Diogenes of Sinope (c. 412 or 404 – 323 BCE) was a Greek philosopher and one of the most famous figures in the school of Cynicism. He is best known for his ascetic lifestyle and his belief in living in virtue in agreement with nature. Diogenes used his life as an example to challenge social values and institutions.
Life and History
Early Life: Diogenes was born in Sinope (modern-day Sinop, Turkey) on the Black Sea coast. He moved to Athens with his father, Hicesias, who was involved in the production of currency. Both father and son were exiled from Sinope for defacing the city’s currency, which likely inspired Diogenes’ later disdain for societal norms and conventions.
Philosophical Career: Diogenes arrived in Athens and became a disciple of Antisthenes, a former student of Socrates. He quickly adopted and radicalized Antisthenes’ teachings, emphasizing extreme asceticism and living a life devoid of material wealth and social status. Diogenes is often depicted carrying a lantern in daylight, claiming to be searching for an honest man, thus highlighting his belief that honesty was rare in society.
Lifestyle: Diogenes lived in a large ceramic jar (often mistakenly referred to as a barrel) in Athens, rejecting conventional housing and material comforts. His lifestyle was marked by extreme frugality, and he often begged for his sustenance. He was known for his wit and sharp criticism of social norms.
Famous Anecdotes and Stories
Diogenes and the Lamp: Diogenes would walk around Athens during the day with a lantern, stating that he was looking for an honest man but finding none. This act was a critique of the moral and ethical decay he perceived in Athenian society.
Diogenes and Plato: Diogenes often clashed with Plato, mocking his philosophical ideas. When Plato defined a human being as a “featherless biped,” Diogenes plucked a chicken and brought it into Plato’s Academy, declaring, “Here is Plato’s human.” This forced Plato to amend his definition to include “with broad flat nails.”
Diogenes and Alexander the Great: One of the most famous stories involves Alexander the Great visiting Diogenes. Alexander, impressed by Diogenes’ austerity, offered to grant him any wish. Diogenes replied, “Stand out of my sunlight.” This bold response highlighted Diogenes’ disdain for power and wealth, emphasizing his commitment to self-sufficiency and independence.
Famous Quotes
“I am looking for an honest man.”
Diogenes’ quest for honesty was a central theme in his life and philosophy.
“Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards.”
This quote reflects his cynicism about society’s values and priorities.
“It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours.”
Diogenes often claimed that his unconventional behavior was a rational response to an irrational society.
“I threw my cup away when I saw a child drinking from his hands at the trough.”
This story illustrates Diogenes’ commitment to simplicity and self-reliance.
“Of what use is a philosopher who doesn’t hurt anybody’s feelings?”
Diogenes believed in challenging and provoking people to think critically about their lives and society.
Legacy
Diogenes’ philosophy laid the groundwork for the Cynic school, which later influenced Stoicism. His life and teachings emphasized the importance of virtue, self-control, and independence from material desires. Despite his often provocative and confrontational methods, Diogenes is remembered as a philosopher who lived his beliefs to the fullest, challenging others to reconsider their values and way of life.
Diogenes’ life serves as a reminder of the power of simplicity and the courage to live authentically, regardless of societal expectations. His legacy continues to inspire those who seek to live a life of virtue and integrity.
Our physical bodies are our greatest assets. We are bipedal beings with two legs, two arms, and a spine that allows us to stand upright. We are designed to be outside, moving, and engaging with our environment. Yet, modern life often confines us to sedentary routines, especially those long commutes and hours spent in offices.
Instead of being confined like zoo animals, we should embrace our natural state—moving, standing, and thriving outside. This reminds me of Prometheus in Greek mythology, who defied the gods to bring fire to humanity, enabling civilization. Although he suffered for his actions, his story underscores the importance of progress and resilience.
The ancient Spartans are another great example of physical resilience and strength. They wore armor that weighed between 60 to 70 pounds, a testament to their rigorous training. Wearing a weighted vest like the Rogue plate carrier can simulate Spartan training, especially when combined with barefoot shoes to engage our natural posture and movements.
Embracing Simplicity
In today’s world, we might be better off living like Diogenes, who found joy in simple pleasures and defied societal expectations. This philosopher lived with minimal possessions and valued his freedom above all. His famous encounter with Alexander the Great, where he asked Alexander to “get out of my sunlight,” is a powerful reminder of prioritizing what truly matters.
Reflecting on Modern Life
Walking around Philadelphia, I see the contrast between historical art and modern technology. The Philadelphia Museum of Art stands as a citadel of culture, while the modern Comcast tower symbolizes today’s corporate world. Yet, with all our technological advances, it’s crucial not to let them enslave us. Instead, we should use technology as a tool to enhance our freedom.
Consider the tragic irony of modern work life: spending long hours in offices, commuting, and sitting in cars. This lifestyle often leads to a decay of our physical and mental health. It’s time to break free from these constraints. Instead of sacrificing our health for wealth, we should see health as the ultimate wealth.
Allegory of Aladdin
This reminds me of the allegory of Aladdin in the cave. Aladdin enters the cave and discovers the genie in the bottle amidst all the treasure. Choosing the genie over the treasure symbolizes choosing wisdom and knowledge over material wealth. In today’s context, it means recognizing that health and well-being are more valuable than material possessions.
Breaking Free
The goal is to transcend the constraints of modern life and find ways to connect with our natural state. Whether it’s spending more time outdoors, engaging in physical activities, or simply lying on the grass and enjoying the sun, these actions ground us in our humanity.
Let’s embrace the lessons from the past and apply them to our lives today. Prioritize health, physical strength, and time spent outdoors. Strive for excellence and creativity, much like the men who built the beautiful structures like City Hall and the Wanamaker building in Philadelphia. These works of art stand as a testament to human potential and our ability to transcend the ordinary.
