Fragments

Here’s a summary of Heraclitus’ fragments:

1. Change and Flux: Heraclitus emphasized that everything is in a constant state of change. He famously stated, “You cannot step into the same river twice,” meaning that the river, like everything else, is always changing.
2. Unity of Opposites: He believed that opposites are interconnected and essential for harmony. For example, he noted that concepts like day and night, life and death, or war and peace are mutually dependent.
3. The Logos: Heraclitus introduced the concept of the “Logos,” a rational principle that governs the universe. He believed that understanding the Logos could help individuals comprehend the order and structure of the world.
4. War and Strife: He viewed conflict as a fundamental aspect of reality, stating, “War is the father of all things,” suggesting that strife and struggle lead to growth and change.
5. The Impermanence of Life: Heraclitus highlighted the transient nature of life, emphasizing that everything is temporary and subject to change.

Heraclitus’ fragments are often cryptic, but they collectively underscore his view of a dynamic, ever-changing universe where opposites coexist and interact.

Here are some of Heraclitus’ most famous fragments along with brief explanations:

1. Fragment 1

“Everything flows and nothing stays”

• Explanation: This fragment reflects Heraclitus’ doctrine of change, emphasizing that everything in the universe is in a constant state of flux. Nothing remains the same, and everything is continuously evolving.

2. Fragment 49a

“You cannot step into the same river twice”

• Explanation: Heraclitus illustrates the concept of perpetual change with the metaphor of a river. The water flowing in a river is constantly changing, so when you step into it, it is never the same river twice. This highlights the continuous and dynamic nature of reality.

3. Fragment 12

“The way up and the way down are one and the same”

• Explanation: This fragment suggests the unity of opposites. Heraclitus believed that seemingly contradictory paths or processes are actually interconnected and part of a single, unified whole.

4. Fragment 8

“All things come into being through opposition, and all are in flux like a river”

• Explanation: Heraclitus posits that opposites are fundamental to the existence and functioning of the universe. The tension and interplay between opposites drive the processes of change and becoming.

5. Fragment 53

“War is the father of all things”

• Explanation: This fragment emphasizes the idea that conflict and strife are essential to creation and change. Heraclitus saw war and conflict as driving forces behind the development and transformation of the cosmos.

6. Fragment 10

“Out of every one, one, and out of one, every one”

• Explanation: This fragment touches on the unity and diversity of the cosmos. It suggests that the many things in the universe originate from one fundamental source and that one source gives rise to the many.

7. Fragment 80

“It is hard to fight with one’s heart’s desire; whatever it wishes to get, it purchases at the cost of soul”

• Explanation: Heraclitus acknowledges the difficulty of resisting one’s desires and the potential consequences of succumbing to them. He suggests that pursuing one’s desires may lead to a loss of spiritual integrity or inner peace.

8. Fragment 45

“You should expect the unexpected; it is difficult to discover and difficult to comprehend”

• Explanation: This fragment advises openness to the unexpected and the unknown. Heraclitus believed that reality is complex and often beyond our understanding, urging us to be prepared for surprises.

9. Fragment 102

“Nature loves to hide”

• Explanation: This fragment reflects the enigmatic and hidden aspects of nature. Heraclitus believed that the underlying principles of the cosmos are not immediately apparent and require deep contemplation to understand.

10. Fragment 50

“Listening not to me but to the Logos, it is wise to agree that all things are one”

• Explanation: Heraclitus introduces the concept of the Logos, a rational principle that governs the cosmos. He suggests that wisdom comes from understanding and aligning oneself with this universal principle, recognizing the unity of all things.

Heraclitus’ fragments provide profound insights into the nature of change, the unity of opposites, and the hidden complexities of reality. His philosophy emphasizes the constant flux and interconnectedness of the universe, challenging us to look beyond appearances to grasp the deeper truths of existence.

