Friedrich Nietzsche had a complex and often critical view of consciousness. He saw it as a superficial aspect of human experience, arguing that much of our mental life is unconscious and that consciousness often serves more as a tool for communication and survival within society than for deeper understanding or truth. Nietzsche believed that consciousness is a product of social necessity rather than an intrinsic part of the human mind, suggesting that much of what drives human behavior is rooted in unconscious instincts and drives. He also argued that overemphasis on rationality and consciousness could suppress these deeper, more authentic aspects of human nature.
During my service in the Peace Corps, I worked as a rural aquaculture promotion specialist and lived among the Bemba tribe. One of the greatest things I learned from this experience was the hierarchy that exists within a flourishing society.
God, Tribe, and Land
I was born and raised Roman Catholic, attending a Catholic school from pre-K to grade 8. I absolutely loved this experience and believe that those childhood lessons, teachings, and experiences in church—learning about Jesus, science, and history—shape the way I perceive the world to this day. In the morning, we gathered as a class and recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by prayer. There’s something about the way in which a community comes together under God and a nation that promotes human thriving. Even when I think of my time in the church, singing as a class, learning musical instruments, and acting in dramas during Christmas—reenacting the story of Jesus’ birth—I see how community brings people together and keeps families connected, as we recall the stories that shape our reality to this day.
In the village, there’s a hierarchy within the family. The mother comes home with babies on her back, firewood on her head, while the father builds homes and churches, the boys make bricks with sand and mud, and the girls sweep the floors and prepare food for the day. At the center of the village, there is a church. Within that church is an altar, where sacrifices are made, reminding us of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. When I consider Jesus and his teachings, I see him as a hero—the ideal human—at the center of a community, who everyone strives to emulate to the best of their ability. There is a blueprint, a place to start, a person to strive to become.
Perhaps here in the modern world, in cities like Philadelphia, these places of sacrifice, community, where a tribe can come together under God to strive towards an ideal self, are lacking.
Water, Architecture, and Sculpture
I start every morning by the water, specifically the Schuylkill River. Schuylkill means “hidden creek” or “hidden river,” and it’s where the Lenape tribe went to drink in Manayunk, where I grew up with the Wissahickon forest as my backyard. I remember being a young boy, exploring the forest—the unknown—building teepees with sticks, sharpening spears, attempting to hunt deer, building bridges with stones, fishing, and even carving my own paths and trails. We would explore caves, climb trees, and I remember discovering a totem pole in the forest after a long hike up a mountain—a monument to the Lenape tribe. The teachings I learned from Catholic school about Native Americans and these tribes sparked my curiosity and had me unconsciously emulating their lifestyle at a young age.
I remember my time in the village in Zambia, gathering as a tribe at the well, drawing water, carrying buckets on my head, boiling the water, filtering it through a gravity filter, adding iodine, and then finally being able to drink it. I learned how critical water is to keep a community thriving with vitality. Here in Philadelphia, all I need to do is turn on my tap, and I have clean drinking water available instantaneously. There’s a lot of trust involved in a community at scale, like the city of Philadelphia, to keep the water running, to keep it clean, and to keep people thriving. At the center of Philadelphia, we have the largest municipal building in the country—City Hall. Initially, there was a water pump located here in the center of town, and it reminds me that water is the first thing that a community needs to form cohesion and flourish.
City Hall never ceases to uplift my spirit, my vitality, my lust for life. Every single day, I walk through the tunnels of City Hall and revel in its beauty—the way this building defies gravity, filled with endless sculptures, ornaments, detail, columns, and tunnels that showcase grandeur and achievement. For me, City Hall in Philadelphia is one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements here in the United States. Nearby, the Wanamaker Building contains the world’s largest playing pipe organ, which sounds every day at 12:00 and 5:30 (except Sunday). To me, this is also one of the greatest art forms humans have ever achieved. When you stand in the center of the building, with its tall, looming, high ceilings, and listen to the sounds of the organ—music that fills your soul, makes you feel powerful, uplifts you, and transcends you to a new place—it’s the apex of beauty. It reminds me of my time in Rome, exploring the various basilicas and Catholic churches, filled with the sounds of Gregorian chants, men and women singing in Latin, while looking at the paintings of Caravaggio.