As we move forward, let’s focus on creating more and consuming less. Whether it’s through art, music, or physical activities, we have the power to shape our reality. Health is indeed wealth, and it’s the foundation for a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Wearing a 40-pound plate carrier from Rogue for one hour every morning can offer a variety of health benefits and work multiple muscle groups. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Muscles Worked:
Leg Muscles:
Quadriceps
Hamstrings
Glutes
Calves
Core Muscles:
Rectus Abdominis
Obliques
Transverse Abdominis
Erector Spinae
Upper Body Muscles:
Trapezius
Deltoids
Pectorals
Latissimus Dorsi
Rhomboids
Stabilizing Muscles:
Hip Flexors
Lower Back Muscles
Ankle Stabilizers
Health Benefits:
Increased Cardiovascular Endurance:
Wearing a weighted vest increases the intensity of cardiovascular activities such as walking, running, or bodyweight exercises, improving heart and lung capacity over time.
Improved Strength and Muscle Tone:
The added weight enhances the resistance, leading to greater muscle activation and strength gains, particularly in the legs, core, and upper body.
Enhanced Caloric Burn:
The increased load boosts the metabolic rate, resulting in more calories burned during and after the workout, aiding in weight management and fat loss.
Better Posture and Balance:
The weight distribution requires you to maintain proper posture and balance, which can improve overall body alignment and stability.
Bone Density Improvement:
The added resistance helps in increasing bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Increased Functional Strength:
Wearing a weighted vest mimics the resistance experienced during daily activities, improving functional strength and making everyday tasks easier.
Enhanced Core Stability:
The added weight forces the core muscles to work harder to stabilize the body, leading to improved core strength and stability.
Improved Aerobic Capacity:
Over time, training with a weighted vest can enhance aerobic capacity, allowing you to perform physical activities for longer periods without fatigue.
Boosted Mental Toughness:
The physical challenge of wearing a weighted vest can improve mental toughness, resilience, and determination.
Increased Endurance:
Regular use can improve muscular endurance, enabling you to perform physical activities for extended periods without experiencing fatigue.
Tips for Safe Usage:
Start Light: If you’re new to using a weighted vest, start with a lighter weight and gradually increase to 40 pounds to avoid injury.
Proper Fit: Ensure the vest fits snugly and does not shift during movement to prevent chafing and discomfort.
Monitor Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals and avoid overexertion, especially if you experience pain or excessive fatigue.
Hydrate: Stay well-hydrated as the added weight can increase sweat and fluid loss.
Incorporating a weighted vest into your routine can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your workouts and contribute to overall health and fitness improvements.
The other day, in the morning, I was doing some yoga, just some simple stretches in the sunlight, to start my day. Another guy saw me, and when I approached him, he told me how he was feeling uplifted watching me. He told me how his energy was low, but after seeing me glow, he felt good. It was a very positive interaction. Also, he was listening to some Christian rap music on a speaker, which actually sounded really cool!
Social contagion is real. What I mean by this is, you can pick up the energy of other people around you. When I see somebody slouched, bent over, head down, I can feel the negative energy in the air. It’s easy for other people’s energy to rub off onto yours, and so I believe it’s important to surround yourself with more positive, gay, jolly, and strong people. In these uncertain times, where drama, negativity, and bad news fill the air, I say we should strike through the darkness like a lighthouse, as a beam of light.
Man VS Nature
A few months ago, along the Schuylkill River Banks, the boardwalk here in Philadelphia, I hopped over the fence and was trying to explore underneath it. I saw a bunch of cool rocks, I wanted to grab one and throw it in the river. However, when I went to grab the rock, there were a bunch of weeds growing in between them, which apparently I later found out were called stinging nettle, and they rubbed my skin. When I went home, I rinsed myself off, took a shower, and woke up the next day with extremely itchy rashes on my wrists. I made sure to apply some Cortizone cream for the next few days, but the pain was insane and required me to train my mind and my body to resist the temptation to itch.
About 2 1/2 weeks ago, I was pruning some trees, which were overflowing with these suckers and weeds everywhere. I needed to clean this tree because it was just so beautiful, and these suckers are like leeches, draining the energy from this source of life. However, the next day, I looked at my wrist and saw that I contracted poison ivy. I’ve never had poison ivy or any of these funny rashes from nature before, not even when I was a kid, exploring out in the woods endlessly.
Nature is violent. I remember walking through Rittenhouse Square Park, and seeing a hawk swoop down from the tree, eating a baby bird in midflight. All I saw from the scene were a few feathers falling to the ground. The plants are violent, the insects are violent, and the animals show no mercy. There is a hierarchy in nature, and the most dominant, with the most will to power, shall win. However, when it comes to nature, perhaps it is foolish to try and tame it.
I’ll never forget being a young boy, where I spent my youth, in Longport, New Jersey, playing on the beach all day during the summer. My grandmother would lounge on her chair, tanning her skin, and enjoy her watermelon and an Italian hoagie. However, the seagulls would always swarm us, and I remember one time a seagull snatched the hoagie straight from her mouth! The seagulls and nature have no idea of right or wrong. Nature shows no mercy and always gets what she desires.
I love starting my day off with a walk along the river here in Philadelphia and find myself at an elevated view, standing at the edge of a cliff, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I love looking out towards the horizon, the water, and the tree canopy in the farthest. It reminds me of how open this world is and how much there is to do and explore. The act of standing on the cliff, with my feet as close to the edge as possible, is quite foolish. The wind could push from the left or right of me, or even behind me, and knock me forward, falling to the ground, bashing my head against the cliff, maybe breaking some bones, or even dying. Maybe some worms would start to eat my body as I decompose, and that’s the cycle of life.