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The poet was a fool
who wanted no conflict
among us, gods
or people.
Harmony needs
low and high,
as progeny needs
man and women

This passage contrasts the idealistic vision of a poet who desires peace with the realistic necessity of conflict and harmony’s dependence on diversity. Here’s an interpretation:

1. The poet was a fool who wanted no conflict among us, gods or people: The poet is characterized as naïve for wanting a world without conflict. This implies that such a desire is unrealistic or unattainable.
2. Harmony needs low and high, as progeny needs man and woman: True harmony arises from the balance of opposites, much like how offspring result from the union of male and female. It suggests that differences and even conflicts are essential for creating a balanced and functional world.

This reflects a more pragmatic view of life, acknowledging that conflict and diversity are inherent and necessary components of existence.

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War, as father
of all things, and king,
names few
to serve as gods,
and of the rest makes
these men slaves,
those free.

This passage reflects the ancient perspective on war as a fundamental and transformative force in human society. Here’s an interpretation:

1. War as the Father of All Things: This suggests that conflict and struggle are intrinsic to the creation and progression of civilizations. War is seen as a primal force that shapes the world.
2. And King: War is also seen as the ultimate authority, dictating the terms of existence for nations and individuals alike.
3. Names Few to Serve as Gods: War elevates a select few to positions of great power and reverence, almost god-like in their influence and status.
4. And of the Rest Makes These Men Slaves, Those Free: War creates a dichotomy among people, determining who will be subjugated and who will gain freedom. It has the power to drastically alter social and individual fates.

This perspective aligns with the philosophical ideas of Heraclitus, who believed in the centrality of conflict in the natural order and human affairs.

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An ass prefers a bed of litter
to a golden throne.

The phrase “An ass prefers a bet of litter to a golden throne” is a proverbial expression that highlights the idea that some individuals, due to their nature or lack of understanding, may prefer something of lesser value or comfort simply because it is familiar to them. In essence, it suggests that comfort and preference are subjective and that people may choose what they are accustomed to, even if it is objectively inferior to other available options.

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Thales of Miletus (circa 624–546 BCE) was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer from Miletus in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He is often regarded as one of the Seven Sages of Greece and is credited with being the first philosopher in the Western tradition. Here are some key points about Thales:

1. Philosophy and Cosmology: Thales is considered the founder of the Milesian School of natural philosophy. He is known for proposing that water is the fundamental substance (arche) of the universe, suggesting that everything is derived from water in some form.
2. Mathematics: Thales is famous for his work in geometry. He is credited with several geometric principles, such as the theorem that states a circle is bisected by its diameter and the concept that the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
3. Astronomy: Thales made significant contributions to astronomy. He is believed to have predicted a solar eclipse that occurred on May 28, 585 BCE, and introduced the idea that the year has 365 days.
4. Practical Contributions: Thales was also involved in practical applications of his knowledge. He is said to have used his understanding of geometry to measure the height of the pyramids in Egypt by comparing their shadows with his own.
5. Legacy: Thales’ emphasis on seeking natural explanations for phenomena, rather than relying on mythology, laid the groundwork for the development of scientific and philosophical inquiry in ancient Greece.

Thales’ work and ideas have had a lasting influence on the fields of philosophy, science, and mathematics.

Quotes-

Thales of Miletus is attributed with several famous quotes, reflecting his philosophical and scientific thinking. Here are some of his most notable sayings:

1. “Know thyself.”

• This is a classic aphorism emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and understanding.

1. “The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself.”

• Highlighting the complexity and challenge of true self-knowledge.

1. “Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else possess hope still.”

• Reflecting on the universal and enduring nature of hope.

1. “Time is the wisest of all things that are; for it brings everything to light.”

• Suggesting that time reveals truth and wisdom.

1. “Nothing is more active than thought, for it flies over the whole universe.”

• Celebrating the boundless nature of human thought and imagination.

1. “The past is certain, the future obscure.”

• Expressing the certainty of the past and the uncertainty of the future.

These quotes capture Thales’ philosophical insights and his contributions to early Greek thought.

Sun Power

Our bodies are the battery, and the sun is the charger. Consider the iPhone at 1% charge. You rush for your charger, plug in the iPhone, with a sigh of relief. When you feel tired, do you ever ask yourself why?

