Month: August 2020

If confronted with convenience and simplicity or freedom and independence, I’d always choose the path with maximal independence and freedom!

Whenever possible, just rent it. Don’t buy it. The downside of ownership (even if you’re a trillionaire) is the stress of having to maintain it, register it, fix it, and worth about it. Why …

When is internet anonymity good, and when is it bad? Internet anonymity is good when it prevents you from getting killed or jailed indefinitely. Internet anonymity is bad when people are just trolling for …

Photography reigns supreme:

Use RICOH GR III to shoot food!

What are we missing in today’s soft and scared world? Honesty. Brutal honesty.

RICOH is the best camera. Workout with it … both physically and also artistically:

In praise of eggs, and my patented technique:

How I edit my videos on iMovie:

If you pay for a service or a premium for a thing, it is more likely to be better.

To be human is to be creative … to create! A life in which we are not allowed to create is not a life worth living.

On being mortal:

Interesting new peer-reviewed study from Nature (July 8th, 2020) which suggests a deeper connection between the gut (what we moderns call the ‘microbiome’) and the brain. My theory: Perhaps our gut (stomach) is our …

What is propaganda? Propagao in Latin means to extend, enlargen, and expand-increase. Pro means forward … or to advance. ‘Pehg-‘ in Proto-Indo-European means “to attach”. Thus in a simple sense, propaganda is simply to …

Another funny bias I have discovered: Why is in modern society alcohol is tolerated and considered ‘fine in moderation’ or even sometimes… positively GOOD and seen as *BENEFICIAL* … whereas eating meat seems to …

The best video by far: anything from Panasonic-Lumix. Do not get suckered by all these other brands (Sony, Fujifilm, etc) — Lumix is king.

Do we get a perverse joy from criticizing or critiquing others for the sake of it (to feel superior), or do we genuinely want to treat, heal, and help people?

Dear friend, no idea where you are, or what you are doing right now, but know … I got your back! Some quick photo assignment ideas for you to get you going: Cross-process JPEG …

Or in other words, why Coca-Cola is evil. Also … how Type 2 Diabetes is totally reversible by quitting sugar. And how Type 3 Diabetes is essentially Alzheimer’s disease.

What is wealth, and why have it? For what, and towards what aims?

All or nothing:

The bias in philosophy and thinking: Only things created with purpose and intent have worth. Which means: Rationality, logic, and purposeful decision-making is king … any unconscious, subconscious or random has no worth. Why …

The more ghetto and janky, the better:

You don’t always need a high-tech solution to a low-tech problem: In praise of a ‘McGyver’ mindset — where you can ghetto-hack things in a fun, interesting and novel way to solve problems! Or …

What is the purpose of being a billionaire when your body looks like shit, when you *feel* like shit, and you look anything less than a Greek demigod? I say — The ultimate wealth …

there is no sound sweeter than the sound of your own name. Do you bother to remember other peoples’ names? Do others bother to remember your name? The thought: Strive to remember the name …

Another life heuristic: When in doubt, delay. We have been brain-washed into thinking that we must always have a ‘bias for action’. But in fact, to delay takes more courage and skill. Purposeful procrastination …

Or in other words: All forms of creation are good!

Nothing is possible without me having unusually abundant health. Thus the first step: Prioritize your personal health, vigor and strength above all!

Why do we falter as photographers and visual artists? Our sucker mistake: Believing that photos are sacred. In fact, photos are profane. No sacred quality to them. Let us go BEYOND this basic romantic …

Filling the frame, and creating dynamic tension in your frame with all your subjects.

Some of my personal thoughts on the future of creativity:

My attempt at an “antifragile” (Nassim Taleb) system of ethics:

He who creates, benefits and bestows blessing onto others and society is the good (generative) man. He who is the parasite and milks the system is the bad man; the degenerate. For a healthy …

Innovate means to breathe new life into something old, or to just create something new from scratch. How do we do this? Some thoughts:

We philosophers … we must share our thoughts and visions without spite and malice. To analyze society and other humans honestly, without hatred. To judge others honestly with love. To not blame others for …

Simple ideas:

The beefier, the better.

More wisdom in your stomach, legs, and intuition than your ‘brain’.

To make huge money, strive to solve huge problems. Best to think: What are massive personal problems in my life, and if I could… how could I fix my own problems and share the …

You can’t have one without the other. The true ubermensch will have augmented both his or her virtues AND vices to the max.

Towards a more rigorous and honest approach.

Beware the word “should” from others. It is a sign of disrespect and intolerance.

Before you say or do something that may be irreversible, wait at least 48 hours before acting. In fact delay and purposeful procrastinaton are our two best weapons.

A primer on working out:

It isn’t really “minimalism” we want … it is convenience. For example, the reason why I don’t like owning a lot of stuff isn’t a virtue thing. It’s pure convenience! To own just two …

When it comes to people, thoughts, philosophies or systems of thought ask yourself: Are these people on the ascent or the descent in life? Avoid those stagnant or descending. Link and partner with those …

I never blame people for being sick or toxic. The best is just to avoid them, and distance yourself from them. For your mental hygiene, and also for your mental health.

I don’t blame people for who they are. But if you meet someone who is like a rabid dog, you don’t blame the rabid dog for being a rabid dog… but the wise thing …

I love talking to strangers. Why? And how do I do it?

Optimus means “best”. To optimize is to make things better. It seems in life, perfection doesn’t exist and isn’t a goal. Instead, striving always for more better … this seems to be a better …

In life, ignore commentators. Only heed the words from creators.

In praise of life-furthering and life-promoting photos:

My personal goal: Craft my physique to look like that of a Greek demigod.

Instead of striving to one day buy or purchase x, y, z … isn’t it far more interesting to aspire to build, create and design something instead?

Is there a future for photographers in today’s brave new world? My thoughts:

The notion of “van life” and “tiny homes” are a trap. Why? It makes us think: Once I just disconnect from technology, society, and go “off the grid” I can finally become happy and …

As long as you cleave your self esteem to others, you will be disappointed. The simple solution: Extreme selfishness and extreme self esteem, and extreme self focus on yourself. No dependence or reliance in …

Jony Ive — apparently wanted to leave Apple after Steve Jobs died. Jony Ive was truly the last bastion of hope for Apple in terms of the artistic soul of Apple. But since Jony …

I’ve discovered in my life when I try to “help” others I’m always disappointed. Why? I expect them to become like me. But when they fail to do so, I feel disappointed. As a …

My theory: I like others to treat me how I treat them, but this almost never happens. Why? I expect everyone to treat me highly. As a consequence, I treat everyone else highly. But …