Alexei Navalny Marching In 2017

The Greatest Martyr of Our Times: Alexei Nawalny

Listen, I’ve got something very obvious to tell you. You’re not allowed to give up. If they decide to kill me, it means that we are incredibly strong.

Alexei Navalny

As the world lies in shambles, I find myself wrestling with a sorrow that feels as vast as the night sky. The news of Alexei Navalny’s passing isn’t just a headline; it’s a tragedy that leaves a huge void in my heart. Navalny, a beacon of hope in the oppressive gloom of Putin’s Russia, has been extinguished, and with him, a piece of my own hope dims.

This loss is weirdly personal. Navalny’s courage, his unyielding stand against a regime that knows no bounds of cruelty, has always been a source of inspiration for me. His fight was not just for the soul of Russia but for the universal values of freedom and justice. To know that his voice has been silenced is to feel a cold shadow fall over the very ideals I hold dear.

The comparison between Putin and the tyrants of history, like Hitler, is a stark reminder of the darkness that can consume nations when power is unchecked. Navalny stood against this darkness, armed with nothing but his conviction and the belief in a better future. His murder is a chilling testament to the lengths tyrants will go to maintain their grip on power, and it echoes a history we’ve vowed never to repeat.

I struggle to find words that can adequately express the depth of my grief. It’s a sadness that seeps into the bones, a sense of hopelessness that is hard to shake. Navalny’s fight, his sacrifice, resonates with a part of me that believes in the power of standing up for what is right, even in the face of insurmountable odds.

This isn’t just the mourning of a public figure; it’s the mourning of a kindred spirit, a fellow warrior in the fight for a world where justice prevails. Yet, in this moment of deep sorrow, I am reminded of the resilience of the human spirit. Navalny’s legacy is not just in the battles he fought but in the indomitable will he embodied. It’s a legacy that challenges us to carry forward the torch of freedom, to stand against tyranny with the same courage and determination.

As I navigate through a sea of sadness, I am struck by the realization that our fight is far from over. Navalny’s spirit, his unwavering belief in a better future, serves as a beacon in these dark times. It’s a call to action, a reminder that we must continue the struggle for justice, for freedom, for the very soul of our humanity.

In honoring Navalny’s memory, I find a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. It’s a hope that springs from the conviction that ultimately, light will prevail over darkness. This journey is fraught with pain and loss, but it’s a journey we must undertake, inspired by the lives of those like Navalny, who dared to dream of a better world.

To Alexei, your passing has left a void that words cannot fill. But in my heart, and in the hearts of countless others, your legacy lives on. You inspire everyone to fight for for freedom.

Rest in peace, Alexei Navalny. Your battle may have ended, but your spirit marches on, a guiding light in our darkest hours.

Alexei Navalny has two children. He is survived by his daughter, Daria Navalnaya, and his son, Zakhar Navalny. Daria has been notably active and vocal in advocating for her father’s release and human rights in Russia, especially during the periods of his imprisonment. The involvement of his family, particularly Daria, in speaking out against the injustices faced by Navalny has brought a personal dimension to his political struggle, highlighting the impact of his fight not just on the political landscape but on his family as well.

To Navalny’s wife, children, family, and friends: your pain is felt by those of us who, from afar, have admired and been inspired by Alexei’s courage. I cannot begin to comprehend the depth of your loss, but I stand with you in your grief, honoring the memory of a man who gave everything for the belief in a better world.

Phoenix

You Need to Fail to Succeed

And I did, many times. That doesn’t mean I always succeeded after I failed, but whenever I succeeded it never came without failure before. That said…

A New Paradigm for Music Makers

In an industry that’s constantly evolving, The Crow Hill Company emerges as a breath of fresh air. While still in its early stages, the platform promises an ever-growing collection of free professional resources for music makers. But what sets it apart is its philosophy: it aims to be a “love letter to music makers.” This isn’t just a repository of tools; it’s a community, a support system, and most importantly, a philosophy that values the process as much as the product.

What’s in the Vault?

While the company is tight-lipped about upcoming content, they’ve teased that it’s something they’re “incredibly reluctant to share,” which only adds to the intrigue. Given the secrecy, one can only speculate about the revolutionary tools and resources that might be in store for members.

The Maestro Behind the Mission

Christian Henson is a name that commands respect in the world of music composition. With a career that boasts multiple nominations and awards, he’s a versatile talent who’s worked on everything from TV shows to epic sci-fi films. But what truly sets him apart is his unique, self-taught approach to working with the orchestra, a skill honed through collaborations with a diverse range of artists.

The Spitfire Legacy

Before The Crow Hill Company, Henson made waves with Spitfire Audio, a company that provides essential tools for composers. Spitfire developed a cult following and became a significant supporter of the music industry. This experience undoubtedly informs his new venture, bringing a level of expertise and credibility that’s hard to match.

The Importance of Failure: A Lesson in Resilience

In a recent video, Christian Henson tackles a subject that’s often swept under the rug: failure. But he doesn’t just talk about it; he embraces it as an essential part of the creative process. The video serves as a manifesto for all creatives, urging them to see failure not as a setback but as a stepping stone.

