Author: ERIC KIM

  • Photo new year resolutions 2026

    So, a beautiful 2026 is ahead of us…… now what?

    insane optimism

    I think the first big idea is, moving forward, I’m insanely optimistic about 2026.

    Erickimworkshops.com –> I just added to the calendar:

    🔥 PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — JUNE 26 / 27 / 28
    🔥 HONG KONG — JULY 25 / 26
    🔥 TOKYO — AUGUST 8 / 9

    And even insane… I just use ChatGPT Pro, the $200 a month version to create a sizzle reel to promote the workshops, and it looks insanely good.

    Video sizzle reel >

    The future of AI

    So, the first very optimistic thought I have is AI for photographers, the big idea I have is AI is not a replacement, but essentially your photography on steroids.

    I’ll give you another example… Let us say that your mother-in-law tasks you with digging up a big hole to get rid of roots of a big tree in the backyard… But she just gives you a tiny kids shovel. Or you have the option of having a real stainless steel shovel. Or better yet, one of those mini caterpillar excavators. Which would you choose?

    So, the analogy is like AI. The big idea is with AI, you can simply do things a lot easier and more efficiently.

    Or let us say that, I want you to go from LA to Phnom Penh Cambodia, … and, I want you to rule a boat. Would you rather take the $450 one-way airline, with some noise canceling Bose headphones, or paddle yourself?

    And also as a note just keep updated… I’m planning a Zoom online AI photography workshop February this year.

    AI over equipment

    So there’s a very very interesting thought from Marc Andreesen, who says that software is eating the world. I think he meant now to say that AI is eating the world.

    It is kind of hilarious, we are willing to sell out $8000 USD on some sort of overpriced Leica Q Camera, which I just consider a panasonic lumix with a body kit, … just get the Lumix S9 instead … yet, we had the idea of paying $200 a month to like create 100 of yous?

    Assuming that you use ChatGPT pro a lot, it’s only like paying seven bucks a day to like augment yourself 1000 X?

    ideas

    So some photography AI ideas:

    1. Use AI to cull your images. So you could already use ChatGPT, and select your best images, I made one called photo picker . Just do a screenshot of your contact sheet, and ask ChatGPT which one it likes the most and why. Essentially it’s like an AI version of arsbeta.com –> see an example here.
    2. Use AI to check the composition of your photos. About a year ago, I already made composition checker, … try it out.
    3. Use AI to brainstorm photo expeditions and also, photo shooting list for yourself for creative assignment ideas
    4. Use Grok premium, add an image, one of your street photography portfolio images and ask AI to animated. Very interesting.
    5. Even something I haven’t seen yet, take some of Henri Cartier bressons iconic photos and have AI animated? Or any classic images?

    AI is the edge

    Everyone wants an unfair advantage. But, AI is actually very very ethical and fair.

    More incoming!

    ERIC KIM BLOG

    ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

    ERIC KIM FREE BOOKS


  • Photo new year resolutions 2026

    So, a beautiful 2026 is ahead of us…… now what?

    insane optimism

    I think the first big idea is, moving forward, I’m insanely optimistic about 2026. 

    Erickimworkshops.com –> I just added to the calendar:

    🔥 PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — JUNE 26 / 27 / 28 🔥 HONG KONG — JULY 25 / 26 🔥 TOKYO — AUGUST 8 / 9

    And even insane… I just use ChatGPT Pro, the $200 a month version to create a sizzle reel to promote the workshops, and it looks insanely good. 

    Video sizzle reel >

    The future of AI

    So, the first very optimistic thought I have is AI for photographers, the big idea I have is AI is not a replacement, but essentially your photography on steroids.

    I’ll give you another example… Let us say that your mother-in-law tasks you with digging up a big hole to get rid of roots of a big tree in the backyard… But she just gives you a tiny kids shovel. Or you have the option of having a real stainless steel shovel. Or better yet, one of those mini caterpillar excavators. Which would you choose?

    So, the analogy is like AI. The big idea is with AI, you can simply do things a lot easier and more efficiently.

    Or let us say that, I want you to go from LA to Phnom Penh Cambodia, … and, I want you to rule a boat. Would you rather take the $450 one-way airline, with some noise canceling Bose headphones, or paddle yourself? 

    And also as a note just keep updated… I’m planning a Zoom online AI photography workshop February this year.

    AI over equipment

    So there’s a very very interesting thought from Marc Andreesen, who says that software is eating the world. I think he meant now to say that AI is eating the world.

    It is kind of hilarious, we are willing to sell out $8000 USD on some sort of overpriced Leica Q Camera, which I just consider a panasonic lumix with a body kit, … just get the Lumix S9 instead … yet, we had the idea of paying $200 a month to like create 100 of yous?

