Akorede Oyafemi Iconic
3 min readJan 11, 2024

Day 16: Bloodline

Once upon a time, as every story commences, taking a deep dive back into a time preceding the World Wars, the slave trade, the Spanish flu, the Spanish conquistadors, and the crusades, plunging into the depths of historical horrors; A man and a woman existed and they chose to spend the rest of their lives together, perhaps driven by love or some other force. The decision they made spawned a family, a tribe, an empire, and a bloodline, giving rise to what we modern men call "civilization."

Consider a scenario whereby your grandfather chose celibacy or one where your grandmother chose to sell her eggs. These thoughts and visualization frequently cross my mind. It prompts reflection on the notion that we are all outcomes of a coincidentally chosen lineage This doesn’t imply that any of us are mistakes however, contrary to what you might be thinking. It is just an insight and a marvel about the unpredictable nature of succession.

The idea of a "bloodline" never fails to captivate me when I delve into its study. Each individual's lineage extends centuries and millennia into the past. It's highly probable that, at some point, your bloodline included a skilled swordsman, a genius, a harlot, a king, a billionaire, a thief, a pauper, a craftsman, and a myriad of other possibilities.

Ponder on the fact that Ronin and Robinhood's posterity might still be alive somewhere in the world.

50% of the time, I wish time travel exists, so I can take a deep dive into the past to study my bloodline and also thank the great men and women that put hands together (obviously not hands, but let's follow) to create me. The other 50% is spent on gratitude that time travel remains a mere concept, recognizing that no one, not even myself, should be entrusted with the power of time travel. It's a potential recipe for disaster!

The decisions made by someone in your bloodline in the past not only resulted in your existence but also shaped the life you lead today. Consider the choice Warren Buffett made years ago, giving birth to the concept of "generational wealth" that his descendants proudly possess, mirroring the trajectory of families like the Rothschilds and others who transformed into empires.

We all watched Game of Thrones and we laughed at the concept of "bastards." Ok, I think I shouldn't finish this paragraph...

Across the continents, Asians are renowned for possessing some of the longest bloodlines in the history of humanity. Rooted in a belief that their name equates to honor, Asians are deeply committed to preserving their lineage. They understand that any blemish on their name tarnishes the image of their honor. This commitment stands as a significant motivation for Asians to conscientiously cultivate a bloodline that endures through generations. You do watch movies, so I believe everyone can relate to this.

I don't wish to sound like a motivational speaker when I say this, but the decision(s) you make today would have an effect on the type and way of life of your posterity in the centuries and millennia to come. Who you choose to "put hands together with" (it is still obvious that this isn't how it works, but let's follow) would determine what your posterity would look like. Let me just put that out there.

Akorede Oyafemi Iconic
Akorede Oyafemi Iconic

Written by Akorede Oyafemi Iconic

If you wish for an happy life, work for it. If you wish for a sad life wait for it.