“You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You’re the same decaying organic matter as everything else. We are all part of the same compost heap.” – Tyler Durden
Think of a goat, and the way they graze upon the cliff sides. When an eagle kills a goat, it uses the easiest method possible. The eagle simply swoops down and knocks the goat off the cliff. When the goat falls and dies, the eagle comes down and has its feast.
Humans may be the most strong, apex predator, with technology, weapons, medicine, etc., but the more we fight against mother nature, the more it will fight against us. We could use our nuclear weapons and destroy this world if we truly wanted to. Perhaps we are like the eagle and use the easiest method possible to kill, with guns, missiles, drones, and nuclear weapons.
Have you ever stood on the shoreline and looked out towards the ocean?
This is one of the most beautiful sights you can witness in life, as the horizon seems endless, and the ocean is so open. It’s very inspiring to stand on the beach, with the water crashing before your feet. However, the ocean is scary.
I remember it took a lot of time for me to overcome the fear of the ocean when I was a young boy. I saw one of my friends get stung by a jellyfish, and there were lots of crabs crawling around. I found comfort in the warm sand, by the entrance of the beach, digging holes, making sand castles. But once I met a group of boys, and had a band of brothers or friends with me, we would all go out into the ocean together, boogie boarding, bodyboarding, and just riding the waves with rafts. We would go out there when there was a red flag, and the waves would crash fiercely. It was exhilarating to ride the waves. Once I got a surfboard and attempted to go out deeper, I regretted my decision. The ocean was pulling me back further and further away from the shoreline, and there was an undertow. A lifeguard actually had to come out and save me because I was so small, and the ocean was so strong, that I could not paddle back to the shoreline. Needless to say, I became much more into skimboarding along the shoreline, and avoiding surfing from there on.
While it is important to be dangerous, courageous, and overcome your fears, perhaps nature will always teach us a lesson.
However, if Mother Nature is queen of the universe, should we truly worship her? I’d say not, and just leave her alone.
Nature is both beautiful and ugly.
The seeds start to bloom into beautiful flowers, but over some time, they wither away, and decay, back down into the ground. It is important to recognize the cycle of nature, with growth, death, and rebirth. We should not fear nature but rather recognize our role within nature.
We are nature. We are the world. We are the universe. We are the cocoon, the caterpillar, and the butterfly. We are workers, like the ants, dancers, like the birds, and predators, like the lions.
We are the lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper, along the shoreline of the vast ocean, shining brightly in the dark unknown.
Humans Are Like Zoo Animals?
Maybe humans are becoming like domesticated dogs. But what I find funny about the way that we domesticate dogs is that they are very fierce in nature. Dogs were once wolves, but then found a campfire, with some guys chilling, we decided to cuddle up with it, and make it our friend. When I spent time in the West Bank, exploring all the various Palestinian cities, I noticed how they use dogs. Dogs are used as predators, security, and guards. They chain them up inside, muzzle their mouths, and hardly feed them. They use their dogs for war games and attack.
Perhaps humans too are like these dogs, or wolves, fierce and capable of doing harm. Think of Hercules, descending to Hades, to conquer Cerberus, the three-headed dog. Or even Harry Potter, in the Chamber of Secrets, before he descended into hell, to fight the basilisk. He had to tame these dogs, by putting them to sleep, before slaying the beast underneath.
I feel as though humans are like these dogs from Harry Potter, asleep, tamed, and the beast within us has been killed. We prefer comfort and pleasure through all of our hedonistic pursuits. We look for the easy route and enjoy our routine. The cool air conditioner on a hot summer day, and the four corners of a room, are soothing and make us feel good. Humans shouldn’t feel good all of the time. We must endure pain, and suffering, and overcome ourselves in order to be free.
Design Your Character
Have you ever played a video game, an open-world, adventure, RPG, such as Skyrim? In the very beginning of the game, your character is naked, and you design him from the ground up. You choose your body type, eye color, size, shape, etc. Maybe we should go back to the beginning stage of the video game and design our real-life character in reality, too.
Go Discalced
The term “discalced” comes from the Latin word “discalceatus,” which is a combination of “dis-” (a prefix meaning “apart” or “away”) and “calceatus” (meaning “shod” or “wearing shoes”). “Calceatus” itself comes from “calceus,” meaning “shoe.” Therefore, “discalced” literally means “unshod” or “without shoes.”
I think the first step to redesigning ourselves quite literally does start from the ground up. By removing your shoes, and going barefoot, you reconnect with our natural way of being. I’ve been wearing the Vibram FiveFingers ELX shoes for around a year and a half now, and I cannot see myself going back to normal shoes. I feel way more comfortable and natural feel the sensations of the ground below me, strengthening my legs, my feet, and my posture. My thought is, these big, rubber soles, between us and the ground, are weakening our physical bodies. Let us design our character from the ground up, remove the shoes, and become the strongest and best versions of ourselves.
The Ultimate Goal of Humanity?
So I live in a building here in Philadelphia with 99% elderly people residing in it. A lot of the times when I’m on the elevator, I have conversations with them about their grandchildren, and how happy they make them. Perhaps grandchildren become the fountain of youth for the elderly, a source of vitality and hope for the future.
It is quite obvious that we live in a world with a population on the decline. When I walk through the streets of Philadelphia, I notice way more single people with dogs than children. So what can we do about this? What do we young men have to think more critically about?
The word “semen” has its origins in Latin, where it directly translates to “seed.” In Latin, “semen” is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *sē-, which also means “to sow” or “to plant.” This root is the source of various related words in different languages, all pertaining to seeds or the act of sowing. In English, the term has been used since the 14th century to refer to the reproductive fluid containing spermatozoa in males, reflecting its original sense of something that can generate new life.