I’m starting to think that the Baroque period produced some of my favorite works of art—like the paintings of Caravaggio and the biblical stories depicted in them. They are dramatic, aesthetically beautiful, with high contrast—I can’t help but feel something when gazing at them.
Is this the ultimate goal of art? To make the viewer feel something, to evoke an awe-inspiring sensation that uplifts the human spirit and transcends you to a new height? I think so.
I remember visiting the Trevi Fountain since I was a young boy, around five years old—a tradition of mine every few years. The Baroque sculptures that surround the fountain are larger than life itself. One sculpture in particular—Oceanus, the god of water, who personifies the vast ocean in Greek mythology—is depicted sitting on top of a shell chariot, being pulled by two seahorses.
There’s something about the hero, the myth, and the stories that shape our reality. Some of the most uplifting sculptures I find in my hometown of Philadelphia depict great men like George Washington on horseback, charging into battle. The hero, the myth, the legend—the stories of these men inspire the community to strive to become something more.
Trust Your Intuition
I’ve always been a curious person, a creator—someone who likes to tinker and make things. As a young boy, I enjoyed opening my Nerf guns, modifying them, painting them, removing the air restrictors, opening up the bladders to allow the guns to shoot further and increase the airflow of the darts. I also jailbroke iPod Touches, allowing all the students in my eighth-grade class to access software that could allow them to customize, download, and enjoy their iPods to the fullest.
Some of the earliest artwork I remember creating, back in kindergarten, was of battle. I would create these large-scale drawings of battle scenes, with mere stick figures, all across my notebook during class. After class, when I returned home, I’d play with my toy warriors—figures I bought in Piazza Navona in Rome—depicting heroes on horseback, gladiators, and crusaders at battle. I would position the figures in particular ways all across my floor, at different vantage points, heights, and elevations, showcasing stories as I narrated them, giving life to these inanimate things. Imaginative, creative spirit was within me then, and it has never left me.
Last year, I began to dream. I don’t mean dreaming of vast goals I wanted to achieve in life—those are good, and we should all have them—I mean real, vivid dreams during deep sleep. The first dream I remember was extremely primal. I was lying on my back in a snowy place, presumably Antarctica. I looked up and saw an eclipse. I gazed downwards and saw a man lying in the snow next to me. As I turned to my right, mammoths began to charge towards me, and I woke up.
On Easter Sunday in 2023, I finally went back to church after a very long hiatus—over a decade. At the end of Mass, we began saying a prayer that was unfamiliar to me—a prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel. This prayer invigorated me and filled me with a vitality I’d never felt before. The Archangel is the leader of God’s army, and in the prayer, we ask him to defend us in battle. At that moment, it felt like a prayer for wartime.
Something in my intuition led me back to Rome. I was working as a photographer for the city and felt unfulfilled, as the work I was creating felt meaningless. I quit the job and went straight to Rome. I began visiting the castle outside the Vatican, attempting to learn the prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, whose sculpture stands at the top of the castle. He looks graceful, with a sword in hand, thrusting the devil downwards. During a day trip to Paris to practice street photography, I had a vivid dream of a double rainbow that appeared in the sky, transformed into a clouded dragon, chased me, and then disappeared. The next day, as I wandered through the streets of Paris, I discovered a sculpture of Saint Michael the Archangel surrounded by two dragons. As I looked up at the sculpture, this hero, so graceful and beautiful, I saw a rainbow in the sky directly above him.
I had no clue what these dragons represented, nor did I know much about Saint Michael, so I called my godmother, who had been a nun for 40 years. I asked her about the dream, curious about the dragon, Saint Michael, and the rainbow. She told me that in the Book of Revelation, Saint Michael fights against the dragon, who represents Satan, in the final battle.
“And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.” (Revelation 10:1)
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:7-9, KJV)
My godmother told me that this was a wink from God, as the correlation between my dream and what was embodied in reality the next day is quite miraculous.