Personally, I feel most tired when I’m sitting down, stagnant, not moving. However, if I’m walking, standing, lifting weights, or under the sun, I feel like I have an abundance of power. Certainly, I wake up super early, but I also go to bed at around 8 PM every night. I get eight hours of sleep, and it is very deep, and I always wake up feeling refreshed. Sleep is the most critical thing to consider first and foremost when it comes to power, but we must not neglect the sun itself.

Modern Day Privilege

The modern-day privilege is simply your body, standing upright, under the sun. Why?

Considering the way in which we work now, in offices, from 9 to 5, sitting down, under the air conditioner, it’s quite jarring and unnatural. However, human beings are designed to be outside, grazing freely, and openly, under the sun itself. When I hear people come out of the office around 5 PM, they often come out of the cold and crisp, dark air conditioner, exclaiming how disgusting it feels outside, how hot the sun is. However, what I always think of in my head is:

We are currently standing on a spinning rock, moving into the void, darkness, orbiting around a big ball of fire. This big ball of fire is keeping us alive and why we are here in the first place.

However, we deny this big ball of fire, the sun itself, and replace it with fluorescent lights and air-conditioning systems. We are denying our physical bodies, for what? For the pursuit of material wealth? To me, this is denying our purpose as human beings, as we are the ultimate creators.

We Are the Creator

You may think of God, the ultimate creator. Or, you may be an atheist and see that there is no higher power and that life is merely random. However, we are the universe, we are the ultimate creator here on this earth. The human being is designed to produce. We have two legs, two hands, two arms, we stand upright, we have a brain, and consciousness. Humans have used their ingenuity and wit to create tools, build cities, and civilization itself. We have spread our DNA far and wide throughout the globe, scattering tribes through our various countries.

Our DNA is critical to consider, and the way in which we evolve over time can potentially be jarring considering the way we live these days.

When you look around in the city, don’t you ever notice how people are hunched over, with pale skin?

A lot of people ask me if I was on vacation recently, such as where I was if I was on an island or something, but I just say no, Philly. Who knows, maybe our bodies are becoming so used to the system, indoors, that it’s more difficult for our skin to tan? Is this a genetic thing? I don’t know. All I know is, I’ve been outside all of my life.

Consider the average city dweller, spending 75% of their time inside. This is certainly going to have negative effects on our physiology and our bodies. Sitting down is not healthy. Sitting down is modern-day slavery. However, consider yourself privileged if you are outside, remaining physical. I believe that the new luxury is not sitting on your butt in some loser car, or in some ivory tower, but it’s simply standing upright, in the open and fresh air, under the sun.

The power of the sun is overwhelming to some people. I would say that the majority of people don’t appreciate the sun as much as I do because of the way we’ve been accustomed to the indoors. Most people prefer to be comfortable, inside, and this is simply a byproduct of modernity. Sure, you could say that there has been a heat wave recently, and the summers do feel slightly hotter than before. But, my body is built to adapt to the environment, and so is yours.

Let’s spend the maximum amount of time possible outside, and say no to a life squandered indoors.

Strength in Solitude

Ever since I was a little boy, I would explore in the forest with my bike, or simply go for a hike, building forts with sticks, bridges with stones, sharpening spears with sticks, attempting to hunt deer, fishing, exploring caves, and riding my bike for miles on end towards Valley Forge National Historic Park, where I would spend my summer days alone, exploring the monuments, bunkers, and log cabins. When I was a kid, none of my friends could keep up with me on my bike, and would not want to travel as far as I did, so I would mostly spend my time by myself, biking on my own.

As a Peace Corps volunteer, I spent a year on my own, in the village, surrounded by a community of people that do not speak English. I’ve spent months in Jericho, sleeping on the floors of mosques, with people that do not speak English, alone, and thriving. I’ve never really needed much and could survive and get by each day with just a few scraps of pita bread and hummus or find a family who was willing to share a meal with me.

