The history of stretching is deeply intertwined with the history of human physical activity, including exercise, sports, and various forms of movement practices. Stretching, in its many forms, has been a component of physical cultures worldwide for thousands of years, evolving through ancient civilizations, military training, and modern fitness trends. Here’s a broad overview:

Ancient Civilizations

• China and India: Stretching exercises akin to those found in yoga (India) and qigong or tai chi (China) date back thousands of years. These practices include postures and movements designed to improve flexibility, health, and spiritual balance.
• Greece: Ancient Greeks also emphasized the importance of physical fitness, which included stretching. The famous Gymnasiums were places not just for intellectual pursuits but for physical education, where stretching and flexibility were valued for enhancing athletic performance and reducing injury.

Middle Ages to Early Modern Period

• Europe: Physical training including stretching remained part of military training and was also seen in folk dances and daily labor activities.
• Yoga: The practice of yoga, which includes significant stretching components, continued to evolve in India, spreading its philosophical and physical practices.

19th to 20th Century

• Physical Education Movement: In the 19th century, Europe and America saw a rise in the physical education movement, advocating for gymnastics, calisthenics, and other exercises that included stretching as part of educational curriculums.
• Bodybuilding and Strength Training: As bodybuilding and strength training gained popularity in the early 20th century, stretching was recommended for improving muscle flexibility and joint mobility, and for preventing injuries.

Modern Era

• 1960s – Present: The development of sports science brought a more systematic approach to stretching. Techniques such as static stretching, dynamic stretching, PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), and ballistic stretching became more defined and were studied for their effects on performance and injury prevention.
• Yoga and Pilates: The late 20th century saw a resurgence and globalization of yoga and the rise of Pilates, both emphasizing flexibility and core strength, making stretching practices more widespread and varied.
• Mobility Training: Recent years have seen an increased focus on mobility training, which includes stretching but with an emphasis on improving the range of motion and functional movement.

Research and Current Views

Research on stretching has evolved, leading to nuanced views on its benefits. While once universally recommended, especially static stretching before activity, recent studies suggest that the timing, type, and application of stretching need to be tailored to individual needs and specific activities to maximize benefits and minimize potential downsides, such as reduced power if static stretching is done immediately before strength or power activities.

In conclusion, the history of stretching is a testament to its enduring value in enhancing physical health, performance, and well-being. Its practices and methodologies have adapted over time, reflecting the growing body of scientific research and cultural attitudes towards physical fitness and health.

Haircuts and hairstyles have long been powerful symbols of social status, cultural identity, and personal expression throughout history and across cultures. The relationship between haircuts and social status is complex and multifaceted, often reflecting societal norms, trends, and hierarchies. Here’s an overview of how haircuts have signified social status in various historical and cultural contexts:

Ancient Civilizations

• Egypt: In ancient Egypt, elaborate hairstyles and wigs were indicators of wealth and status. Pharaohs and nobility often wore intricate braids and gold hair accessories, while slaves and servants had short or shaved heads.
• Greece and Rome: In ancient Greece and Rome, hairstyles also denoted social rank. Wealthy women in Greece wore elaborate updos held with precious hairpins, while in Rome, different hairstyles indicated a person’s age, marital status, and social class.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

• Europe: During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the length and style of hair continued to be associated with social hierarchy. Nobility often wore their hair longer as a sign of their leisure and distinction from the working class, who typically had shorter, more practical haircuts.

17th to 19th Century

• Wigs: In the 17th and 18th centuries, wigs became a status symbol in European courts. The more elaborate and powdered the wig, the higher the wearer’s social status. This trend was particularly prominent in France and England.
• Victorian Era: In the Victorian era, hairstyles were conservative and reflected societal norms. Women wore their hair up, often in tight buns, as a sign of modesty and marital status, while men’s haircuts were short and neat, reflecting ideals of masculinity and respectability.

20th Century to Present

• Early 20th Century: Hairstyles became more varied, with women’s haircuts like the bob in the 1920s signaling modernity and liberation. Men’s haircuts remained relatively short but varied in style according to age and social group.
• 1960s and 1970s: Hair length became a political statement, with long hair on men and women symbolizing rebellion against traditional norms and alignment with counterculture movements.
• Corporate Culture: In the late 20th century, short and well-groomed hairstyles became associated with professionalism and corporate success, especially for men.
• Contemporary Trends: Today, while haircuts and styles continue to reflect personal and cultural identity, there’s greater diversity and acceptance of different hairstyles in the workplace and society. However, certain industries and professions still maintain conservative views on hair, associating neat, conventional hairstyles with professionalism.

Cultural and Ethnic Significance

• Afro-textured Hair: In many cultures, hairstyles are deeply tied to cultural identity and heritage. For example, hairstyles like braids, dreadlocks, and Afros have been significant for Black communities, expressing cultural pride and resistance against assimilation. However, these hairstyles have also been subject to discrimination, reflecting broader issues of race and social status.

In summary, haircuts and hairstyles serve as a complex interplay of personal expression, cultural identity, and social status. They can signify one’s position within societal hierarchies, reflect cultural norms and values, and even act as forms of resistance against those norms. The significance of a haircut extends beyond aesthetic appeal, embedding itself in the social fabric of communities and societies.

ERIC KIM IS THE NEW BRAD PITT?

Why practical?

