was born until I turned 18 years old.

When it came to art school and photography during my time in university, it seemed like most students preferred the conceptual approach to making pictures, but I just wanted to hit the streets and explore. Nobody ever appreciated my work, and my professors and peers would always slam me in critiques because I was an outsider, making street photos in Baltimore. They always wanted me to discuss concepts of “race,” and how this played a role within my photographs. The hilarity to me is that my photographs have nothing to do with race. I could never take these questions seriously, simply wouldn’t respond, or just walk away.

While I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, in a nice neighborhood in Andorra, and attended a very nice Catholic school, I also spent my summer days in West Philadelphia, in Overbrook, at my grandmother’s house, drinking hugs, eating water ice, walking to the papi store, playing football, basketball, and attending block parties with a demographic of 100% African Americans. I was always the only Caucasian person hanging out on the block. The fact that the demographic of people in Overbrook was different from my neighborhood in Andorra meant nothing to me.

So, when I am posed with critique or questions regarding race in an academic setting, it’s quite baffling to me. The fact that people in “higher education” are concerned with some of our most base differences is honestly just amusing. I never thought anything of it and just continued exploring Baltimore, where I made some of my best work.

Will we ever move on from our primal instincts to divide ourselves?

I’ll never forget in 2016, when one of our projects was to make work for a theme, “culture war,” because there was an election coming up between Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton.

Why so much division?

I just don’t understand why we always have to divide ourselves based on the color of our skin, political ideology, and call for a culture war. In a world that is so red versus blue, black versus white, can we just find the middle ground, and find peace with purple?

I Have an Open Mind

I decided to study abroad at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. I initially began photographing around the old city of Jerusalem, prayed in a synagogue, saw some cool sites, and learned about the local area. As I walked around, I noticed the big looming wall that separates Israel and the West Bank, and I started to take interest in traveling beyond the wall, as I’m an American citizen who can freely travel there. I would take the road from Jerusalem to Jericho very frequently, and found myself photographing in various Palestinian cities all throughout the West Bank. I probably visited every major Palestinian city there is. I even tried to enter the checkpoint of Gaza but was not permitted entrance, and spent some time in Ashkelon instead, which was just nearby.

When I would go to class and put my photographs on the wall for critique, one professor treated me like I was the cream of the crop. He was always so amazed by my work and would say nothing to improve or change. However, he told me that I should strap fake bombs around a child inside a Palestinian home, and make a photograph of this staged scene, constantly making a joke about my photographs saying, “Allah Akbar baby!” This was extremely shocking, as the teacher holds the “power” in a classroom setting, and you can’t really talk back, just have to keep your mouth shut, and walk away. I will never forget finishing my six months traveling all throughout the West Bank and displaying hundreds of photographs of Palestinian life on the walls of Hebrew University, of places that none of the students have or will ever experience in their lives.

Because I fell in love with the holy land, I decided to return for three months in the summer, and volunteered on an Israeli kibbutz in Haifa. I worked on a cow farm, gardened, and even traveled to Caesarea for a tour of the famous aqueducts. I wasn’t finding many interesting things to photograph in Kibbutz life, as most of the volunteers I was with just sat around drinking and doing nothing after we finished our chores, and were quite separated from the local inhabitants of the kibbutz. There wasn’t really anything to do or anywhere to explore, as you were just isolated on a farm. My intuition told me to leave, so I packed my bags, and headed back to Jericho, where I volunteered and lived with a Palestinian family. I started to go to the mosque and integrated myself much more deeply with the Palestinian lifestyle. I would wake up each morning, knock on my friend Mohammed’s door, and go water Hassan’s plants. I even traveled all throughout Jericho from Mosque with an Imam named Hirsham.

The thing about me is, I’m extremely open-minded, and will pray in a synagogue and a mosque, despite my Catholic upbringing. I might be one of the only people that can say I traveled all throughout Israel, worked on a Kibbutz, and lived and worked amongst the Palestinian people in the West Bank. I enjoy experiencing new things, people, and different ways of life, and is why I decided to join the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Zambia, Africa, working with the department of fisheries as a rural aquaculture promotion specialist.

