The intersection between order and chaos

When I set out for the day, I make sure to embrace the spirit of play. For life is too short to take it so seriously. Chaos is the name of the game, and what elevates the seemingly banal, boring, or mundane. Through movement, we are always in flux, ever changing.


A rolling stone gathers no moss – Publius Syrus

What is motivation, but merely the movement of your two legs? When I consider photography, I believe that the ultimate goal is to walk more, to move more, and experience more. For the more that you walk, the more that you will see, and the more that you will see and experience, the more that you will ultimately photograph.

Is this not our aim as photographers? Is this not our ultimate goal?

So, with this in mind, I say, move!  Let’s never sit still, remain stagnant, or complacent. Let’s embrace the chaotic nature of life, and champion it. As street photographers, we thrive in chaos, the unknown, and the spontaneous.

We must embrace the Dionysian spirit

Trust your gut and follow your intuition. I believe that we all possess a Godlike intuition, and maybe it is Dionysius himself. We should embrace the primal urges within us, following our desires, with ecstasy and intoxication.

Considering Dionysius was the god of wine and fertility, he’s often depicted being worshiped by men and women, intoxicated, partying, or drunk. I think we can still embrace this Dionysian spirit without the use of drugs or alcohol. However, maybe we should just slam four shots of espresso? I guess that’s considered a drug, but it’s fair game to me! 

Life, the world, the streets are my drugs. The multifaceted complexities, the simple sensual experience, sights, sounds, and smells, fuel me with ecstasy. For life is unpredictable, and we never know when it will be our last. Just wake up early in the morning, before the sun rises, and listen to thebirds sing, it’s like you’re having a communion with the gods. So let’s champion this day, dance through the streets with ecstasy, and praise our new God, Dionysius.

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I don’t want to be human 

Being human is boring? When you think of a human, especially in modernity, what do they merely do, but consume? I say, let’s destroy, and create again!

When I was a kid, I remember spending time in the backyard, in the grass, looking at ant colonies, and how they marched one by one into the anthill.  There was something instinctual in me when I was a child, when I was exploring nature, to play, tinker, and destroy. I would dissect the caterpillars, slugs, and even use a magnifying glass to burn down the colonies. I have always been curious about the natural world and living creatures around me. I would also build bridges with stones, tipis with sticks, and explore the forest.

As a child, you don’t really have any concepts of life or death, but are merely curious about life itself. I will never forget when I first learned about the angel of death during one of my classes in Catholic school as a young boy. From what I remember, it was during one of our arts and crafts projects, where we were coloring pictures of angels, and the angel of death was one of them. I don’t know why, but it haunted me, and I remember getting bad sleep that night. I went into my mothers room, into the bathroom, looking at the mirror, at myself, questioning my mortality, and if I will die one day. 

Maybe it is when you set the fear of death aside, that you can truly be free?

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Stay out of the shade 

Think of a boulder, a rock, perfectly positioned by the river, in the shade. It is almost inevitable that this rock will grow moss, for the environment is damp, and the conditions are ideal for moss to thrive. Over time, the moss will grow over the rock, creating a soft and green cover, a cozy blanket for this hard surface. 

It is very easy for humans to become accustomed to comfortable and cozy conditions, such as air conditioning, or the cool breeze in the shade. These external factors, make man soft, like the moss growing on a rock. However, let’s remain hard, like a rock.

Detach from the outcome

Man is emotional, but maybe sometimes overly emotional. It is inevitable, that certain words, actions, or even thoughts can bubble up inside you, causing an emotional reaction.

Consider the endocrine system and the way our hormones are secreted throughout our bloodstream and bodies. The way our hormones fire, and trigger the different parts of our body, organs, brain, and as men, testicles affect our metabolism, development, and mood.

I think we must pay attention to what we consume more, in the context of both food, and media. Whether it’s text messages, emails, videos, news, or the processed junk that’s filling the grocery stores these days. All of this stuff will influence the way that you feel. The more you shed these external distractions, this moss, the harder you rock will become.

“Man’s character is his fate.” – Heraclitus

In the myth of Sisyphus, he was punished by Zeus, to move a boulder uphill, only to have it roll back down over and over again, before he reaches the top, participating in futile labor for all of eternity. 

It may seem frustrating, depressing even, to never reach your goals, but what if we learn to love the pain, the suffering, the ups, and the downs. Then what?

I believe by championing all of the emotions, with vigor, and strength, we can become superhuman. Perhaps it is only then, that we become the true übermensch. 

Amor Fati – Friedrich Nietzsche

Pain is inevitable. Heartbreak is inevitable. Suffering is inevitable. When you recognize this fate, and love it, nothing can hurt you, nothing can break your spirit, and your lust for life will remain unquenchable!

Take all of the arrows 

When I was in high school, I used to come home, and play League of Legends. My favorite character was blitzcrank, a near indestructible robot. I would rush through the lanes, taking all of the shots from the champions, turrets and minions. Blitzcrank was a tank and support champion. I loved armoring him, with the maximum defense as possible, using his shield, and taking all the shots for my teammates. I would simply be the protector, the support character, using his grappling hook to pull the enemy in, taking all of the damage, and letting the rest of my team follow through with the kill.

