I may not live forever

A cup of espresso
Go against the grain
Let life flow
Enjoy the mundane

I have a call to adventure
Every single day
Don’t worry about the future
Embrace the spirit of play

I may be right
I may be wrong
I just follow the light
And move my body along

Each moment is a treasure
So I make sure to laugh
I may not live forever
But I can make a photograph

Once you have a Ricoh GR and an iPad Pro, the only things worth purchasing are:

• Meat
• Housing
• Website
• Travel

Everything else is superfluous? What does man truly need and desire?

• Family
• Children

It seems that the only function of money beyond basic necessities and travel are for the creation of children.

Or metaphorical children

• Innovation
• Art

To make new

The word “innovation” derives from the Latin verb “innovare,” which means “to renew or change.” The Latin root can be broken down into two parts:

1. “In-“: A prefix meaning “into” or “toward.”
2. “Novare”: Derived from “novus,” meaning “new.”

Thus, “innovare” translates to “to make new” or “to introduce changes.”

The term entered the English language in the 15th century, retaining this core meaning of introducing something new or making changes to existing systems or ideas. Over time, “innovation” has come to encompass a wide range of activities related to creating, implementing, and improving new ideas, products, and processes.

The gold standard is a monetary system where a country’s currency or paper money has a value directly linked to gold. Under this system, countries agreed to convert paper money into a fixed amount of gold. This standard was widely used during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Here’s how the gold standard worked and how it evolved to allow central banks and governments to increase the money supply beyond their gold reserves:

1. Classical Gold Standard (1870s – World War I):

• Countries on the gold standard fixed their currencies to a specific amount of gold. For example, if a country fixed its currency at 1 ounce of gold = $20, then $20 in currency could be exchanged for 1 ounce of gold.
• This system helped stabilize international trade by providing a fixed exchange rate between currencies, based on their gold equivalents.

1. Central Bank Role:

• Central banks held gold reserves and issued paper currency that could be exchanged for gold.
• The money supply was limited by the amount of gold held in reserves, creating a direct link between gold reserves and the money in circulation.

1. Gold Exchange Standard (Interwar Period):

• After World War I, many countries moved to a modified gold standard known as the gold exchange standard.
• Instead of holding gold directly, some countries held reserves in other strong currencies (like the British pound or the US dollar) that were themselves convertible to gold.
• This system allowed for greater flexibility and an expanded money supply, as countries could increase their reserves by holding other currencies rather than just gold.

1. Bretton Woods System (1944 – 1971):

• After World War II, the Bretton Woods Agreement established a new international monetary system where the US dollar was pegged to gold at $35 per ounce, and other currencies were pegged to the US dollar.
• Central banks could convert their US dollar reserves into gold, but regular citizens could not.
• This system allowed for more flexibility and an expanded money supply, as countries were not directly tied to gold but to the US dollar.

1. Decoupling from Gold (Post-1971):

• In 1971, President Nixon announced the suspension of the dollar’s convertibility into gold, effectively ending the Bretton Woods system and moving the world to a fiat currency system.
• Under a fiat system, the value of currency is not based on physical commodities but on the government’s declaration that it has value. This allows for more control over the money supply, as it is not limited by gold reserves.

Increasing Money Supply Beyond Gold Holdings:

• Even under the gold standard, central banks could use various mechanisms to expand the money supply:
• Fractional Reserve Banking: Banks only needed to keep a fraction of their deposits in reserve, lending out the rest. This process effectively increased the money supply through the creation of credit.
• Gold Certificates and Paper Currency: Central banks could issue more paper currency than they had gold reserves, relying on the fact that not all holders of currency would demand gold at the same time.
• Foreign Exchange Reserves: Holding foreign currencies that were convertible into gold allowed central banks to expand their money supply without holding gold directly.

Overall, while the gold standard initially tied money supply closely to gold reserves, over time, various mechanisms and modifications allowed for greater flexibility in managing the money supply. The eventual move to fiat currency systems completely decoupled money supply from gold, allowing central banks and governments more control over economic policy and money creation.

King Croesus of Lydia, who reigned from approximately 595 to 546 BCE, is traditionally credited with being the first person to mint gold and silver coins. Under his rule, the Lydians became the first people to use gold and silver coins as standardized currency, which greatly facilitated trade and economic transactions.

