I’m happy to inform my readers about the recent publication of my first english novel: NOO. Inspired by the recent passing of Hurricane Maria over Puerto Rico, the book is available in the following outlets:
PDF: www.gofundme.com/noo-the-novel
Web browser: https://www.wattpad.com/story/126582095-noo
Hope you enjoy it! Don´t forget to share!
Filed under Uncategorized
In october 2015, I published a really innovative artbook called “Piezas”. It mixes the aesthetics of chess with social, literary and philosophical topics. I encourage you all to check out the free preview at: www.ajpiezas.com
P.S. I am planning to publish a unique, short novel online next week. It’s going to be free to read or download. I’ll post more info. regarding the novel later on.
Filed under Books, History, Inspiration
Sometimes by working too much, we forget the things that matter the most
This is my first official “short-film” that I did, with the help of my famiy, for the Possible Future’s Film Contest. Hope you enjoy it!! And if you do, don’t forget to vote for it by clicking the link below.
So? You mistrust me? You are angry with me, you beautiful monsters? Are you afraid that I might betray your secret entirely? Well, then be angry with me! Raise your dangerous green bodies as high as you can! Make a wall between me and the sun – as you do now! Verily, even now nothing is left of the world but green dusk and green light flashes. Carry on as you please, you pranksters; roar in delight and malice – or dive again, pouring your emeralds into the deepest depths, and cast your endless white manes of foam and spray over them – everything suits me well, for everything suits you so well, and I am so well disposed toward you for everything: how could I think of betraying you! For – heed it well! – I know you and your secret, I know your kind! You and I – are we not of one kind? You and I – do we not have one secret?
(excerpt from Gay Science, Nietzsche 1882)
The secret? – More and more people are lost or empty inside.
Filed under Culture
First off… has there been a democracy without political parties?
Yes, the United States of America (1789 – 1797) During his two terms as President, George Washington didn’t approve the foundation of political parties.
Why?
Well, the Father of the USA believed that the creation of political parties would inevitably lead to the birth of party interest.
What’s wrong with party interests?
That in the proccess of decision-making, politicians often overlook the interests of the country, in favor of the interests of their own political party. In other words, what used to be:
“Governnment of the people, by the people, for the people”
is now
“Government of the people, by the people, for the party”.
So we, as a people, complain. We look all around us and say “Why the #$% aren’t things being done to clean up this financial mess? Later, when we are tired of complaining, we kick back and turn on the TV.
There, a CNN reporter is evaluating the financial crisis: “Well Tom, it looks like the US debt is on the rise and shows no sign of slowing down.”
Then some “expert” comes on and says “Another month goes by, and no real measures are taken to tackle the economic crisis. Both Democrats and Republicans seem unwilling to compromise and take politically incorrect decisions.” We have all heard the term “politically incorrect”…
What does “politically incorrect” mean?
A “politically incorrect” decision, is a decision that is unfavorable for a political party (results in the loss of votes or support). What is good for the party can be harmful for the country (and vice versa). Thus, important decisions that should be taken NOW – are delayed undefinetly. Because solving the problems of the nation is priority # 4, not priority #1.
The financial crisis will not be solved, until either:
Filed under Culture
Oh, the irony!
Adam Smith – founder of Capitalism
“Man must control and dominate his egoism, a fundamental element so that community life doesn’t turn into a war of everyone agaisn’t everyone.”
Proudhon – founder of modern Anarchism
His most influential book was the Bible – “Eighteen centuries ago, the revolution was called the Gospel”
Kierkegaard – founder of Existencialism
“The faithful don’t adopt a rational stance; they transcend rationality in favor of something more extraordinary: faith”
Filed under Culture
The real magical struggle and the real scientific struggle are twin brothers: one was sick and perished, the other was healthy and prospered. But, they were twin brothers. They were born of the same impulse […]
There is something that joins Magic with Science, and seperates both from ancient “Wisdom”. For the ancient thinkers, the main problem was how to adapt the human soul to reality, and their solution was knowledge, self-discipline and virtue. For magic and science, the main problem is how to adapt reality to the wishes of men, and the solution is a determined technique.
