Why?

The human experience is supreme!

The phrase “to die by your own sword” is a metaphorical expression that originates from the idea of a warrior being killed in battle with their own weapon. It implies a situation where a person suffers harm due to their own actions or strategies, particularly those that they have used to try to harm others. In a broader sense, it’s akin to the concept of poetic justice, where the means of a person’s downfall are directly linked to their own behavior or decisions.

The phrase can be interpreted in various ways:

1. Literal Interpretation: In historical or literal contexts, it could mean a warrior or soldier dying by their own weapon, either accidentally or in battle.
2. Metaphorical Interpretation: More commonly, it’s used metaphorically to suggest that the negative consequences one experiences are a direct result of their own actions, especially aggressive or harmful actions. For example, a person who often deceives others might ultimately be harmed by their own deceit.
3. Karmic Connotation: It also carries a sense of irony or karmic retribution, where the very methods or tactics someone employs end up being the cause of their own downfall.

This expression serves as a cautionary reminder about the risks of engaging in harmful or unethical behavior, as it might eventually lead back to the person who initiated it.

Throw away the traditional approach to things and forget about basic notions of what “good” or “success” means.

Speed is important. The faster you can shoot, cull, and backup photos, the longer you can go. When the process is slow, so is your motivation. Motivation is in the legs.

Speed, longevity, and endless curiosity!

I find this notion of creating the media that you wish to see manifest in the world to be a good one. What I find most amazing about making videos and photos is that I find joy both producing and consuming them. When I look back at the old videos and photos I’ve made from this year during my travels, or my mundane experiences, I find them to uplift my spirits!

The future of media

POV videos are very immersive, and also potentially will be most interesting to consume in the future. Considering the advent of virtual reality, and the new ways in which people will consume media going forward, maybe a POV experience will be desirable.

Human VS Computer

I’ve been thinking a lot about human generated media versus computer generated media. It already is starting to become difficult to determine what has been created by a human or what has been created by artificial intelligence. This is why I find sharing our authentic human experience through media production to be an interesting solution.

Why does this matter?

It seems that we seek some sort of authenticity or truth from the world. Most popular news outlets create highly produced media that is scripted and often feels fake. The same goes for 99% of people on YouTube. The idea is to create things that computers cannot. If I can create my own newscaster, or YouTuber, using artificial intelligence and feed it a script to review the latest celebrity gossip or talk about their favorite cameras, then maybe we should make something new and innovative that machines cannot.

Share the raw human experience!

Eugene Atget was a French photographer, best known for his work in documenting the architecture and streets of Paris in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His photography is characterized by its straightforward, almost documentary style. Atget captured the old Paris that was disappearing at the time, including historical buildings, street scenes, and various social classes.

He started photography in the late 1880s and continued until his death in 1927. Atget’s work was relatively unknown until after his death, when his photos gained significant recognition. Today, he’s regarded as a pioneer in the field of photography, particularly for his approach to urban street scenes and architectural photography. His work has influenced many other photographers and artists.

Eugène Atget’s impact on street photography is significant and enduring. Here are some key aspects of his influence:

• Documentary Approach: Atget’s work was primarily documentary. He aimed to create a comprehensive visual record of Paris. His approach to capturing the streets, buildings, and various facets of urban life in Paris has inspired generations of street photographers to adopt a documentary approach in their work.

• Attention to Detail: Atget paid meticulous attention to detail, composition, and lighting. His photographs weren’t just snapshots; they were carefully composed. This attention to the subtleties of urban life has encouraged street photographers to look beyond the obvious and capture the essence of a place.

• Artistic Influence: Though he considered himself a commercial photographer, Atget’s work has been appreciated for its artistic quality. His photographs have a distinct, almost poetic quality that captures the atmosphere of Parisian streets. This blend of artistic sensibility with documentary photography has been influential in shaping how street photography is approached and appreciated as an art form.

• Legacy and Preservation: Atget’s dedication to photographing old Paris played a crucial role in preserving the memory of an era and a city undergoing rapid change. This highlighted the power of street photography as a tool for historical documentation and preservation.

• Inspiration to Future Photographers: Atget’s work significantly influenced many notable photographers, including Berenice Abbott and Ansel Adams. His work was rediscovered and promoted by the American photographer Abbott in the 1920s, which helped to secure his legacy and influence.

• Surrealist Influence: Interestingly, Atget’s photographs also had an impact on the Surrealist movement. His images, sometimes featuring empty streets and unusual perspectives, were admired for their dream-like quality, thus bridging the gap between documentary photography and surrealism.

Atget’s work remains a foundational pillar in the history of photography, especially in how we understand and practice street photography today. His influence extends beyond the technical aspects of photography to how we perceive and interact with urban environments through the photographic lens.

The connection between physiological power and consciousness is a complex and multifaceted topic, involving various disciplines such as neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy. Here are some key aspects:

1. Brain Activity and Consciousness: Consciousness is closely tied to the brain’s physiological functions. The brain’s ability to process information, maintain alertness, and engage in complex cognitive tasks is central to our experience of consciousness.
2. Energy Metabolism and Brain Function: Physiological power, in terms of energy metabolism, is crucial for maintaining brain functions that support consciousness. The brain consumes a significant amount of the body’s energy to function properly, and disruptions in energy supply can affect consciousness (e.g., fainting due to low blood sugar).
3. Neurotransmitters and Conscious States: Various neurotransmitters play a role in different states of consciousness. For example, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine influence mood, alertness, and cognitive functions.
4. Sleep and Consciousness: Sleep is a physiological process essential for maintaining normal levels of consciousness. During sleep, the brain undergoes distinct physiological changes that are crucial for cognitive functions and overall well-being.
5. Physiological Stress and Consciousness: Physical stress, whether due to illness, fatigue, or other factors, can impact cognitive functions and the level of consciousness. Chronic stress can lead to changes in brain function and structure.
6. Evolutionary Perspective: From an evolutionary standpoint, the development of consciousness has been linked to increasing physiological complexity, particularly in the nervous system.
7. Philosophical and Ethical Considerations: The relationship between physiological processes and consciousness raises philosophical questions about the nature of the mind, free will, and the ethics of treating disorders that affect consciousness.

This topic is an ongoing area of research, and new discoveries continue to shed light on how our physiological processes are intertwined with the subjective experience of being conscious.

More physiological power is the goal.

Focusing on strength and longevity is wise to orient towards. The stronger we become, the more power we have to innovate. What separates humans from computers is our ability to creatively express ourselves and our unique consciousness.

Humans must evolve. Evolution requires strength.

A good challenge with some ideas:

• Cull photos
• ChatGPT Art
• Write blog posts
• Remix images
• Calligraphy
• GoPro POV
• Vlog
• Make new photos