We should strive to either generate new life or generate new art. These two options are the choices we have to give life deeper meaning. Go inward and ignore the external hedonistic distractions of modern life. Learn to overcome yourself. Don’t blow your semen or power.
Maybe we should just wait until marriage before having sex?
If the ultimate goal of humanity is to form families and generate new life, let’s become super critical about this and choose how we decide to use our ultimate source of vitality and power as men. Let’s set new virtues, or rather, just restore old ones, and return to tradition, for the sake of humanity.
Focus Right Away in the Morning
Every morning, I slam four espressos at 4 AM, and get right outside. I think this is the best routine for me, as I truly thrive out on a walk. As soon as I start walking, it’s much easier for me to think, write, and make my videos. As a street photographer, our ultimate goal should be movement, and walking throughout the day as much as possible. Because of this, I tend to get out there right away and make pictures along the river trail. While I walk the same lane every single day, in this seemingly mundane fashion, I find beauty in it. This walk brings me focus and clarity as I reach the peak of the cliff, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and look out at the horizon from an elevated view.
“You cannot step in the same river twice.” – Heraclitus
When I look out at the landscape, this beautiful vista, I make a photograph. When I make this photograph, every single day, I remind myself that you cannot make the same photograph twice. The light, and the way that it casts upon the surfaces, giving shape and form to places, faces, and things, intrigues me as a photographer. Because of the power of light, nothing ever stays the same. The sun is the omnipotent power, that allows nature to bloom, and also provides us with the endless canvas to photograph upon. You can visit the same location every single day, but a photograph that you make there will never be the same. Embrace the change of light, and simply follow it.
Focus as soon as you wake up. Become the creator.
Fiat Lux.
Let there be light!
Excelsior
Most music is dark these days. The lyrics are negative, the beats are lonely, and the culture surrounding it is degenerate. One thing I’ve been doing for the past two years is making an effort to listen to the Wanamaker Organ at the Macy’s building here in Philadelphia, every day at 5:30 PM. There’s a free show that lasts around a half-hour to 45 minutes for the public, every day except for Sunday, at 12 and 5:30, twice per day. I’ve made an effort to detox from music, and only listen to it during this particular part of my day.
While walking around the Wanamaker building yesterday, I noticed these beautiful plaques depicting the original 13 colonies and their mottos. One in particular, New York’s, read, “Excelsior.”
“Excelsior” is a Latin word meaning “higher” or “loftier.” It is derived from the Latin word “excelsus,” which means “high” or “elevated.” The word “excelsior” is often used to convey a sense of striving for higher goals or reaching for excellence.
When I listen to the Wanamaker Organ, which is the world’s largest playing pipe organ, the music vibrates throughout the entire building. The building has a very tall ceiling, and the organ is positioned at an elevated spot that requires the listener to look up at it. I believe that architecture, sculpture, and music are the apex of art. When you step in front of the beautiful eagle statue, thousands of feathers, rock by hand, built of bronze, in the center of the building, gaze up at the high ceiling, and listen to the music that sounds from the organ, it uplifts your soul to a transcendental height.
The goal of art is to uplift the human spirit, to elevate, and to transcend this world.
I believe that the Wanamaker Organ is one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements, and I’m very grateful to have a place like this in my city to listen to music. One day, they even displayed a silent black and white Charlie Chaplin film upon a projector, just below the organ, and synced the music to the movie.
When I was a child, I would sit at the Eagle and watch the late show every Christmas season. My grandmother also worked in this building, in the beauty department. When I listen to the organ, I think to myself that my grandmother probably listened to this too when she was alive. Art has the capability of fueling your soul with vitality and resonates with the listener, or the viewer, on a deep and emotional level.
If you ever want to listen to the organ with me, just join me at 5:30 PM at the Eagle statue!
Octavius Valentine Catto (1839-1871) was a prominent African American civil rights activist, educator, and intellectual in Philadelphia during the 19th century. Here are some key points about his life and contributions:
Early Life and Education: Catto was born on February 22, 1839, in Charleston, South Carolina, but his family moved to Philadelphia, where he grew up. He attended the Institute for Colored Youth (ICY), an important educational institution for African Americans, where he excelled academically and later became a teacher.
Civil Rights Activism: Catto was deeply involved in the civil rights movement, particularly in the fight for voting rights and against racial segregation. He was a leader in the Pennsylvania Equal Rights League and worked tirelessly to ensure that African American men could exercise their right to vote following the Civil War.
Desegregation of Streetcars: One of Catto’s notable achievements was his role in the successful campaign to desegregate Philadelphia’s streetcars. Through persistent advocacy and protest, he helped ensure that African Americans could use public transportation without discrimination.
Military Involvement: During the Civil War, Catto was active in recruiting African American men to serve in the Union Army. He was instrumental in raising troops for the United States Colored Troops (USCT), demonstrating his commitment to both civil rights and the Union cause.
Education and Legacy: As an educator, Catto taught at his alma mater, the Institute for Colored Youth, where he influenced many students and became a respected figure in the community. His dedication to education and equality left a lasting impact.
Tragic Death: Catto’s life was tragically cut short on October 10, 1871, when he was assassinated on his way to vote in a municipal election. His murder was part of a larger wave of violence and intimidation against African American voters during the Reconstruction era.
Honors and Memorials: In recent years, Catto’s contributions have been increasingly recognized. In 2017, a statue was erected in his honor at Philadelphia’s City Hall, making him the first individual African American to be so honored with a statue on public land in the city.
Octavius V. Catto’s legacy as a civil rights pioneer and educator continues to inspire and be celebrated in Philadelphia and beyond.