I followed my intuition, trusted it, and the road led me to Rome. During these past 18 months, I know that I found God, reached the height of my spiritual journey, and understand the role that each individual plays within this cosmic drama of life. We are all significant players upon this stage that is the world. While this modern world distracts us, removes us from any real sense of community and tribe under God, I believe that we can connect with the divine through our Godlike intuition.
I must start each day on top of a mountain. This is nonnegotiable for my daily routine at this point. I revisit the same mundane lane every single day along the Schuylkill River. I do this because I am filled with abundance and gratitude. Think of a video game and how if you die in the game, you are given another chance, another opportunity to respawn. If you detach yourself from this notion, and simply assume that every morning, when you wake up, that you may not respawn, you will be filled with grateful and blissful sensations for the simple pleasures in life, such as sunlight, walking, and water.
We fuel our minds with so much junk. We often watch television shows that distract us, consume news, and media that fill us with fear. I say, disappear. Go off the grid, and live in the present moment, championing this moment, right here, right now, as the only thing that truly matters. Each step you take, you are moving into the future, and letting go of the past.
Fearlessness
I remember in my childhood, I spent a lot of time skateboarding. My brother and I learned to skateboard at FDR Park. One of the first times I skated at this park, I remember seeing this one intrepid guy attempting a stunt on one of the biggest ramps that almost reached the height of the ceiling, which was essentially just a highway, I-95. Once he got about halfway up the ramp, he fell backwards and slammed his head. The gushing blood of the scene was a disaster, but the skaters gathered and encouraged him to get back up, called for help, and used the nearby ice cream truck to provide him with ice to heal his wound and stop the blood from gushing. This man, attempting such a bold stunt, that could seemingly lead to death, requires courageousness, dangerousness, and fearlessness that goes beyond the fear of death. This man had no fear, not even fear of the pain associated with his fall. I feel as though this is the fearlessness we need to go forward in life with, similar to that of a skateboarder attempting great stunts—to be dangerous.
Faith and Courage
There are no atheists in a foxhole.
When I consider the story of David and Goliath, fought at the Valley of Elah, I am reminded of my time in Israel. I remember looking out at this valley and exploring some nearby caves, discovering ancient pieces of pots from the Bronze Age. When David stepped onto the battlefield, this small boy, he armored himself with God and fueled himself with courage, or heart. He wound up defeating this big opponent, through the act of courage, killing Goliath with the precision of a headshot.
The combination of faith and courage is what carried David through the chaos, into the unknown, leaving him unscathed, almost as though he went into battle, and came out on a featherbed.
Godlike Intuition
The more I contemplate fasting, I truly believe it does get you closer to God. By remaining in a fasted state, you have a clear connection between your mind and your body. Perhaps your body is your soul, and keeping it clean, through the absence of food, digesting through your system, especially these new, modern, poisonous chemicals that can be found in most of the junk these days from a grocery store, sets you apart from the masses. Just think, we have been programmed to eat three meals a day since we were born. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner—the staple diet of Americans. We wake up, slap cream cheese on bagels, eat pastries, breads, and lead ourselves into obesity. However, fat is energy. Recognize that when you eat red, fatty meat, you are fueling your body with the nutrients that it needs. If you eat the proper foods, you will not need to eat the next day, until the end of the day.
I participated in Eid al-Adha, the day of sacrifice, a Muslim holiday while living amongst a Palestinian family in Jericho. When I was in Jericho, I witnessed the sacrifice of hundreds of sheep, making the streets of Jericho a bloody mess. Everybody gathers to feast in the evenings after fasting all day. This was one of the most biblical things I remember witnessing in life—this ancient tradition, with its roots found in the book of Genesis of the Old Testament, upheld to this day.
You must make sacrifices in order to see results. By fasting, not only will you increase your intuition, by having this clear, sharp connection between your body and your mind, I also believe that you will become the strongest and most beautiful version of yourself. I believe that there is a reason why they say that we are created in the image of God. Perhaps to be created in the image of God is to strip yourself back down to the bare bones, the basic, the empty, the absent.