The coins were made from electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver, and were stamped with official marks to indicate their value and authenticity. This innovation represented a significant advancement in the economy of the ancient world, moving from a barter system to a monetary economy.

Croesus’ coins typically featured a lion and a bull, which were symbols of strength and power. The introduction of these coins helped Lydia become a wealthy and powerful kingdom, and the practice of minting coins soon spread to other cultures and civilizations. Croesus himself became legendary for his wealth, which was so renowned that the phrase “rich as Croesus” became synonymous with immense wealth.

It looks like you’re asking about the transition from commodity-based currency systems to fiat money systems and how the rise of hydrocarbon fuels played a role in this shift. Here’s an explanation:

Hydrocarbon Fuels and the Shift in Currency Systems

1. Industrial Revolution and Economic Growth:

• The Industrial Revolution, fueled by the discovery and exploitation of hydrocarbon fuels like coal and oil, led to unprecedented economic growth. This growth increased the complexity and scale of economies, making traditional commodity-based currencies less practical.

1. Fiat Currency Introduction:

• As economies grew and diversified, the limitations of commodity-based money (such as gold and silver) became apparent. These commodities are finite and their supply doesn’t necessarily match the economic growth or the demand for money.
• Fiat money, which is government-issued currency not backed by a physical commodity, provided a more flexible and scalable solution. This type of money derives its value from government regulation or law rather than intrinsic value.

1. Economic Flexibility:

• Hydrocarbon fuels enabled rapid industrialization and urbanization, which in turn demanded a more adaptable monetary system to support expanding markets, complex trade networks, and the growing need for credit.
• Fiat money systems allowed governments to better control the money supply, respond to economic changes, and support growing and dynamic economies.

1. Inflation and Currency Value:

• The shift to fiat money often leads to debates about inflation and the perceived “hardness” of money. Unlike commodity-based currencies, fiat money can be produced in larger quantities, which can sometimes lead to inflation if not managed properly.
• The “hardness” of money refers to its stability and reliability in holding value over time. Hydrocarbon fuels, by driving economic expansion and the subsequent need for more flexible monetary policies, indirectly contributed to the broader adoption of fiat currencies, which are often viewed as less “hard” than commodity-based money due to potential inflation risks.

Conclusion

The advent of hydrocarbon fuels played a significant role in transforming global economies, necessitating a shift from commodity-based currencies to more flexible fiat money systems. This transition helped accommodate the rapid economic growth and complexity brought about by industrialization but also introduced challenges related to maintaining the value and stability of money.

Metallurgy is the branch of science and engineering that studies the properties, behaviors, and processing of metals and their alloys. It involves the extraction of metals from their ores, refining them, and preparing them for practical use. Metallurgy also includes the study of the physical and chemical properties of metallic elements, intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, called alloys.

Key areas within metallurgy include:

1. Extractive Metallurgy: This focuses on the extraction of metals from their natural mineral deposits. It involves processes such as mining, refining, and smelting.
2. Physical Metallurgy: This deals with the physical properties and structure of metals and alloys. It involves studying the microstructure of metals and how it can be altered through processes like heat treatment and mechanical working.
3. Mechanical Metallurgy: This area focuses on the mechanical behavior of metals, including their strength, hardness, and ductility. It involves the study of how metals respond to various forces and stresses.
4. Chemical Metallurgy: This involves the chemical processes used to extract and refine metals, as well as the chemical properties of metals and their reactions.

Metallurgy is crucial for the development of new materials and the improvement of existing ones, playing a vital role in industries such as construction, automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing.

The word “pecuniary” has its roots in Latin. It derives from the Latin word “pecuniarius,” which means “pertaining to money.” This, in turn, comes from “pecunia,” meaning “money” or “wealth.” The Latin “pecunia” is derived from “pecu,” which means “cattle.”

In ancient times, wealth was often measured by the number of cattle one owned, so “pecu” came to be associated with wealth and money. Thus, the term “pecuniary” evolved to refer to anything related to money or financial matters.

Salt

The word “salary” comes from the Latin word “salarium,” which originally referred to the money given to Roman soldiers to buy salt. Salt was a valuable commodity in ancient times, often used for preserving food, and it was sometimes even used as a form of currency.

