I think considering ourselves as visual artists is a wise approach going forward. A photographer is limited to one medium. Let’s expand what a photograph can be and embrace a variety of approaches to creating new artwork and media.
Benjamin Franklin, renowned for his diverse interests and disciplines, adhered to a well-structured daily routine that reflected his commitment to self-improvement and productivity. His routine, as detailed in his autobiography, was as follows:
Morning (5 AM – 8 AM): Franklin began his day early, asking himself, “What good shall I do this day?” He would rise at 5 AM, wash, and have breakfast. This time was also dedicated to personal study and planning for the day’s tasks.
Work (8 AM – 12 PM): Franklin dedicated the late morning to work. This period was characterized by focused, diligent labor, often involving his printing business.
Noon (12 PM – 2 PM): Around midday, Franklin took a break for reading, reviewing his accounts, and dining.
Afternoon Work (2 PM – 6 PM): The afternoon resumed with work, continuing the morning’s endeavors or attending to other matters of business and personal interest.
Evening (6 PM – 10 PM): The evening was a time for relaxation and personal activities, including supper, music, conversation, and reading. He would reflect on his day, asking, “What good have I done today?” This reflection helped him assess his achievements and areas for improvement.
Bedtime (10 PM): Franklin typically retired to bed at 10 PM, valuing a full night’s sleep for health and well-being.
Franklin’s routine was underpinned by a set of 13 virtues which he aimed to live by, including order, frugality, and industry. His disciplined approach to daily life was a cornerstone of his personal philosophy and contributed significantly to his many accomplishments.
Treat your body as if it is a sculpture that belongs to the Vatican‘s archives.
The Vatican does maintain an extensive collection of art, including sculptures, in its archives and museums. The Vatican Museums are home to a vast array of artworks and historical pieces, including classical sculptures, Renaissance art, and artifacts from various periods and cultures. These collections are meticulously preserved and displayed, offering insight into the rich history and artistic heritage of the Catholic Church and the broader world of art. The Vatican’s art archives are renowned for their depth and diversity, encompassing a wide range of artistic expressions and historical periods.
Benjamin Franklin was known for his sociable and engaging personality. He often interacted with a wide range of people and was quite approachable. Franklin was a prominent figure in social, scientific, and political circles, and he valued the exchange of ideas and conversation. His involvement in various clubs and organizations, as well as his role in politics and diplomacy, would have given him many opportunities to meet and greet strangers regularly.
Simple. Ask ChatGPT questions about ancient history, or anything that you are interested in, and when a word appears that you are unfamiliar with, just ask it for its meaning and etymology.
A group of all the gods of a particular polytheistic religion or mythology. For example, the Ancient Greek pantheon includes gods like Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and Athena.
A temple dedicated to all the gods. The most famous example is the Pantheon in Rome, originally built as a temple to all the Roman gods.
The etymology of “pantheon” traces back to Ancient Greek. It comes from the Greek words “pan,” meaning “all,” and “theion,” meaning “of the gods.” Thus, “pantheon” literally translates to “of all the gods.” Over time, the term evolved to encompass both the collective gods of a religion and the architectural structures dedicated to them.
Hot showers and cold showers each have their own benefits and uses, often influenced by personal preferences and specific health or therapeutic goals.
Hot Showers:
Muscle Relaxation: Hot water can relax tense muscles and soothe aches or pains.
Stress Reduction: The warmth can be calming, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
Improved Blood Circulation: Warm water can improve blood flow, especially beneficial for those with circulatory issues.
Skin and Hair Health: Though hot water can strip natural oils, it can open pores and cleanse the skin more deeply.
Cold Showers:
Invigorating: Cold showers can be more refreshing and energizing, especially in the morning or after exercise.
Skin and Hair Health: Cold water can tighten pores and cuticles, potentially improving skin and hair appearance by preserving natural oils.
Immune System Boost: Some studies suggest that cold showers can stimulate the immune system.
Reduced Muscle Inflammation: Cold water can reduce inflammation and speed up recovery post-exercise.
In conclusion, the choice between hot and cold showers often depends on personal preference, immediate needs, and health conditions. Some people even combine both for added benefits, like starting with a hot shower and finishing with a cold rinse.
There’s no more need to follow the news, browse the Internet, social media, or even Google things. Just download ChatGPT plus on your phone and start to indulge the artificial intelligence as a way to augment your thinking. Don’t fall prey to conspiracy theories, advertisements, and dividing news stories. Let’s become tech Spartans together!