The more empty you become, the more Godlike you are and will be. However, when you fill your belly with poison, you poison your soul, you make yourself ugly, and you stray further and further away from the most beautiful version of yourself.
Think of Kellogg’s corporation and many of these ultra-processed food corporations that keep our population sick. These foods, sodas, and sugary things keep our population obese, our bodies in decay, and remain addicted consumers.
Freedom is a Mindset
As I stand on top of the cliff, behind the art museum, looking beyond the horizon, I remind myself that this world is open, endless, and that there is so much to do, see, and explore. This abundant feeling comes through my mind, by championing mankind, and recalling the experiences and memories I’ve had along my journey. I feel as though this life, this world, is worth living in, championing, and elevating to a new height.
Physically, I believe freedom is in the outdoors. I remember during my public school experience here in Philadelphia, it felt like a prison. I was not allowed outside and was forced indoors for eight hours in the day. You had to enter the school through an x-ray machine, and security guarded the hall, and the doors were locked. You’re forced to sit down in a classroom, memorize information, listen to the bell, and regurgitate it in the next class. Because of this, I felt the need to escape, to find a way out, and explore the neighborhood nearby. I knew from that experience in high school, was setting me up to be a slave. Perhaps public school has set up the majority of our population to be busy, worker bees, stuck in school forever. Don’t you see those people walking around the city with backpacks on? It’s like they’re still in school! Perhaps they feel content, but I seek to go beyond, and feel exuberant. I need to have my body in motion, unconfined to boxes, cubicles, or an office building. I need to be outside the box, off the grid, moving physically through the world. You can’t get me to sit down. You can’t get me to stay trapped indoors. If you’re looking for freedom, I highly suggest that you design your life to be maximally spent outdoors.
Break Societal Norms
In this modern world, we often conform to traditional ways of living. When somebody acts differently, behaves independently, they are often stared at, mocked, or laughed at, seen as crazy, and weird. I think that being weird, or being seemingly perceived as weird, or crazy, is the best place to be in this modern world. Just because everybody else goes out to the club, parties at the bar, drinks, does endless drugs, watches stupid TV shows, uses dating apps, gets tattoos, buys cool shoes, doesn’t mean that you have to.
Think of a video game character, when you craft him in the beginning of the game, like Skyrim, where you’re looking at the naked man, giving him armor, facial hair, setting his size, putting on shoes, changing the color of his skin, the shape of his eyes, eyebrows, nose, etc. Maybe we must go back to the default, the beginning, carte blanche, and build our character again. Rethink any behavior patterns that you deem to be questionable, recalibrate your mind, free yourself of societal norms, and strip yourself down to the naked, the bare bones, and create a new hero character.
We are what we are not.
There is an art to subtraction. Cut more things out of your life. Cut more people out of your life. Keep your circle small. Only do things that you deem to be worthy of your time. Don’t squander your time chasing fame, walking the same way, and doing the same things as everyone else. Find your own way out. Find your own path.
How to Thrive Alone
If you are looking to thrive alone, pick up a camera and go. The camera is the passport that will lead you to an endless amount of experiences here in life. I have everything to give to photography, all praises to cameras, art, and technology. For with this tool in my hand, I am unstoppable. I have an endless sea of memories, artwork, and experiences that I can leave behind. And the best part
What’s popping, people? It’s Dante, walking down Market Street here in Philadelphia with my trusty Ricoh GR3. Today, I want to share some thoughts and advice on street photography—a practice that’s been near and dear to my heart for over a decade.
The Street as Your Stage
Street photography, for me, is a reflection of courage, curiosity, and an insatiable lust for life. The street is a canvas, a stage where spontaneous moments unfold. As a street photographer, you’re both the conductor and the actor, participating in the grand drama of life.
“The street becomes a canvas, the stage of life where you are both the conductor and participant.”
Embrace the Flow
When you’re out on the street, don’t rush. Walk slowly, let life flow towards you, and don’t get bogged down by the idea of what makes a “good” photograph. Detach yourself from the outcome. The goal is simple: stop thinking and just shoot.
