On this day

September 12th

That’s… interesting

September 12, 2022

But in our Physics Project we’ve developed a fundamentally different view of space—in which space is not just a background, but has its own elaborate composition and structure. And in fact, we posit that space is in a sense everything that exists, and that all “things” are ultimately just features of the structure of space. We imagine that at the lowest level, space consists of large numbers of abstract “atoms of space” connected in a hypergraph that’s continually getting updated according to definite rules and that’s a huge version of something like this…

~ Stephen Wolfram from, On the Concept of Motion—Stephen Wolfram Writings

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I’m not sure what to say about this. I am certain that Wolfram is not crazy and that he is brilliant, but he’s pretty far beyond what I can understand. (Picture me doing that slightly askew, squinting thing.) On the other hand, if they really are making the progress they seem to be… it’s going to be a neat time to be alive, in another decade when they get things sorted out.

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One great city

September 12, 2021

…the world is one great city, and the substance out of which it is formed is single, and there must necessarily be a cycle of change, in which one thing gives way to another, and some things are destroyed and others come into being, and some things remain where they were and others are moved.

~ Epictetus

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Risk and reward

September 12, 2021

If you take risk out of climbing, it’s not climbing anymore.

~ Yvon Chouinard from, «https://www.rockandice.com/people/yvon-chouinard-what-ive-learned/»

Just checking: Be sure you know who Yvon Chouinard is.

Risk is everywhere. If you’re not a climber, I’d venture to guess that you regularly ride in automobiles, which is the most dangerous thing you regularly do. It’s not particularly risky—the chances of catastrophe are low. And it’s a risk I’m comfortable with. Comfortable in both senses: I’ve rationally assessed the risk and do what I can to reduce that risk, and I’ve been exposed to the risk so often that it no longer evinces a visceral reaction.

Certainly, in climbing the objective hazards loom larger; when you’re looking down on large birds cruising the ridge-lift, your physical perspective shifts your mental perspective on life. But there are objective hazards everywhere. For me, I like to do everything reasonable to reduce all of the risks, but knowing that the risks exist— spending some time each day sitting with those risks, knowing I cannot fully eliminate all of them— that’s living.

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Andrew Foster: Global Journey, Losing Everything, and Finding Purpose

September 12, 2017

Andrew Foster: Global journey, losing everything, and finding purpose

What does it take to transform personal struggles and passions into a thriving community that fosters movement, connection, and belonging?

Andrew Foster shares his fascinating journey from his home-schooled beginnings in Ohio, Arabic studies, and living in Jordan, (including meeting and training with Danny Ilabaca in Cairo) to facing the dark challenge of losing everything- including his purpose in life. Starting renewed from his lowest point, on a mountaintop in Colorado, he describes finding new purpose and direction, bringing him full circle to his home town in Ohio.

We come from dust, and we return to dust. We don’t have anything except what we’re given.

~ Andrew Foster (16:09)

Andrew Foster recounts his life journey, beginning with a childhood filled with classical music, philosophy, and a homeschooling environment that prioritized learning over grades. He describes his forays into sports like swimming and soccer, where he embraced the challenges of being an underdog. His passion for movement led him to Parkour, despite initial parental opposition, and to formative experiences abroad in the Middle East, where he studied Arabic and connected with Parkour communities.

A pivotal moment came when Andrew faced personal and professional loss, culminating in a cathartic experience atop a Colorado mountain. This epiphany shifted his perspective on life, motivating him to embrace gratitude, faith, and a commitment to community. Returning to Ohio, he founded Akron Movement Family, a Parkour gym centered on movement, love, and family, with the goal of creating a supportive, inclusive space for individuals to thrive physically and emotionally.

Takeaways

Movement as a central theme — Andrew explores how movement connects deeply to life and human experience.

Overcoming adversity — Reflecting on his struggles, Andrew highlights how challenges shaped his resilience and vision.

Building community — He emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where individuals feel valued and supported.

Cultural exchange and growth — His experiences in the Middle East broadened his perspective and reinforced the universal language of movement.

Transformational moments — A profound experience in the Rockies symbolized renewal and the start of a new purpose-driven journey.

Founding Akron Movement Family — The gym represents a culmination of his values, aiming to inspire and support a diverse community.

Resources

Akron Movement Family — Andrew’s Parkour gym focused on community, movement, and love.

Daniel Ilabaca — An influential Parkour figure and inspiration in Andrew’s journey, mentioned for his teachings and philosophies.

University of Jordan — The institution where Andrew studied Arabic during a transformative period of his life.

Bruce Lee’s “Flow like water” philosophy — Referenced in the conversation to illustrate movement’s deeper significance.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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