stephen hawking. “Our beloved professor Stephen Hawking. Rest in peace. You helped us see the world with the eyes of wonder.”
“I write to you today at a pivotal moment in global history. The fourth industrial revolution – that surging data beast has entered a new phase. THIS IS THE END OF THE BEGINNING. We face grave challenges, and despite seductive promises of technological empowerment and connectivity from our tech titans, we remain a fractured and dark society. Our identity is defined by tribalism. Our beliefs are informed by echo chambers. Social media corporations have benefited from our new filter bubble existence (rewarding us with programmed endorphin rushes, thus keeping us glued to their platforms). Furthermore, the new media giants have also played a devastating role in the disruption of our long trusted institutions. Our capacity to reflect on current events with tempered context and objectivity is now hindered. News channels today often embrace a misguided greed for augmented metrics and viewing figures, rather than fair and balanced information. FRIENDS, it is time to embrace a new bright dawn. It is time to lead public opinion rather than follow it. Our reliance on focus groups shall be replaced by our steadfast faith in truth and justice. If we are to enjoy the fruits of individual empowerment, then we must also exercise responsible global citizenship and moral compass. Suspicion and slander are infections, but so is compassion and empathy. So I say come on then, let us go forward together in our united strength, let us all belong to a nobel cause again. We are all equal stake holders. We are all future champions of the human condition. To be a leader is to embrace servitude. So let’s be useful, let’s do our duty, and let’s acknowledge that our differences are the making of our majestic greatness. A new highlight of hope has caught the chrome of my camera, and I am ready to bridge build. Join me.”
stephen hawking. “Professor Hawking’s physical condition during the session must have been extremely challenging for him. As far as I could tell, one of the last functioning muscles in his body was around his right eye. In this picture you can see a sensor has been fitted to his glasses to monitor movement. Thus, he can direct a cursor over each letter in the alphabet on a computer until he makes a selection: LETTERS – WORDS – SENTENCES – PARAGRAPHS. The world’s greatest free mind is imprisoned in the most fragile and limited body. By the end of my sitting he was clearly exhausted. Just keeping his eyes open was a mountain to climb. Knowing he had given his all, I asked if he could slip me a single word of wisdom – one word about life from Professor Stephen Hawking was bound to be prophetic. His nurse explained that when he is tired his powers of communication are less accurate. She suggested that we let him be. As I packed up to leave I heard beeps coming from the professor’s tablet monitor. We all turned to see him moving the cursor over each letter. ‘HE’S TYPING!’ With each beep we all leaned in with anticipation – He stopped at the letter ‘W.’ “I doubt that is accurate,” said his carer. Then the search for the second letter began – BEEP BEEP BEEP until the letter ‘O.’ Once again his nurse seemed doubtful. “W – O, it doesn’t mean anything.” Then his beeps began for a third and final time. BEEP BEEP BEEP – all the way back to the letter ‘W’ again. Before the nurse could interpret, it hit me, “Oh my God,” I shouted. “He typed the word WOW!” My heart raced as I squeezed his hand, “Thank you professor,” I whispered. Despite this man’s overwhelming adversity, he still believes in the mighty power of WOW. How lucky I am to receive such an important philosophical lesson in optimism. In the face of life’s challenges, a courageous human being looks at the world with wonder. Professor Hawking, I salute you and the power of WOW.
prince. “To spend the day with Prince is a rare and special thing. He was performing in Nashville, Tennessee and I was to photograph him backstage moments before he would thrill 20,000 people. He was introspective but surprisingly generous. He invited me to his sound check – I was mesmerized as he played every single instrument, making constant adjustments with the sound technicians. Even the drum kit was put through a rigorous examination. Every cymbal, every tom tom, the bass drum, and finally the snare. It was an exhaustive process of perfection and complete control – time stood still. I built my studio behind the stage and he waited until the arena was filled with screaming crowds before he finally appeared for me. I was overwhelmed, and he was calm – stately and tremendously trippy. I thanked him for providing a soundtrack to my youth. In particular, there was a song called Pop Life – an amazing song. I played it every Saturday night as I dressed for a party – a ritual that helped me feel 200% alive. He listened to my scattered reminiscence and smiled that Prince smile – then he chuckled to himself. ‘What’s so funny?’ I asked. He whispered, ‘I used to get dressed to that song too.’ Prince, you were majestic, and if you’re listening, I salute you.”