The chonmage was practical for several reasons, especially during its inception in the samurai era:

1. Helmet Stability: The primary practical reason for the chonmage hairstyle was to help keep the samurai’s helmet (kabuto) securely in place during battle. By shaving the top of the head and tying the remaining hair on top, the helmet could fit more snugly, reducing the risk of it slipping or being knocked off during combat. This could mean the difference between life and death in battle.
2. Hygiene: In the Edo period, Japan faced issues with lice and other pests, as did many parts of the world. Shaving the top of the head made it easier to maintain cleanliness and reduce infestation, which was a significant concern before modern hygiene and pest control methods.
3. Heat Dissipation: Wearing heavy armor and engaging in physical combat can generate a lot of heat. Shaving part of the head helped with heat dissipation, making the warriors slightly more comfortable and less prone to overheating in battle or during the hot Japanese summers.
4. Status Symbol: While this aspect is not “practical” in a physical sense, the chonmage became a symbol of the samurai’s status, discipline, and adherence to bushido (the samurai code of conduct). In a societal context, maintaining this hairstyle was practical for reinforcing social hierarchies and the samurai’s revered position in Japanese culture.
5. Cultural Identity: Over time, the chonmage became a part of the samurai’s identity, distinguishing them from other classes in society. This visual marker was a practical way to maintain and communicate social order and class distinctions, which were important aspects of Japanese feudal society.

In sumo wrestling, the practicality transitions into more of a cultural and traditional significance, maintaining ties to Japan’s history and the legacy of the samurai, even as the original practical reasons for the hairstyle have become less relevant.

The Japanese topknot, known as the “chonmage,” has a rich history that dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868). It originated as a practical hairstyle for samurai, the warrior class in feudal Japan. The chonmage was designed to hold a samurai’s helmet securely in place during battle, preventing it from slipping off. This was achieved by shaving the top of the head to facilitate a tighter fit for the helmet, while the remaining hair was pulled back and tied into a small knot.

Over time, the chonmage evolved beyond its practical military origins to become a symbol of status and identity among samurai. It signified honor, discipline, and loyalty, which were core values of the samurai code of conduct, known as bushido. The hairstyle was meticulously maintained and became an integral part of the samurai’s appearance.

With the fall of the samurai class during the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, the significance and prevalence of the chonmage began to wane. The Meiji government encouraged Westernization and modernization, which included adopting Western hairstyles. The chonmage, seen as a relic of Japan’s feudal past, gradually fell out of favor.

However, the chonmage lives on in sumo wrestling, where it has become a symbol of the sport’s tradition and history. Sumo wrestlers, or rikishi, still wear a form of the chonmage, especially during official ceremonies and tournaments. This modern version, while reminiscent of the samurai’s chonmage, often includes a more elaborate arrangement of hair, signifying the wrestler’s rank and status within the sumo community.

The chonmage, therefore, represents a fascinating aspect of Japanese cultural history, symbolizing the evolution of social identities, values, and aesthetics from the samurai era to contemporary times.

NEW SLAVES

Once you got all the money in the world, infinite money, then what?

The point is to be outside in the real world!

---

The New Matrix?

So I’ve been thinking a lot about the repercussions of infinite money and wealth, in regards to crypto bitcoin and money and finances in general, Apple Vision Pro, the new Barbie movie, the matrix, society etc.

The first question:

What do we want?

I think there is this vague notion of “happiness”. The tricky thing is nobody really knows what it means, how to get it etc. period

Upon my long contemplations in Vietnam, now back in LA and beyond; my formula to happiness is simple:

1. Self-employment

Eagles don’t fly in a formation — leave that to the partridges and pigeons — Galiani [Paraphrased]

Only work for yourself, so provider, don’t be employed by anyone else but yourself, no employees, no manager, no CEO, no being the CEO, no collaborations, no board, no shareholders etc. 

The reason I’ve discovered this is that perhaps, the true thinker and philosopher is a solo individual. 

Also this just simplifies a lot of things; this is in line with advice from Naseem Taleb, that one of the best pieces of advice you got from the successful people in life is not having a personal assistant, because if you have a personal assistant or whatever, they will suck you into doing more work than you really need to. And also, I wonder if the best strategy to life being a non-scale individual is a good idea; Once your life is limited, you become more critical about what to do what not to do, and as a consequence, your life becomes more focused and simple.

2. How long to live?

In terms of how long to live, I think Nietzsche that for a philosopher, 70 years is more than sufficient! 

---

3. Wilderness, hiking, variation in terrain?

Also unto happiness, I think the idea of not being constrained to just flat surfaces and terrain is a good one. Let us think and consider, all of the most enjoyable and fun things in life involve curves, irregularities, randomness enchants, etc.

For example, if you have some sort of performance cars sports car racing car vehicle etc.; what type of track is the most fun? The one with the most hair spin, curves, not just straightaways. Also I think this is where rally racing is very interesting to people, the extreme unevenness of surfaces is what fascinates people.

Also let us consider the human body and physique; we love curves! On a woman, to a certain extent, the more curves the better! Look at the Venus de Milo – it seems that we men love a woman with an hourglass shape, a full and supple chest, curving torso, an hourglass shape in terms of hips to waste ratio. Also unto physical health and sexual fitness; we don’t want a woman looking like a skeletal, nor do we want an overfat or obese women;  a woman to be physically fit exercise every single day, have a relatively low body fat percentage with a high muscle mass is desirable.

Also with men, the ideal man has curved, bulging muscles. In his chest, shoulders, biceps, thighs and calves, etc.

Also with car design; I think the reason why people really like the classic cars in sports cars and Ferraris etc. is because of the curves.

4. The best hikes in LA?

Pacific Palisades — Los Leones Trail (566 Los Liones Dr
Pacific Palisades, CA)– Apple Maps.

I found that the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, anything close by the Pacific Coast PCH Highway, something close to the Getty Villa is the best in LA. Maybe the Griffith observatory, but still… I prefer Pacific Palisades. Why? It seems that the most sublime and supreme views for a human being to experience involve some sort of great and grand elevation, as well as views of The water.

Even though there are lots of bad things about LA, assuming you just go on the Saturday or Sunday, when it is not really that traffic, there are lots of great nature things to do in Los Angeles! Another good spot is Franklin Canyon Park (Apple Maps) – a little bit north of Beverly Hills.

