The Tonic Manifesto
A Prosthetic for the Imagination
I am a designer and writer who feels emboldened by adversity.
At 56, I find myself in a unique intersection of forces: an adoptee with a blank slate for 'nature' (except for a complicated and deeply scarring Jewish lineage) and a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. In this space, identity isn't inherited — it is earned. It is a hard-won territory built through the sheer exercise of (self-initiated) Free Will against unchosen circumstances.
Why AI?
There is a romanticized notion that art must be a struggle of the hand. But when the hand develops its own "will" through tremors and rigidity, the struggle shifts.
I use AI not as a shortcut, but as a high-fidelity prosthetic.
The Intent is Mine
The vision, the audio/visuals and the philosophy are exclusively human - mine.
The Execution is Delegated
AI allows me to bypass the physical friction of Parkinson’s. It translates the "House of Awe" in my mind into a digital reality without the "taking" of the disease getting in the way.
The Outcome is Sovereignty
Using these tools is an act of defiance. It ensures that my creative output remains a reflection of my will, not a casualty of my biology.
The Architecture of the Site
Tonic for the Bones is a living construction site. It is a synthesis of art, music, and literature build the spirit from the basement to the attic.
The House of Awe
A house as a showcase for my inner world - and to discover the meaning of life by... you!
The Music
Pop, indie, electro, classical avant-garde Jewish soul... all coming from my central nervous system.
The Writing
A direct, honest, and sometimes funny dialogue about the "tonic" required to survive the "bones."
The Web
A collection of my online 'Vibe' creations.
The Photos
A collection of my photos. Nice.