Why We Need to Fail to Succeed

Henson argues that success is often the byproduct of a series of failures. These failures, or “fluff ups” as he calls them, are not just obstacles but valuable lessons. He stresses the importance of repurposing these failures into lessons that can guide future endeavors. This philosophy aligns perfectly with the mission of The Crow Hill Company, making the platform not just a resource hub but a support system for creatives.

The Symbiosis of Philosophy and Practice

What makes The Crow Hill Company and Christian Henson’s message so compelling is the seamless integration of philosophy and practice. They don’t just provide the tools for success; they equip you with the mindset needed to use those tools effectively. This dual approach ensures that you’re not just technically proficient but also emotionally and philosophically equipped to navigate the complex landscape of creative work.

A New Era for Music Makers?

The Crow Hill Company, backed by the wisdom and experience of Christian Henson, promises to be more than just another platform for music makers. It’s a philosophy, a community, and a treasure trove of resources rolled into one. As someone with over 30 years of experience in the music industry, I can say that this is exactly the kind of holistic approach that can redefine how we think about music production.

Are you ready to embrace failure as the ultimate teacher?

Watch this:

red and orange galaxy illustration

Why I’m a Pantheist. And What About My Album “GOD”?

From my earliest memories, the universe has always been a source of profound fascination. The night sky, a tapestry of stars and cosmic wonder, seemed to pose questions that penetrated the very core of my being. My quest for answers led me through various domains – religion, philosophy, and empirical science. Yet, none offered the holistic understanding I yearned for. That is, until I discovered Pantheism.

At its core, Pantheism is a worldview that is both elegantly simple and profoundly deep: the universe and everything within it is divine. But let’s clarify what I mean by “divine,” as it’s a term often misunderstood. For me, divinity is not about an anthropomorphic God sitting on a celestial throne. I’m an atheist in that regard, finding no logical or empirical basis for such a deity. Instead, my sense of the divine is rooted in the inherent order that permeates the universe – an order that allows for the existence and functioning of all things.

This divine order is not a set of commandments but a natural, self-organizing system that can be observed in everything from the laws of physics to the complexity of biological systems. It’s the reason why planets orbit stars, why ecosystems maintain their balance, and why we, as conscious beings, can ponder our place in the cosmos. This order is the closest thing to “God” in my Pantheistic view, and it’s an understanding that fills me with awe and wonder.

When I first encountered the concept of quantum entanglement, it felt like a scientific affirmation of this divine order. Here were particles, separated by vast distances, yet intrinsically connected in a way that defied classical understanding. It was as if the universe itself was giving a nod to the Pantheistic idea of interconnectedness, an inherent feature of this divine order.

The first law of thermodynamics further resonated with my Pantheistic beliefs. This law, stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only transformed, seemed like another expression of this divine order. It’s a principle that can be observed in the water cycle, where water evaporates, forms clouds, and returns as rain, never being destroyed but merely changing form. This eternal cycle of energy and matter is a testament to the inherent order that governs all things.

The cyclical nature of the universe, as suggested by theories like the Big Bang and the Big Crunch, also aligns with this view. These theories propose a universe in a constant cycle of birth, expansion, and eventual contraction, mirroring the eternal cycles that are a cornerstone of Pantheistic thought and another manifestation of this divine order.

The concept of emergence, where complex systems arise from the interactions of simpler entities, offers yet another glimpse into this inherent order. Consider a termite mound: each termite contributes to a complex, self-regulating system, a microcosm of the divine order that I see as permeating the universe at all levels.

Fractals, with their infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across scales, serve as a beautiful metaphor for this divine order. Whether it’s the branching of trees, the course of rivers, or the structure of our lungs, these fractal patterns are a testament to the inherent order that underlies all existence.

So, why am I a Pantheist? Because Pantheism offers a framework that harmonizes the spiritual with the scientific. It provides a lens through which the mysteries and realities of existence can be explored and appreciated. In embracing Pantheism, I’ve found a spiritual home that satisfies my intellectual curiosity, fills my soul with a sense of divine wonder, and aligns perfectly with my atheistic rejection of a traditional deity. For me, Pantheism is not just a belief; it’s a profound understanding of the divine order that makes us, and everything around us, a part of this wondrous cosmos.

The Irony of “God”: My Musical Perspective

Now, you might be wondering about my album titled “GOD.” I have never explained this. This is a first.

Contrary to what the title might suggest, it’s not a religious work. In fact, it’s quite the opposite – it’s a satire, a commentary on how religious teachings, particularly those surrounding figures like Jesus, have been misunderstood and distorted over time.

I have immense respect for Jesus as a historical figure. He was a revolutionary who preached love, tolerance, and understanding in a time when such ideas were radical. However, I believe that his messages have been twisted and turned into something he never intended. My album “God” aims to poke fun at this religious misinterpretation while also shedding light on how I see the divine order that governs the universe.

Back then I have been accused of blasphemy and even been threatened by religious fanatics.

In the album, I explore themes that resonate with my Pantheistic beliefs, using music as a medium to express the inherent order and interconnectedness that I see in the cosmos. It’s my way of challenging conventional religious thought and encouraging listeners to consider a more harmonious and scientifically coherent understanding of divinity.

So, when you listen to “GOD,” know that it’s not an homage to a deity in the sky but a musical journey that invites you to question, explore, and ultimately find your own understanding of the divine order that makes this universe so incredibly awe-inspiring.