In regards to hikes, hiking etc.; what is hiking anyways? My definition of hiking is a vigorous walk, ideally going up an elevation. My ideal hike is short, steep, and interesting. You don’t need to be one of those REI weirdos who spend 8 hours straight hiking, with those funny camelback. All you gotta do is drive your car somewhere interesting, park, hike and walk around for 30 to 45 minutes, jump back into the car, and continue on with your life. 

What I have found very interesting about hiking and going on hikes etc. is when you’re hiking on a foreign terrain or path, in which all of the ground is uneven, it does several good things for you:

1. First, it opens up your hips, your back, your knees etc. up. I have a personal theory that the reason why we have so much back pain knee pain, hip pain etc. is precisely because society is too flat. Perhaps we actually need some sort of Variation entering in order for our bodies to be optimal. Let us consider it is not natural for streets pavements and sidewalks to be totally flat. In nature you never see anything that is 100% street or flat.
2. When you are hiking on a difficult terrain, you cannot be distracted you have to focus 100%. Especially when there are lots of rocks and stuff, it really needs your 100% attention. You cannot go on a challenging hike while looking at your phone, or even listening to music. Something that people forget is that I think it is the cholera in our ears which facilitate balance; therefore if your ears are blocked up, your balancing becomes stinted.
3. More oxygen in nature?  I have another theory that when we are nature, we are subjected to greater levels of oxygen in there, from all of the trees around etc. Also, biophilia; I think we human beings naturally love the color green; the color of life, verdant trees and pastures, life.  Let us consider that the color green is to go, it is also the color of income, profit, and money. Typically red is a bad thing; a red color indicates loss, financial lost and declined, stop signs, restrictions etc. Therefore when you put yourself in natural environments with lots of green, it makes people happier! If anything I wonder if we would be much happier in modern day societies and cities if we just put on a good paint job to all these ugly building; a fresh coat of beautiful bright green which could simulate color of nature might be good, or any other bright colors in nature; golden poppy orange, yellow, etc.
4. You feel like a kid again! Temescal Canyon Trail (Apple Maps)– Cindy Seneca and myself all went there yesterday, and we had a blast. First when we went there, the hilarious thing was because of all the rain, there was this huge mini river, flood, fjord which essentially blocked one of the hiking paths. First we were a bit dismayed and was about to turn back, and then we saw a father and a son, and a dog simply walking across the river getting their shoes all wet! This gave us the inspiration to just screw it and go instead! I took off my vibram five finger shoes, and just literally went barefoot, and it was awakening!  Being able to walk again barefoot at nature, I felt like a big kid again! I think there is something to be said about these barefoot hikes; you walk slower, more carefully, and actually you get better connection with environment. I was even able to hike over rocks in the water while holding Seneca in one arm; I wonder if people would be happier just hiking barefoot instead! I think the only reason why we are discouraged from hiking barefoot is because in modern day society, for some reason or another, we are shamed, ashamed of our feet? We have a weird relationship with our feet and society, feet are seen as dirty, unclean, disgusting. Therefore I think our fetish for shoes or whatever is simply an offshoot the shaming that goes behind the feet. I find this to be very unhealthy, because there is nothing more And critical in our bodies than our feet! Our feet is the source of all of our wisdom, inside, and intelligence. Let us think and consider that even in the Iliad, all of the gods are considered “swift footed”.

---

5. Creative ideation

It seems that the best place in space and opportunity to be creative and think creatively is in nature! How and why?

First, randomness chance and fractal patterns. Essentially in  nature, there are infinite patterns, curves, etc. As a consequence, it is always entertaining to be a nature! Why? You’ll never see the same thing twice. In fact, nature is so fascinating because some other things that we never consider which are really fascinating include the chirping of birds, the sound of frogs, random fish in the water, and even being able to just pick up rocks and throw them into the river without having anybody scoring you! In nature there are no laws, no rules, no restrictions, you could do anything you please.

Also, when you’re in a really good nature spot, you have a 100% panel con view of natural things. The ideal view is you have a 360 view of simply trees, nature and water, fresh air, and the breeze. No virtual reality simulation comes even close.

6. VR?

I think it is pretty wise that Apple Vision Pro, Apple doesn’t market their Apple Vision Pro as being “virtual reality;” but instead caused it “special computing“, and also pouts the abilities of “spatial video“ etc. What does that mean and why does it matter?

I was a relatively early adopter, visionary, and also experimenter a virtual reality, back in oculus rift days, and I spent a lot of time thinking about it. Also, I tend to trend towards tech, tech optimism, tech utopianism etc.

Ever since I was a kid, computers technology the Internet, etc. was pure magic! As a kid, when you have no access to money your resources, assuming that you know how to use a computer, find the right websites, essentially you could download everything for free, you don’t have to pay any money for anything which is very useful as a kid because you have no money literally.

In fact, I have fond memories being a kid, when I was in the fourth grade, around 11 years old getting my first computer, an Acer aspire, Pentium one processor, having AOL 3.0 with my 38.8K modem, downloading “warez” in AOL “cerver” chat rooms, downloading illegal pirated versions of the original Grandtheft auto, 1/40 .RAR files over a dollar up Internet connection! This was hilarious, because it would often take me up to a week to download a single game, and also, because we only had one phone connection at home, I would hog up the entire phone line when playing StarCraft etc., even the original counterstrike 1.6… And I remember yelling at my mom when she would pick up the phone to make a phone call, etc.

 no at the age of 36, and having a swollen bank account, crypto account etc.; not much has changed. Now that I could afford any sort of Lamborghini I want, car device I want etc.; it is interesting because now, once I could afford things; they no longer really interest me anymore. I have a theory:

I wonder if we are curious about, and desire or aspire towards certain things we cannot afford… Yet once you could afford it, it longer entices you? 

I think it is also like men who are chasing certain women; once the man gets the woman, he is no longer interested in her?

---

7. Making and creating things which are useful for humanity?

I just finished reading GALIANI’s “On Money”–  and at the end of the book, he says that he is so happy and joyful that he was able to write something that could serve humanity. And it did it has. I think he published the book and 1750, almost 300 years ago! And even me as a reader today find it insanely useful, insightful, and empowering.