The Will to Power by Friedrich Nietzsche: In-Depth Summary with Key Quotes
Overview and Structure: “The Will to Power” is a posthumously published collection of Friedrich Nietzsche’s notes, compiled by his sister Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche. It offers insight into Nietzsche’s philosophical thinking, presenting themes like the will to power, critique of morality, the concept of the Übermensch, and the idea of eternal recurrence.
Key Themes and Concepts
1. The Will to Power: Nietzsche’s central idea is that the fundamental driving force in humans is the will to power—a striving to assert and enhance one’s power and influence. This drive encompasses more than just political or physical power, including intellectual and creative power.
Key Quote:
“What is good? All that heightens the feeling of power, the will to power, power itself in man. What is bad? All that proceeds from weakness.”
Summary: The will to power is the essence of life itself. It drives human actions and creativity, pushing individuals to overcome obstacles and grow stronger. It is the root of ambition and the pursuit of excellence.
2. Master-Slave Morality: Nietzsche contrasts master morality with slave morality. Master morality is characterized by values such as strength, courage, and nobility, while slave morality is driven by weakness, resentment, and conformity.
Key Quote:
“The noble type of man regards himself as a determiner of values; he does not require to be approved of; he passes the judgment: ‘What is injurious to me is injurious in itself’; he knows that it is he himself only who confers honour on things; he is a creator of values.”
Summary: Master morality is about creating one’s values and living authentically, while slave morality seeks to impose universal values based on weakness and fear. Nietzsche champions the former as a more genuine and powerful way of living.
3. Übermensch (Overman): The Übermensch is Nietzsche’s vision of an individual who transcends conventional morality and limitations, creating their own values and living a life of authenticity and power.
Key Quote:
“Man is something that shall be overcome. Man is a rope, tied between beast and Übermensch—a rope over an abyss.”
Summary: The Übermensch represents the pinnacle of human potential, someone who has embraced the will to power and created a life of purpose and meaning beyond traditional values and norms.
4. Eternal Recurrence: This concept suggests that life eternally recurs, with every event repeating itself infinitely. It is both a test and an affirmation of one’s life.
Key Quote:
“What if some day or night a demon were to steal after you into your loneliest loneliness and say to you: ‘This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more.'”
Summary: Eternal recurrence challenges individuals to live their lives as if every moment would be repeated eternally. It is a call to embrace life fully, with all its joys and sorrows, and to live in a way that one would willingly repeat forever.
Important Chapters and Notes
On the Nature of Life: Nietzsche explores life as a process of overcoming, growth, and expansion through the will to power. He criticizes philosophies that deny this fundamental drive and praises those that recognize and harness it.
On Morality and Religion: Nietzsche critiques traditional moral systems, particularly Christianity, for promoting slave morality. He argues that these systems suppress the will to power and hinder human potential.
On Truth and Knowledge: Nietzsche challenges the notion of objective truth, arguing that what we consider truth is a construct shaped by the will to power. Knowledge is not about discovering absolute truths but about creating perspectives that enhance life.
On Culture and Society: Nietzsche examines the impact of culture and society on individuals, emphasizing the need to break free from conformist pressures and to cultivate one’s unique potential.
Notable Quotes and Their Summaries
1. “He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
Summary: This warns about the dangers of confronting evil or chaos. One must be vigilant not to become what one opposes.
2. “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”
Summary: Life inherently involves suffering, but the key to survival and flourishing is to find or create meaning within that suffering.
3. “In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.”
Summary: Nietzsche observes that while individual madness is uncommon, collective madness is a frequent occurrence, reflecting his skepticism of mass movements and societal norms.
Conclusion
“The Will to Power” is a profound exploration of human nature, morality, and existence. Nietzsche’s philosophy encourages embracing life’s inherent struggles and uncertainties, creating one’s values, and striving for personal excellence and authenticity. Through concepts like the will to power, master-slave morality, the Übermensch, and eternal recurrence, Nietzsche offers a vision of life that is dynamic, challenging, and ultimately empowering.
“Excelsior” is a Latin word meaning “ever upward” or “still higher.” It is often used to convey a sense of striving for excellence or aiming to achieve greater heights. The term is famously associated with the state motto of New York, symbolizing aspiration and progress.
Plato’s idea of the philosopher king is a central concept in his work “The Republic.” In this dialogue, Plato, through the character of Socrates, argues that the most just and effective rulers are philosophers. Here’s an outline of the idea:
Definition: A philosopher king is a ruler who possesses both a deep love of wisdom and the practical ability to govern. These rulers are not just intellectuals but are also capable of applying their knowledge to lead a society.
Education and Training: According to Plato, philosopher kings must undergo a rigorous education and training process. This education includes the study of philosophy, mathematics, dialectics, and physical training, all aimed at developing their intellect and character. They are trained to understand the Forms, especially the Form of the Good, which represents the highest and most important kind of knowledge.
Understanding the Forms: Philosophers, in Plato’s view, are uniquely suited to rule because they understand the Forms, which are the perfect, eternal, and unchangeable concepts or ideals that exist beyond the physical world. The Form of the Good is the ultimate principle that philosophers must grasp, as it illuminates all other forms and represents the highest kind of reality and value.
Moral Virtue: Philosopher kings possess moral virtues such as wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. Their understanding of the Forms ensures that they can make decisions that are truly in the best interest of the state, rather than being swayed by personal desires or the changing opinions of the masses.
Just Society: Plato argues that a just society is one where rulers are philosopher kings. In such a society, each class (rulers, warriors, and producers) performs its appropriate role. Philosopher kings rule wisely, warriors protect the state, and producers provide for the material needs of society. This harmonious structure ensures that justice prevails, as each part of society functions according to its nature and purpose.
Reluctance to Rule: Interestingly, Plato suggests that true philosophers would be reluctant to rule because they would prefer to pursue knowledge and contemplation. However, their sense of duty and understanding of the Good would compel them to take on the responsibility of ruling for the benefit of society.