So, who do we sacrifice ourselves for if we have no team?

Maybe self sacrifice is a virtue after all, but I choose to sacrifice myself for myself. 

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Why you should make a home gym

One of the greatest decisions I made during the Covid pandemic was creating a home gym. I went to rogue.com, purchased a squat rack, some adjustable dumbbells, barbell, and plates. Because of the gym shutdowns, it just made sense to me, as I’ve always been very passionate about health and fitness. Now, I’m really grateful I’ve done so, because now when I wake up in the morning, I can hit the gym right away, without the need of a gym membership, or wasting time walking to a gym, dealing with all of the people there. Personally, I enjoy the comfort of working out in silence, on my own, without any distractions. The most recent item I added to my gym is the rogue 40 pound plate carrier. This thing is a beast, and I’ve been wearing it for one week now, going for an hour walk in the morning.  this was probably the best thing I’ve added to my home gym set up, because I love going for my morning walk, and after hitting some pull ups, dips, push-ups, squats, etc. I can then go for a simple stroll, focusing on my posture, through an intensive full body experience, wearing the vest. I think anything that requires your body to move through weightlifting is probably the most optimal strategy to increasing our strength. For the past two years, I’ve been doing a farmers walk with 80 pound dumbbells in the morning, simply picking them up, walking them out, and putting them back down. I believe this has influenced the way I think about strength and health, as perhaps grip strength, and being able to simply hold these two heavy dumbbells by your side, and walk with them, is the ultimate sign of strength.

One of my biggest changes in the past two years is my diet.  i’ve embraced a 100% carnivore diet, eating only red meat for two years now. Before that, I would pretty much just eat anything. I would go to chipotle, the old Nelson and Philadelphia, eat sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, starches, etc. I never really thought about my diet at all. However, what I can tell you is, since adopting a 100% carnivore diet, I’ve actually seen gains from my fitness journey. I’ve always had strength, and a decent physique, but nothing like what I have now. It’s actually crazy how only a few months after being on the carnivore diet, completely transformed my body. It makes me never wanna stop, as I found the perfect solution for me, as I am a photographer, always out, exploring, and don’t really like taking the time out to eat during the day. I just fast, no breakfast, or lunch, and then at the end of the day, feast like a God. I believe through increasing my power, by weightlifting, and eating more, I’m becoming a stronger photographer. 

Hypertrophy

Strong photographer, strong photographs. 

It is inevitable that you will become a stronger photographer, through increasing your physical strength. Consider weightlifting, and hypertrophy. The more you fire, those muscles, both visual and physical, the more gains you will see in the gym. But it’s only after a lot of time, and putting in the effort, that you’ll ever see the results. When you embrace the streets, and photography, we should think of it this way too. Through practicing weightlifting and street photography, you remain resilient. By embracing the process, and understanding how much time practicing is required to see results, you can move onward, detached from the outcome. Just enjoy the process, the experience of both lifting, and shooting, daily, with repetition, and it is inevitable that over time, you will become a stronger photographer. 

Cameras and gear

I believe if Bresson was alive today, he would be using a Ricoh GRIII. Think of agility, movement, and the compact nature of the Ricoh, being a lightweight solution for the streets. 

“A velvet hand, a hawk’s eye—these we should all have.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

Photography is both a visual game and a physical pleasure. We must have a sharp, visual acuity, a keen sense for geometry, form, and shapes, as much as we are in tune with our physical body, movement, and remaining delicate on the streets.

Put on your dancing shoes, and pick up a pair of Vibram Five Finger EL-X. Shoes are something that we overlook at street photographers, and maybe not talked about as much? As much as cameras, lenses, and accessories are intriguing to most photographers, I believe that shoes are the most critical. With barefoot shoes, you remain nimble, connected to the earth, the ground below you, the streets, and are one with the concrete. It sounds woo woo, or mystical, but I believe it’s true through my empirical experience of using the shoes.  you really do enter this Zen like meditative practice of walking through the world, recognizing the patterns of both nature, and human behavior, from the ground up.

The Ricoh GRIII, on a wrist wrap, becomes the truest extension of your hand, your body, and your eye. You almost forget that you have a camera with you, and simply become one with the camera itself. If Bresson was alive today, he’d be rocking the Vibram Five Finger shoes and a Ricoh on a wrist strap. 

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Get rid of the old 


During my recent trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, I hit a breaking point in my photography. I spent a lot of time, waking up really early, joining in with the locals in some yoga, looking out towards this tranquil lake. I remember noticing how vibrant and lively the community was around this lake, and how the streets would close down on the weekends, and families would gather. There were so many happy, smiling faces, mothers and fathers with her children, and just good vibes overall.  I started to question my life, photography, philosophy, and how to move forward.

I think I hit a wall with my previous practice, and so when I came home to United States, I went straight to New York City, to B&H, and sold all of my Fujifilm camera equipment, and replaced it with the Ricoh.

