GREEK GOD FLEX
How much ground beef can you eat?
How to become stronger? Eat more beef.
Test your limits with beef consumption. Don’t eat breakfast or lunch, and buy 3-5 pounds of ground beef. See what your body’s limit is. Just eat until satiation and stop once you are full.
Your body *IS* the temple
- Walking is life
- The importance of sleep
- Why lift weights?
- Sunbathe as much as possible
- Testosterone is happiness
- How to become a demigod
- Treat your body like art
- My fasting journey
- My carnivore diet journey
- Coffee as a creative stimulant
- Carnivore diet is economic
- The war on meat
- Stop eating processed food
- Drinking alcohol is strange
- Listen to your gut
- Bad weather, bad mood?
- The great outdoors
- Why I love nature
- Being indoors is not healthy
- Why I love cycling
- Anti-anti-social
- Clothing is armor
- Sports are silly
- The body is democratic
- Spartan flex
- Best carnivore diet meal
- Best shoes for street photography
- Thoughts on fasting
- Open spaces elevate your mood
- One meal a day
- Visit an elevated surface every day
- The truth about health and art
- More meat, more power, more photographs
- Increase your strength for the sake of making more art
- Stay sober
- Sleep and strength
- Only eat if you’re hungry
- Fasting and walking
- Sunlight is bliss
- Jogging is unhealthy
- The benefit of long walks
- Sleep as early as possible
- Fasting brings you closer to god
- Move more
- Take a deep breath
- The health hive mind
- How to stay lean
- Steak Prep
- Peace amongst chaos
- The Power of the Sun
The Power of the Sun
I find that sunlight is the ultimate source of power. Maybe our bodies are like batteries and the sun is the charger. Two days ago it was extremely nice outside with lots of sunlight and I made sure to walk around without a shirt on by the riverside and absorb as much UV rays as possible. What I realize is, basking in sunlight is bliss. Not to mention, the following day, I felt like I had an insane abundance of power that was stored up from the day before. Also, it helps me get better sleep, setting my circadian rhythm or my natural biological clock, waking up before sunrise and sleeping with he sunset.
Why are people anti-sun?
a few days ago, while I was tanning in the park, this guy came up to me and was questioning how I’m able to stand in the sunlight for so long. He told me to put on a hat at least or wear some sunglasses like himself. He was completely covered up with a hat, sunglasses, and full beard. He had very pale skin and looks like he hasn’t been outside for a while. Maybe people are becoming more accustomed to the indoor lifestyle, and because of this, get used to wearing sunglasses. Maybe sunglasses trick your eyes into thinking that you’re still inside, making it harder for your eyes and body to adapt to the sunrise and the way that it interacts with your skin. I think that people can get together, perhaps you just have to do gradual increments overtime. I think that having tan skin means that you are full of vitality and energy and healthy. I feel so much better when I’m tan, in the sun, and absorb as much sunlight in my day as possible.
It seems that a lot of people think that the sun causes cancer and that too much exposure is unhealthy. To me, this makes no sense. The main reason why we are here right now, breathing, talking, and thinking is because the sun is positioned at the perfect distance from the Earth. Without the sun, there are no people. I just use this simple fact alone to guide my thoughts in regards to sunlight. Even in the first couple of words in the Bible in the book of Genesis of the Old Testament, you read that God has created light on the first day.
Let there be light!
Without the darkness, there is no light. On the rainy and cloudy days like this, I’m thankful for the good days, the days when the light is out, and the sun is peering beyond the clouds. I’m very grateful for the things, such as sunlight, water, and grass fed beef. There’s very simple things and pleasures that keep me happy.
Painting with light
Let us not forget that photography is merely painting with light. When I consider this, and the way that light casts upon the surfaces around me, the world is an endless canvas for me to draw endlessly upon. There’s infinite potential with photography because of the nuances and changes of light and the way it etches shapes and gives form to objects, people, and places. Because of the change that light provides, you can never make the same photo twice. It does not matter if it’s of the same thing or even a separate photographer at the same place, the light will never stay the same. Perhaps we should embrace this notion of change and create photographs in a stream of becoming. This means, your next photograph is your best photograph, and the goal is to remain curious, continuously evolve, change, and transcend, like a stream ever flowing.
Go beyond
As we go through every day lives, always bring a camera with you. Snapshot your way through life, and embrace the mundane world around you. Find new ways to uplift the things that are seemingly overlooked or banal, and create something from nothing.
With a camera in hand, nothing can stop you, nothing can break your spirit, and your lust for life.
