Water and Vitality

Every morning, I make a walk towards the waterworks here in Philadelphia. Yesterday, I learned that City Hall was the original location of our water pump before the municipal building was constructed.

Why?

Water is the ultimate source of vitality and the first thing that a community needs in order to thrive.

Don’t Poison the Well

One sick and scary thought I have is that if somebody wanted to destroy a community, a city, or even a country, all you would have to do is poison the well, the water source.

I’m reminded of my time in Zambia, Africa as a volunteer. I would draw my water from a well every day, boil the water, add iodine, put it through a gravity filter, and then safely consume it. Here in the West, in America, Philadelphia, I have the privilege of turning the tap on, and I have clean, running water. This is probably one of the greatest features of living in an advanced city with modern technology.

Some families in the village have around ten children per household, so you can imagine the number of buckets that people must travel with to the well and back to their homes. Some people spend the entire day transporting water back and forth as they live extremely far away from the well itself. Needless to say, the accessibility of water is a vital role in a flourishing society and a symbol of prosperity and wealth.

Think of Rome and the implementation of the aqueduct. Some of these aqueducts are being used to this day, one in particular being the source of water that is displayed at the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain showcases a plethora of baroque-style architecture and sculpture.

A statue of Oceanus, the god of water, stands in the background of the fountain. The sculpture of Abundance is directly next to it, depicted holding a cornucopia, a symbol of prosperity and wealth. The Trevi Fountain is a location that I’ve been visiting since I was a little boy, around six or seven years old. I remember visiting this fountain, and throwing a coin over my left shoulder, making a wish. There’s something special about myth, folklore, and stories that shape our reality.

Become a Savage

When I consider the myth of Rome and how it was founded by Remus and Romulus, being raised by a she-wolf, La Lupa, I become invigorated. There’s something about this story and the way in which the two boys were raised by a wolf, in the wild, in the unknown, that inspires me. Think of the wolf, this fierce predator, where when it slays its prey, the first thing that it eats is the liver from the animals.

Why?

Liver is the most nutrient-dense food that we can consume.

Also, when Prometheus decided to steal the fire from the gods at Mount Olympus and give it to humans to create technology and civilization, he was punished—tied to a rock, having vultures come and eat at his liver over and over again. He was immortal and would inevitably feel pain forever, unless Hercules, the hero, did not come and save him.

During my time living in Palestine, I remember Eid Al Adha, the day of sacrifice. Hundreds of sheep, goats, and cows were slaughtered throughout the streets of Jericho, the stench of blood filled the atmosphere for around a week straight.

When I was a volunteer, I was greeted with a goat hanging from a tree when I met my host family for the first time. This was the ultimate symbol of respect, as I was handed a knife to slaughter the goat, and we feasted all day and week. I’ll never forget riding my bike to farmers, purchasing live chickens, slaughtering them, plucking the feathers, cutting it into pieces, and preparing food directly from the source. I’ve never tasted chicken so good in my life, which is funny because I never eat chicken here in the States, as I believe it tastes disgusting.

Consider the human being, as the apex predator in the world, life, the animal kingdom, and nature itself. We kill the animals, we make the sacrifice, and we increase our power. This increase of power that you feel from consuming the flesh of other animals will satiate you and fuel you with strength, unlike any other food group, such as fruits and vegetables.

Why, in the food pyramid, is red meat painted in a bad light, telling us to eat it sparingly?

Perhaps this is one of the greatest flaws of modern life here in the West, and is the reason why we have such an increase in obesity. We have been sold a lie that red meat is bad for you and that you must watch your cholesterol.

Why?

My theory is that maybe the less red meat you eat, the hungrier you become, leading you to purchase goods from these large corporations, such as General Mills, fueling yourself on carbs, protein bars, cereals, grains, starches, and other things that have addictive qualities. Eating these other food groups merely makes you a consumer, fueling the economy, making more purchases, buying things you don’t need, and fueling your body with subpar energy.

Consider fat as energy.