The Latin “salarium” is derived from “sal,” meaning “salt.” Over time, the term “salarium” evolved to mean the regular payment made to someone for their work or services. This concept carried over into various languages, eventually leading to the modern English word “salary,” which denotes a regular payment, typically on a monthly or biweekly basis, for employment.

Seashells, particularly cowrie shells, have been used as a form of currency in various cultures across North America, Africa, and Asia. Their use as a monetary medium highlights the diverse and resourceful ways different societies approached trade and economic exchange.

North America

1. Wampum: In parts of North America, particularly among Native American tribes in the Northeast, wampum (beads made from the shells of whelks and quahog clams) was used as currency. Wampum beads were strung together to create belts or other adornments that served both as currency and as a means of recording important treaties and agreements.
2. Cultural Significance: Wampum had significant cultural and symbolic value. It was used in ceremonies, as gifts, and in diplomatic negotiations. The beads represented trust, social bonds, and agreements between tribes and with European settlers.

Africa

1. Cowrie Shells: Cowrie shells were extensively used as currency in West Africa. These small, shiny shells from the Indian Ocean were highly valued and became a major medium of exchange in trade.
2. Trade and Economy: Cowrie shells facilitated trade both within African societies and with external traders, including Arabs and Europeans. They were used to purchase goods, pay taxes, and even in ceremonial transactions like dowries.
3. Standardization: The value of cowrie shells was often standardized, with certain quantities representing specific values. This standardization helped in large-scale trade and economic activities across different regions.
4. Cultural Value: Beyond their economic use, cowrie shells were also important in African art, religion, and decoration. They symbolized wealth, fertility, and spirituality in many cultures.

Asia

1. Cowrie Shells: Cowrie shells were one of the earliest forms of currency in Asia, especially in China and India. In China, cowries were used as money as early as the Shang Dynasty (around 1600-1046 BCE).
2. Ancient China: In ancient China, cowrie shells were not only used for trade but also influenced the development of Chinese characters related to money and trade. The character for “money” (贝) is derived from the shape of a cowrie shell.
3. India: In India, cowrie shells were used in various regions as currency. They played a role in the local economies and were used in daily transactions, market exchanges, and as offerings in religious practices.

Characteristics and Advantages of Seashells as Currency

1. Portability: Seashells, especially cowrie shells, are lightweight and easy to carry, making them convenient for trade.
2. Durability: Seashells are relatively durable

Aggry beads, also known as aggrey beads, are colorful, decorative glass beads that were historically used as a form of currency in West Africa. These beads have a rich history and cultural significance:

Origins and Production

1. Historical Background: Aggry beads have been traded in West Africa for centuries. Their exact origin is somewhat mysterious, but they are believed to have been made in Venice, Bohemia, and the Middle East, and later imported into Africa through trade routes.
2. Manufacturing: The beads are typically made from glass and come in various colors, shapes, and sizes. The intricate designs and craftsmanship made them highly prized.

Uses and Significance

1. Currency: Aggry beads were used as a form of currency, particularly in West African regions like Ghana, Nigeria, and neighboring countries. They were often exchanged for goods and services, functioning similarly to how money is used today.
2. Trade and Economy: The beads played a crucial role in trade, especially in coastal areas where European traders exchanged them for gold, ivory, and slaves. They became part of the trans-Saharan trade routes and were highly valued in African markets.
3. Cultural Value: Beyond their economic use, aggry beads held significant cultural and social value. They were often worn as jewelry, used in ceremonies, and served as symbols of wealth and status. In many West African societies, owning and wearing aggry beads was a sign of prestige.
4. Social and Ritual Functions: The beads were used in various social and ritual contexts, such as bridal dowries, initiation rites, and as heirlooms passed down through generations. They played an important role in marking significant life events and transitions.

Characteristics of Aggry Beads

1. Appearance: Aggry beads are known for their vibrant colors and intricate patterns. They can be opaque or translucent and often feature complex designs such as stripes, dots, and swirls.
2. Variety: There is a wide variety of aggry beads, including different sizes, shapes, and colors. Some common types include “powder glass beads,” which are made from finely ground glass, and “fancy beads,” which have more elaborate designs.