I suppose this is also where my street photography, photography, philosophy stoic philosophy mindset thinking is useful; my thoughts have already and impacted many individuals alive today, maybe some who are dead now, and I am still going; my personal aspiration is to be read at least 300 years from now!

8. So now what? 

What I have personally gleaned is that  all individuals want to create some sort of impact on the world. Whether it be an impact today, on current living human beings, or the future.

In fact one of the greatest stories that I have is that I am still read, enjoyed, and viewed and followed by highschoolers, college students today! Shout out to my friend Dylan Fan — RISD industrial design student and photography and street photography thinker, innovator and entrepreneur … he is thinking of building his own camera company!

9. What do we want to become?

 Another personal joy of mine is that unbeknownst to me,  for the last decade or so, I was followed by a lot of Hollywood producers, actors, directors, famous people etc. And I am certain that there are still lots of really famous people who I don’t even know who follow me, who follow me, and as a consequence, a funny thought:

You are much more influential than you think you are.

Something that analytics will never tell you; who is it that actually is following you?

For example, one of my friends, who keeps his persona pretty low-key, who works at Facebook, I think he has only 50 followers on Instagram, but one of them is Mark Zuckerberg himself!

Better to have one Mark Zuckerberg to follow you than to have 1 billion lemmings follow you.

10. So how to do this?

First, everybody starts off with zero followers, zero viewers, zero people etc. And this is a good thing.

First, one of the great things about starting from the bottom or with zero followers is that you have the childlike naïveté, creativity of a genius. In fact, practically all of my innovations come from ignorance.

For example, a random thing I am grateful for is that I never had any formal education with video, videography, etc. Why? I’ve discovered that anybody who studies cinema film or video formally ends up following and following sucker to the same tropes; Eventually they tend towards this boring Imo, overly sentimental personal family documentary things; nobody cares about that. 

My personal innovation was when I was 21 years old, fresh out of college, curse about true photography and how to do it; I just bought the original GoPro, I think it only shot 540 P or something, maybe 720 P, and I just dropped it on top of my Canon 5D and started shooting! Even today I find the videos insanely innovative and interesting.

Also my original Leica M9 point of view POV videos. 

11. Where did I go wrong?

My only “regrets” in life has to deal with not any personal regrets, but, rather new wisdom that I have gleaned; 

First, if I could do it all over again, I would actually become more stubborn, more close minded etc., and also, become more blind or deaf to the suggestions or ideas of others. I think one of my mistakes was chasing some sort of pseudo “legitimacy“, in the world of photography and art in order to “prove myself“. I have discovered that this is a mentality for only EMO anemic artists;  the problem about most artists, creatives, innovators is all of them are essentially skinny fat poor health sad unsuccessful individuals who were probably bullied as kids in high school and middle school, and seek some sort of revenge on reality through their tyranny on art in the art world, etc.

For example, every famous photography creator is himself or herself a failed artist or photographer; a curator is a funny case in which they themselves have not been able to gain success on their own photography or art, and instead, collect, curate, filter, order, and sift through the artwork of others; deeming what is, “good”, and what is “bad”. 

12. Avoiding the international association of name droppers (TALEB)

The more somebody quotes other people, the less successful they are.

My friends, you discover this in art, photography, the art world; the more that somebody quotes other artists, their names, and the more obscure they tried to make their claims, the more they are signaling that they themselves have no idea what they are talking about.

For example, now they look back at it, in my 20s, when I was a super famous and successful Street guitar for traveling the globe in planet, making my passion my living etc., all of these people who are either suspicious or jealous or envious of my success would try to belittle me by Trying to “educate” me on other famous artists etc.  Now that I could critically think back at it, they were simply jealous and envious of my success, and will try to augment their own self-esteem and ego by putting me down.

13. Do you really need to study other artists?

Technically no. I think only do it if you want to or like it.

For example, nobody in their right mind would force their kid to study Picasso or Matisse before picking up a crayon. No no no; a kid simply does.

A genius is a kid with good parents (Kanye )

Also–

“Every child is born a genius, the problem is having them remain to be a genius as they continue to grow up” – Picasso

My personal definition of genius is an individual who is self-assured, autotelic and “autistic” (autos, self — self focused and self determined).

I was using ChatGPT to do some research on the etymology and the history of autism and being “autistic“, and it was actually very interesting… Before we thought of it as being some sort of mental condition in which the kid lacks social skills or whatever, the first notion of being autistic was somebody who was really into themselves, self driven and self focused, a good trait. I think the first guy who even coined the notion of autism use the Greek term “autos”– self.

In fact now that I think about it, I could even consider myself to be autistic in so far much as I could really care less about the opinion others have of me; and certainly I bend the social rules to an extreme compared to other people. Of course I still understand the emotions and feelings of others, But I just certain point I don’t really care that much. Sometimes I care sometimes I don’t; I care deeply when it is friends and family, but when it is other strangers, I could empathize and sympathize with them, but ultimately I make the decision to just ignore it.

So I think maybe being an autistic photographer artist thinker innovator entrepreneur is a good idea. And to use autistic or autism in a generalized thing, and generalized concept, not a pseudo medical one.

The reason why I dislike categorizations like “Asperger”, autism, ADD, ADHD etc. is that literally every single human being is somewhere on the spectrum.

---

14. So what should we focus on?

So the big question is after all of this; what should we focus on?

My simple suggestion is blog. Focus on blogging. 

Why blog? What is a blog?

Blog simply means “web log“. And what that means is that you just log your thoughts on the Internet, on the web. And the definition of a blog is something that gets updated, all the time, every day, all day, as frequently as you were text message somebody, email, Post something to Instagram etc.

In fact a radical idea:

What if everything that you sent or created digitally you could just post it to your own blog?