Apparently, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert. If you have 60 pounds of fat, this technically means that you could go 30 days without food. I’m not saying that you should do this, as it could definitely lead to a lot of problems, but it’s just a fun thought experiment. When you consider fat as energy, and the way that it is stored within your body, things start to make more sense. You often hear these notions of calories in, calories out. I believe that these notions are scams, as people love to go for these long runs, in hopes to burn calories, and then go back home and eat. This approach to health is an endless loop, a hamster wheel, leading you to no results. We should stop considering calories, weight, and focus on fat more. The goal for you is to lose fat, not weight. However, eating protein and fat satiates you and keeps you strong and powerful. The more red meat you eat, the more energy you will have.

Gear Obsession

What is the #1 mistake 99% of photographers make?

Gear obsession.

I believe this is the leading contribution to the decline of great photographers, especially in street photography, where people constantly obsess about the gear to use, or choose to take out. This is what’s going to hold the majority of people back from ever improving and becoming the best version of themselves.

My biggest advice for any photographer is to simply purchase a Ricoh GRIII or Ricoh GRIIIx and just stick to the best. Especially if you want to become prolific and simply make more pictures. There really is no better option than a compact digital camera. I think Fujifilm is good too, and I had positive experiences using a Leica M3 film camera. The problem with film is that it is insanely slow and not worth the hassle in 2024. The beauty of the Ricoh is that it’s so small, where you can simply throw it in your front right pocket. This is the goal, to feel as though you have no camera on you.

The Ricoh becomes the closest thing to not having a camera—the closest thing to having an extension of your body and your eyes.

Society and Beauty

Is man permitted to be excellent?

My thought is that in a world that promotes equality, mediocrity will be the ultimate result. If everybody is mediocre, this is no world that I desire to live in. However, the antidote is to strive to become the hero, to become excellent. Think of the Greek Olympic Games, and the physical excellence that was on display. This is something that we should try to aspire to be like—the ancient Greek heroes who strove for excellence—which becomes the ultimate antidote to weakness in this modern world.

My other thought is in regards to beauty, and surrounding yourself with it. I believe that nature is the apex of beauty, as it is God’s creation. When it comes to man’s creations, you can find beauty in architecture and sculpture. My thought is, anything that you find outside, in public works of art, becomes the most beautiful. Think of City Hall, standing so tall. Just wake up early, and watch as the sun kisses the columns upon the tower as the sun rises. The sculptures, detail, and tunnels never cease to amaze me.

However, human beings are funny creatures. Just this morning, the first thing I witnessed while waking up was a woman, a grown adult, pulling her pants down under a street light as I walked by, and she clearly saw me, peeing into a sewer. Yesterday, as I walked on Market Street, a young woman, seemingly in high school, threw a Dunkin’ Donuts wrapper from her doughnut up into the air, and it gracefully landed at my feet. She had no care for the streets, the workers, or respect for her environment or city. I’m not too sure how these people are being raised these days, but they are certainly lacking any sort of respect and appreciation for beauty. I believe the best thing that we can do is simply ignore these people, don’t react, respond, pick the trash up, and move on. We are on the path towards mediocrity, but keep striving to go beyond equality by striving for excellence and transcendence.

I make more photos before the sun rises and people wake up than most people do in a single week.

Gear obsession.

I believe this is the leading contribution to the decline of great photographers, especially in street photography, where people constantly obsess about the gear to use, or choose to take out. This is what’s going to hold the majority people back from ever improving, and becoming the best version of themselves.

A Greek temple?

The Fairmount Water Works, located on the east bank of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, is a historic waterworks facility that began operations in 1815. It was designed by engineer Frederick Graff and became an essential part of Philadelphia’s water supply system, utilizing steam engines and water wheels to pump water into the city oai_citation:1,Fairmount Water Works – Philadelphia Beautiful oai_citation:2,About Us – Fairmount Water Works.

The facility is known for its distinctive architectural style, which resembles a Greek temple. This Classical Revival design was chosen to reflect the values of the early 19th century, emphasizing beauty, symmetry, and grandeur. The Greek temple aesthetic was intended to convey the importance of the public utility and to integrate the industrial site harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape oai_citation:3,Fairmount Water Works – Wikipedia oai_citation:4,Water Works | Visit Philadelphia.

The waterworks complex includes several buildings, such as the mill house and the engine house, all featuring classical elements like columns and pediments. This design choice helped elevate the public perception of the waterworks from a purely functional facility to a celebrated architectural and civic landmark oai_citation:5,Fairmount Water Works – Philadelphia Beautiful oai_citation:6,Water Works | Visit Philadelphia.