We must learn to appreciate the journey and let go of the outcome. Forget about the pictures, results, galleries, books, contests, and all of the things within the realm of photography. We must continuously push our rock uphill even if we never make it to the top. One fun approach I have to life is to treat it like a video game. Video games are meant to be fun, and so should our photographic journey and life. It shouldn’t feel like a chore to take pictures, but it should be second nature to us. Lighten the load of your rock, and embrace the new, compact, digital camera systems to make the game easier to play. When you’re out there on the street, you never know what stories will unfold on the street corner. The people you meet along the way, things that you see, and experience, are what make this journey worth it in the end. Like in a video game, there are endless stories and paths that you can take. There’s new ways that you can play each day that makes the novelty of video games so enticing to players. Use photography as a way to increase your lust for life, discover new places, and find novel ways to approach the same thing each day.
Elevate your soul
When I consider the goal of street photography, maybe it is to elevate the human experience to new heights that have never been seen before. not only do our photographs become an abstraction of the street and life itself, but it reflects inward on our soul. There is a strange trend towards the tormented artist, the overly emotional, nostalgia, sensational, dark, morose, and emo aesthetic. Think of artists like Basquiat or Pollock. Basquiat died at my age, 27, from a heroin overdose. Pollock died in a car crash while under the influence of alcohol. We should stay sober and find our Dionysian state outside of drugs and alcohol. Embrace danger, and the chaos artists seek in new ways such as weightlifting and travel. We should strive to create from a joyous state of abundance, and ultimately your photographs will reflect this joy, curiosity, and childlike spirit. The world doesn’t need another tormented, drunk, or emo artist. The world needs more dangerous and gay monsters. Achieving the state of abundance and joy is very simple. Just go for long walks, get more sun exposure, eat more meat, and get deep sleep. Also, delete your Instagram, and uninstall all media applications from your phone.
Stop consuming, and start moving.
One practical suggestion I have is to start your day off from an elevated surface. When I visit the cliff behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I can look out towards the river, trees, and beautiful architecture. By quite literally elevating myself at this height, I can see beyond the horizon, and recognize the infinite and endless opportunity to explore that the world provides you. Just think, you could live to 120 years old, and never see everything that life has to offer. In this world there is so much to see, do, and explore, and we should remind ourselves this by gazing out at the horizon, and recognize that we can transcend and go beyond it.
Another important thing that I’ve been adopting in my lifestyle is eating one meal a day. When I am fasted, and have no food in my belly, the connection between my mind and my body is extremely sharp. Let us remember that the camera is an extension of your body and your mind, as your mind and your eyes are connected, and your oculus, your two eyes, are what allow you to perceive the world, with sharp visual acuity, recognizing the patterns in both nature and human behavior. This is something to consider, as when your gut is digesting, and there is food within it, I find that your mind and body connection is disrupted. I believe that we must follow our intuition, listen to our gut, and trust our natural instincts went on the street. By remaining fasted, you can tap into that godlike intuition that you possess deep within your physical gut. My theory is that God is with within your body, within your physiology, within your gut.
Spread your joy far and wide
When you are filled with abundance, allow it to flow outwards! Let’s shine as bright as possible while we are here. The secret to joy is to just be under the sun?
Plato – The Republic
Plato’s “The Republic” is a philosophical dialogue that remains a cornerstone of Western philosophy and political theory. Written around 380 BCE, it explores the meaning of justice, the order and character of the just city-state, and the just individual. Here’s a breakdown of the main themes and discussions in each of the ten books that make up this seminal work.
Introduction to “The Republic”
Plato’s “The Republic” is structured as a series of dialogues led by Socrates, who debates with various Athenians about the nature of justice, the ideal city, and the education of its citizens. The dialogue not only probes deep philosophical questions but also details the functioning of an ideal state.
Book I: What is Justice?
- Setting the Stage: The dialogue begins at the house of Cephalus, with Socrates questioning him and others about the definition of justice.
- Key Points:
- Polemarchus’ View: Justice is helping friends and harming enemies.
- Thrasymachus’ Challenge: Justice is nothing more than the advantage of the stronger, a critique of laws designed by rulers for their own benefit.
Book II: The Challenge
- Glaucon and Adeimantus Challenge: Socrates is urged to defend justice by showing not only that it is necessary but also inherently valuable.
- Key Points:
- The Origin of the State: Discusses how cities come into being to meet the needs of people.
- The First City: Described as a simple “city of pigs,” focusing only on necessities.
