In the video game “Fallout 3,” Charisma is one of the seven primary statistics in the game’s SPECIAL character system. It affects a player’s ability to interact with NPCs (Non-Player Characters), including aspects like dialogue options and the prices of items in shops. A higher Charisma score can lead to more favorable interactions and outcomes when dealing with characters in the game. It’s an important attribute for players who want to focus on negotiation, persuasion, or building relationships within the game world.

The gift of grace

“Charisma” refers to a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others. It’s often used to describe a person who has a magnetic personality or a remarkable ability to influence, inspire, or attract others.

Etymologically, the word “charisma” comes from Greek, where it originally meant “favor” or “gift.” In ancient Greek, “charis” means “grace, beauty, kindness,” and “-ma” is a suffix that denotes an action or result. Therefore, “charisma” can be understood as the result of grace or a gift of grace.

In a modern context, charisma is less about divine favor and more about personal qualities that make an individual stand out and be able to influence others. This can include aspects like eloquence, confidence, a sense of purpose, and the ability to connect with people on an emotional level.

Treat it as such. Simple daily fasting will do wonders for your health!

“Askesis” is a term primarily used in philosophy, particularly in ancient Greek thought. It refers to the practice of self-discipline or self-cultivation and is closely related to the concept of asceticism. In its original context, askesis involved exercises and practices aimed at developing one’s moral and intellectual virtues. It was a key component in the philosophies of Stoics and Epicureans, among others, who believed that mastering oneself through disciplined practices was essential for achieving a good and meaningful life.

Askesis goes beyond mere physical training; it encompasses a wide range of activities, including mental, spiritual, and ethical self-training. The goal is often to attain a kind of inner peace, wisdom, or personal integrity, and these practices can include things like meditation, reflection, abstinence, and the controlling of one’s desires and impulses. In modern times, the concept can be seen as relevant to various forms of personal development, mindfulness, and self-improvement practices.

My New Year resolution is to eat *more* meat. I’ll be striving for 3 to 4 pounds of red meat every day.

Why is this important?

I recognize that red meat is the answer to my fitness goals. In terms of muscle growth, and seeing results from my work in the gym, it requires this state of hypertrophy.

“Hypertrophy” refers to the enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or part of the body due to the increased size of the constituent cells. It’s commonly used in medical and fitness contexts, especially in relation to muscle growth.

The etymology of “hypertrophy” traces back to the Greek words: “hyper,” meaning “over” or “excessive,” and “trophē,” meaning “nourishment.” So, it essentially means “excessive nourishment,” referring to the way cells grow larger, but not more numerous.

Physiology first

The more I focus on increasing my muscle mass, and losing more fat, the sharper my mind and the healthier my body becomes. I believe that in order to become a better photographer and artist I must be at my peak physical condition.

Ctrl, Alt, Delete

One simple idea for this new year is to subtract more than you add. I believe that the approach going forward is via negativa and minimalism.

“Via Negativa” is a Latin term meaning “negative way” or “way of negation.” It’s a philosophical and theological approach that attempts to describe things (often the nature of God) in terms of what they are not, rather than what they are.

The etymology of this term breaks down as follows:

• “Via” means “way” or “path” in Latin.
• “Negativa” comes from the Latin “negare,” meaning “to deny” or “to negate.”

In practice, via negativa involves defining something by the absence of certain qualities. For example, in theology, God may be described as “immutable” (not changeable) or “infinite” (not finite). This approach is often used when it is believed that direct, positive descriptions of a concept or entity fall short or are inherently limited.

Some things to subtract:

• No porn, no fap
• No smoking, no alcohol
• No breakfast, no lunch
• No news, no social media
• No sunglasses, no hats
• No AirPods in public

Warrior Monk mode

My current path is towards a warrior monk minimalist ascetic lifestyle. Why? I think it’s sexier and appealing to me. I believe that by subtracting more things from your life, the more that you become. I realize that the simple things in life such a sleep, sunlight, walking, weightlifting, red meat, and smiling is all I really need to be happy.

Social Media’s Influence

A thought that crossed my mind on Christmas Eve, while walking through the Christmas Village here in Philadelphia, was the notion of social media’s influence on the masses. I was enjoying my time photographing, watching ice skaters, and taking in the sights and smells of the holiday season when a huge group of protesters gathered and marched around the village, exclaiming, “Nothing merry, nothing jolly!”

Critical Thinkers Are the Future

I have no problem with peaceful protests and protesters; it is a fundamental right of freedom of speech under the First Amendment of the Constitution. However, I can’t help but consider the power of social media and how it shapes reality. Could we even consider the election of Trump in 2016 as a result of social media’s influence?

If Twitter did not exist, would Trump have been elected?

In this modern digital age, narratives displayed on screens control the masses. People often don’t critically consider the information they consume, as it’s easy to become emotionally charged by the ideas spread online.

Be Skeptical About Hearsay

Imagine a viral news article claiming that a police officer murdered an innocent youth in your neighborhood. This devastating news spreads, and people become extremely emotional, hostile, and perhaps even violent. An uprising erupts in the streets, and the city is damaged. But the next day, we discover the story was false and never actually happened.

“Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see.” — Benjamin Franklin

What Is the Solution?

In the future, artificial intelligence and confirming the validity of information may play a critical role in this digital landscape. But a simple solution for now? Delete all your social media accounts and avoid consuming media on any platform. Another fun thought:

Just assume all social media users are bot accounts.

Disconnect from the shadows and enter the light. Spend less time indoors behind a screen, and more time outside under the sun. Focus on spreading kindness in your local community and making a tangible impact in the real world.

I believe the future depends on critical thinkers—people who think outside the box. Don’t get caught up in groupthink and hive minds online. Be fearless going forward. Go off the grid!

Assume they are bots

Our future

The American dream?

Thomas Jefferson, in the Declaration of Independence, famously wrote about the “pursuit of happiness” as one of the unalienable rights. The exact quote is:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

This phrase reflects the Enlightenment ideals and emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and happiness as fundamental human rights.

The current year is recognized based on Jesus’ birth due to the widespread adoption of the Gregorian calendar, which is anchored in the Anno Domini (AD) system. This system was developed by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century. He sought to replace the Diocletian era, which was named after the Roman Emperor Diocletian, with a calendar system centered on the estimated year of Jesus Christ’s birth. Dionysius aimed to base the calendar on a significant Christian event rather than the reign of a Roman Emperor who had persecuted Christians.

His system marked the year of Jesus’ birth as 1 AD (Anno Domini, Latin for “In the Year of Our Lord”) and the years before that as BC (Before Christ). This calendar became widely used in Europe, especially after the adoption of the Gregorian calendar by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, which refined the Julian calendar to more accurately reflect the solar year.

The widespread use of this calendar, and thus its dating system, spread through European influence and colonization. Today, it’s recognized globally for secular and practical reasons, although alternative calendars are used in various cultural and religious contexts. The terms CE (Common Era) and BCE (Before Common Era) are now often used as secular alternatives to AD and BC.