I think what I’ve realized is, as much as I am an active participant in life, getting closer and closer to life, both physically and emotionally, throughout all of my travels, I truly was the bystander, or the observer. While I am on the front lines of life, with my camera, there was something about my process that actually made me feel like I was on the sidelines, just watching other peoples lives. I’ve sacrificed personal development, personal life, time with friends, family, etc, in pursuit of my own artistic practice.  While I am grateful I have put in so much time and dedication to it, I know that it’s time to move on.

I now treat my photography practice as a personal diary, just documenting my everyday life, no matter how mundane, or boring it may be. I’m more into the Vivian Maier approach nowadays, just shooting what catches my fancy, or sparks my own personal curiosities. I’m no longer interested in the “art of photography, if that makes any sense. I’m just interested in life, and living my own personal life, to the fullest. I decided to move on from my past ways of doing things, and approach to life in general.

At this point, I’m just heading onward, into the unknown, photographing for the sake of photographing because I absolutely love to and have to. I have an insatiable lust for life, and recognize that there is so much to experience. I just remind myself that life is outside of my window, on the front lines of life. I simply use my camera as the excuse to get me there.

Publius Syrus, a Roman slave who became a celebrated writer of moral sayings and maxims, is known for his insightful and pithy observations. Here are some of his best moral sayings:

1. “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”

• This saying emphasizes the value of stability and consistency.

1. “Better be ignorant of a matter than half know it.”

• It highlights the importance of thorough knowledge rather than superficial understanding.

1. “A good reputation is more valuable than money.”

• This underscores the importance of integrity and honor over material wealth.

1. “Speech is a mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he.”

• It reflects the belief that one’s words reveal their true character.

1. “He who spares the wicked injures the good.”

• This maxim stresses the need for justice and the protection of the innocent.

1. “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.”

• It suggests that true leadership and skill are revealed in times of crisis.

1. “Fortune is like glass—the brighter the glitter, the more easily broken.”

• This saying cautions against the fragility of good fortune and the need for humility.

1. “Many receive advice, only the wise profit by it.”

• It highlights the value of wisdom in heeding and benefiting from advice.

1. “No one knows what he can do until he tries.”

• This encourages taking initiative and pushing one’s limits to discover potential.

1. “It is foolish to fear what you cannot avoid.”
   • This emphasizes the futility of worrying about inevitable events.

These sayings reflect Publius Syrus’s profound understanding of human nature and the principles of ethical living.

POWER

I wake up in the morning with an insatiable lust for power. When you move your body along, the days feel long. However, when you live your life on standby, the time will pass you by. Through movement, weightlifting, and sunlight, we increase our will to power.

No one man should have all that power
The clock’s ticking, I just count the hours – Kanye West, POWER

Positive mindset

I am becoming one percent more curious each day. I am becoming stronger every single day. Since wearing this weighted vest by Rogue, my posture is strengthening, my feet are becoming stronger, wearing barefoot shoes, my legs, my core, my back, are firing right now. All of my muscles are being triggered as I walk home from the Schuylkill River Trail while writing this essay.

The will to power

I just finished reading the book, The Will to Power, by Friedrich Nietzsche. Ultimately, what I’ve learned is that the will to power is the ultimate aim to strive towards. Happiness is a byproduct of the will to power. The ultimate goal is to overcome yourself, and to increase your power. I believe that power can be both a physical and creative pursuit. Through weightlifting and eating more meat, I’m increasing my physical strength. Absorbing more sunlight, I’m filling my body with more energy. This physiological power ultimately fuels my creativity. As much as photography is a visual game of making compositions, with notions of “layering,” fill the frame, frame a frame, leading lines, blah, blah blah, it’s also superfluous. It means nothing to me. A photographer is simply responsible for positioning themselves on the front lines of life. This requires courage, heart, and soul. This requires physiological power, and exerting that force in the real world. For the photographer is present, in the moment, physically. As much as it is a mental game, it is certainly a physical medium. You must increase your physical power, and through that physiological effect, through Power, we can make photographs. As artists, power should be our ultimate aim. We should not deny our bodies, but champion them. For the body is the vessel, the battery, that will get you to those unattainable goals. Maybe striving for an unattainable goal, something extremely lofty, and higher than yourself, is the only way to aim. Upwards.

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Keep an open mind

What does it mean to have an open mind and why is this important?

I believe having an open mind is critical in a world where we have many differences. I was born and raised Roman Catholic, attended a Catholic school, but I’ve also prayed in a synagogue in Jerusalem, learned about Islam and slept on the floors of mosques in Jericho, participated in the Seventh Day Adventist church in Zambia, explored Buddhist temples in Vietnam, and even celebrated Holi in Mumbai, India. I believe having an open and curious mindset is critical because it will unlock new experiences and opportunities for you to learn and grow. I think sometimes we get caught up with one way being the only way, with narrowmindedness plaguing most people due to dogma, tradition, and personal convictions. However, by letting go of anything that you think you know, and simply going forward with this curious and open mind, you’ll be surprised at what you will find. However, after all of my traveling and experiencing life, despite our differences, I believe we are more similar.