Even to this day, I thrive on my own, with strength in solitude. I have this call to adventure within me, and most modern people or other people, in general, just hold me back. This is the unfortunate truth, but the times that we live in are softening our men. Yes, I want to remain hard and push forward with strength. But, I’ve never found another person in my entire life with the same drive as I do. It’s just the truth, so I have a tight circle with two friends that I’ve known since I was a little kid, since the days we would explore in the woods together. Those are the only true friends I need; everything else is superfluous. When you are committed to a purpose in life and have a calling to do great things, the modern world just holds you back. There are too many distractions, too many advertisements, too many TV shows, too much social media, too much gossip, too much drama, and too much division.

So, how can we thrive on our own?

Is there a formula to this madness, are there any traits that you must possess? I’d say drive, commitment, resilience, and courage are required to thrive in solitude. To me, it’s bliss. Having zero distractions and zero text messages coming in is heaven on earth to me. If anything, making plans, texting, blah blah blah, it’s all such a waste of time, just meet me at the Eagle. I have zero idea how anybody has the time to chitchat and just sit back and relax. I need to spend every waking moment of my life doing something, making something, or even just thinking about things. Sure, I can shut my mind off, go for a bike ride, or whatever, but I seriously thrive in the chaos of production, with whatever it may be. Whether I’m tending a Japanese tree with my pruners, writing this stupid essay, or making photographs, I love making things.

To thrive on your own, you have to be working on something that’s greater than yourself, striving for something beyond human capability. The best part is, I don’t even care if I ever reach the goals I set. I’m just striving towards the unattainable, the impossible, moving forward, into the unknown. My ultimate goal is to just become one percent more curious each day, to become the best artist that I could possibly be during the short period of time while I am alive. During my lifetime, I will create the archive of my hometown, Philadelphia, that can be referenced for hundreds of years to come. What this means is, I must spend the maximum amount of time alone, working on my craft, and moving towards these seemingly unattainable heights. There is no finish line, there is no end goal, there is just movement, focus, and my body being driven by courage.

I love to start my day off at an elevated vantage point, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where I stand upon a cliff, looking out towards the horizon.

When I have an elevated view, a Panopticon view of the city, where I can see 360° around me, clearly, I feel like I can conquer this world. Perhaps there is no more land for men to conquer, and there is no more need for an Alexander the Great. However, we can conquer within the realm of art and photography, in the digital world, and become the next Diogenes.

Intuition

As a photographer, we must see clearly. What this means is, you should see and predict the patterns in both nature and human behavior before they even happen. You must possess strong visual acuity to things. When I look at the world around me, everything becomes a potential photograph to make. Look at life as the canvas itself, draw upon it. When you sharply attune your vision to the details, life and the mundane become not what it seems, it becomes a dream. Follow that gut feeling, that God-like intuition that we all possess within our souls.

You are your soul. And the things that you put within your body become a reflection of your soul.

So cut through the noise, remove the distractions, stop consuming junk, both physical junk, like food, and metaphorical junk, like media. Turn inwards, into your soul, shed your skin, and become the greatest version of yourself.

The word “bureaucracy” has its origins in the French word “bureau,” which means “desk” or “office,” and the Greek word “kratos,” which means “power” or “rule.” The term was first used in the early 19th century to describe a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Here’s a breakdown of its etymology:

1. Bureau: This part of the word comes from the French term “bureau,” meaning “desk” or “office.” The term itself can be traced back to Old French, where it referred to a type of cloth used to cover desks. Over time, “bureau” came to signify the desk itself and, by extension, the office or the place where administrative work is conducted.
2. -cracy: This suffix comes from the Greek word “kratos,” meaning “power” or “rule.” It is used in English to denote a particular form of government or rule, as seen in words like “democracy” (rule by the people) and “aristocracy” (rule by the nobility).

The combination of these two elements, “bureau” and “-cracy,” thus forms “bureaucracy,” which essentially means “rule by offices” or “government by desk officials.” The term was popularized in the 19th century to describe the increasingly complex administrative systems of government and large organizations.

The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking

“The Bitcoin Standard” by Saifedean Ammous is a comprehensive exploration of Bitcoin’s role as a revolutionary monetary system. It contrasts Bitcoin with historical and contemporary monetary systems, arguing for its superiority based on several key principles.