“Detach from the outcome. The goal is not perfection but the act of creation itself.”
Gear: Keep It Simple
I’m a firm believer in keeping things simple. The Ricoh GR3 is my weapon of choice. Its compact size allows me to carry it everywhere, eliminating any excuse to miss a shot. The camera should be an extension of you—your eye, your hand, your mind.
“Make the camera your slave, not the other way around.”
Technique: Follow Your Intuition
Forget about fiddling with settings. Set your camera to P mode or AV mode, use snap focus, and let your intuition guide you. Your job as a photographer is to position yourself on the front lines of life, both physically and emotionally.
“Set your body in motion, and your motivation will follow.”
Street Photography as a Physical Pleasure
Street photography isn’t just a visual game; it’s a physical pleasure. As you walk and explore, the world delivers beauty to you. Failures will outnumber successes, but those fleeting moments of success make it all worthwhile.
“Through trial and error, we articulate chaos and bring order to the streets.”
Practical Tips
Use a wrist strap for quick transitions between horizontal and vertical shots.
Rely on the LCD screen for a more fluid and liberating framing experience.
Shoot Loosely. Let the camera become an extension of your intuition.
“Wield your camera like a sword, striking through the heart of chaos.”
The Endless Goal
There are no hard rules in street photography. The goal is to increase your curiosity by even the smallest margin each day. By staying curious and embracing the spontaneous nature of life, you’ve already won.
“If you’re on the front lines of life, curious and courageous, you’ve already succeeded.”
Let the chips fall where they may, and embrace the spirit of play. Street photography is a journey, not a destination.
Any time spent indoors is a bore. You’re either outside or your soul will just slowly die.
There’s only two good reasons to be inside:
Eating
Sleeping
Everything else should be outdoors, under the sun. I find it amusing when people tell me that I look so tan and question how it’s possible while living in Philadelphia and not by a beach. What are you doing inside of your cave? Go outside, and follow the light.
Perhaps it is your lust for life that determines the result of your photographs. While courage is at the forefront, if you have no lust for life, why would you even dare to enter the arena?
I haven’t missed a sunrise for nearly 2 years now. I’ve been waking up around 4 AM every day, lusting for life. I found this in the abundance of energy through simple acts of fasting, (one meal a day) sun exposure, walking, and eating nutrient dense foods, such as red meat.
Sunlight is energy
I believe our bodies are like batteries that must be charged. The Sun is the ultimate charger. The more time I spend in the sun, the more energy I have.
Sleep like a king
When you fast all day, and wait until the end of the day to feast, I always go to sleep right after. I just eat right before bed, until my belly is full, and shut my eyes around 8pm, and enter blissful state.
Don’t eat, feast.
Humans are funny creatures of habit. Somehow we have all been programmed to eat three square meals a day, with a balanced diet. I believe everyone can choose how to live their lives, but I personally realized that it’s completely unnecessary and drains your battery. Eating red meat is the quickest way to increase your energy levels and fuel up for the next day. Just wait until the end of the day and feast as much as your body can take. Wait until you’re full, and stop eating.
The story of Moses freeing the slaves, known as the Exodus, is one of the central narratives in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Exodus. Here’s a summary of the key events:
Background
The Israelites had been living in Egypt for several generations and had become enslaved by the Egyptians. Their numbers had grown significantly, and the Pharaoh, fearing their power, subjected them to harsh labor and decreed the death of all newborn Hebrew boys.
The Birth of Moses
Moses was born to a Hebrew family during this period of oppression. To save him from Pharaoh’s decree, his mother placed him in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile River. He was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, who raised him as her own in the Egyptian palace.
Moses’ Call
As an adult, Moses became aware of his Hebrew heritage. After killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, Moses fled to the desert of Midian, where he became a shepherd. One day, God spoke to him from a burning bush on Mount Sinai, commanding him to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites to freedom.