stephen hawking. “I photographed Professor Hawking in his personal office buried deep inside the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Cambridge University, England. The room was dominated by an oversized blackboard filled with chalked algebra equations. Pictures of Marylyn Monroe were scattered on all remaining walls. The professor was brought in by a team of medical nurses and a technical adviser. I was asked to leave the room so they could have some privacy to prepare him for my sitting – and prepared he was! HE HAS A POWERFUL PRESENCE. SILENT. MOTIONLESS. YET, 200% ALIVE. THIS MAN RADIATES CHARISMA – HIS EYES BURN WITH FIRE. He rocked a dapper tweed jacket with a silk cravat, which elegantly covered up all the plastic tubes entering his fragile body. He was engulfed by a mechanical throne-like wheel chair, in my opinion it only added to this man’s stature. At one point his eyes became sensitive to my lighting and during a quick break his nurse fitted his sunglasses. Suddenly, it all happened – rock star swagger. Here is professor Stephen Hawking as Platon sees him, a badass super hero. Professor Hawking, I salute you.”
evelyn valazquez.
“This is Evelyn, she was 3 years old when I took this picture. Her father had been placed in a detention center for working with false documents. I saw the little girl marching with her mother at an immigration reform rally in Arizona, I knew instantly that the message on her t-shirt along with her beautiful spirit would be a powerful statement. I asked her mother if I could take a picture of her daughter, she agreed but then the little girl refused – she was too shy – she did what my children would do with a stranger and hid behind her mothers legs. This was not the picture I wanted to take – a victimized child running from authority. So I had to earn her trust by playing balloons with her for 5 and a half hours. I never had to earn trust like that with any of the powerful politicians or hollywood celebrities I’ve had the privilege to work with. Eventually Evelyn pointed to me and said “PICTURE NOW.” I had passed her audition. I took this picture with a steadfast conviction that this had to be one of the most important photos of my career. She stands not as a victim but as an empowered little girl filled with hope. I congratulated her mother for having such a well behaved little girl, and her mother told her daughter “the photographer man is very happy!” Evelyn replies, “IF I DID SO GOOD, DOES THAT MEAN DADDY CAN COME HOME NOW?” Perhaps our politicians can explain to Evelyn why her family must be separated. I certainly cannot.” To meet more of the heroes of our time head over to The People’s Portfolio – @peoplesportfolio
justin timberlake. “Justin Timberlake put on an energetic performance at the Super Bowl. But, for me personally, somebody else’s presence stole the show. I wonder who that might be…”
THIS IS OUR TIME.
Our time to lead not mislead –
to the politicians who divide us for votes,
to the technology titans who profit from our echo chambers,
to the journalists who coat fact with opinion,
I say this: WHAT KIND OF A PEOPLE DO YOU THINK WE ARE?
Yes, your phobia is infectious but so is our compassion and commitment to belong to something beautiful again.
WE WILL NOT GO DOWN AS THE GENERATION OF CONNECTIVITY THAT DISCONNECTED ITSELF.
No, we will rise up and rekindle the spirit of optimism and together we will proudly sign our names on the title deeds of freedom.
The battle of persuasion rages on – our sleeves are rolled – we are ready with greatness in our hearts to reclaim OUR TIME!
THIS IS OUR TIME.
Our time to lead not mislead –
to the politicians who divide us for votes,
to the technology titans who profit from our echo chambers,
to the journalists who coat fact with opinion,
I say this: WHAT KIND OF A PEOPLE DO YOU THINK WE ARE?