Plato’s philosopher king concept is idealistic, aiming to create a society governed by wisdom and justice. It highlights the importance of knowledgeable and virtuous leadership for the well-being of the state.
We all have free will. There are many choices that we can make along our journey of life. However, what if freedom is the elimination of these choices? I’ve been thinking, freedom is the elimination of choice itself.
Should I be a doctor or a lawyer? Which path should I take?
Perhaps you must take the leap of faith, and simply move onwards into the unknown. I believe the more important question to ask is what should we not do? What should we not consume? How should we not live our lives? Through the elimination of the choices, we become free.
In the context of street photography, eliminating all of the choices, such as decisions on what cameras or lenses to use, frees ourselves, and we can move forward, shooting more and thinking less.
Evolution is the Goal
The ultimate goal of humanity is to evolve. Think of the human being, bipedal, standing upright, with two legs. I believe that this is for no coincidence, as we are designed to stand, move, and explore. The more that we move our bodies, and utilize them to the fullest capacity, we evolve. By spending time in nature, under the sun, and engaging the physical world, I train my body to be formidable. I can withstand hot conditions, cold conditions, and different climates all throughout the world because I have allowed my body to become used to these external things.
The problem with modern society is that we box ourselves in, we spend too much time under the air conditioning, inside, sitting down.
We must be like a butterfly, once in the cocoon, transform to a caterpillar, spread our wings, and then fly. We should transcend this modern world, leave it behind, and create our own. If somebody tells you to sit down, say no. If somebody tells you to do something, that’s bad for your health, say no. You know that you can say no, right? Say no more, eliminate these choices, and you will be free to say yes to your true curiosity.
Slavery of your mind and body?
We sacrifice our bodies, for what? The future? Maybe the new sign of freedom is not sitting down. If you’re told to sit down, simply say no. Now what path will you find yourself on? Are you going to sit down until you’re 65 years old, wait for your pension, and then live your life? Eliminate this decision, and decide how you want to live your life, right now, in this very moment.
I Am Retired
I’m currently 28 years old and I’m retired. I spend every morning in nature, in solitude, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. I practice horticulture, which I consider physical leisure, think, read, write, and make art. I believe it’s wise to live your life in reverse, and consider what you would be doing right now if you were retired, and just start doing it now. To be honest, the whole idea of retirement makes no sense to me. Why would anybody want to retire? Wealth and “retirement” is simply a mindset.
I have everything I need. I have a roof over my head and meat in my freezer. I have running water, from a tap, that provides me with vitality. I have a big box of salt in my closet that seasons my food and gives it good taste. I have gym equipment to increase my strength, a compact camera, and an iPad that allows me to create art.
What do I really need?
What’s funny about modern society is that we are becoming the ultimate consumers. We consume way more than we produce. Just look around you, we definitely eat too much. Listen to the chatter, we definitely consume a lot of junk, celebrity gossip, news, politics, etc.
The way to freedom is to remove and subtract all the distractions. By removing more choices, you become free.
I don’t need to watch TV, I don’t need breakfast, or lunch. I don’t need fruits, vegetables, starches, sugar, or any food group besides one. I don’t need shoes. I don’t need social media. I don’t need a car. I don’t need any of the dumb junk that you constantly advertise to purchase while I’m listening to the beautiful Wanamaker organ inside the Macy’s building. I don’t need or want a watch. I do not desire to be a slave to time.
The less desires you have from the world around you, the more free you are. Let’s spend our time creating more and consuming less. Create your own world.
I don’t care about retirement. I’m not planning for the future. I’m living life for today, and following the most interesting path possible. Choose the interesting path, the unpredictable, and have the adventure of your lifetime, right here, right now, not waiting for the future.
Modern Life is Boring?
So much of modern life is monotonous, boring, and uninteresting. Our daily commute in cars, the work that we embark on, and the things that we do for fun, are mostly meaningless and dull. The movies and entertainment that we make these days, are really really bad. This is not a good sign, and definitely is a reflection of a cultural decline during these times.
I believe that we are seeking novelty, and this is why we turn to things like video games. Video games are much more interesting than real life, as you can become a superhero, go on quests, do dangerous things, fight bosses, tinker, and upgrade your character. I remember spending a lot of my time during high school playing video games after class because the eight hours of being confined to the box inside of a classroom was just so dreadful and boring. You memorize useless information that you wind up forgetting the next day, only to regurgitate it, through a test, and receive a grade. These grades are then the thing that determines where you can go to university, and from there, you enter the workforce. However, I feel as though most jobs these days are like you’re in school, forever, stuck in the classroom, endlessly completing mind-numbing tasks. I believe this monotonous lifestyle is the reason we turn to social media, video games, and escapism through the digital world. Real life is just boring, but, there are ways to embrace novelty, but I believe are overlooked.
Just step outside, go for a hike, and walk through a park. There is endless novelty in nature, randomness, and chaos, with the way that weeds grow, flowers bloom, and light shines through the tree canopy. When you’re surrounded by nature, you recognize that you are the universe. You can look at a tree, and think to yourself, wow, that’s boring, or you can get lost in the bark, the patterns, textures, and the way that leaves wiggle in the wind. You can observe the tree trunk, the branches, and the way that they extend out into the sky. They look very similar to the branches within our lungs, providing us with that clean air that humans need to thrive. By returning to nature, and spending the maximum amount of time outside, in fresh air, you will inevitably feel better. I certainly do not feel good when I’m inside, in my house, in a mall, or in any sterile environment. These places are not where humans are designed to be, and when you recognize that, you can see it. The shops within the malls become prison cells, the cubicles, and the computers, are shackles, keeping the slaves perfectly in line. We’ve become so distracted from what truly matters in life, such as health, family, and curiosity.
