A World without Caesars
At South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025, Bluesky CEO Jay Graber wore a shirt that said “Mundus sine Caesaribus,” or “A world without Caesars” in Latin. The shirt appeared to be a response to a shirt that Mark Zuckerberg wore last year saying, “Aut Zuck aut nihil,” which is a play on the phrase, Aut Caesar aut nihil: Either Caesar or nothing.
In the Roman Empire, Caesar became a title and later the word associated with emperors. By definition, according to Merriam-Webster, a caesar is a powerful ruler and also an emperor, autocrat, and dictator.
There are many individuals around the globe who are aspiring to be caesars, whether they are seeking control of politics, social media, our attention, or global power. Like the Roman Caesars, their time has passed.
The Trumps, Zuckerbergs, and Musks of the world are not ordained, and we do not owe them respect, fealty, or even our attention. The world does not need caesars.
The irony is not lost on me that creatives, like myself, need social media platforms, which are run by these self-appointed caesars to find our audience. I may have to use their networks, but I will choose to use them in a way that is healthy for me, not chasing algorithms that only serve the platform.
Kindness, compassion, and love are where we should place our time and attention. Now is the time to lift each other up and support each other.
If social media is too much, then seek time in person with the ones you love.
If the news is doom and gloom, then play or listen to good music, read/write an uplifting work of literature, or view/draw a positive image. Find a way that works for you to lift up your soul and spirit and those around you.
Mundus sine Caesaribus.
Be kind to yourself on your creative journey.
Making Things
I occasionally turn my designs into merchandise. I made some designs out of last week’s illustration, Plant Seeds of Kindness.
You can find prints, stickers, shirts, and more on Threadless.
You can also get phone cases, shirts, and tote bags on Amazon.
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You have reached the end of the newsletter. Tears For Fears are back again this week with their song, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World.” The song is from their second studio album, Songs from the Big Chair (1985).