While I grew up with mostly Caucasian people in my neighborhood, I would spend my summer days at my grandmother’s house in West Philadelphia, with 100% African-Americans. My brother and I were always the only Caucasian kids on the block. We attended block parties, birthday parties, played football on the lawn, walked to the papi store, ate water ice together, and never really thought anything of it. There was never a time in my youth where I considered the color of other people’s skin, and the differences between these two colors. For color is a funny notion, and you hear this thrown around a lot these days, right? People of color… why do we even think this way? To me, color merely separates us and divides us. I believe that we are all people of color, with all different shades. I think we need to go beyond color, our differences, and these basic notions of identity. When I consider the idea of the United States, united as one, we are the American race. The American people. Maybe it’s best for us to identify with our nation, and stop separating us based on our “color.” I see a middle ground, between red and blue, left or right, black and white, and find peace in purple.

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Matrix

We off the grid grid grid grid grid.

Life is a cyberpunk dystopian video game. Let’s consider when you start a new game, like cyberpunk. Your characters are typically naked, and you build them from the ground up. Let’s go back to that naked state, carte blanche, and design our character again. In cyberpunk, you can actually choose to play as multiple characters, and play the same game over and over again. The game will give you a different ending, depending on the quest you embark on, and the things that you do within the game itself. Design your character from the ground up. Let’s start with the shoes, and remove them. What about the shirt? Remove that. Go naked, we came into this world without shoes, let’s leave without shoes! Become an ascetic warrior.

Now that your character is primal, let’s focus on those stat points. Let’s increase the strength to the maximum it can potentially be. Let’s become a tank, like Blitzcrank in League of Legends. I remember when I used to play League of Legends I would play as the tankiest character, the most heavyweight, the most impenetrable and indestructible character in the game. I would arm him, and send him down the middle lane, taking all of the shots. I would absorb all the hit points, but allow my teammates to take out the enemy for me. I’ll take all of the arrows, I’ll take all of the shots, I’ll be the tank.

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Eat meat

A few months ago, I was inside one of those salad bars where people get lunch. They smell like dirty, stinky socks, and a locker room. It’s so gross inside. I don’t know why, but any of these restaurants and places that have these assembly lines where they construct a meal for you and put it in a plastic bowl are just disgusting. Think of Chipotle, or a salad bar place. Why do we eat stinky slop?

What is the fastest way to increase your power? Firstly, sunlight, secondly, walking or weightlifting, and thirdly, sleep. However, we must consider what we consume more. The more meat you eat, the deeper sleep you will receive, and the more power and energy you will wake up with in the morning. Go to the Halteman farm in the Reading Terminal Market, purchase a pound of beef liver, it’s around $2.50. Also, if you buy 3 pounds of ground beef, it only costs $20. Just see how much you can eat before you go to sleep. Fast all day, and wait till the end of the day to eat. Let’s get the Genghis Khan gains.

Nocturnal

So what is the number one source of power inside of a man’s physiological makeup? Perhaps our semen. Let’s not release it. For over two years now, I haven’t released one time, no pr0n, no fap. I think this is one of the hardest things for young men to overcome. Just think, an orgasm is literally five seconds of pleasure, a little bit of gooey stuff that comes out of an orifice. Stop blowing your load, blowing your energy, and conserve it. Just allow the overflowing power you conserve to release through nocturnal emissions instead. Stop allowing hedonistic and grotesque women on a screen to control your physiology.

Is hell real?

“You’re gonna be burning in fire forever!” says the Bible thumper.

I think we should be skeptical of anybody who takes the Bible too literally. While Dante had his fun with the Divine Comedy, describing his inferno, I don’t believe in it. I feel as though hell, eternal torment, was something utilized as a threat during medieval times, to keep the peasants in line. With the threat of hell, everybody would be their most virtuous selves, which may seem good on paper. However, with this threat of hell, I believe it introduces notions of guilt, shame, and fear. We should be skeptical of anything that promotes these ideas of shame, guilt, and fear. Fear of hell, fear of death, there is no such thing. We will live here, in this world, as imperfect souls, striving for greatness, but without the fear of this fiery burning hell. For me, hell doesn’t exist. Hell is for the king, the tyrant, the person that will inevitably get out of line with their power. The threat of hell is needed to keep a king in check.

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Osmosis

Think of a plant and how one small seed is buried under the soil. As the water pours from heaven above, the small seed is filled with nutrients that it needs to grow, survive, and thrive. When the soil is nice and damp, the plants can then absorb these vital nutrients. As the plants grow, and the water flows, they stand upright, tall, looming into the sky. Without water, the plants would not be standing upright.

Like plants, humans stand upright and tall. We need water as a vital source of vitality. Water is needed for every cell in your body to function properly. Let us not forget that our body is comprised of these cells. As we drink water, the nutrients are carried throughout all the different cells in your body. Water will give your body energy, keeping your body happy, which inevitably will allow you to think clearly.

Strong body, strong mind.