Yes, your phobia is infectious but so is our compassion and commitment to belong to something beautiful again.
WE WILL NOT GO DOWN AS THE GENERATION OF CONNECTIVITY THAT DISCONNECTED ITSELF.
No, we will rise up and rekindle the spirit of optimism and together we will proudly sign our names on the title deeds of freedom.
The battle of persuasion rages on – our sleeves are rolled – we are ready with greatness in our hearts to reclaim OUR TIME!
THIS IS OUR TIME.
Our time to lead not mislead –
to the politicians who divide us for votes,
to the technology titans who profit from our echo chambers,
to the journalists who coat fact with opinion,
I say this: WHAT KIND OF A PEOPLE DO YOU THINK WE ARE?
Yes, your phobia is infectious but so is our compassion and commitment to belong to something beautiful again.
WE WILL NOT GO DOWN AS THE GENERATION OF CONNECTIVITY THAT DISCONNECTED ITSELF.
No, we will rise up and rekindle the spirit of optimism and together we will proudly sign our names on the title deeds of freedom.
The battle of persuasion rages on – our sleeves are rolled – we are ready with greatness in our hearts to reclaim OUR TIME!
THIS IS OUR TIME.
Our time to lead not mislead –
to the politicians who divide us for votes,
to the technology titans who profit from our echo chambers,
to the journalists who coat fact with opinion,
I say this: WHAT KIND OF A PEOPLE DO YOU THINK WE ARE?
Yes, your phobia is infectious but so is our compassion and commitment to belong to something beautiful again.
WE WILL NOT GO DOWN AS THE GENERATION OF CONNECTIVITY THAT DISCONNECTED ITSELF.
No, we will rise up and rekindle the spirit of optimism and together we will proudly sign our names on the title deeds of freedom.
The battle of persuasion rages on – our sleeves are rolled – we are ready with greatness in our hearts to reclaim OUR TIME!
THIS IS OUR TIME.
Our time to lead not mislead –
to the politicians who divide us for votes,
to the technology titans who profit from our echo chambers,
to the journalists who coat fact with opinion,
I say this: WHAT KIND OF A PEOPLE DO YOU THINK WE ARE?
Yes, your phobia is infectious but so is our compassion and commitment to belong to something beautiful again.
WE WILL NOT GO DOWN AS THE GENERATION OF CONNECTIVITY THAT DISCONNECTED ITSELF.
No, we will rise up and rekindle the spirit of optimism and together we will proudly sign our names on the title deeds of freedom.
The battle of persuasion rages on – our sleeves are rolled – we are ready with greatness in our hearts to reclaim OUR TIME!
THIS IS OUR TIME.
Our time to lead not mislead –
to the politicians who divide us for votes,
to the technology titans who profit from our echo chambers,
to the journalists who coat fact with opinion,
I say this: WHAT KIND OF A PEOPLE DO YOU THINK WE ARE?
Yes, your phobia is infectious but so is our compassion and commitment to belong to something beautiful again.
WE WILL NOT GO DOWN AS THE GENERATION OF CONNECTIVITY THAT DISCONNECTED ITSELF.
No, we will rise up and rekindle the spirit of optimism and together we will proudly sign our names on the title deeds of freedom.
The battle of persuasion rages on – our sleeves are rolled – we are ready with greatness in our hearts to reclaim OUR TIME!
THIS IS OUR TIME.
Our time to lead not mislead –
to the politicians who divide us for votes,
to the technology titans who profit from our echo chambers,
to the journalists who coat fact with opinion,
I say this: WHAT KIND OF A PEOPLE DO YOU THINK WE ARE?
Yes, your phobia is infectious but so is our compassion and commitment to belong to something beautiful again.
WE WILL NOT GO DOWN AS THE GENERATION OF CONNECTIVITY THAT DISCONNECTED ITSELF.