The History and Evolution of Money

Ammous begins by providing a detailed history of money, from early barter systems to the use of commodities like gold and silver. He emphasizes the attributes of sound money: durability, portability, divisibility, uniformity, limited supply, and acceptability. Throughout history, societies have naturally gravitated towards the most sound forms of money.

Quote: “Money, which evolved as the most marketable commodity in society, served as a tool for the indirect exchange that facilitated trade, investment, and economic calculation.”

The Rise and Fall of Fiat Currency

The book critiques the shift from commodity money to fiat money, which is currency without intrinsic value, established as money by government regulation. Ammous highlights the issues with fiat currencies, such as their susceptibility to inflation and central bank manipulation. He argues that fiat money leads to economic instability and devaluation over time.

Quote: “Fiat money has been a major factor in the growth of government power, contributing to economic cycles of boom and bust.”

The Mechanics of Bitcoin

Ammous explains the technical aspects of Bitcoin, including how it works as a decentralized digital currency using blockchain technology. Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins makes it deflationary by design, contrasting sharply with the inflationary nature of fiat currencies.

Quote: “Bitcoin is the first form of money in history with a fixed supply, making it immune to the inflationary tendencies of human governments.”

Bitcoin as Digital Gold

The book draws parallels between Bitcoin and gold, noting that both possess key attributes of sound money. However, Bitcoin improves on gold by being more easily transferable, divisible, and secure against confiscation.

Quote: “Bitcoin takes the best properties of gold and improves upon them, offering a superior form of money that is digital and decentralized.”

Economic Theories and Bitcoin

Ammous delves into various economic theories, comparing Keynesian and Austrian economics. He argues that Bitcoin aligns more closely with Austrian economics, which advocates for hard money and minimal government intervention in the economy.

Quote: “Bitcoin embodies the principles of Austrian economics, providing a form of money that is resistant to government control and inflationary policies.”

The Future of Bitcoin and Global Finance

The book posits that Bitcoin has the potential to transform global finance by providing a stable, decentralized alternative to fiat currencies. Ammous envisions a world where Bitcoin reduces the power of central banks and governments, leading to more economic freedom and stability.

Quote: “In a world where Bitcoin becomes widely adopted, economic power shifts away from centralized authorities and towards individuals and free markets.”

The Case for Bitcoin

To conclude, Ammous makes a compelling case for Bitcoin as the future of money. He argues that its decentralized nature, fixed supply, and digital attributes make it superior to any form of money that has preceded it. By adopting Bitcoin, individuals and societies can protect themselves against inflation, economic instability, and government overreach.

Quote: “Bitcoin offers an unprecedented opportunity to separate money from state, restoring financial sovereignty to individuals and paving the way for a more prosperous and free society.”

2 liters before you even step outside daily

The word “anachronism” comes from the Greek words “ana-” meaning “against” or “back,” and “chronos” meaning “time.” The term essentially translates to “against time,” reflecting the concept of something being placed in a time period where it does not belong.

The Will to Produce

Make money, but don’t spend it
Conserve your energy, this body isn’t rented

Fat, blood, and the power of the sun
I have the will to produce, but I do not run

I simply march onward, into the unknown
With optimism in my heart and bright light to show

Just avoid the shadow, and never sit still
I don’t need no steroids, I don’t need no pills
My body is the vehicle, and I’m full of will

The Franklinia alatamaha, commonly known as the Franklin tree, is a rare flowering plant in the tea family (Theaceae). It is known for its beautiful, camellia-like white flowers and glossy green leaves that turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall. Here are some key points about the Franklin tree:

1. Discovery and Naming: The Franklin tree was discovered by John and William Bartram along the Altamaha River in Georgia in the 1760s. They named the tree in honor of their friend Benjamin Franklin.
2. Habitat and Extinction in the Wild: The Franklin tree was last observed in the wild in 1803 and is considered extinct in its natural habitat. All known specimens today are descendants of the seeds collected by the Bartrams and propagated in cultivation.
3. Appearance: The Franklin tree can grow to about 10-20 feet tall. It has large, fragrant, white flowers with yellow stamens that bloom in late summer to early fall. Its leaves are dark green, turning to striking fall colors.
4. Cultivation: The Franklin tree is cultivated for ornamental purposes and can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-8. It prefers well-drained, acidic soil and a location with full sun to partial shade. The tree is also known for its sensitivity to soil and moisture conditions, making it somewhat challenging to grow.
5. Significance: The Franklin tree is valued for its historical significance and beauty. It represents a successful conservation effort through cultivation, despite its extinction in the wild.
6. Conservation: Efforts to grow and maintain Franklin trees continue in botanical gardens and arboretums, ensuring that this unique species survives for future generations to appreciate.

The Franklin tree remains a symbol of botanical history and the importance of plant conservation.

Don’t Bleed

Let us not forget that we are currently on a big rock, spinning in the darkness, orbiting around a ball of fire, into the void, the unknown. What am I most grateful for?

The sun.

The body is a battery and the sun is the charger. Anytime I spend in the sun, I can feel my soul increasing in power, with energy, and I feel stronger, faster, and harder. Perhaps this is the ultimate goal of a human being, to evolve? To become harder, faster, stronger?

Blood is Energy

I’m currently walking along the Schuylkill River Trail, with a 40-pound plate carrier by Rogue. The weight of these plates is pushing down on my shoulders, my body, my legs, and my feet, with the Vibram Five Finger ELX barefoot shoes on. My focus every single day is longevity and increasing my physical body’s strength. Walking with this vest on for an hour feels like a great cardio workout, where I can feel my breath rate increase, the blood pumping from my heart and rushing through my body, becoming more vascular, with a low body fat percentage, where you can see the veins coming from my arms. The blood that is pumping throughout my body is distributing oxygen and nutrients to all of my vital organs, providing me with the energy and vitality I need to thrive.

I have the blood of Achilles rushing through my veins.

When I wake up in the morning, I have an insatiable lust for life, a lust for battle. I often wake up with too much energy that I must start exerting immediately, around 4 AM. I slam some espressos, grab my camera, and hit the streets right away. Maybe it’s because I’ve been eating a 100% red meat, carnivore diet for two years now. The iron in red meat is critical for the production of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen and transports it throughout your body. The vitamin B12 found in meat increases the production of red blood cells in my body. If you are deficient in this critical vitamin, you become anemic. Walking around a modern city, observing the physical bodies of other people, it is quite obvious that we are becoming anemic. We have pale skin, hunched backs, and are denying our physical bodies for material wealth. Sitting down for eight hours per day under fluorescent lighting, confined to the box and air conditioning, is certainly no way to live your life. Just think of a mouse and keyboard and the way that we operate technology. To me, if I use a mouse and keyboard for even a half hour to an hour, I can feel the muscles in my arms and hands cramp up. No wonder so many people have hunched backs these days. As much as I believe that technology can improve our everyday lives and help us evolve, becoming faster, stronger, and harder, I also believe that technology can inhibit us, denying our physical bodies.

What is our new goal? To become robust.

Augment Your Body

Fear is what limits us as humans. We have the fear of the future, anxiety about monetary gains and losses, and the unknown, generally. When I was a young boy, I would ride my bike for miles on end, when I was around 11 years old, going 50 miles, 60 miles, on my bike. I’ve always had this call to adventure within me, my physical body, to get me out there in the world. Perhaps the use of a bike is similar to that of being an augmented human. Consider the way that we use vehicles, cars, planes, or even computers. We augment our reality through the technology itself. The simple use of a camera and photographing life provides the user with the ability to create art or even connect with people through FaceTime across the globe. The advancements of technology change the way that we work and do things. My critique of the mayor’s recent decision to send everybody to the office five days per week is that it’s the ultimate denial of human potential. Maybe the city should issue standing desks for every single office building in the city?

Ignore Fear

Fear of the unknown is something that we must set aside.