Legacy and Modern Relevance

1. Cultural Heritage: Today, aggry beads are considered an important part of West African cultural heritage. They are still used in traditional ceremonies and are highly valued by collectors and artisans.
2. Economic Impact: The historical trade of aggry beads contributed to the economic development of West African regions by facilitating trade and interaction with European and other international traders.
3. Art and Craft: Contemporary artists and jewelers continue to draw inspiration from aggry beads, creating modern designs that pay homage to their historical and cultural significance.

In summary, aggry beads were more than just a form of currency in West Africa; they were a significant cultural artifact that played a vital role in trade, social status, and cultural practices. Their legacy continues to influence art, culture, and heritage in the region today.

Cattle as Money

1. Intrinsic Value: Cattle have intrinsic value due to their utility. They provide meat, milk, hides, and labor (as draft animals), making them a valuable asset in agrarian and pastoral societies.
2. Durability: Cattle are durable goods that can live for many years, allowing them to serve as a long-term store of value.
3. Reproduction: Cattle can reproduce, increasing the wealth of their owner over time. This reproductive ability added to their attractiveness as a form of currency.
4. Portability: While individual cattle are not easily portable, herds could be moved, allowing for the transfer of wealth across distances.
5. Social Status: Ownership of cattle often indicated social status and wealth. In many societies, cattle were used in important social transactions such as dowries, religious ceremonies, and compensation for crimes or disputes.
6. Trade and Economy: Cattle were used in barter systems for trading goods and services. For example, in ancient Rome and Greece, cattle were exchanged for other valuable items and services.

Salt as Money

1. Intrinsic Value: Salt is essential for human survival and has been valued for its ability to preserve food, enhance flavor, and maintain health. This intrinsic value made it a practical form of currency.
2. Durability: Salt does not spoil or degrade over time, making it a durable store of value.
3. Portability: Salt can be easily divided into smaller quantities, making it convenient for trade and small transactions.
4. Standardization: Salt could be measured and standardized, allowing for consistent trade values. In some regions, salt cakes or blocks were used as a standard unit of currency.
5. Widespread Use: Salt was used as currency in various regions, including Africa, Asia, and Europe. For instance, in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid in salt, which is where the word “salary” originates (from the Latin word “salarium”).
6. Economic Impact: The value of salt influenced trade routes and economic systems. The Sahara Desert salt trade, for example, was crucial to the economies of West African empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

Both cattle and salt served as effective forms of money in antiquity due to their intrinsic value, durability, and widespread utility, facilitating trade and economic development in various ancient societies.

Rai stones, also known as Yap stones, are large, circular stone disks used as a form of currency on the island of Yap in Micronesia. These stones have a unique cultural and historical significance:

1. Material and Size: Rai stones are made from limestone and can vary greatly in size, with some being as small as 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) in diameter, while others can be up to 4 meters (12 feet) in diameter.
2. Manufacture and Transport: The stones were quarried on other islands, primarily Palau, and transported to Yap. The larger stones were often transported via canoes or rafts and sometimes required considerable effort and coordination to move.
3. Cultural Significance: Rai stones were traditionally used in significant social transactions, such as dowries, political agreements, and as symbols of wealth and status. Ownership of the stones is recorded orally within the community, and the stones themselves often remain in place, serving as a communal record of wealth.
4. Symbolic Value: The value of a rai stone is not determined by its size alone but also by its history, craftsmanship, and the effort required to transport it. Stones associated with notable events or people hold higher value.
5. Modern Usage: While rai stones are no longer used as everyday currency, they still hold cultural importance and are used in ceremonial contexts.

The unique system of rai stones highlights the cultural ingenuity of the Yapese people and their ability to create a sophisticated system of currency and record-keeping long before modern financial systems existed.

Adopting an asset as a treasury reserve asset means that an organization, typically a government or corporation, decides to hold a certain asset as part of its reserves to manage its financial stability and liquidity. These reserves are used to support the organization’s financial operations and mitigate risks associated with currency fluctuations, economic instability, and other financial uncertainties.

Key aspects of adopting an asset as a treasury reserve include:

1. Diversification: Adding different types of assets to the reserve portfolio to spread risk.
2. Stability: Choosing assets that are considered stable and less prone to significant value fluctuations.
3. Liquidity: Ensuring that the asset can be easily converted into cash when needed.
4. Security: Opting for assets that are considered safe and secure investments.

