How is value established?

Currency, money, music, people, etc.

Is it based on human standards?
Is validation done on the individual basis, or by mass appeal/approval?

Sales =/= quality

If one invention/idea/piece of art effects someone so profoundly that it changes their life forever, but another invention/idea/piece of art changes millions of lives but in a small way, nowhere near the same scale as the other invention/idea/piece of art, which has the greater value?

I don't have the answer to any of these questions, but I like to think I know how to add value to your own life.

It's all about how you perceive yourself. Are you a person of importance, and unique, or are you just like everybody else? Originals are always more valuable than copies, everyone knows that. That's standard across the board.

Many of you know by now that I'm a fan of the Matrix. There's a theory that Agent Smith is "The One", and not Neo, but in either case, the indisputable truth is that "The One" is more valuable than any other character depicted in the movie. But what makes Neo or Agent Smith "The One"? Neither of them explicitly say. They only accepted their roles because they were convinced that had to be that way. If Neo died in the alley, someone would have had to assume his position, or their destruction would be inevitable. He didn't start off flying and dodging bullets, it was learned because he believed he could. And the same thing is true with us. The expert at anything was once a beginner at something. You decide your level of involvement, and how deep the rabbit hole goes...

​I was having a conversation with one of my good friends about each of our defining characteristics, and we both agreed that one of the things that I'm most known for is my voice. It just makes sense right, with the rapping and all. But believe it or not, that wasn't always the case. I've always had a deep voice and an analytical perspective on things for as long as I can remember, but never shared either with the rest of the world, for fear of being ostracized. Our culture often associates deep voices with authority and intimidation; 2 characteristics I was at one point unwilling to associate myself with. I spoke to people in a high pitched voice so not to offend, and concealing my talents and abilities became my defensive mechanism. Every once in a while, my "true self" would shine through the facade for one reason or another, but other than that, I was reserved for the most part. Then one week during high school, I got sick with a sore throat, and couldn't fake pitch my voice anymore. I couldn't fake it, and because of that, stopped hiding. And when I did that, I stopped caring what people thought about me. So I began documenting my evolution in my newfound confidence, originally in the form of poetry, and later rap. Prior to discovering hip hop, I used to cry on the regular basis, probably at least once a week, for any reason. They say tears are how our heart speaks when our lips cannot. Now whether this is the case, or I've just matured, I haven't shed a tear a day since I began writing, a fact which I find interesting regardless, especially when considering the fact that I've obviously become more articulate over the years. And this is the path I'm on. And I'm happier because of the fact that I've embraced who I am. I'd imagine that you would be too. So embrace who you are, your talents, inhibitions, and peculiarities. Because you never know where they may lead you...

I was attending a group meeting with other musical entrepreneurs, and I did something that I either don't normally do, or do all too much; I asked a question. Some of you who know me personally know that I can sometimes get stuck in my ways. You might also might know that at times I can have an inner shyness. Not all the time, but if I'm an environment that I'm unfamiliar with, or people I don't know, I'm generally more reserved. Because let's face it, as much as I like people, many are stupid. Instead of being one of the clowns in the circus, I'd rather sit back and watch the show, you know? I have a hard outside layer of protection, but on the inside I'm oozing with creamy goodness, because I'm not One to throw my heart at the feet of others for it to be trampled upon. So yes, shyness can be one of my insecurities. But notice I said can be. Because I'd be damned to succumb to my inhibitions, or allow them to prevent me from accumulating knowledge, or withhold me from success. I can't count how many times people know what to do, but never take advantage of the opportunity. Knowledge is not enough. Application is the key. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. If you keep squeaking, you can only be ignored for so long before you are attended to...