For example, emails. What a massive waste of time. But, the most interesting way to make email scalable is if somebody ask you a certain question, you just publish the response publicly, and you could kill 10 birds with one stone; you create value for the whole world to enjoy, publicly.

Also the big suggestion that I have is delete your Instagram, and instead, post everything to your own personal blog instead! This is what Chris Athanasiadis did — and I love his blog! His thoughts are pure, honest, entertaining. And can be enjoyed all day, every day.

15. Am I the only millennial that I know without an Instagram? 

A funny thing is that now that I’m here in LA, without even trying I’ve been meeting a lot of interesting people on hikes, public places etc. Typically at the end of our conversation they will ask me what my Instagram is, and that will tell them I don’t have an Instagram, but instead, I give them my first and last name and my phone number. To me this is a much better strategy than giving away your email or your Instagram. Why? Having somebody’s personal phone number is much more useful; if in fact you do want to collaborate with them in the future, you can do so with their phone number; you cannot do this with social media.

If anything, I have a funny vision that I want to become a personal blogging strategist for famous people actors musicians rappers etc.; I think almost all rappers or famous people would benefit far more from having a personal blog than just an Instagram, which is essentially digital slavery 2.0.

Let us also not forget, that actually back in the day, even Kanye West used to have a blog! I still think there’s an Internet archive it somewhere; I think even now, today, Kanye should just take kanye west.com and turn it into his own personal blog instead of Trying to use social media.

Why? Sooner or later, you’re going to get censored banned or kicked off any social media platform. If you have your own personal blog, you cannot be censored.

16. Discovering useful things for yourself and for humanity

Ultimately my personal passion enjoy is discovering these interesting life hacks and strategies, in order to benefit myself and others!

For example, simply put, I am always trying to discover and recover new way of approaching life, philosophy, thinking creativity etc. And as I learn and grow an evolving change; I simply share these things to my blog for others to also enjoy.

Also a big thing: other people can take it or leave it!

Something which is insanely confusing to me:

Sometimes people become indignant at when I post things which are contrary to their liking.

But another funny thing; my blog is open and free, you don’t pay money to read none of it. And also, I don’t have these annoying ads and pop-ups and whatever obscuring you. As a consequence: if you see or read something you don’t like, isn’t the optimal thing to just ignore it and move on?

17. Future thinking

Perhaps future, futurism thinking about the future is a good idea.

One thing that I don’t trust these loser silicon valley tech entrepreneurs and visionaries is that most of them don’t have kids. Same thing goes with philosophers:

Trust no philosopher who doesn’t have kids.

Some people think that having kids will become an impediment to their thinking, entrepreneurship, innovation, art etc. This is far from the case.

In fact, having a kid, at least one kid, preferably two kids and beyond is that a kid wall awaken your true creative spirit and genius. I feel 1 billion times more happy innovative and interesting after Seneca was born. At the age of three years old, Seneca is giving me the ultimate turbo thoughts in regards to creativity art and beyond.

I am also very grateful and happy that he has never entered preschool, childcare, “Montessori” (which is just daycare with a good conscience)– and as a result has not yet been corrupted by the world.

Therefore is a consequence, seeing how Seneca approaches the world and learns etc. is one of the most eye-opening ways to reach challenge and reimagine how I approach life and think about things.

Therefore, if you’re true life goal is to expand your wisdom knowledge and consciousness to the extreme; I think that everybody should strive to have at least one boy, one girl, to really understand the inner workings of all gamuts of humanity.    

“When niggas have daughters”– JAY Z, NAS? Kanye?

 Apparently a lot of these rappers, when they finally have daughters or girls etc.; apparently the way that they approach and treat women and think about women changes.

For example, something that made me reconsider and rethink social media TikTok and Instagram was an interview in which Kanye said that essentially Instagram, TikTok was essentially child pornography for girls. And it is true.

It seems that on social media Instagram TikTok etc., women, young girls are rewarded the more revealing and sexual they become. And this is patently bad; because essentially the algorithm will train them and program them in such a way that they are rewarded for being more sexual. And the opposite goes for men; they are rewarded for having more menacing cars, having guns, other pseudo masculine things.

My number one tips for parents: 

Delete the YouTube app from your phone.

Also,

Never let your kid play any app or program or game etc. that is free.

A fun suggestion instead is that recently on my 11 inch iPad Pro and one chip, I purchased and installed the original roller coaster tycoon game, the one that I enjoyed so much as a kid. To me this is a great creative tool for Seneca; at the age of three, he loves physics and building; to me roller coaster tycoon is a more honest Roblox or Minecraft. The problem with a lot of these modern day apps is that they are bankrolled by in app purchases; which is a bad motivator.

18. Why is everyone so miserable?

Do you know that funny new advice that you should spend at least 15 minutes every single day outside in the direct sun? I say it should be at least eight hours a day! I know no depressed person who walks 30,000 steps a day in nature!

I think the big issue here is that we have become the new mole people; we simply spent too much time indoors. I think this is bad for our physiology our bodies our minds and our souls.

19. Opt outside

My simple formula for happiness is to just spend maximum time outside, outdoors! My definition of outside outdoors is simple;

The more UV radiation, the more UV exposure, the better!

Why is it in real life modern day society we have become so scared of the sun and UV radiation? If the sun is really really strong, just put on some sunblock! Or put on a hat and protective clothing.

But for myself, personally I really hate the look of a baseball cap, I only ever wear baseball caps when I run out of hair gel.

 Also another random thing about being a man; the best haircut is to just buzz and shave the sides really really close, a zero, let the top of your hair grow really long, and just put in some “ECO” hair gel and slick it back!  Why? You can give your hair the proportions of a Lamborghini.