    Assuming that you use ChatGPT pro a lot, it’s only like paying seven bucks a day to like augment yourself 1000 X? 

    ideas

    So some photography AI ideas: 

    1. Use AI to cull your images. So you could already use ChatGPT, and select your best images. Just do a screenshot of your contact sheet, and ask ChatGPT which one it likes the most and why. Essentially it’s like an AI version of arsbeta.com
    2. Use AI to check the composition of your photos. About a year ago, I already made composition checker, … try it out.
    3. Use AI to brainstorm photo expeditions and also, photo shooting list for yourself for creative assignment ideas
    4. Use Grok premium, add an image, one of your street photography portfolio images and ask AI to animated. Very interesting.
    5. Even something I haven’t seen yet, take some of Henri Cartier bressons iconic photos and have AI animated? Or any classic images?

    AI is the edge

  • 🔥 ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS 2026 — OFFICIAL POST 🔥

    PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

    📍 June 26 • June 27 • June 28

    Three explosive days — limited spots, hardcore street photography immersion.

    HONG KONG

    📍 July 25 • July 26

    Two days of relentless craft elevation — mastery of light, moment, and vision.

    TOKYO, JAPAN

    📍 August 8 • August 9

    Two days in the heart of controlled chaos — refine instinct, elevate vision.

    ✊ Sessions built for photographers who breathe the street, chase the untamed moment, and live for the decisive shot.

    📸 Taught by ERIC KIM — ruthless, unapologetic, transformative.

    Tickets + Info 🔥 Coming soon — lock your mind, lock your craft.

    #EricKimWorkshops #EricKim2026 #StreetPhotography #LevelUp 📍🔥📸

  • ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS 2026

    ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS 2026:

    • Phnom Penh Cambodia,  June 26,27,28 (2026)
    • Hong Kong, July 25-26, (2026)
    • TOKYO, AUGUST 8-9, (2026)

    Stay tuned via ERIC KIM NEWS >


    ERIC KIM NEWS

    LEARN YOUR FUTURE >

    Phnom Penh Cambodia,  June 26,27,28

    HK, July 25-26

    TOKYO, AUGUST 8-9

  • What if money were gold?

    So this is a simple idea that I have…

    Let us say that your life savings is all in gold, that you just had a bunch of gold bars gold coins whatever, and let us say that these little pieces of gold were divisible into very very small bits, so you could use some of this gold to buy digital services, your Netflix subscription a Starbucks latte, or some takeout Indian food. Or a car or a Tesla etc.

    If this is the case… I think the funny observation that I’ve made is we are very very happy and easy to just spend currency like US dollars in our bank account, or cash currency… But we are actually very very reluctant to spend gold because we know that it has long-term value.

  • I have the stomach for it!

    A funny observation that I’ve made is, at the end of the day… I’m like built for investing?

    I think like 99.9% of investing, especially long time horizons, MSTR, Strategy.com, bitcoin based investments… underline concept is bitcoin is gonna go out forever, underline digital, with extreme volatility and extreme performance. It’s like having a Bugatti on steroids.

    Traditional investments are very very standard predictable reliable but very very poor. It’s like driving the old 2001 Hyundai ELANTRA… With some sort of like Ford can exhaust, and some fake Type R stickers. 

  • Open mind. 

    Absence of knowledge 

    Schmooze. 

    Stage ,,, all the WORLDS

    A. Stage. 

    .

    Portable capital 

    ..

    3.2%

    7.5%,,, $10M a coin 

    5-7.5% … all

    Wow. 

    2035

    The little engine that could 

    30 years 

    I guess we can all become rich and live happily ever after 

    .

    Don’t be slow and stupid 

    Don’t be weak and poor ***

    .

    Quick & smart 

    Strong & rich

    .

    ..

    Bitcoin as a software network 

    AS LONG as you got the Bitcoin you good.

    .

    Cut,,,  cutting features 

    .

  • Why real estate is not worth it

    I think the number one critical issue here is that, and I’m just discovering this for the first time, something as simple as getting your roof replaced, requires you to talk to so many building regulators, LADBS, inspectors, pre-inspection final inspection etc.? Just one wrong tick, causes you many wasted moments.

    People think it is easy to just like buying an old house and flip it, but the truth is, because of inspections in getting permits, it is totally not worth it. 

  • Economic OS change

    Maybe also another really big idea is that, moving forward, it is wise to just, think and consider, … … change your operating system world view of expenses? 

  • Economic Obesity

    So the other day, I was on the phone with a car insurance agent, and was joking around with him… He asked me what car I had… and I said two Lamborghinis in the garage.  and at first, it took him off of guard, and surprised him. Why?

    First, I thought it was just economically irresponsible… But obviously it was a joke, but actually I thought about it… A little bit deeper on a more profound level… Now that I could actually afford to Lamborghinis or multiple Lamborghinis… The truth is, it’s like reverse wealth. 