Today, the Fairmount Water Works serves as an interpretive center, providing educational programs and exhibits about the history of the waterworks, water conservation, and the local watershed. It is also a National Historic Landmark, recognized for its engineering significance and its role in the development of Philadelphia’s water infrastructure oai_citation:7,Plan Your Visit – Fairmount Water Works oai_citation:8,Fairmount Water Works – Wikipedia oai_citation:9,About Us – Fairmount Water Works.

For more details, you can visit the official website of the Fairmount Water Works here oai_citation:10,Plan Your Visit – Fairmount Water Works.

before city hall

a city needs water first

Yes, the Fairmount Water Works was created before Philadelphia’s City Hall, primarily to address the city’s critical need for a reliable and clean water supply, which was essential for the health and development of the growing urban population.

The Fairmount Water Works began operations in 1815, designed by Frederick Graff. It was one of the earliest large-scale municipal water supply systems in the United States, and it played a crucial role in providing Philadelphia with clean drinking water. The system used steam engines and water wheels to pump water from the Schuylkill River into reservoirs, from where it was distributed throughout the city oai_citation:1,Fairmount Water Works – Wikipedia oai_citation:2,Fairmount Water Works – Philadelphia Beautiful oai_citation:3,About Us – Fairmount Water Works.

Philadelphia City Hall, on the other hand, was constructed much later. The building was completed in 1901 after 30 years of construction, reflecting the city’s growth and the need for a centralized municipal government center. City Hall became the seat of government for Philadelphia and a symbol of the city’s ambitions oai_citation:4,Water Works | Visit Philadelphia.

The establishment of the Fairmount Water Works was a foundational step in developing Philadelphia’s infrastructure, allowing the city to grow and sustain a larger population. The availability of clean water was crucial for public health, reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases and supporting the city’s expansion oai_citation:5,Fairmount Water Works – Philadelphia Beautiful oai_citation:6,About Us – Fairmount Water Works.

a brief history

The Fairmount Water Works, originally known as the “Fairmount Dam and Waterworks,” was constructed to provide Philadelphia with a reliable source of clean water. The project began in the early 19th century, driven by the need to address the city’s frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases and the inadequate water supply system.

Early History and Construction

1. Concept and Design (1812-1815):

• The project was initiated by Frederick Graff, an engineer who had previously worked on the city’s water system. Construction began in 1812 and the facility opened in 1815.
• The initial design utilized steam engines to pump water from the Schuylkill River into wooden tanks, which then distributed water throughout the city via wooden water mains.

1. Expansion and Innovation (1822):

• The system was further expanded with the construction of a dam across the Schuylkill River, completed in 1822. This dam channeled water into the mill house, where water wheels replaced the steam engines for more efficient water pumping.
• The introduction of water wheels marked a significant technological advancement, making the Fairmount Water Works one of the first municipal water systems to use paddle wheels for water movement oai_citation:1,Fairmount Water Works – Philadelphia Beautiful oai_citation:2,About Us – Fairmount Water Works.

Architectural Significance

The design of the Fairmount Water Works was heavily influenced by the Classical Revival architectural style, resembling a Greek temple. This aesthetic choice was intended to reflect the importance and civic pride associated with the facility. Elements like columns, pediments, and symmetrical layouts were used to create a grand and harmonious appearance that blended with the natural surroundings oai_citation:3,Fairmount Water Works – Wikipedia oai_citation:4,Water Works | Visit Philadelphia.

Role in Philadelphia’s Development

• Public Health:
  The availability of clean water from the Fairmount Water Works significantly improved public health in Philadelphia, reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid oai_citation:5,About Us – Fairmount Water Works.
• Urban Growth:
  The reliable water supply supported the city’s rapid population growth and industrial development throughout the 19th century, laying the groundwork for Philadelphia to become a major urban center.