The Holy Trinity
The holy trinity for man is meat, salt, and water. For what else do we really need?
When you contemplate the notion of wealth, what do you see? Do you see a man with a Lamborghini, a nice watch, a woman with Botox, and a big mansion, with too much space to fit useless junk in?
Real wealth is health.
The trinity for man is a strong body, a strong mind, and a strong soul. Everything else is superfluous. It does not matter what material things you have, but how strong your soul is. While I understand the basic necessities that we need to survive and thrive, everything beyond that becomes the ultimate distraction. An endless pursuit to nothing. We’ve become pigs, with carrots dangling in front of us, crawling around the mud pit. But I say we must free ourselves, dance, like a bird, and become ferocious like a lion.
What is Missing in the World?
During my time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, Africa, I was certainly surprised by how the village operates on a day-to-day basis. The everyday life of a Zambian tribe fascinates me. Mothers come home with babies on their back and firewood on their heads. Men are building homes and churches, the boys are building bricks with sand and mud, and the girls are sweeping the floors, preparing the food for the day. Everybody in the tribe, the village, the family, has a role to play.
At the center of the village, there is a church, and a well, where the people go to draw water. This is the source of vitality, and without it, there is no community. In the center of the church, there is an altar, sacrifices made, reminding each member of the tribe of the archetype, the hero, Jesus.
I believe the archetype is missing from modern society, the hero, something greater than ourselves to aspire to be like.
Forget about Jesus as Christ, but consider Jesus as man, Jesus of Nazareth. I am not here to promote any religion, dogma, or belief. I’m here to share the philosophy and teaching of Jesus, as the ideal man, or archetype to be like. His teachings and way of life are perhaps the ultimate archetype and role model that has ever walked this earth.
I grew up going to a Catholic school, from pre-K to grade 8, where I started each morning, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and reciting the Our Father prayer with the rest of my class. A functioning society needs to recognize the hierarchy of God, nation, and land. Or, in the context of my peace service, God, tribe, and land. My theory is that the future will become tribal, new religions will form, communities, and tribes, will be scattered throughout the world.
Just Be Optimistic but Skeptical
Honestly, I’m optimistic about the future. As much as I critique modern life, and the way that we use technology, I actually believe that we can use it for good. I believe that we’re living through a new sort of renaissance, where the technology can enhance the way that we create and make things. With technology that is so powerful such as the use of artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, cameras, video, audio, we can create in a new way that has never been done before. This excites me as an artist, and I believe that the opportunities of the future are endless. Just think, we currently have a man who has the mission to get us to Mars, and expand civilization throughout the universe. In the past 100 years, we’ve gone from horse and buggy, to automatic, self-driving cyber trucks. However, we should become more skeptical. Just assume that everyone online is a bot, and that everything is fake. Disconnect from the news, media, and social media. Everything can be generated from artificial intelligence at this point, and it will be difficult to discern what is real and what is false. This is where the power of technology will come into play, and my interest in artificial intelligence, Blockchain, and even Bitcoin is starting to make more sense to me as it will be used to solidify truth in our digital future. I’m currently reading the Bitcoin Standard and it’s fascinating to learn about how we went from trading cattle, salt, stones, seashells, beads, silver, and gold, as forms of currency. The problem with our current system is that we print infinite money, through the Federal Reserve, and we are no longer following a gold standard. This means, that inflation is inevitable. I’m sure everyone has noticed the way that prices have been increasing for the bare necessities, such as groceries. A lot of restaurants and coffee shops and places in the city, utilize these iPads, with touch-to-pay services, one in particular being Square, which recently changed its name to Block in 2021 as they became involved with the Blockchain and Bitcoin. This company, Block, co-founded by Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, also owns Cash App. Cash App is a peer-to-peer payment service, that now people use to purchase Bitcoin, and even use as a banking service.
One of the first things that I learned through reading this book is that the word pecuniary, pertaining to wealth and capital, derives from the word pecu, meaning head of cattle. When you consider capitalism, capital, caput, head, or head of cattle, consuming a 100% red meat, carnivore diet, makes sense. Cattle was one of the first sources of wealth in human history. Some of the earliest cave paintings and artwork ever found in human history, have been drawings in caves of cattle, bison, and animals. The significance of animals intrigues me. This is where the trend towards the vegan diet makes absolutely no sense to me. Even when you look at a food pyramid, by a reputable university, such as Harvard, they tell you to eat red meat sparingly. The problem is, the less animal-based protein that you consume, the hungrier you become. The less protein, the less beef, and red meat that you eat, the more you are going to become reliant on other food groups, such as carbohydrates, rice, bread, starches, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, etc. However, for the past two years, I’ve been at my peak health, strength, and human thriving, since adopting a 100% red meat, carnivore diet. I do not need breakfast or lunch, and simply eat as much red meat as I need until I’m satiated. I think this is the key here, humans need satiating foods. The more satiated you are, the more power you will have the next day. The more power you have, the more that you can do, move, create, think, and thrive. The less red meat you eat, the more of a consumer you become.
I believe it’s important to be skeptical, of people such as Bill Gates, who I realize is selling this strange, lab-grown meat, buying lots of farmland, and believes that cows farting, causes the climate to change to such a significant degree that he wants to change the way we farm and consume meat. This is nonsense, and something that we should be skeptical about. I don’t trust anything that’s grown in a lab, or processed junk that’s made in factories. Also, a good simple heuristic is, if someone drinks Coca-Cola, juice, and consumes junk, whether food, or media, their opinion is irrelevant to me. Just look into their body, and you can see into their soul. Don’t trust anyone that’s willingly injecting diabetes into their body. Same for alcohol consumption, as we are now learning that it is linked to cancer, even if you consume only one or two beverages per week. If you thought of it as poison, would you still deliberately consume it? If our money is poisoned, and causing us to be diseased, similar to that of diabetes, would you still put your faith into Fiat?