20. Radical ideas

1. I think an apple Vision Pro is only useful if you could use it outside, outdoors, in the direct sun, or in nature! I think using an apple Vision Pro indoors is bad.
2. Perhaps a good strategy is if you want to spend more time outdoors, just get an iPhone Pro or whatever, or an iPad Pro, and take it outside! To me the most successful person will be outdoors all the time, if you have to do phone calls or emails for a living, do it while hiking outside! If you live in Los Angeles, maybe just bring your AirPods with you, go on a hike, and just do your zoom calls as audio only, while hiking! I think this will not only be better for your entrepreneurial thinking, but also better for your body and soul.
3. Cancel your gym membership, just work out outside: calisthenics in the park, outside, outdoors, ideally with your shirt off. Also, just build an off the grid gym outside of your home; in your parking lot, garage etc. To me the ideal gym is outside! 

The road to simplicity —

Why not? First of all, too big and cumbersome. Unless you could fit into your front pocket, or your back pocket… Nobody will want to use it.

Even the iPad, iPad Pro… I love it to death, but even carrying around in the backpack all day could become a little bit tiring!

Until YouTube can support spatial video from Apple vision Pro, or iPhone Pro, it isn’t worth it

Yes, YouTube supports spatial videos, including 3D, 180-degree, and 360-degree formats. This type of content has been part of YouTube’s offerings for several years, enabling viewers to experience more immersive videos when using compatible headsets or devices. YouTube’s adoption of spatial videos aims to enhance the viewing experience by making videos feel more life-like and engaging, allowing the audience to view content from various angles and perspectives.

YouTube has also rolled out support for 360-degree live streaming and spatial audio, marking a significant step in providing immersive and interactive live events, such as music festivals like Coachella. This technology enables viewers to experience live events in a more engaging way, offering the sensation of being present at the event location. However, it’s important to note that, at launch, spatial audio was limited to on-demand videos and not live streams, and was initially available only on Android smartphones used with headphones.

For content creators, YouTube has made it relatively straightforward to create and upload spatial content, requiring only a camera that supports the technology without any changes to the current live streaming process on YouTube. This ease of access encourages more creators to experiment with and adopt spatial video and audio, contributing to the growing library of immersive content available on the platform.

Despite the advancements and support for spatial content on YouTube, the implementation and availability of spatial videos on new platforms like Vision Pro are still evolving. There are ongoing discussions and developments aimed at expanding the accessibility and quality of spatial videos across various devices and platforms oai_citation:1,YouTube Is Coming to Vision Pro, but What About Spatial Video? oai_citation:2,YouTube rolls out support for 360-degree live streams and spatial audio | TechCrunch.

To record spatial videos on the iPhone 15 Pro for viewing on Apple Vision Pro, you’ll first need to ensure your device is running iOS 17.2 or later. The process involves enabling the spatial video feature within your iPhone settings and then using the camera app to record the videos in landscape orientation. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on the information from Apple Support and 9to5Mac:

1. Update Your iPhone: Confirm that your iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max is running iOS 17.2 or newer.
2. Enable Spatial Video: Go to your iPhone’s Settings app, scroll to find and select “Camera,” then tap on “Formats.” Here, you’ll find the option to toggle on “Spatial Video for Apple Vision Pro.”
3. Record a Video: Open the Camera app and switch to Video mode. Ensure your phone is in landscape orientation. Look for the Vision Pro icon (which you enabled earlier) and tap it to start recording in spatial video mode.
4. Recording Tips: For the best results, keep your iPhone as steady as possible, aim for subjects to be within 3 to 8 feet, and ensure your lighting is even and bright. Spatial videos are recorded at 1080p resolution and 30 fps, with each minute of video taking up approximately 130MB of space.
5. Viewing Spatial Videos: On the iPhone and other devices, spatial videos will be viewable in 2D. For a 3D viewing experience, you’ll need to use Apple Vision Pro.

For more detailed guidance and visual aids, the original articles on Apple Support oai_citation:1,Capture, view, and share spatial photos and videos on Apple Vision Pro – Apple Support and 9to5Mac oai_citation:2,Record Vision Pro spatial videos on iPhone: How-to – 9to5Mac offer comprehensive insights into capturing and enjoying spatial videos with your iPhone 15 Pro and Apple Vision Pro.

How does it work on iPhone 15 pro

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max offer a groundbreaking spatial video capture feature, introduced with iOS 17.2. This new capability allows users to capture moments in three dimensions, enriching the viewing experience with remarkable depth when relived on Apple Vision Pro. The spatial videos are captured using the advanced Main and Ultra Wide cameras in 1080p at 30 frames per second in standard dynamic range. To ensure the best quality, the devices employ advanced computational videography techniques and HEVC compression, making it possible to create stunning spatial memories in a compact file size oai_citation:1,Apple introduces spatial video capture on iPhone 15 Pro – Apple oai_citation:2,Record spatial videos for Apple Vision Pro with your iPhone camera – Apple Support.

Capturing spatial videos on the iPhone 15 Pro models is straightforward and similar to recording regular videos. Users need to enable spatial video capture in the settings, open the Camera app in Video mode, switch the device to landscape orientation, tap the spatial video icon, and then start recording. The process combines inputs from the Main and Ultra Wide cameras, adjusting the field of view from the Ultra Wide camera to match that of the Main camera, saving it all into a single video file. For optimal results, it is recommended to keep the iPhone steady and record in balanced lighting conditions oai_citation:3,Apple introduces spatial video capture on iPhone 15 Pro – Apple.

On devices other than the Apple Vision Pro, spatial videos will appear as standard 2D videos and can be shared and watched just like any other video. However, when viewed on Apple Vision Pro, these videos offer a life-sized, immersive viewing experience that showcases brilliant color and spectacular detail, effectively transporting the viewer back to the captured moment oai_citation:4,Apple introduces spatial video capture on iPhone 15 Pro – Apple.