Transition and Legacy

• Decommissioning (1909):
  The Fairmount Water Works ceased operations as a pumping station in 1909. By then, technological advancements and newer facilities had rendered it obsolete.
• Modern Use:
  In the early 21st century, the site was transformed into the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, an educational and environmental facility operated by the Philadelphia Water Department. It now serves as a museum and educational center, offering exhibits on the history of the waterworks, water conservation, and the local watershed oai_citation:6,Fairmount Water Works – Wikipedia oai_citation:7,About Us – Fairmount Water Works.

The Fairmount Water Works stands today as a National Historic Landmark, celebrated for its engineering achievements and architectural beauty. It remains a prominent example of how public utilities can be designed to enhance both functionality and aesthetic appeal, contributing to the cultural and historical fabric of a city oai_citation:8,Fairmount Water Works – Philadelphia Beautiful oai_citation:9,About Us – Fairmount Water Works oai_citation:10,Water Works | Visit Philadelphia.

The ultimate goal, method to the madness, and process, is it just keep shooting until you die.

I guess we can make prints as we go along, to please ourselves, and maybe one of the person, like family, friends, or self if you if you’d like, but this is not the point. This is far beyond the point. The point for me, is, to move onward with my lust for life through photography. Photography just gets me out there, curious about life itself, and the photograph is just a byproduct of my experience.

Does a photograph need to be a physical print?

I don’t think so. I believe the small JPG file, with high contrast cranked to the max, becomes the most efficient, effective, and easiest version of a photograph to read, print, and share.

Don’t take your life, photography, or art so seriously.

Friedrich Nietzsche had a deep admiration for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, viewing him as an exemplary figure of human greatness. Nietzsche’s reflections on Goethe can be found throughout his works, where he often praises Goethe’s comprehensive approach to life, his intellectual breadth, and his capacity for self-overcoming. Some key points Nietzsche made about Goethe include:

1. The Ideal of the “Übermensch”: Nietzsche saw Goethe as a precursor to his concept of the “Übermensch” or “Overman.” Goethe’s ability to integrate various aspects of life—intellect, artistry, and passion—represented to Nietzsche a model of human excellence and self-mastery.
2. Goethe’s Wholeness: Nietzsche admired Goethe for his wholeness and his ability to embrace and harmonize contradictions within himself. Goethe’s life and work exemplified the ability to live fully and richly, integrating both Apollonian (order, reason) and Dionysian (chaos, emotion) elements, which Nietzsche also explored in his philosophy.
3. Anti-Dogmatism: Nietzsche appreciated Goethe’s resistance to dogmatism and his open-minded pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Goethe’s scientific inquiries and philosophical musings reflected a spirit of inquiry and a rejection of narrow-mindedness, qualities that Nietzsche valued highly.
4. Critique of Romanticism: While Goethe was associated with the Romantic movement, Nietzsche saw him as transcending its excesses. He viewed Goethe as someone who could appreciate and express the depth of human emotion without succumbing to Romanticism’s sentimentalism and irrationality.

In “Twilight of the Idols,” Nietzsche wrote:

“Goethe—no mere German event, but a European one: a magnificent attempt to overcome the eighteenth century by a return to nature, by a going-up to the naturalness of the Renaissance, a kind of self-overcoming on the part of that century. … Goethe conceived a strong, highly cultured man, skillful in all bodily accomplishments, self-possessed, and consciously restrained, who dared to allow himself the whole compass and wealth of being natural, to be strong enough for this freedom; a man of tolerance, not out of weakness but out of strength, because he knows how to make use of himself.”

These reflections show Nietzsche’s profound respect for Goethe’s ability to embody a balanced and dynamic human ideal, capable of profound artistic creation and intellectual pursuit.

I am surrounded by beauty

The statue of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe located in the Horticulture Center of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia was created by Heinrich Carl Johann Manger in 1890 and installed in 1891. The statue is made of bronze and stands on a granite base. The sculpture itself is 8 feet 6 inches tall, while the base adds another 9 feet, bringing the total height to approximately 17 feet 6 inches oai_citation:1,Goethe – Association for Public Art oai_citation:2,Philadelphia Public Art: Goethe.

The statue was commissioned by the Canstatter Volksfest-Verein, a German-American organization, as a tribute to Goethe, one of Germany’s most celebrated literary figures. It is a companion piece to another statue by Manger in the same park, which honors Friedrich Schiller, another prominent German writer and philosopher oai_citation:3,Schiller – Association for Public Art.