Let’s go back to that childlike state, and create anew. Go back to the small seed, and grow again. Plant your roots deep, and give your body the nutrients it needs.

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Stop caring about what other people think about you

Thinking about shame, guilt, and fear, it’s best that we set aside what other people think about us. Just stop caring. Let the chips fall as they may, and let go. When you detach yourself from other people’s perceptions of you, you can become your true and authentic self.

“I don’t need your pussy, bitch, I’m on my own dick.” – Kanye West, POWER

Just forget about all the boring social norms, and restrictions people set on themselves. Speak your mind more. Do you.

Life is outside your door

Embodied reality is real reality. Real life is outside of your door. Step outside into the unknown, and champion this life that we live. When I wake up in the morning, before the sunrise, I’m going forward with power. I’m up before the power, our sun, is up. And when I wait for it to rise, and I stand firmly in Logan Square, watching the waterfall pour over, and the sun beaming beyond the horizon by the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and it enters my eyes, I’m absorbing all of the sun’s power.

The world is ours.

DANTE

Fragments

Here’s a summary of Heraclitus’ fragments:

1. Change and Flux: Heraclitus emphasized that everything is in a constant state of change. He famously stated, “You cannot step into the same river twice,” meaning that the river, like everything else, is always changing.
2. Unity of Opposites: He believed that opposites are interconnected and essential for harmony. For example, he noted that concepts like day and night, life and death, or war and peace are mutually dependent.
3. The Logos: Heraclitus introduced the concept of the “Logos,” a rational principle that governs the universe. He believed that understanding the Logos could help individuals comprehend the order and structure of the world.
4. War and Strife: He viewed conflict as a fundamental aspect of reality, stating, “War is the father of all things,” suggesting that strife and struggle lead to growth and change.
5. The Impermanence of Life: Heraclitus highlighted the transient nature of life, emphasizing that everything is temporary and subject to change.

Heraclitus’ fragments are often cryptic, but they collectively underscore his view of a dynamic, ever-changing universe where opposites coexist and interact.

Here are some of Heraclitus’ most famous fragments along with brief explanations:

1. Fragment 1

“Everything flows and nothing stays”

• Explanation: This fragment reflects Heraclitus’ doctrine of change, emphasizing that everything in the universe is in a constant state of flux. Nothing remains the same, and everything is continuously evolving.

2. Fragment 49a

“You cannot step into the same river twice”

• Explanation: Heraclitus illustrates the concept of perpetual change with the metaphor of a river. The water flowing in a river is constantly changing, so when you step into it, it is never the same river twice. This highlights the continuous and dynamic nature of reality.

3. Fragment 12

“The way up and the way down are one and the same”

• Explanation: This fragment suggests the unity of opposites. Heraclitus believed that seemingly contradictory paths or processes are actually interconnected and part of a single, unified whole.

4. Fragment 8

“All things come into being through opposition, and all are in flux like a river”

• Explanation: Heraclitus posits that opposites are fundamental to the existence and functioning of the universe. The tension and interplay between opposites drive the processes of change and becoming.

5. Fragment 53

“War is the father of all things”

• Explanation: This fragment emphasizes the idea that conflict and strife are essential to creation and change. Heraclitus saw war and conflict as driving forces behind the development and transformation of the cosmos.

6. Fragment 10

“Out of every one, one, and out of one, every one”

• Explanation: This fragment touches on the unity and diversity of the cosmos. It suggests that the many things in the universe originate from one fundamental source and that one source gives rise to the many.

7. Fragment 80

“It is hard to fight with one’s heart’s desire; whatever it wishes to get, it purchases at the cost of soul”

• Explanation: Heraclitus acknowledges the difficulty of resisting one’s desires and the potential consequences of succumbing to them. He suggests that pursuing one’s desires may lead to a loss of spiritual integrity or inner peace.

8. Fragment 45

“You should expect the unexpected; it is difficult to discover and difficult to comprehend”

• Explanation: This fragment advises openness to the unexpected and the unknown. Heraclitus believed that reality is complex and often beyond our understanding, urging us to be prepared for surprises.

9. Fragment 102

“Nature loves to hide”

• Explanation: This fragment reflects the enigmatic and hidden aspects of nature. Heraclitus believed that the underlying principles of the cosmos are not immediately apparent and require deep contemplation to understand.

10. Fragment 50

“Listening not to me but to the Logos, it is wise to agree that all things are one”

• Explanation: Heraclitus introduces the concept of the Logos, a rational principle that governs the cosmos. He suggests that wisdom comes from understanding and aligning oneself with this universal principle, recognizing the unity of all things.

Heraclitus’ fragments provide profound insights into the nature of change, the unity of opposites, and the hidden complexities of reality. His philosophy emphasizes the constant flux and interconnectedness of the universe, challenging us to look beyond appearances to grasp the deeper truths of existence.