The Plagues
Moses returned to Egypt and, with his brother Aaron, demanded that Pharaoh release the Israelites. Pharaoh refused, so God sent a series of ten plagues upon Egypt:
Water turned to blood
Frogs
Lice or gnats
Flies
Livestock pestilence
Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of the firstborn
After the final plague, which took the life of Pharaoh’s own son, Pharaoh relented and allowed the Israelites to leave.
The Exodus
The Israelites departed in haste, not even allowing their bread to rise, which is commemorated in the Jewish festival of Passover. They journeyed towards the Red Sea, but Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them with his army.
Crossing the Red Sea
Trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the sea, the Israelites despaired. But Moses, following God’s instructions, stretched out his staff over the waters, which miraculously parted, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. When the Egyptian army attempted to follow, the waters returned, drowning them.
The Journey to Sinai
The Israelites continued their journey through the desert, where they faced numerous challenges, including a lack of food and water. Each time, God provided for them, sending manna from heaven and water from a rock. They eventually reached Mount Sinai, where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and established a covenant with the Israelites.
Significance
The story of Moses and the Exodus is a foundational narrative for Judaism, symbolizing liberation from oppression and the establishment of a covenant with God. It also holds significance in Christianity and Islam, which also regard Moses as a prophet and leader. The themes of freedom, faith, and divine intervention continue to resonate across these faiths and beyond.
A mulberry is a type of fruit produced by trees belonging to the genus Morus. Here are some key points about mulberries:
Tree Description: Mulberry trees are deciduous and can grow to various heights depending on the species. They have broad, often lobed leaves and produce small, sweet fruit that resembles blackberries.
Fruit Description: The fruit can be black, red, or white, depending on the species. Mulberries are usually sweet and slightly tart and are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Species: The most common species include:
Morus nigra (black mulberry)
Morus alba (white mulberry)
Morus rubra (red mulberry)
Uses: Mulberries can be eaten fresh, dried, or used in jams, jellies, wines, and desserts. They are also used in traditional medicine for various health benefits, including their antioxidant properties.
Cultivation: Mulberry trees are hardy and can grow in a variety of soil types. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Silk Production: White mulberry leaves are the primary food source for silkworms, making them essential in the silk production industry.
Distribution: Mulberries are native to warm temperate and subtropical regions of the world but have been widely cultivated and naturalized in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America.
Would you like more information on a specific aspect of mulberries?
Yes, what is their significance in philadelphia
Mulberries have a historical and ecological significance in Philadelphia. Here are some key points:
Historical Significance:
Colonial Times: Mulberry trees were introduced to Philadelphia and other parts of the American colonies during the colonial period. They were primarily planted for their leaves, which were used to feed silkworms in an attempt to establish a local silk industry. While the industry did not thrive as hoped, mulberry trees became a common sight.
Urban Planting: In the 18th and 19th centuries, mulberry trees were often planted along streets and in gardens. They were valued for their shade and the sweet fruit they produced.
Ecological Significance:
Wildlife Habitat: Mulberry trees provide a vital food source for various bird species and other wildlife in urban environments like Philadelphia. The fruit attracts many birds, which help in seed dispersal.
Urban Greenery: Mulberry trees contribute to the urban green canopy, providing shade, reducing the urban heat island effect, and improving air quality. Their presence in parks and along streets enhances the ecological diversity of the city.
Cultural Significance:
Culinary Use: Mulberries can be found in local markets and are used in various culinary applications, including jams, pies, and beverages. They are part of the local food culture, especially among those who forage for wild fruits.
Community Gardens: In recent years, mulberry trees have been planted in community gardens and urban farms across Philadelphia. These initiatives aim to promote local food production and sustainable urban living.
Educational Value:
Botanical Education: Mulberry trees are often included in educational programs at botanical gardens and arboretums in Philadelphia. They serve as examples of historically significant and ecologically important urban trees.
Conservation Efforts: Efforts to preserve and plant mulberry trees are part of broader urban forestry and conservation programs in the city, highlighting their importance in maintaining biodiversity and ecological health.
Overall, mulberries in Philadelphia represent a blend of historical legacy, ecological importance, and cultural relevance, making them a notable part of the city’s natural heritage.