Think of the TV, the news, the media, and all of the negative things that are portrayed upon the screens these days. I say, this is merely fear, and hatred. The more that we talk about Donald Trump, and how much we hate Donald Trump, how much he is a Nazi, tyrant, etc., the more hate you’re fueling into the mass population of people around us. The more negativity and fear that we promote, the more hateful and negative the people will be. It is inevitable that the media’s reaction to figures in politics influences the energy that is displayed in reality. I see people in the streets constantly protesting things that have nothing to do with our immediate city or Commonwealth. People become so wrapped up in an alternate world, or matrix, that they make rash decisions in the physical flesh. Think of the shooter attempting to assassinate Donald Trump. I think that all of the hatred the media has portrayed of him bubbled up to that moment. Maybe the media? They promoted enough fear and hate that that negative energy manifested in reality.

Swim with the Sharks

During my trip to Belize in Central America, I swam with sharks. My friend and I went snorkeling, and towards the end of the trip, the tour guides gave us pieces of meat and had us jump into the water with sharks and feed them directly in their mouths. This is one of the craziest things I’ve ever done before, as I’ve always been afraid of the ocean since I was a young boy. However, when you set fear aside, and simply move onward, without hesitation, you float through strife and chaos on a feather bed, coming out unscathed, untouched.

Why Shame?

Have you noticed the trend towards the unnatural and the ugly?

During one of my recent trips to Miami, I noticed so many women with Botox, fake lips, injections in their butts, their boobs, etc. The physical bodies of people are starting to evolve in strange and funny ways. But why?

Maybe this is where the advertisements, celebrities, and beauty become distorted through notions of shame? My thought is, we compare ourselves way too much to unrealistic expectations, which then influences people to purchase pharmaceuticals, even partaking in medical procedures that alter their bodies. Think of that new drug or injection thing that apparently helps with weight loss? There are so many ads that I see now for these injections and unnatural things to change our bodies…

What are we to do about this?

I guess we have to just let other people be degenerates. Just don’t pay any attention to it, and just go your own way? I think it’s okay for people to choose what they want to do with their bodies, however, when it comes to the switch of hormones, transgender treatments, these things are not good and will clearly affect the mental health of the patient. If somebody wants to alter their physical appearance, fine, we have the freedom to choose to do whatever we want to do with our bodies, inject steroids, botox, etc. But if you would like to change the physiological makeup of your hormones, and what makes you a male or a female, biologically, thinking of sex, well then maybe this is where we should draw the line?

The Weak Envy the Strong?

If you are physically strong, perhaps it is inevitable that the weak will envy you. When I walk around the streets with my shirt off, short shorts on, and no shoes, people look me up and down, and sometimes try to press me. I’ve had people approach me, and ask if I’m trying to flex on them or something. However, I’m just walking my own way, shining in the sunlight, basking in my own glory. It’s not my fault you’re so weak and ugly?

In Praise of Modernity

We bled George Washington to death.

So when I was a young boy, biking to Valley Forge, I spent time looking at the monuments, the log cabins, and exploring this national historic park. It reminds me of George Washington, his troops, and the Revolutionary War. However, I’m curious about George Washington, being the founding father, the first president of the United States. He was a revolutionary hero, and somebody that I’m inspired by. However, we bled him to death?

Apparently, George Washington was sick with a throat infection, and the treatment that we used was bloodletting. Bloodletting is the process of removing blood from the physical body. We essentially drained him of his physiological energy and killed him. This is not good and certainly reminds me of how grateful I am to be alive during this time, with technological advancements that can enhance the way that we practice surgery.

When I was a volunteer in Zambia, Africa, I witnessed the practice of bloodletting. Because there are not many technological advancements in the field of medicine in these villages, inhabitants often resort to drastic measures. There are many deaths of children, and specifically, a young 11-year-old girl, was sick. Because she was sick, her father decided to practice bloodletting, cutting her body throughout her arms, face, legs, removing all the blood from her body. She had blood in her eyes, and eventually died.

In Belize, I saw the remnants of sacrifice.

During my trip to Belize in Central America, I went on a tour throughout the caves, where the Mayans practiced sacrifices of babies. They would kill the babies, drain their blood, cutting their bodies, and leave the skulls along the walls of the caves. I remember seeing these skulls, rowing through the cave on a river with a small boat, looking at the looming shadows, casting on the walls in the dark and eerie place.