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The poet was a fool
who wanted no conflict
among us, gods
or people.
Harmony needs
low and high,
as progeny needs
man and women

This passage contrasts the idealistic vision of a poet who desires peace with the realistic necessity of conflict and harmony’s dependence on diversity. Here’s an interpretation:

1. The poet was a fool who wanted no conflict among us, gods or people: The poet is characterized as naïve for wanting a world without conflict. This implies that such a desire is unrealistic or unattainable.
2. Harmony needs low and high, as progeny needs man and woman: True harmony arises from the balance of opposites, much like how offspring result from the union of male and female. It suggests that differences and even conflicts are essential for creating a balanced and functional world.

This reflects a more pragmatic view of life, acknowledging that conflict and diversity are inherent and necessary components of existence.

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War, as father
of all things, and king,
names few
to serve as gods,
and of the rest makes
these men slaves,
those free.

This passage reflects the ancient perspective on war as a fundamental and transformative force in human society. Here’s an interpretation:

1. War as the Father of All Things: This suggests that conflict and struggle are intrinsic to the creation and progression of civilizations. War is seen as a primal force that shapes the world.
2. And King: War is also seen as the ultimate authority, dictating the terms of existence for nations and individuals alike.
3. Names Few to Serve as Gods: War elevates a select few to positions of great power and reverence, almost god-like in their influence and status.
4. And of the Rest Makes These Men Slaves, Those Free: War creates a dichotomy among people, determining who will be subjugated and who will gain freedom. It has the power to drastically alter social and individual fates.

This perspective aligns with the philosophical ideas of Heraclitus, who believed in the centrality of conflict in the natural order and human affairs.

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An ass prefers a bed of litter
to a golden throne.

The phrase “An ass prefers a bet of litter to a golden throne” is a proverbial expression that highlights the idea that some individuals, due to their nature or lack of understanding, may prefer something of lesser value or comfort simply because it is familiar to them. In essence, it suggests that comfort and preference are subjective and that people may choose what they are accustomed to, even if it is objectively inferior to other available options.

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Thales of Miletus (circa 624–546 BCE) was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer from Miletus in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He is often regarded as one of the Seven Sages of Greece and is credited with being the first philosopher in the Western tradition. Here are some key points about Thales:

1. Philosophy and Cosmology: Thales is considered the founder of the Milesian School of natural philosophy. He is known for proposing that water is the fundamental substance (arche) of the universe, suggesting that everything is derived from water in some form.
2. Mathematics: Thales is famous for his work in geometry. He is credited with several geometric principles, such as the theorem that states a circle is bisected by its diameter and the concept that the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
3. Astronomy: Thales made significant contributions to astronomy. He is believed to have predicted a solar eclipse that occurred on May 28, 585 BCE, and introduced the idea that the year has 365 days.
4. Practical Contributions: Thales was also involved in practical applications of his knowledge. He is said to have used his understanding of geometry to measure the height of the pyramids in Egypt by comparing their shadows with his own.
5. Legacy: Thales’ emphasis on seeking natural explanations for phenomena, rather than relying on mythology, laid the groundwork for the development of scientific and philosophical inquiry in ancient Greece.

Thales’ work and ideas have had a lasting influence on the fields of philosophy, science, and mathematics.

Quotes-

Thales of Miletus is attributed with several famous quotes, reflecting his philosophical and scientific thinking. Here are some of his most notable sayings:

1. “Know thyself.”

• This is a classic aphorism emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and understanding.

1. “The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself.”

• Highlighting the complexity and challenge of true self-knowledge.

1. “Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else possess hope still.”

• Reflecting on the universal and enduring nature of hope.

1. “Time is the wisest of all things that are; for it brings everything to light.”

• Suggesting that time reveals truth and wisdom.

1. “Nothing is more active than thought, for it flies over the whole universe.”

• Celebrating the boundless nature of human thought and imagination.

1. “The past is certain, the future obscure.”

• Expressing the certainty of the past and the uncertainty of the future.

These quotes capture Thales’ philosophical insights and his contributions to early Greek thought.

Sun Power

Our bodies are the battery, and the sun is the charger. Consider the iPhone at 1% charge. You rush for your charger, plug in the iPhone, with a sigh of relief. When you feel tired, do you ever ask yourself why?

Personally, I feel most tired when I’m sitting down, stagnant, not moving. However, if I’m walking, standing, lifting weights, or under the sun, I feel like I have an abundance of power. Certainly, I wake up super early, but I also go to bed at around 8 PM every night. I get eight hours of sleep, and it is very deep, and I always wake up feeling refreshed. Sleep is the most critical thing to consider first and foremost when it comes to power, but we must not neglect the sun itself.

Modern Day Privilege

The modern-day privilege is simply your body, standing upright, under the sun. Why?

Considering the way in which we work now, in offices, from 9 to 5, sitting down, under the air conditioner, it’s quite jarring and unnatural. However, human beings are designed to be outside, grazing freely, and openly, under the sun itself. When I hear people come out of the office around 5 PM, they often come out of the cold and crisp, dark air conditioner, exclaiming how disgusting it feels outside, how hot the sun is. However, what I always think of in my head is:

We are currently standing on a spinning rock, moving into the void, darkness, orbiting around a big ball of fire. This big ball of fire is keeping us alive and why we are here in the first place.

