The Philosopher

There are Professors of Philosophy aplenty, and then there are Thinkers Who Think Way Outside of All Boxes, whose unique perspective and exceptional intellectual faculties influence people and events .

Real Philosophers are rare.

Jean-Pierre Ady Fenyo is one of those very few real Philosophers.

In the late Summer of 1987 a short two-page article about Jean-Pierre Ady Fenyo appeared in The New Yorker, in its Talk of The Town, feature ( see: The New Yorker of August 17, 1987 ). That article, written by acclaimed Writer Alec Wilkinson, came after months of an array of news media reports and interviews about The Free Advice Man, the first original Free Advice Man of New York City in the city's History. Earlier that year, on May 12th of 1987, Lloyd Kramer conducted an interview with Jean-Pierre for "Live at Five" with Sue Simmons on WNBC New York TV Channel 4, which was followed by numerous reports and interviews by news media, both domestic and foreign, but mostly from 'The Big Apple'.

In any case, the article in The New Yorker ensured that Jean-Pierre would eventually be recognised as a Legendary character in the History of The City That Never Sleeps.

Since 1987 The Free Advice Man ( JP Fenyo ) has not only enlightened thousands with his own deep thoughts about Infinity, Life, Love, Existence, but he has also influenced some of the most influential people, including artists, musicians, actors, political figures who are known and celebrated throughout the USA and much of the rest of The World. Just by being there, being real, deep and honest Jean-Pierre Ady Fenyo has helped save dozens, if not hundreds, from ending their lives senselessly.

Eventually, as others tried to copy him over the past three decades, and as the World itself changed dramatically, due to both technology and global-impact events, the novelty of his heroic self-creation wore off, and though he has occasionally reverted to 'doing' Free Advice, armed with his now-famous "FREE ADVICE" sign, a set of folding camping chairs and an inviting, entertaining and sophisticated demeanour, Jean-Pierre has moved on and evolved into a Philosopher of Ethics and Infinitology etc.

Probably on account of his very significant effect on World events and people, especially other famous and influential persons, Jean-Pierre has had Wikipedia entries about him vandalised and sabotaged, whilst others who plagiarised his ideas and tried to sweep his claim to fame and worthiness under the carpet are prominently present on Wikipedia and in other popular media.

But Jean-Pierre does not give a flying rat's ass about all that.

After all, the real McCoy's of our times, the ones still with us, know a truly talented and noteworthy Public Figure when they see one.

Suffice it to end this short introduction by pointing out that Jean-Pierre Ady Fenyo is also a hyper-imaginative creative eccentric Artist, especially as an Audio-Visual Artist, an Avant-Garde Film-making Director, Actor, as well as a Poet, Writer, and Futurist Visionary.

So....let the Lightning Strike and the Fireworks begin!
Imagination belongs to the so-called "Crazy Ones" ... the ones who dare to Be True To Themselves first and foremost!

I now bring my own words to and end by celebrating the words of

Rob Siltanen, with participation from Lee Clow and copywriter Ken Segall, that were narrated by Richard Dreyfuss in "Here's to The Crazy Ones" TV ad that was eventually approved by Steve Jobs as part of Apple's "Think Different" slogan-related advertising campaign and which aired in 1997:

( the following is Fair Use as it being used with intent to be transformative and educational and as credit is given to those whose genius is manifest in it )

" Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do. "

Yes! Here's to You, JP.

Written by John Firtree

Exclusively for The Original New York City Free Advice Man.