Book III & IV: Justice and the Ideal State
- Guardians of the State: Socrates discusses the education and qualities of the guardians who will lead the state.
- Key Points:
- Education and Censorship: Strict control over education and the arts to promote morality.
- Social Structure and Justice: The state is just when each class performs its role properly.
Book V: Radical Proposals
- Gender Equality and Family: Socrates argues for the equality of women and communal family structures for the guardians.
- Philosopher-Kings: The idea that the most knowledgeable, the philosophers, should rule the state.
Book VI & VII: The Philosopher-King and the Forms
- The Form of the Good: Socrates discusses the abstract Form of the Good, the ultimate object of knowledge.
- Key Points:
- The Allegory of the Cave: Illustrates the philosopher’s journey from ignorance to enlightenment, emphasizing the role of education in achieving knowledge.
Book VIII & IX: Degeneration of the State
- Four Corrupt Forms of Government: Timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Tyranny, each leading progressively further from justice and order.
- Key Points:
- The Tyrant’s Life: Analysis of tyranny and its impact on both the tyrant and the state, presenting it as the unhappiest life.
Book X: The Immortality of the Soul and the Afterlife
- Censorship Revisited: Final arguments against poetry and the arts which misrepresent the nature of the gods and heroes.
- Key Points:
- The Myth of Er: A tale about the afterlife that reinforces the message of justice and the soul’s immortality.
Concluding Thoughts
Plato’s “The Republic” is not just a political manifesto but also a detailed discussion on the nature of justice, the role of education, and the responsibilities of individuals within a society. It challenges us to think about the ethics of power and the construction of a just society. Whether you agree with Plato’s vision or not, “The Republic” offers invaluable insights into the philosophical underpinnings of our own governance and societal organization.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding Justice: Justice is explored both as a personal virtue and as a necessary component of a well-ordered state.
- Role of Philosophers: Highlights the importance of philosophical thought in governance.
- Importance of Education: Stresses the role of education in shaping both individual and societal values.
“The Republic” continues to be relevant today, prompting us to consider the values and principles that underpin our communities and govern our actions. It’s a profound text that invites deep contemplation and debate on what it means to live a good life within a well-ordered society.
Some Quotes
“The Republic” by Plato is filled with profound and memorable quotes that capture the essence of his philosophical ideals. Here are some of the best quotes from the text:
- “Justice means minding your own business and not meddling with other men’s concerns.” – This quote encapsulates Plato’s view of justice as each individual performing the role suitable to their nature within the state.
- “The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.” – This underscores the theme that those who are most qualified to lead often shun power, and thus, society suffers when the incapable rule.
- “The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” – Similar to the previous quote, this highlights the necessity of involvement in public life by capable individuals to prevent tyranny.
- “Until philosophers rule as kings or those who are now called kings and leading men genuinely and adequately philosophize, that is, until political power and philosophy entirely coincide, while the many natures who at present pursue either one exclusively are forcibly prevented from doing so, cities will have no rest from evils… nor, I think, will the human race.” – This is part of Plato’s argument for philosopher-kings, asserting that only those who understand true justice can govern wisely.
- “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” – This quote highlights the importance of a strong foundation, whether in education, politics, or any other field.
- “Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.” – Plato touches on the limitations of laws in governing human behavior, suggesting that virtuous individuals will naturally do good.
- “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” – This metaphorical statement reflects the theme of enlightenment and ignorance explored in the Allegory of the Cave.
- “No one ever teaches well who wants to teach, or governs well who wants to govern.” – This quote reflects Plato’s distrust of those who seek power for its own sake, rather than to serve.
- “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” – This calls for authenticity and integrity in one’s actions and life.
- “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” – A reminder that true character is revealed not in weakness but in times of power.
These quotes from “The Republic” provide insight not only into Plato’s vision of an ideal society but also into broader themes of morality, leadership, and human behavior that resonate throughout the ages.
Experience is the ultimate teacher
How else are you supposed to learn what works best for you? We should embrace pain, failure, and hardships to become our fullest selves. The experiences you have, whether good or bad, provide feedback for your future self. For instance, I spent many years riding a standard frame bike, which makes it uncomfortable for my back as you must hunch over to hold the handlebars. As a consequence, I purchased an E-Bike with a step-through frame that allows me to sit upright with proper posture. Not only do I enjoy the ride as it is leisurely and I don’t need to strain my body because of the pedal assist and throttle, but I don’t feel any back pain and am so much more comfortable because of it. I realized that biking for me is just a hobby and for fun, and not for exercise.