Ultimately, I’ve learned that we are more similar than dissimilar after all of my experiences. My critique of modernity’s obsession with identity is that it simply divides us more than anything else. I seek a middle ground, where we can return to challenging each other, not censoring ourselves, and speaking the truth more. Maybe this will mean that you will be somebody who stands out, a black sheep, somebody who is perceived as weird or different. I don’t like fitting myself in any box. I want to be boundless and carve my own path.

I Just Want to Be Left Alone

At the end of the day, I just want to be left alone, and maybe it is most wise for me to do the same for others. I just want to make art, sing, dance, and explore. I don’t want to sit down, take orders, and live for the future. I want to let the chips fall as they may, embrace the spirit of play, and seize the day. I’ve never felt like I fit in anywhere, it’s always been hard for me to relate with most people in my hometown, and I’ve always desired to go beyond the horizon.

I’ve always been a homeless wanderer. I’ve traveled from place to place, just getting by on scraps of pita bread and hummus. I never really needed much, and can travel anywhere with just a backpack. The endless pursuit for wealth for wealth’s sake seems like a foolish goal. None of our toiling is even worth it if there is no spiritual growth. I feel like we’re losing touch with things that matter most in life, such as family, love, and curiosity. We’re replacing these simple virtues with materialistic and hedonistic pursuits.

Consider the story of Aladdin and the cave of wonders. When Aladdin entered the cave, he was surrounded by beautiful treasures. If he were to take the treasure, he would be locked in the cave forever. However, Aladdin decided to take the lamp that contained the genie in the bottle, omnipotent power, knowledge, and wisdom. There is a lesson to learn here, that the pursuit of wisdom is much more fulfilling than anything material.

Consider the story of the allegory of the cave from Plato. I believe this is very applicable to this day, even thousands of years later. Prisoners are shackled in a cave, and they’re watching shadows casted on the wall from the light that is peering from the outside. The shadows in the wall become the truth for these prisoners. When they come out of the cave into the light, it is blinding to them, and they deny that this is the real truth, and find comfort in the cave. Perhaps this is applicable to modern society and the way in which we use technology. The news and media that is shared upon the phone screens, TVs, and computers, become the shadows on tbe wall, similar to that cave allegory by Plato. I believe we are living in a spiritual war, a battle for your mind. The information that we consume, consumes us, and often times be deceiving.

Just recently, while walking through City Hall in Philadelphia, the largest municipal building in the country, draped with beautiful, sculptures, detail, columns, and grand tunnels, a man was walking with his girlfriend, and said, in a very disgruntled and angry tone,

“This was built with slave labor.”

I should’ve just held my tongue and left him alone, but when I hear falsehood, I have an urge to speak the truth. I replied,

This way actually built by a diverse group of European immigrants, long after the abolition of slavery.

I feel a burning desire to always tell the truth. One thing I’ve recognized about our independence hall location here in Philadelphia is that when you visit George Washington’s house, our first president, all you really learned is that he owned some slaves. Maybe the way that we frame history, and share information, is to blame for his misinformed observation about City Hall. We just assume that America was built by slaves.

One person that mocked Plato and who was very critical of his philosophy was Diogenes of Sinope. The more I learn about the famous Diogenes, the more I can relate to him. He lived an extremely ascetic and simple lifestyle, spending most of his time laying outside in his house that was just a big clay pot. One day, Alexander the Great visited Athens, and everybody in town went to visit him. The only person that didn’t go to see him was Diogenes. Because of this, Alexander the Great went out of his way to visit Diogenes himself. When he approached Diogenes, he asked him if there is anything he could do for him and that he would grant him any wish.

Diogenes replied,

Stand out of my sunlight.

Alexander then went walking away with his comrades, describing to them how if he were not Alexander the Great, that he would be Diogenes. His commitment to self-sufficiency and independence is inspiring to me.

Maybe I’ll just live like a homeless person from here on out. You can find me chilling under the eagle statue, lounging back, relaxed, without a care in the world. We may not be able to become the next Alexander the Great, as there is no more land for man to conquer. However, we can become the next Diogenes, and conquer the realm of art and photography.