If the power of our dollars is decreasing each year, maybe we should just stop using them altogether. Only buy the basic necessities, and become extremely frugal. Just cook at home, and go to Costco once per month. Stock your freezer with lamb leg, five dollars per pound. Get a slow cooker, just set it and forget it every morning. Just leave it from 9 to 5, eight hours, add water, salt, pepper, and thyme. Or, get some of the Wagyu, ground beef, or shabu shabu cut of sirloin. Also, go to the freezer section, and find the organic grass-fed Kirkland brand beef patties, 15 per pack. These are really delicious and easy to cook in an air fryer. You can also purchase five dozen eggs, and just stock up for an entire month, one time per month. You can also get your coffee here, I like the light roast Ethiopian blend, it’s really really good, and just add it to my espresso machine in the morning. This way, you only have to buy groceries and coffee one time, pay your rent one time, and not have to go out to eat, or spend money on superfluous things. Once you go to carnivore, it’s hard to go back. Spartan lifestyle is supreme. It’s much more rewarding to feast like a lion on as much red meat as you can each night, than snack like a squirrel throughout the day.
The carnivore diet is an elimination diet. You just want to eliminate all the bad stuff, the processed junk, and only eat real, satiating foods. Maybe the only real food, is flesh. The animals eat the grass, and the humans eat the animals, absorbing all of the nutrients that you need.
We all have the right to express our First Amendment, right of freedom of speech, and this is what makes America so great. However, when I witness the animal rights activists outside of the farmers market in the Rittenhouse Square area of Philadelphia every weekend, wearing strange masks, and playing funny videos, of people harvesting fish, and farming animals, telling us to stop eating meat, I’m kind of confused. As a former Peace Corps volunteer, living in a rural village, in Zambia, Africa, protein was the most important source of food for the people in the villages. My whole mission was to promote aquaculture, fish farming, as a viable source of protein for the people of Zambia. It’s extremely critical that we eat enough protein, to thrive as humans. And no, chickpeas, nuts, tofu, and all these other strange things are not enough for sufficient protein sources.
So going forward, I’m going to remain skeptical, but also very optimistic. I believe that a lot of this new technology, such as artificial intelligence, the Blockchain, and Bitcoin, can provide us with hope, freedom, and the pursuit of truth.
If there’s nothing left for me to purchase, as I have everything I need, what do you do with the money that you have? Of course, there’s the traditional 401(k), Roth IRA, pension funds, investing, in stocks, buying real estate, or I guess even gold? I guess the biggest problem with gold is the fact that you have to physically, carry around blocks of gold. This makes no sense to me. Also, physical properties require maintenance, and too many intermediary people to deal with like real estate agents. The only real thing that makes sense to me is to invest in Bitcoin. Leaving money in a bank account, to simply be stagnant, and inflate over time, seems like a bad deal to me. I’d much rather put my money into something that I believe in, something that will empower humanity in the future, and provide hope for the individual. Just go to hope.com, and start listening to the interviews from Michael Saylor, extremely informative, and eye-opening. If you’re going to have kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, maybe one day they’ll go to Mars. Do you think they’re going to stuff their backpacks with gold bars? Or a condo? No, it is inevitable that we will have a digital future, and that capital, wealth, and money, will be backed by the Bitcoin standard. One funny thing I’ve been doing is paying for everything in cash, and it just feels like play money, it doesn’t even feel like it’s real. The money in a bank account is just numbers. A lot of places don’t even accept cash anymore, or don’t have change to give. The more I use cash, the more I realize how useless it is. It’s much easier to just tap your phone with Apple Pay, or even with a Coinbase card.
We Are Diseased?
When I consider disease, I consider the root of the word, dis-ease. To be diseased, does not necessarily have to be physiological, such as diabetes, but it can also be mental, such as anxiety. To be diseased in the modern world is to be worried about the future, anxious about the unknown. However, what if we can thrive in the unknown, in the chaos, the unpredictability of the future. I think a lot of money problems are what cause disease. So what can we do to stop this? I say, don’t worry about the numbers in the bank account, what the prices are, and all of the superfluous things, such as preparing for retirement, and just live for today. When you live for today, and embrace the spirit of play, all of the worries about monetary gains, losses, numbers, and the future, go away. The cure for disease is very simple, just let go. Turn inward, and create your own world. Don’t worry about the external world, all the noise, and the chatter. Your vocation will find you, the more that you eliminate all of the distractions. I believe we should strive to become the greatest versions of ourselves every single day, and not be complacent.
So What is the Medicine?
Movement is medicine. Meat is medicine. Sleep is medicine.
Physical health is mental health.
I truly believe that the way we live our lives, sitting down too much, is also a big cause for this disease. We spent too much time sitting down in front of the TV, reading the news, and distracting ourselves. It is inevitable that anytime you check the news, check your bank account, check the numbers, the prices, you will be anxious. This is why I also believe if you’re going to publish on YouTube, just disable all analytics, likes, comments, etc. Start your own website if you’re interested in sharing your photography, thoughts, and also Spotify podcasts. Just go to bluehost.com, and wordpress.org. I use the Astra theme, it is very simple, and treat my own blog like my own social media. Just delete your Instagram. Best decision I’ve ever made in my life.
So what if you eliminate all of the choices, and just go all in on life?  What if you simply lived for now, and didn’t plan for the future? 
We must remember, that our health is wealth. Your health can be on decline at any moment, at any time. So let’s not sacrifice our bodies as Jesus did, but deify ourselves in the flesh, and glorify today.
