The life we create matters.
The work we make matters.
We matter.
Those we acknowledge, serve, love matter.
THE DINNER
Nobody complains about beautiful views. Views over dangerous cliffs, skyscrapers, or snow capped mountains.
This wonderful, absurdly peaceful ride over Medellin's humble, brick and tin dwellings gave me time to bask in the city's wonder. Medellin's peaks can be seen from anywhere, especially while riding the cable car into town like many locals do daily.
I don't use the word lucky. I don't believe in luck, so i'll say I felt fortunate to come from a country with a strong passport. In the States, I work hard, I earn, I save, I punch my ticket out of the States several times a year.
Hours after snapping this shot I met with a Paisa friend over fried fish and flank steak. Rice, beans, ice cold Coca Cola accompanied our meal.
"How do you like Medellin" he asked
Americans who travel frequently know this question well.
No pressure to shrink into a neat little package labeled "sellable." Those fun day? Poof. Gone. Vaporized by a system so slick it's turned into human juice extractors... most of us don't even notice we're the fruit.
We're bobbing around in a sea of sameness. Algorithmic sameness. Outfit sameness. Product sameness. Scroll sameness.
The world's become a giant copy machine, spitting out the same atheleisure-clad clones, oversized tees posing as style and recycled content with different Instagram filters.
Why does every men's fashion post look perfectly art directed? Walking through a Cracker Barrel front door shouldn't look like a Hermes ad.
Have a glance. Same brands. Same stories. Same stuff. Same everything. We're photocopies, faded, crinkled, and stashed in Gramp's attic since disco.
Creativity isn't just boring – it's soul genocide. And here's my beef. We're chowing down on this monotony like it's an all-you-can-eat buffet at the mall.
II. THE ENEMY
Conformity doesn't storm in with a dramatic keyboard note or a cape-twirling super villain.
No Darth Vader theme here — conformity is too sneaky for that jazz. It tiptoes in like tiny gremlins wearing Sketchers, whispering sweet sexy overtures with ulterior motives.
"Heyyyy Papi... Don't worry. I'll save you from the pain of being different"
Conformity dangles promises of safety, a cozy escape from rejection, and a break from the exhausting art of humanity.
"Hop in the water's warm" Conformity winks
Sure, conformity has it's perks. A few shiny complements hurled with care "You smell great is that Creed Aventus?"
A pat on the back "I love your Represent Hoodie"
A side of silent judgement "Oh... you're still wearing Yeezy?"
That's conformity for you live and in action...
Your spark – gone. Edges sanded down. Your unique voice repainted in beige. Your bold ideas swapped for algorithm head-nods.
"Why stand out?" Conformity coos. "Just blend in, everyone's doing it."
III. RESPONSE
Uniqueness isn't selfishness – it's life support. For real, it's our lifeline.
Anthony Bourdain didn't just cook, cig hanging from his bottom lip. He served up opinions, culture, soul, difference. He brought conversation to meal prep.
When we all look, talk, build and think the same, what's left to explore? No bridges, no discoveries just a sad funhouse of mirrors reflecting the same polished, perfect mask.
IV. WHAT WE STAND FOR
Soul
Participating in lives of people who might not look like you, speak, dress, act or create like you.
Made of Soul. Living with Soul. That's my philosophy.
Multi-Faceted Living. Forget "pick a lane." You'r not scattered – you're whole.
V. WHAT WE'RE BUILDING
Shapeshyfter isn’t just another media gig—it’s a home. A safe space for those done with performative perfection, algorithmic checklists, and being told to cram into a Amazon box. Here’s the vision:
- A magazine, Monocle-style, spotlighting creatives with grit, soul, and stories that stick—craftspeople, culture-shapers, underdogs we root for.
- A creative practice (Soulkraft) that builds brands by means of storytelling
- A community of Shapeshyfters – folks who refuse to be carbon copies.
VI. THE INVITATION
This isn’t for everyone. If sameness and one-size-fits-all vibes feel right, click away—no judgment!
But if you’ve felt the squeeze of forcing yourself into someone else’s blueprint… if you’ve looked around and thought, “Wait, are we all wearing the same outfit?”… if you’re exhausted by algorithm-approved world building… welcome. You’re not unfocused or “too much.” You’re a Shapeshyfter.
VII. THE FIGHT
Sameness is winning the popularity contest right now—check your feed. But every creative who dares to live and create with soul chips away at that monolith.
*Bane Voice "Let the games begin"
Pick your side