Go Against the Grain

Over time, humans have learned to fly planes. Every time I step foot on a plane and travel to a new place, I’m always astonished by this phenomenon. I always remind myself, I’m currently flying through time and space right now, essentially teleporting to a new world. It’s one of the most amazing technological advancements in human history. When I was in Miami recently, I saw robot dogs delivering food.

Apparently, people kiss their dogs? This is really gross.

Also, consider waking up in the morning, and checking Instagram. This is the equivalent of pooping, wiping, and smearing it all over the place and on your face? Do you want poop on your face? No, delete your Instagram.

Anyway, what is the function of a small business these days?

Every time I visit Barnes & Noble to browse the books, I check the price on Amazon, and it’s always 50% cheaper. Maybe we should just go to the library for books? Information should be free.

During a recent trip to the bank, I deposited a check. This process took such a long time. It reminded me of why I love mobile banking, and can simply scan a check, this piece of paper, and have it directly deposited into my account. It’s way faster, requires less effort, and no interaction with another human being, or an intermediary. The problem with the bankers, and the tellers, specifically, is that they just ask you to sign up for a survey? They always make you go on your email, sign some survey, and even upon having a further conversation with them, I learned that the bank teller has to work two jobs. After her shift on a Friday night, she said that she was going to work until 3 AM at another gig. This is crazy, how can you be a banker, working two jobs, just to get by? Maybe she really is dedicated to enhancing her career, but to me, this is alarming. If a banker has to work two jobs just to get by, and can’t just relax on her Friday night, what does this mean?

Bureaucratic systems provide so much friction in life.

To be honest, these bureaucratic systems we put in place, whether it’s waiting in line for the bank teller, or at the DMV, provide so much friction in life. It’s such a slow and grueling process that nobody enjoys. Perhaps we must go faster, stronger, and harder with these systems that we create. So what is the solution? What technology can we use to enhance the way that we make payments, and conserve our economic energy?

We currently rely on paper, fiat currency, that is printed by the government at an unlimited rate. It is inevitable that we will see inflation, just check the prices of any house these days, it’s completely unattainable to afford. So what if we don’t spend our money, desire to conserve our energy, and not drain our blood?

Conserve Energy

Let’s think more about energy and how we can conserve it. One simple solution is increasing the amount of fat and protein that you eat. By eating more red meat and fatty red meat, we increase our energy. Stop thinking about calories, but consider fat as stored energy. Technically a person with a high body fat percentage can go a long period of time without food. Maybe we too should fast, just skip breakfast and lunch, and eat one massive meal before you go to sleep. Anytime I eat throughout the day, especially in the morning, or too early, you can feel your energy depleting, you become sluggish, with brain fog. Let’s increase the amount of time we spend in bed, sleeping, and just get to bed as early as possible.

SEAP (Sleep Early As Possible)

Let’s try to sleep for at least eight hours per night, so that we can wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy. Let’s spend more time moving and not sit still, stagnant, denying our physical bodies. If somebody tells you to sit down and take orders, just say no. Now, which path in life will you find yourself on?

In terms of economic energy, money, just don’t spend it. Only purchase the bare necessities, such as meat, salt, and rent. The only other things that man really needs are an iPad and Ricoh GR, to give life deeper meaning through the creation of art, and perhaps some weightlifting equipment, such as a weighted vest and barefoot shoes.

Consider evolution, increasing your power, and conserving your energy more. As a photographer, this starts from the ground up, from your feet, your legs, your posture. By focusing on strength, we can increase the strength of our photographs. The stronger you are physically, the more confident you are in your ability to move, explore, and create.

Remember that the sun is the ultimate source of energy.

By increasing the amount of sunlight that you absorb in the day, you store more energy in your body, similar to that of a plant. Let’s evolve, making our bodies formidable, faster, harder, and stronger.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dante-sisofo/embed/episodes/On-the-street-e2m2ijn/a-abeeajl