However, we deny this big ball of fire, the sun itself, and replace it with fluorescent lights and air-conditioning systems. We are denying our physical bodies, for what? For the pursuit of material wealth? To me, this is denying our purpose as human beings, as we are the ultimate creators.

We Are the Creator

You may think of God, the ultimate creator. Or, you may be an atheist and see that there is no higher power and that life is merely random. However, we are the universe, we are the ultimate creator here on this earth. The human being is designed to produce. We have two legs, two hands, two arms, we stand upright, we have a brain, and consciousness. Humans have used their ingenuity and wit to create tools, build cities, and civilization itself. We have spread our DNA far and wide throughout the globe, scattering tribes through our various countries.

Our DNA is critical to consider, and the way in which we evolve over time can potentially be jarring considering the way we live these days.

When you look around in the city, don’t you ever notice how people are hunched over, with pale skin?

A lot of people ask me if I was on vacation recently, such as where I was if I was on an island or something, but I just say no, Philly. Who knows, maybe our bodies are becoming so used to the system, indoors, that it’s more difficult for our skin to tan? Is this a genetic thing? I don’t know. All I know is, I’ve been outside all of my life.

Consider the average city dweller, spending 75% of their time inside. This is certainly going to have negative effects on our physiology and our bodies. Sitting down is not healthy. Sitting down is modern-day slavery. However, consider yourself privileged if you are outside, remaining physical. I believe that the new luxury is not sitting on your butt in some loser car, or in some ivory tower, but it’s simply standing upright, in the open and fresh air, under the sun.

The power of the sun is overwhelming to some people. I would say that the majority of people don’t appreciate the sun as much as I do because of the way we’ve been accustomed to the indoors. Most people prefer to be comfortable, inside, and this is simply a byproduct of modernity. Sure, you could say that there has been a heat wave recently, and the summers do feel slightly hotter than before. But, my body is built to adapt to the environment, and so is yours.

Let’s spend the maximum amount of time possible outside, and say no to a life squandered indoors.

Strength in Solitude

Ever since I was a little boy, I would explore in the forest with my bike, or simply go for a hike, building forts with sticks, bridges with stones, sharpening spears with sticks, attempting to hunt deer, fishing, exploring caves, and riding my bike for miles on end towards Valley Forge National Historic Park, where I would spend my summer days alone, exploring the monuments, bunkers, and log cabins. When I was a kid, none of my friends could keep up with me on my bike, and would not want to travel as far as I did, so I would mostly spend my time by myself, biking on my own.

As a Peace Corps volunteer, I spent a year on my own, in the village, surrounded by a community of people that do not speak English. I’ve spent months in Jericho, sleeping on the floors of mosques, with people that do not speak English, alone, and thriving. I’ve never really needed much and could survive and get by each day with just a few scraps of pita bread and hummus or find a family who was willing to share a meal with me.

Even to this day, I thrive on my own, with strength in solitude. I have this call to adventure within me, and most modern people or other people, in general, just hold me back. This is the unfortunate truth, but the times that we live in are softening our men. Yes, I want to remain hard and push forward with strength. But, I’ve never found another person in my entire life with the same drive as I do. It’s just the truth, so I have a tight circle with two friends that I’ve known since I was a little kid, since the days we would explore in the woods together. Those are the only true friends I need; everything else is superfluous. When you are committed to a purpose in life and have a calling to do great things, the modern world just holds you back. There are too many distractions, too many advertisements, too many TV shows, too much social media, too much gossip, too much drama, and too much division.

So, how can we thrive on our own?

Is there a formula to this madness, are there any traits that you must possess? I’d say drive, commitment, resilience, and courage are required to thrive in solitude. To me, it’s bliss. Having zero distractions and zero text messages coming in is heaven on earth to me. If anything, making plans, texting, blah blah blah, it’s all such a waste of time, just meet me at the Eagle. I have zero idea how anybody has the time to chitchat and just sit back and relax. I need to spend every waking moment of my life doing something, making something, or even just thinking about things. Sure, I can shut my mind off, go for a bike ride, or whatever, but I seriously thrive in the chaos of production, with whatever it may be. Whether I’m tending a Japanese tree with my pruners, writing this stupid essay, or making photographs, I love making things.

To thrive on your own, you have to be working on something that’s greater than yourself, striving for something beyond human capability. The best part is, I don’t even care if I ever reach the goals I set. I’m just striving towards the unattainable, the impossible, moving forward, into the unknown. My ultimate goal is to just become one percent more curious each day, to become the best artist that I could possibly be during the short period of time while I am alive. During my lifetime, I will create the archive of my hometown, Philadelphia, that can be referenced for hundreds of years to come. What this means is, I must spend the maximum amount of time alone, working on my craft, and moving towards these seemingly unattainable heights. There is no finish line, there is no end goal, there is just movement, focus, and my body being driven by courage.

I love to start my day off at an elevated vantage point, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where I stand upon a cliff, looking out towards the horizon.