No, we will rise up and rekindle the spirit of optimism and together we will proudly sign our names on the title deeds of freedom.
The battle of persuasion rages on – our sleeves are rolled – we are ready with greatness in our hearts to reclaim OUR TIME!
gary oldman. “I took this picture of Gary Oldman many years ago at Sundance Film Festival. He had just written and directed ‘Nil by Mouth’. It’s a dark, brutal depiction of working class London starring Ray Winstone and Kathy Burke. I love this portrait of Oldman, somehow, for a moment I tapped into his playful mischief. We all have a light and dark side to our soul, but great artists normally are pushed to both extremes. I’ve been studying Winston Churchill speeches a lot lately-his phrasing, his defiance, his capacity to stir a nations courage. Churchill alone was determined to uphold the principles of truth and justice against the dark forces of Nazi Germany, while the political establishment in Great Britain was ready to appease Hitler. With an extraordinary communicative skill, Winston perfectly articulated why we must fight on for freedom and dignity, and why we must win at all costs. This battle for a hopeful humanity remains just as relevant today. By the time I saw ‘Darkest Hour’-Churchill’s voice and mannerisms were embedded under my skin. I was fascinated to see how Gary Oldman would channel this historic powerhouse of a man. ‘Darkest Hour’ for me, was victorious. A perfect balance of stubborn grumpiness and witty disobedience. It seems after all these years, the infectious mischief is still burning brightly in Gary Oldman’s eyes. Gary Oldman I salute you.”
tom wolfe. “Tom Wolfe practically danced into my New York studio, dressed head to foot in dapper, dandy style – white fedora hat with a silk black ribbon – white suit – extra wide 1940’s lapels – white tie – white cuff links – white gloves – bamboo cane. ‘Tell me about your fashion,’ I asked. ‘Of course, this look is entirely practical, you understand. As a gentleman gets older and his body loses shape, we turn to tailoring to help us along.’ He reminisced about the first time he arrived in New York City – the excitement he felt – the freedom to dare – the infectious street drive. He was still enamored with the idea of this DREAM AND DO town. ‘Tell me a secret about creativity, any unconquered dreams left?’ I asked. ‘Well, I always secretly wanted to be a jazz singer – I guess I ran out of time.’ I said, ‘there’s still time, TODAY – NOW – sing for me.’ I took this frame as Tom Wolfe was rekindling his musical memory bank. There was a pause – he began to smile. He whispered, ‘you gotta love Cole Porter.’ Then he sang for me. ‘BIRDS DO IT, BEES DO IT, EVEN EDUCATED FLEAS DO IT, LET’S DO IT, LET’S FALL IN LOVE.’ Tom Wolfe – you were majestic that day. I salute you.”
Guess who I just photographed?
reverend joseph lowery, reverend c. t. vivian, andrew young, & reverend fred shuttlesworth. “Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The previous post was a picture of his chair. I can think of no better way to honor this great man’s existence than by sharing this story with you. This picture was taken outside Martin Luther King Jr.’s Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. I had the great privilege to invite his closest aids and compatriots to come together one more time underneath the famous neon sign. At the time this picture was taken, the brave and courageous Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth was extremely frail and ill, yet he insisted on traveling a great distance with his family to be part of this historic gathering. His family dressed him in a dapper suit and he arrived at the church in a wheelchair. His presence created a beautiful spirit of reunion -iIt felt as if we were all going back in time. I was deeply concerned, however, about composing and capturing this communion of compassion. Would the wheelchair become a barrier? How would I bring these great men physically together in an everlasting icon of empathy? The neon sign seemed like a great anchor for my composition. These legends gathered underneath the glowing light and instantly surrounded Reverend Shuttlesworth. These men played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement in America; their courage and determination was matched by their empathy and hope for a better life. It seemed only natural that as I took this picture they should all say a prayer for the continued battle for human dignity in America. How lucky I am to have caught this majestic moment on film. Since this picture was taken, Fred Shuttlesworth has sadly passed away, and this marks the last time they were all together in prayer. To the brave warriors of the Civil Rights movement, I salute you.”