Common types of treasury reserve assets include:

• Foreign currencies: Held to facilitate international trade and maintain currency stability.
• Gold: Often seen as a safe-haven asset that retains value over time.
• Government bonds: Considered low-risk investments that provide steady returns.
• Cryptocurrencies: In recent years, some organizations have started holding digital currencies like Bitcoin as part of their reserves, viewing them as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.

By adopting an asset as a treasury reserve, an organization aims to enhance its financial resilience and ensure it has sufficient resources to meet its obligations and strategic goals.

Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for securing communication and data from unauthorized access and ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and authenticity. It involves creating and analyzing protocols that prevent third parties from accessing or altering information. Cryptography encompasses various methods, including encryption (transforming data into a secure format), decryption (reverting encrypted data to its original form), digital signatures (verifying the authenticity of a message or document), and hashing (producing a fixed-size string or hash from data, which represents the data uniquely). Cryptography is essential for securing online transactions, protecting sensitive information, and maintaining privacy in digital communications.

what is hashing?

Hashing is a process in cryptography that transforms any input data, regardless of its size, into a fixed-size string of characters, typically a sequence of numbers and letters. This output is known as a hash value or hash code. Hashing is commonly used to ensure data integrity, authenticate information, and store data securely.

Key properties of hashing include:

1. Deterministic: The same input will always produce the same hash value.
2. Fast computation: Hash functions are designed to be computationally efficient.
3. Pre-image resistance: Given a hash value, it should be difficult to reverse-engineer the original input.
4. Small changes in input produce significant changes in output: Even a tiny modification in the input should result in a drastically different hash value.
5. Collision resistance: It should be challenging to find two different inputs that produce the same hash value.

Hashing is widely used in various applications such as password storage, data integrity checks, and digital signatures. Common hash functions include MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256.

Never stop changing

With every click of the shutter, I’m saying yes to life. I have an insatiable curiosity and photography provides me with the excuse to feed my urge, my yearning, to learn more. From this state of curiosity, every fleeting moment becomes something I am wanting to know more about. I am curious about society, culture, people, nature, philosophy, places, and history. If I were to deny myself of curiosity, as if I am some master who knows everything, how will I ever grow?

The key to growth is that is endless. You will never reach your final form.

Heraclitus said,

You cannot step in the same river twice.

What this means is, we are in a constant state of change, always evolving, as this I believe is the ultimate goal of humanity. We must evolve, change, and by saying yes, more, we can achieve this evolution that we seek.

One way that I’ve decided to evolve is by simply photographing more, in a spontaneous way, with a compact, digital camera, in high contrast black-and-white. What this allows me to do is play more, photograph more, and enjoy the process.

I’m no longer searching for moments, but I simply let life flow towards me, as I realize that the pictures I’m curious about making appear when you simply let go. 

Photography is a stream of becoming. Do not pigeon hole yourself, limit yourself, but go boundless, untethered, tiny dogma, or traditional ways of doing things. There are no rules, there are no guidelines, to what makes street photography.

Research

When I consider research, I consider my photographic practice, through traveling, exploring, and embracing adventure. By throwing myself out there onto the front lines of life, I can experience life with all of its complexities in the real world. The more that I contemplate my photographs, I consider them as research, as me learning, unlearning, and re-learning again and again through the act of making the photograph and then reviewing the photograph.

However, I believe to research through books, documentaries, and studying, before experiencing life, is perhaps foolish as an artist.

I find that by embracing life without preconceived notions, I am more surprised by my findings, and often times learn more through letting go of what I think I already know.

Research is a constant state. We are always researching, through each step we make, each click of the shutter, learning, unlearning, and relearning again. Enjoy the process, the journey, and say yes more.

The word “inspiration” originates from the Latin word “inspiratio,” which is derived from “inspirare,” meaning “to breathe into” or “to blow into.” The Latin term is composed of “in-” (into) and “spirare” (to breathe). This concept of breathing into something reflects the idea of a divine or supernatural force imparting a creative or life-giving influence.

In Middle English, the term “inspiracioun” was used in the 14th century, signifying a divine influence upon a person, often related to creativity or the prompting of thoughts and emotions. The notion of inspiration has evolved over time, but it retains this core idea of a sudden, often profound influx of creativity, motivation, or insight, akin to a breath of fresh air entering the mind and spirit.