When I have an elevated view, a Panopticon view of the city, where I can see 360° around me, clearly, I feel like I can conquer this world. Perhaps there is no more land for men to conquer, and there is no more need for an Alexander the Great. However, we can conquer within the realm of art and photography, in the digital world, and become the next Diogenes.

Intuition

As a photographer, we must see clearly. What this means is, you should see and predict the patterns in both nature and human behavior before they even happen. You must possess strong visual acuity to things. When I look at the world around me, everything becomes a potential photograph to make. Look at life as the canvas itself, draw upon it. When you sharply attune your vision to the details, life and the mundane become not what it seems, it becomes a dream. Follow that gut feeling, that God-like intuition that we all possess within our souls.

You are your soul. And the things that you put within your body become a reflection of your soul.

So cut through the noise, remove the distractions, stop consuming junk, both physical junk, like food, and metaphorical junk, like media. Turn inwards, into your soul, shed your skin, and become the greatest version of yourself.

The word “bureaucracy” has its origins in the French word “bureau,” which means “desk” or “office,” and the Greek word “kratos,” which means “power” or “rule.” The term was first used in the early 19th century to describe a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Here’s a breakdown of its etymology:

1. Bureau: This part of the word comes from the French term “bureau,” meaning “desk” or “office.” The term itself can be traced back to Old French, where it referred to a type of cloth used to cover desks. Over time, “bureau” came to signify the desk itself and, by extension, the office or the place where administrative work is conducted.
2. -cracy: This suffix comes from the Greek word “kratos,” meaning “power” or “rule.” It is used in English to denote a particular form of government or rule, as seen in words like “democracy” (rule by the people) and “aristocracy” (rule by the nobility).

The combination of these two elements, “bureau” and “-cracy,” thus forms “bureaucracy,” which essentially means “rule by offices” or “government by desk officials.” The term was popularized in the 19th century to describe the increasingly complex administrative systems of government and large organizations.

The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking

“The Bitcoin Standard” by Saifedean Ammous is a comprehensive exploration of Bitcoin’s role as a revolutionary monetary system. It contrasts Bitcoin with historical and contemporary monetary systems, arguing for its superiority based on several key principles.

The History and Evolution of Money

Ammous begins by providing a detailed history of money, from early barter systems to the use of commodities like gold and silver. He emphasizes the attributes of sound money: durability, portability, divisibility, uniformity, limited supply, and acceptability. Throughout history, societies have naturally gravitated towards the most sound forms of money.

Quote: “Money, which evolved as the most marketable commodity in society, served as a tool for the indirect exchange that facilitated trade, investment, and economic calculation.”

The Rise and Fall of Fiat Currency

The book critiques the shift from commodity money to fiat money, which is currency without intrinsic value, established as money by government regulation. Ammous highlights the issues with fiat currencies, such as their susceptibility to inflation and central bank manipulation. He argues that fiat money leads to economic instability and devaluation over time.

Quote: “Fiat money has been a major factor in the growth of government power, contributing to economic cycles of boom and bust.”

The Mechanics of Bitcoin

Ammous explains the technical aspects of Bitcoin, including how it works as a decentralized digital currency using blockchain technology. Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins makes it deflationary by design, contrasting sharply with the inflationary nature of fiat currencies.

Quote: “Bitcoin is the first form of money in history with a fixed supply, making it immune to the inflationary tendencies of human governments.”

Bitcoin as Digital Gold

The book draws parallels between Bitcoin and gold, noting that both possess key attributes of sound money. However, Bitcoin improves on gold by being more easily transferable, divisible, and secure against confiscation.

Quote: “Bitcoin takes the best properties of gold and improves upon them, offering a superior form of money that is digital and decentralized.”

Economic Theories and Bitcoin

Ammous delves into various economic theories, comparing Keynesian and Austrian economics. He argues that Bitcoin aligns more closely with Austrian economics, which advocates for hard money and minimal government intervention in the economy.

Quote: “Bitcoin embodies the principles of Austrian economics, providing a form of money that is resistant to government control and inflationary policies.”

The Future of Bitcoin and Global Finance

The book posits that Bitcoin has the potential to transform global finance by providing a stable, decentralized alternative to fiat currencies. Ammous envisions a world where Bitcoin reduces the power of central banks and governments, leading to more economic freedom and stability.

Quote: “In a world where Bitcoin becomes widely adopted, economic power shifts away from centralized authorities and towards individuals and free markets.”

The Case for Bitcoin

To conclude, Ammous makes a compelling case for Bitcoin as the future of money. He argues that its decentralized nature, fixed supply, and digital attributes make it superior to any form of money that has preceded it. By adopting Bitcoin, individuals and societies can protect themselves against inflation, economic instability, and government overreach.

Quote: “Bitcoin offers an unprecedented opportunity to separate money from state, restoring financial sovereignty to individuals and paving the way for a more prosperous and free society.”

2 liters before you even step outside daily

The word “anachronism” comes from the Greek words “ana-” meaning “against” or “back,” and “chronos” meaning “time.” The term essentially translates to “against time,” reflecting the concept of something being placed in a time period where it does not belong.