Instead of considering the photographs we make as our perception of the external world, perhaps a more interesting approach is to consider photos as a reflection of our internal state and our soul.
Physiology is king. When it comes down to it, your health is wealth. How happy you are is determined by how healthy you are. When you focus on your physiology first, it seems that everything else just falls into place.
Farmer’s walk
I believe the farmers walk is the greatest lifting technique in the gym. Why? It promotes proper posture, you are walking, and it improves your grip strength. As humans we are bipedal. I believe that to be human is to walk. And perhaps grip strength is strength. I’m starting to think the stronger your grip, the longer you will live? Also, in terms of improving one’s posture, this seems to be most critical. It’s important to have a strong spine and a proper foundation. I believe the farmers walk is the foundation.
Walking is so overlooked in modern day life. As we advance with technology, it seems as though we become more sedentary. Because of this, I believe the antidote is to walk endlessly. I strive to be in a constant state of moving all day. living somewhere that promotes a pedestrian lifestyle is wise. Philadelphia is a great city because I can walk everywhere. There’s no need for me to hop in the car or even use public transportation. Because of this, I live a healthy lifestyle.
Longevity and Muscle
“What does not kill me, makes me stronger.” – Nietzsche
Push your limits and see what you are capable of while you are young. Consider longevity and embrace pain as the ultimate teacher. Adjust accordingly and allow yourself time to find what works best for you. I personally wake up, do some yoga, farmers walk, push-ups, pull-ups, and sometimes dead lift. I genuinely keep my fitness routine as simple as possible because I’m considering longevity. The ultimate solution for me is to take things easy, but do rigorous and short intense workouts multiple times throughout the day. Home gym seems to be the greatest solution because you do not have to depend on memberships and transportation.
Spartan Lifestyle
The Spartan lifestyle is a simple one. Embrace minimalism and remove the superfluous things from your life. This means no weed, no alcohol, no porn, no Reddit, no news, no TV, and no Instagram. Try a pair of barefoot shoes, specifically the Vibram Five Finger ELX model.
The goal is to increase your muscle mass.
Live like a homeless person and treat every day like Spartan Agoge training. Spend as much time as you can outside. Walk without a shirt on. Be friendly and say hi to strangers. Compliment others and have fun when on the street. Spread more kindness and joy, but don’t take any shit from others. Think outside and go for a long walks in nature. Find a space for you to catch the sunrise each day and preferably start your day at an elevated surface. Don’t take yourself so seriously and embrace the spirit of play. Detach yourself from basic notions of identity, but channel your inner warrior spirit.
Get as much sunlight exposure possible each day and never miss a sunrise again.
Sleep for 8 to 12 hours a day
Eat as much red meat as possible
Skip breakfast
No lunch
Only eat one massive carnivore meal at night when the sun sets
Become stronger
Fitness can be done anywhere. If I don’t have access to the gym, or just want a quick workout I will use the construction sites on the streets to do pull ups. The idea is to make fitness simple and accessible for yourself. You don’t need to do any crazy routines to get fit. My favorite routine is: farmers walk with dumbells, pull ups, pistol squats, push ups, dips, and pigeon pose stretch.
How to achieve bliss?
Walk with barefoot shoes and strive for 30,000 steps and 1,000 photos per day. Get as much sun exposure as you possibly can in the day. Stop eating breakfast and lunch. No drugs, no weed, and no alcohol. Take cold showers, drink a lot of espresso, lift weights, do some yoga, and fast until sunset. Only eat one big meal of red meat with kimchi before bed. Sleep for at least 10-12 hours per night.
You are what you eat
The reason why beef is so critical is because it will naturally increase your testosterone which then makes you more friendly, kind, happier, and stronger. Cut everything out and stick to the carnivore diet to see insane benefits for your physiology and mental health.
Go Demigod
I believe it is a tragedy for a man to not see the full potential of his peak physical condition. Treat yourself like the sculptor and the sculpture. Your body is art and you only have one. You might as well make your body luxury instead of purchasing some useless luxury good like a Leica. Your mental health is directly effected by your physiology. If you are strong, fortified, and hardened, nothing can break your spirit.
Disconnect from the mainstream
Stop watching TV, news, media, movies and keeping up with celebrity gossip. Forget about the gallery, the book and whatever the contemporary photographers are working on. Focus on making new pictures. Become more social and engaged with the world around you. This means no headphones in public, no sunglasses, and more smiling and saying hi to your neighbors.