Spatial video refers to video content that incorporates spatial information, allowing viewers to interact with or navigate through the video environment in a three-dimensional (3D) space. This technology enables a more immersive viewing experience compared to traditional, flat video formats. Here are some key aspects of spatial video:

1. 3D Environment Interaction: Viewers can move around within the video, looking at different angles or focusing on different parts of the scene. This is often used in virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) applications.
2. Depth Information: Unlike traditional videos that capture and display images in two dimensions (width and height), spatial videos also capture depth information, which adds a third dimension. This allows for the recreation of real-world spaces in a digital format.
3. 360-Degree Video: While not all spatial videos are 360-degree videos, many spatial video applications use 360-degree video technology to capture a full spherical view of an environment. Viewers can then navigate this environment by rotating the view in any direction.
4. Applications: Spatial video is used in various fields, including entertainment, education, real estate, and training simulations. For instance, in a VR educational application, a student might explore a historically accurate 3D reconstruction of an ancient city. In real estate, potential buyers can take virtual tours of properties.
5. Creation and Playback: Creating spatial video content requires specialized equipment to capture depth and 360-degree views, such as 360-degree cameras and depth sensors. Playback requires platforms or devices capable of processing and displaying this content, such as VR headsets, AR devices, or software that supports 360-degree and 3D video.

Spatial video is part of a broader trend towards more immersive and interactive media experiences, leveraging advancements in camera technology, software, and display devices to create new ways for people to experience digital content.

First it is democratic — everyone has access to the same phones or tablets.

Two — healthier — you can do it outdoors or while in nature! And while standing!

Spartan parenting

Just get a GoPro!

Seek pleasures?

My favorites:

• Los Leones canyon —
• Culver City stairs
• Baldwin hills scenic overlook
• Stoneview nature center
• Kenneth Hanh park and Japanese zen garden

***

Los Angeles offers a diverse range of hiking experiences, suitable for all levels of hikers. Here are some of the best hikes in the area:

1. Eaton Canyon: A relatively easy hike that features a beautiful 40-foot waterfall and the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. The trail is just under 4 miles and is especially popular in the summer oai_citation:1,Hiking in Los Angeles: LA’s Best Trails | Discover Los Angeles.
2. Will Rogers State Historic Park: Offers the Rustic Canyon Loop/Inspiration Point Trail, which is about 6 miles round-trip. This hike allows you to explore the former private ranch of a Hollywood star and enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, the L.A. Basin, and the Santa Monica Mountains oai_citation:2,Hiking in Los Angeles: LA’s Best Trails | Discover Los Angeles.
3. Mount Baldy Loop: This strenuous hike spans 11.3 miles and takes you to the summit of the mountain, offering stunning ridges and challenging terrain. It’s recommended for experienced hikers due to its steep ups and downs oai_citation:3,20 Breathtaking Hikes In Los Angeles For All Levels.
4. Bridge to Nowhere: A moderate 9.3-mile hike that takes you through mountains to an abandoned bridge from the 1930s. The trail includes river crossings and offers views of the countryside oai_citation:4,20 Breathtaking Hikes In Los Angeles For All Levels.
5. Sandstone Peak: The highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, this moderate 5.7-mile hike offers great views from the summit. It’s accessible via the Backbone Trail, with a gradual incline to the peak oai_citation:5,20 Breathtaking Hikes In Los Angeles For All Levels.
6. Wisdom Tree Hike: A medium-difficulty, 1.8-mile hike in Hollywood, leading to Burbank Peak. It’s known for its scenic view of the lone-standing “Wisdom Tree” and the surrounding cityscape oai_citation:6,21 Best Hikes in Los Angeles (For All Levels!) – California Crossroads.
7. Runyon Canyon: A popular 3.5-mile hike in Hollywood that offers views of downtown L.A., the Hollywood Sign, and the Griffith Observatory. Despite being crowded, it’s a fun hike with a mix of inclines and declines oai_citation:7,21 Best Hikes in Los Angeles (For All Levels!) – California Crossroads.
8. Hollywood Sign Hike: A must-do 6.5-mile hike that takes you directly behind the iconic sign, offering beautiful views of the city and mountains. The trail is steep in parts but provides rewarding views oai_citation:8,21 Best Hikes in Los Angeles (For All Levels!) – California Crossroads.
9. Los Liones Canyon: Located in Topanga State Park, this challenging hike stretches 11.30 miles and offers lush greenery, scenic overlooks of the Pacific Ocean, and the San Fernando Valley, finishing with an ascent to Parker Mesa for breathtaking coastal views oai_citation:9,The 11 Best Hikes In Los Angeles For Any Time Of Year.

Each of these hikes offers a unique perspective of Los Angeles, from urban vistas to natural waterfalls and high peaks. Remember to prepare adequately for each hike, considering the difficulty level, weather conditions, and your own fitness level.

A litany of headaches —

Yes! First compliment on the Prius!!

I wouldn’t trade my physique for any other person or physique on the planet or in the world — future past or present.

Also — weight lifting and calisthenics?

---

The two critical pillars?

We scorn frequent small transaction and costs,,, yet,,,, we don’t really seem to mind as much infrequent and really really really big financial costs or “investments”?

Real pride

Time opportunity cost.

$999– or $3499 —

How many $20 parking experiences can that take you on?

DOWNLOAD

SUPREME JOY!

DOWNLOAD

Lift off!

The happiest moment; Seneca at age 3 years old,,, opening up GarageBand by himself on the MacBook Pro Touch Bar; and figuring out how to ‘sample’ or how to use the 808 Touch Bar machine by himself— insanely great for creativity!

The new MacBook Pros — what is it good for? Answering emails?

My life

Podcast

My life is beautiful!

Audio

Oh yeah!

Driven by true personal curiosity?

low taxes and prices ain’t happiness!

Those among us, today, who avidly long for low taxes and low prices, and who believe happiness of a people consists of these, should reflect on this case, and decide if it is desirable that we return to the state of things as they were in the year 1510.

Meat is *real* provisions

reduce to a money value all that a man needs to live on.