Luxury

Luxury is time spent doing things that you want to, not because you need to. Real luxury is doing things at your own pace, on your own timeline, taking your sweet time, without being monitored by others.

Privilege

The new privilege in this modern world is being unconfined, outside of boxes, offices, cubicles, computers, and being outside, quite literally, just being in the great outdoors.

Happiness as a Byproduct of Power

The more that I consider happiness, is this really the goal? Perhaps power should be our ultimate passion in life, increasing it, becoming physically stronger, and more powerful.

Why?

The more powerful I become, the happier I am. Perhaps happiness is merely a byproduct of your power, courage, or heart.

Street Photography and Courage

What is a photograph?

A photograph is a reflection of your courage. Courage, or cor – meaning heart.

Your heart is on display in the photographs that you create.

Just think, does a shy and bashful street photographer have the capability of propelling themselves onto the front lines of life, each and every day, embracing chaos, unpredictability, the unknown, without fear? No.

You must be courageous, fearless, and intrepid in order to practice street photography at a high level.

Elevate the Human Spirit

When it comes to my daily practice, I make sure to photograph with speed, agility, and rapid velocity. I don’t photograph in a way that requires contemplation, consideration, but merely snapshot my way through life. This becomes a much more interesting experience, as the results, the photographs, are determined by my intuition. Ultimately, I believe that your intuition determines the composition.

A photographer is responsible for positioning themselves on the front lines of life, pressing the shutter with their gut, and moving forward with their heart.

Everything else in photography—technical ability, history, knowledge of what makes or breaks a good photograph—can all fall to the wayside. For these things do not matter, but the only thing that matters is that you propel yourself onwards, and upwards, with the grand attempt to elevate the human spirit to new heights.

Physics, Gravity, and Motion

When you set your body in motion, without preconceived notions, you will be surprised at what you will find. For when you walk outside, and propel your body onward, you exist outside the passage of time. When you photograph, you are merely existing, in the now, in the moment, recognizing patterns in both nature, human behavior, and creating something from nothing. This act transcends all notions of physics and gravity, as when I photograph, I am creating something that can seemingly last forever—something that transcends this world and exists within the digital world, using modern technology.

Consider architecture or sculpture, and the medium itself. I believe these two art forms are some of the greatest expressions of human achievement due to the sheer size, grandeur, and technical skill involved in creating these pieces of art, such as the sculpture of David in Florence, the Colosseum, or even City Hall here in Philadelphia. Think about the way in which these men, who built these structures, defy gravity, by scaling upwards, placing sculptures higher up in the sky, crafting looming columns, rooftops, and intricate details that trim the exterior of buildings or adorn tunnels.

There’s something about physics, the laws of the universe, and going beyond them, that makes certain art forms more impactful than others.

My problem with the physical photograph, in print form, is that it typically exists inside, on a wall, in a frame, displayed in the same old way.

You have to use particular lighting and stand from a specific distance in order to achieve the proper viewpoint of this work. It becomes two-dimensional and mediocre in my opinion. Perhaps the digital spaces will be infinite, endless, and accessible to all. I find more interest in the digital world, as a means for expressing, sharing, and making photography viewable.

I think that when you set yourself, your art, in a box, whether a room or within the four corners of a frame, it becomes limited. I seek to go limitless, boundless, and transcend all notions of physics.

Design Your Life

I spent a lot of my years traveling, on the road, living a very nomadic lifestyle. My experiences are what shape me and my life to this day. I’ve had the privilege of traveling the world since I was a little kid, visiting family in Italy for Easter, embracing different cultural experiences since I was around 7 years old, and am now a dual citizen between Italy and America.

I’ll never forget the first time I decided to live abroad, studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. I made an effort to visit all the major Palestinian cities and found a new home in Jericho. After six months, and graduating, I decided to volunteer abroad and returned to Israel. I lived on a kibbutz, worked with cows, farming, and even maintained the gardens, practiced horticulture, and landscaping.