—– C. S Lewis, The Abolition of Man
Science: turning dreams into reality. And the reality into dreams.
The world changes, but as a people remain the same.
Technology evolves fast, but we still have 10 fingers.
Filed under Books
Aztec, a +1000 page book, is the culmination of 12 years of historical research by its author Gary Jennings. First published in 1980, the book narrates the adventures of Mixtli, an aztec native, before & after the arrival of the Spanish conquerors in Mexico. The book serves as a window into a distant time, into an Aztec Empire capable of great beauty and cruelty. But most of all, Aztec demonstrate the unique philosophy of life and way of living of the aztec people.
Tenochtlitan - The Capital of the Aztec Empire
Aztec reminds of us of a time where everyone believed in “fate”, a place where men coexisted peacefully with nature, and a society in which money wasn’t the most important thing in the world.
Every time a aztec baby was born, his umbilical cord was cut off. If the baby was a girl, the umbilical cord would be wrapped around a piece of wood and buried under the house. (this should help the girl develop good household skills – the aztecs would say) If the baby was a boy, the umbilical cord would be wrapped around a small wooden shield and given to a warrior. The warrior would then proceed to bury the “shield” in a battlefield. (according to aztec tradition, this would give the boy the courage he needed to be a great warrior) This piece of buried umbilical cord was referred to as an aztec’s “tonali” or fate. The common aztec believe that their human fate was tied to their “tonali” and the will of the gods.
Like many ancient cultures, the aztec’s religion was deeply interwined with the elements of nature. The aztec gods manifested their will through meteorological and astrological acts. Just like the early Christians, the aztecs believed that man and nature where subject to the direct power and intervention of the God(s). But unlike the Europeans of the time who disdained nature, destroyed countless forests and abused of the Earth’s resources; the aztecs lived sorrounded by nature.
Unlike in today’s capitalistic society, money wasn’t everything in the aztec world. As there was no official currency, the aztec’s often traded using gold powder, copper chunks, jade rocks, and chocolate beans. Honor, prestige, war and power – were more imporant than money. And the aztec tradesmen were members of a guild, known as the Pochteca, and always traded in the name and for the well-being of their Empire. (And unlike those working at Wall Street, these ancient traders would have never allowed their greed to destroy their nation)
And finally... the topic of human sacrifice
Why did the aztecs perform human sacrifices?
According to Aztec folkore, the world and its human inhabitants has been destroyed four times. The first time the entire human population was devoured by jaguars. The second time, destroyed by tornadoes and hurricanes. The third time, by a rain of fire. And finally, by a massive flood like Noah’s (but without survivors). According to aztec religion, these four destructions were sent by the gods because they were not pleased. The gods demanded a more constant supply of human blood, or else they would grow thirsty and destroy. From the aztec point of view, being sacrificied was an honor: they were giving their life for a good cause. Protecting the human race from further divine destruction.
Henceforth the problem: how can you sustain an Empire that constantly requires war prisioners for sacrifice?
The answer is easy: make “fake” wars. During times of peace, the six central Aztec nations would wage their own war simulation, called “Florid Wars”. Every year, 3 Aztecs nations would face off against the other 3 Aztec nations in an open field. The objective of these “Florid Wars” was not to kill the enemy, but to disable and capture prisoners. These “fake” wars would last several days, until all of the generals decided they had captured enough prisioners. Each army would then return to their own nation and commit massive “Florid Sacrifices”. And the gods were pleased.
MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM THE BOOK
Yes, at your age you expect a lot. You can go in any direction you choose. You can go alone or with company. Your companions might travel with you a short or long distance. But at the end of your life, no matter how full your wanderings and days have been, you must learn what everybody eventually learns […] No man has ever lived more than one life, which he himself as choosen and for the most part lived alone.
I believe that memories are the only treasure that humans can ever hope of owning forever.
We had wasted love, which is the most unforgettable waste of all. Time and love are the only two things in the world that one can’t buy, only spend.
PR man with US 