Oliver Anthony: A Musician on a Divine Mission
In early September 2024, something extraordinary happened. Oliver Anthony burst into the scene like a cultural supernova. The man had never done a paid gig in his life. He recorded his music on his iPhone and uploaded it to YouTube. Then it blew up in a few days. The message he delivered was emotionally raw and visceral. Hearing this music was cathartic for 33 million people in just 36 hours, and it continues to produce this sublime upheaval to this day.
This was a moment of clarity, a moment that touched the souls of people across the political spectrum. Rather than engaging in the ongoing culture war, he offered a message of hope. Speaking the truth in this way had a detoxification effect on the listeners. People are suffering, and this artist is responding to that pain. What comes out of it is hope born of virtue. This was "real talk" set to music. This was a soulful confession of a heartbreaking truth: there is something deeply wrong in the capital North of Richmond.
Chris is singing about how he feels like an old soul in a new world. All the rules have been changed, you see. If anybody doesn't like it they get canceled, imprisoned or otherwise disappeared. The issue being raised is not rich men being rich, but rather the violence, the coercion, the manipulation, the wickedness in high places. That confession, that the powers that be just want total control, held within it a hope. A hope hidden within a heartbreaking truth, "that we wish wasn't true, but it is." The hope is that in facing what we don't want to look at we can find the courage to overcome.
“Rich Men from Richmond," has transcended mere lyrics and folk song melodies to become a generational anthem. Oliver Anthony, the man behind this powerful composition, has ignited a fire in the hearts of his listeners. His music doesn't merely entertain; it pierces through the soul, igniting emotions, and provoking profound reflection.
Three days before the launch of that viral video, Oliver Anthony experienced what some might call a "come-to-Jesus" moment. He found himself in a state of infatuation with a divine calling. He believed that God had chosen him as a messenger, a modern-day messiah of sorts, tasked with delivering a message through his music. To some, this might seem like a spiritual emergency, a plunge into the deep end of faith. However, Chris has remained surprising well grounded as his own response video show:
https://youtube.com/shorts/nYLtKrIHxzU?si=O8OuexkAMdSuEmk1
Supported by professionals and industry peers, Oliver Anthony found solace in his solid foundation of faith, deeply rooted in the Bible. He turned down a 13 million record contract because he doesn't want his life to change. He admitted on Rogan that he's not even really a professional musician because he's never been paid for a kid in his life. It seems he has what it takes to weather the storm of instant fame, armed with his unwavering belief in his divine mission.
Oliver's music resonates with those who hear it, prompting tears of empathy and understanding. His songs are a call to trust in the good, to hold onto hope in the face of despair. His faith is a lifeline, saving him from the depths of despair. The song a particular has a strong cathartic effect on the listener. Before the 3 minutes song is complete. Most people have tears in their eye when hearing it for the first time.
But Oliver doesn't stop at trusting the good; he follows the path of confessing the truth. He sets an example for others, engaging in real talk, the kind that pierces through pretenses and gets to the core of human existence. It's about being real, recognizing our vulnerabilities and admitting our flaws.
In the lyrics of his songs, Oliver Anthony addresses the ever-present danger of hubris and pride. He understands the importance of humility before a higher power, a theme that resonates deeply with his audience. Through his music, he conveys the message that true transformation comes from embracing virtue over mere values.
His music isn't just a cacophony of sounds; it's a journey toward truth, goodness, and beauty. It's a call to trust in the good, confess the truth, and reclaim the beautiful. Oliver Anthony is more than an artist; he's a hero, a beacon of hope, a messenger of divine virtue. His music doesn't just entertain; it inspires us to be better, to find meaning in our own lives, and to embrace the profound principles that guide our existence.
Protopia: The Path Forward
Guided by the principles of "Trust the good, confess the truth, reclaim the beautiful," we delve deeper into the heart of Oliver Anthony's message. His music echoes with a call to "protect the poor," a vital part of both "confess the truth" and "trust the good." Yet, it encompasses more.
To edify the sacred is to elevate our pursuit of virtue – the divine and vertical – above the battleground of values that often divides us. Oliver Anthony's melodies remind us that the heart of our existence is not merely the horizontal strife of ideologies but the vertical ascent toward virtue.
In his music, we discover the cry to care for the poor, a subcategory of "confess the truth." But it doesn't stop there. Beyond the provisions for the needy, we find a need to heal the sick, uplift the downtrodden, and protect the common resources that sustain us, like the forests and natural world.
The core purpose of humanity lies in nurturing a collective intelligence, forging a society and culture founded on health and virtue. Yet, we've been sidetracked by the horizontal struggles – the ideological battles, the wars of values, the clashes of tribes, clubs, corporations, and religions.
It's time to recognize that true progress requires more than the defense of values. It demands embracing vertical virtue and acknowledging the autonomy of every sovereign individual. We must build a society where collective intelligence thrives, where the commons are safeguarded, and where power is decentralized, flattened to ensure equal opportunities and rewards for all.
Our journey is far from perfect, but it's not dystopia either. We've maintained a protopia since World War II, a state of continuous progress despite our missteps. Now, as artificial intelligence surges and new frontiers beckon, we stand at the threshold of unparalleled exploration, scientific discovery, and even communication with different species, enabled by AI.
With the potential to extract resources from the moon and harness AI's power, the future shines bright. Economic interdependence between China, the US, and Europe gives us reason to pursue peace. Our strategic concerns lie in ensuring our technological infrastructure, safeguarding resources, and navigating the terrain of information censorship.
We're in an era of technological tyranny, with technocrats wielding immense power. Yet, we continue to point fingers at the rich, the scapegoats, when the true culprits often operate from the corridors of Silicon Valley, not the government halls of Washington, DC.
Our collective path forward must be paved with "real talk," honesty, and a commitment to principles that transcend values. It's time to trust in the good, confess the truth, and reclaim the beautiful. It's time to build a protopian future where virtue guides us and unity prevails. In such a society, the call to protect the poor, the disenfranchised in the disadvantaged would would be answered. Let's build that society together.