One evening, in the middle of the night, I became bored of this experience, wanting more, so I packed up my bags—which was basically just a single backpack, as I always travel light—and hit the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. I knocked on the doors of the hostel and spent the next few months volunteering there. I swept the floors, mopped, made beds, and even picked up the trash outside, threw it in the trash pit, and burned it. I had a routine, waking up early with the sound of the mosque, Allah Akbar, on the speaker, walking to the Majid to pray, coming home to eat breakfast with the Palestinian family, doing my chores, knocking on the door of my friend Mohammed‘s house, visiting Hassan, watering his garden, chatting, and exploring the desert. I slept on the floors of mosques, learned about Islam, and even allowed the Imam, Hirsham, to convert me in the end of this experience. While I am and was born and raised Catholic, I was simply curious at the time, as an open-minded person, eager to learn. I photographed on the frontlines of conflict between Israel and Palestine. I’ve seen war, been in many dangerous situations, and lived extremely frugally, most times in simulated poverty. A lot of days, I would get by just eating a few pieces of pita bread and some hummus.

I returned to the United States, seeking more out of life. I heard about the Peace Corps and decided this was the best opportunity for me to continue my traveling. In the Peace Corps, I worked with aquaculture, or fish farming, in remote villages in Zambia, Africa. I learned the local language, prayed under the Seventh-day Adventist Church, documented baptisms and funerals, and lived amongst the Bemba tribe. I slept under a thatched roof, with a mosquito net, drew my water from the well, washed my clothes by hand, tended farms, fish ponds, and prepared my own food from scratch—purchasing chickens, slaughtering them, plucking their feathers, and preparing the food by hand. I’ll never forget my time in Israel and Palestine, working directly with cows, or even during Eid al-Adha in Jericho, the day of sacrifice, when hundreds of goats were slaughtered all throughout the streets.

I have an affinity for nature but recognize the hierarchy that exists within it. Human beings are the apex predator, and I believe that we must make sacrifices to increase our power or our happiness.

However, happiness and power are simple. You can achieve happiness, or power, by simply going outside, going for long walks, working outside, doing things physically. I recognize how little you need to get by, after my experiences traveling the world.

I am here, back in Philadelphia. What is next?

I’m currently working in horticulture, and I’m starting to really enjoy it. It provides me with time away from the chaos of the city, surrounded by green spaces, and not to mention, it’s an art form. I’m very curious about spending time in nature, learning about plants, writing essays, poetry, reading philosophy, and enhancing my artistic abilities beyond just mere photography. Maybe I could even get into pottery and try new mediums that are more physical. Who knows where the road will take me, but I know for a fact that I only do things that interest me. I’m not merely here just to accrue money, retire, and die. I’m here to thrive, on the front lines of life, living, how I choose, and deem interesting. I think the interesting path is worth considering.

Would you rather sit inside the office of the Comcast tower, making $1 million per day, but never see the sunlight, the sunrise, or sunset, considering the 9-to-5 lifestyle?

I know for a fact that I’m not cut out for 9-to-5, but I’m currently trying to design my life, where it almost feels like I’m “retired” in a period of otium, away from public life, enjoying physical leisure. Personally, I realized that I need to work alone, as most other people just get in my way. I’ve worked as a photojournalist, worked in the offices of City Hall, a photographer for the city, and even worked in politics. Even if a lot of these jobs are seemingly the easy path, where I can even just sit on my butt in my home, or work from Zoom, it’s not something that I would ever choose. I’m trying to design my life in a way that I do not have to check my phone or my email. To me, this is modern-day slavery—being on call, on your phone, sending emails, doing Zoom, even if you work from home. It’s not worth it. It’s no way I want to live or what I deem to be freedom. After all my travels, I’ve realized that true freedom is under the thatched roof.

What is the function of capital, money, or wealth? Perhaps it’s to increase your power, make a website, buy camera equipment, meat, weightlifting stuff, have a roof over your head, and ultimately create a family, and make children. I could continue traveling, live frugally, and be a nomad forever, but perhaps the ultimate goal of man is sacrificing yourself for somebody else.

Maybe I decided to start working in horticulture here in Philadelphia because I’m interested in being the best artist that I can possibly be, striving for excellence, and going beyond. I enjoy being on my feet, moving my body, and exerting physical force. Perhaps this is where I am meant to be, in the garden, away from the streets.

Don’t eat. FEAST!

12 eggs + 2 NY Strip Steaks (One meal a day)

You can’t have both.