“I’d like you all to say hello to The People’s Portfolio (@peoplesportfolio). It’s my human rights foundation. I set it up to tell the important stories of our time, focusing attention on emerging, courageous leaders and human rights activists around the world. We are celebrating a new set of cultural heroes. Surely, one of the greatest heroes of our time must be Professor Stephen Hawking. He defies all disability and refuses to be defined by adversity. For a sneak peak of my latest Hawking picture and story go to the The Peoples Portfolio.” @peoplesportfolio
james comey. “I present to you a true cultural provocateur – a polarizing man who has faced unparalleled criticism from both sides of the political aisle – and by doing so, has ironically provided common ground for so many of our diminutive tribal leaders. James Comey dared to speak truth to power, and I am humbled to have had this historic opportunity to parlay with the man. We talked openly for hours about moral compass, loneliness in leadership, and the current divisive storm in US politics. For a brief moment, I truly believe I was able to see America through James Comey’s eyes. But in order to capture his spirit on film, I needed to know his mind, too. This man is one of the most sincere people I have ever met – clearly driven by principle. With clenched fists, he said ‘I believe that the ballast of America is a shared set of values – truth matters – and this current threat to those values is awakening something – I think people are talking about dignity and respect in a way they didn’t before.’ He went on to describe a devastating forrest fire that eventually burns itself out – thus allowing new growth – new life – new ideas. So, brothers and sisters – this is your first test as Platonic Leaders – whether you agree or disagree with James Comey is not my concern. Everyone is clearly entitled to their own opinion. But leadership comes with a price – responsibility – and our collective duty is to respectfully debate. Let us therefore express ourselves with dignity and compassion. Mudslingers are not welcome here. If you have something to say, then set out a rational case – words matter. Let’s learn from each other, and let us create a platform that we can be proud of. James Comey, I salute you.”
I’ve decided not to call you my followers. I don’t like follower-ship – I believe in leadership. From now on, I will now refer to you all as my leaders. Yes, I have been quiet for a while – no posts. I once asked Edward Snowden about silence, and he said: “Listen to the silence, you just might hear the voices of history talking.” Well, I’m listening Ed. Listening hard. And all I hear is white noise. There isn’t a moment of pause – ever – no time for reflection – just speed, data, and opinionated tribalism. So sometimes I need to step back and return to asking questions. Big questions deserve big answers. In my absence from you, I decided to invite some fascinating people to STUDIO PLATON – disruptors, cultural provocateurs, influencers, leaders. My policy – to connect – to learn about dissonance and turbulence, and to document my lessons on film. They came, and once again I had the great privilege to face history. Stand by for my new pictures and stories – guess who’s first…
I am happy today. I present to you SPEECH MOVES. This is a new multi stakeholder collaborative movement, showcasing the importance of free but respectful debate. Our words count. Our words have consequence. Our words can disrupt – but our words can also heal. We have quarreled in the past, but now it’s time to build bridges. Now it’s time to act of one accord. Now it’s time to close the empathy gap. Technology empowers us to passionately speak our minds, but a message sent is also a message received. Let us therefore think carefully about the responsibilities we carry as communicators. #speechmoves
“I once asked PUSSY RIOT about the meaning of good leadership, they said that the era of traditional power is dead! They continued that we should no longer place all of our trust blindly in the leader behind the podium. If we are to enjoy individual empowerment, then that comes with a price – RESPONSIBILITY! I believe today we must all be courageous leaders in our own right. We now have technological tools that allow us to investigate and communicate. Perhaps, we have over estimated our icons of fame and authority. Perhaps, we should celebrate the vulnerable, yet brave citizens who dare to call out abuses of power. As each current cultural hero falls from grace, the underdogs bang another nail in the coffin of power. To those who speak truth to power, I salute you.”