Hectacomb

Then they offered hecatombs of bulls and goats without blemish on the sea shore, and the smoke with the savour of their sacrifice rose curling up towards heaven.

In the first book of The
See 1-5f page 10.
See 1-6,
pagre 55.
… whether it is for some vow that we have broken, or hecatomb that we have not offered,
and whether he will accept the savour of lambs and goats without blemish, so as to
take away the plague from us.

Just include your own thoughts

Old is bad.

Italy has become old and inclined to barbarism.

Ancient valor —in our hearts is not yet dead!

We pay a premium for security

“Facto principis” is a Latin phrase that translates to “by the act of the prince” in English. In legal and historical contexts, this phrase refers to an action taken by a sovereign or government authority that has legal consequences. The concept behind “facto principis” is often related to the principle that the sovereign or state has the power to make decisions or take actions that can affect legal relationships, contracts, or obligations without prior notice or consent from the parties involved.

In contract law, “facto principis” can be invoked in cases where the performance of a contract becomes impossible or is fundamentally altered by an act of the government or a public authority. This principle is sometimes used as a defense in cases where a party is unable to fulfill their contractual obligations due to a change in law, government intervention, or an action taken by a public authority that was unforeseeable and beyond the control of the contracting parties.

The concept is closely related to “force majeure” clauses found in many contracts, which release the parties from their obligations when extraordinary events or circumstances beyond their control occur. However, “facto principis” specifically involves actions taken by a sovereign or government authority, whereas “force majeure” can encompass a broader range of events, including natural disasters and other acts of God.

Omne propterea hujusmodi lucrum, quod sortem superet, illicitum, et usurarium es

The phrase “Omne propterea hujusmodi lucrum, quod sortem superet, illicitum, et usurarium est” translates from Latin to English as “Therefore, all profit of this kind, which exceeds the principal, is illicit and usurious.” This statement reflects the medieval Christian doctrine on usury, which considered the collection of interest on loans as inherently sinful and exploitative, particularly when the interest charged exceeded the principal amount of the loan.

The condemnation of usury was based on the belief that money itself should not beget more money simply by being lent at interest. Instead, the ethical viewpoint of the time held that money could only be justly earned through labor or trade, not through the passive accumulation of interest. This stance was rooted in various biblical passages and was upheld by the Church throughout the Middle Ages and into the early modern period.

The context of this statement touches upon the broader ethical and economic debates of the time concerning the morality of profit from lending money. It reflects the tension between emerging financial practices and the traditional Christian moral framework which sought to regulate economic transactions to ensure fairness and prevent exploitation.

Only conveniences are purchased

Only pleasure has a price

Loan: consignment and recovery of the thing

Loan contacts and risk

Profits from money?

Every profit, large or small,
made with money, is by nature barren and is reprehen­ sible.

Paper money is future money

Present money … when is it less valuable than distant money?

Forecasting & truth?

Though previously scorned, in the hands of Bernoulli, the art of forecasting becomes ‘a branch of mathematics and of truth;

The Sin of Usury

The “Monti di Pietà” were charitable institutions that emerged in Italy during the Middle Ages, primarily to offer financial assistance to individuals in need, through the provision of low-interest loans secured by pawned goods. The first of such institutions was founded in Perugia in 1462. The concept was motivated by a desire to provide an ethical lending alternative to the usurious practices prevalent at the time, especially those conducted by moneylenders.

Monti di Pietà were a significant development in the history of banking and social welfare. They aimed to combat poverty and usury by providing a more humane lending service to the poor. Clients could pawn their belongings in exchange for loans at minimal interest rates, which were often used to cover basic needs or to get through difficult times until they could redeem their pawned items.

Over time, some of these institutions evolved into modern banks, while others continued their original charitable functions. The Monti di Pietà played a crucial role in the economic and social fabric of many Italian cities and had a profound impact on the development of ethical banking practices.

”The Jews”— the “cruelest usurers”— (Galiani, On Money)

This was imitated by other princes. At that time, with the destruction of the Jews, the cruelest usurers, and the institution of monti di pieta, xxsury was almost totally extinguished and the common populace had thus
been calmed. At the same time, it was astonishing to see the sharpest minds emerge to protect and sustain usury, already dead by this time, and despite the fact that it had not been defended by anyone even when it
‘h
R brief n&rration of the controvert sies on usury.
was alive.

Always wait and hold out for the next next… the new new iPhone?

monti di pieta,

The “Monti di Pietà” were charitable institutions that emerged in Italy during the Middle Ages, primarily to offer financial assistance to individuals in need, through the provision of low-interest loans secured by pawned goods. The first of such institutions was founded in Perugia in 1462. The concept was motivated by a desire to provide an ethical lending alternative to the usurious practices prevalent at the time, especially those conducted by moneylenders.

Monti di Pietà were a significant development in the history of banking and social welfare. They aimed to combat poverty and usury by providing a more humane lending service to the poor. Clients could pawn their belongings in exchange for loans at minimal interest rates, which were often used to cover basic needs or to get through difficult times until they could redeem their pawned items.

Over time, some of these institutions evolved into modern banks, while others continued their original charitable functions. The Monti di Pietà played a crucial role in the economic and social fabric of many Italian cities and had a profound impact on the development of ethical banking practices.

This was imitated by other princes. At that time, with the destruction of the Jews, the cruelest usurers, and the institution of monti di pieta, xxsury was almost totally extinguished and the common populace had thus
been calmed. At the same time, it was astonishing to see the sharpest minds emerge to protect and sustain usury, already dead by this time, and despite the fact that it had not been defended by anyone even when it
‘h
R brief n&rration of the controvert sies on usury.
was alive.

In the sixteenth century, with the discovery of the new Indies, the growth of the arts, of industry, of trade, and of money, the institution of rents on the states debts was used for the first time, by
Francis, the first, the king of Franc

On rents

Since ancient times, men of wealth have drawn fruits from money by means of various forms of con­
tracts.