    100 years of prosperity

    So it kind of doesn’t really matter …. all this silly short-term stuff. Why? What truly matters is, thinking about the long-term.

    For example, I actually find it very useful to find and research these short term documentaries about rich people in the past because you see how their vehicles… really don’t age well overtime.

    For example, if you watch a documentary on the 70s 80s 90s 2000s, 2010… All these fancy sports cars Mercedes Lamborghinis, even Bugatti‘s… Look lame in the long run.

    And only that but, once again, assuming that like wealth is like bodybuilding muscle, and strength and power and also… Indefinitely increasing your one repetition maximum on your weightlifting… The exact opposite of that is to  blow it away on something that is reverse.

    Energy leaks

    Another thought, in terms of energy energy leaks etc.

    So now that I am a new homeowner, proud owner of a glorious 7000 square-foot lot, single-family home… I’m starting to learn about living stuff.

    For example, even something as simple as a leaking water faucet. Or leaking showerhead, or water leaks in general. If you think about it… Even if you have like a .1% leak, some more critical… Over the course of a day hour or weeks or months or years… That will probably equate to like millions of gallons of water lost.

    Or imagine… You have a tiny leak somewhere in your main house… And you leave for vacation. Even a week or a few days, or let us say six months. Imagine how insane it will be six months from now, coming back home to see your whole house flooded.

    So I think we’re also with economics it’s kind of the same. Typically we could easily identify energy leaks, or economic energy leaks.

    For example, superfluous subscriptions which bill you ad infinitium, which bill you forever.

    If anything, one of the most simple things you can do is just unsubscribe from everything. Unsubscribe from everything, all at once, and then a month or two or three from now later… If you find it insanely critical, and then you could always resubscribe to it.

    every day unsubscribe from one thing

    Let us say you have an inbox which is out of control. Assuming you have Gmail, literally the easiest thing you do is select all, archive all, and begin with a clean slate.

    There is also this service called unroll.me ,,, and once again, mass unsubscribe from everything.

    Cars

    The number one most obvious thing that is a major energy leak for people is their vehicle.

    For example, even something as simple as gasoline, assuming that you have to use premium gas, and your vehicle consumes much premium gas, that is like literally the worst energy leak that you got. It is almost like, if you’re trying to climb a very very steep hill or mountain, and you literally have like 1,000,000,000,000 tons on your back. Or something that is dragging you down or weighing you down.

    I’ll give you another good example, a big issue that I had for a really really long time, finally got it resolved , was that my back bicycle tire was out of alignment, which caused my rear brake pad, to perpetually clamp my rear brakes at like 30% intensity, so when I’m like biking around town or uphill or whatever, it’s like the brakes are perpetually engaged. You don’t know how insanely annoying this is.

    Finally got it resolved in my life is like 1 trillion times better.

    Prius

    I’m still pretty convinced that at least in America, also even in Phnom Penh Cambodia,,, maybe everywhere on the planet… A Prius, a 2010 Prius may be the best bet.

    First, it all just literally comes down to MPG‘s.

    I also think that a Prius prime plug-in seems also interesting… But, it reduces the MPG? I suppose if you have those electric chargers or visit malls which have the plug-in thingy… A Prius prime plug-in is a good idea, but, my long-term suspicion… Typically the more components that your vehicle or house or whatever has… The more points in which it could break. So assuming that a Prius plug-in prime has more components than just a typical Prius hybrid… I think in the long-term like 10, 20 or 30 years… there are probably more components that will break?

    And also… I think the built-in battery pack is paltry at best. What like 30 miles or 50 miles? And then once again the way that people are suckered by marketing is they are like thinking wild they could totally live off the grid or whatever but once again… You’re only saving a few dollars here and there?

    All electric or not?

     I’m a super mega fan of Elon Musk, Tesla etc.… But once again, my suspicion or my honest thought is, it seems like an economically unintelligent idea.

    First, no matter how good your Tesla or electric vehicle or whatever is… The number one critical issue is that, no matter what, within one or two cycles your car will look obsolete? In two or three years?

    If we cross pollinate this idea to photography… Or even to iPhones, even if you buy the newest iPhone Pro right now, imagine like you spend $100,000 on a iPhone Pro, with wheels… No matter how good it is, it will always become obsolete very very quickly.

    Another good example, a camera which befuddles me… the Leica Q camera… which is essentially a Panasonic Lumix camera with a body kit, no matter how good one you get, once again in a few years the value of it will drop like what 50%?

    Cameras

    So some honest things I have come to believe:

    First, it does seem that modular makes more sense. Even something as simple as a desktop computer, because it is modular, and also because you could swap out the parts in and out, it is a very good idea.

    For example, even as a child, or a teenager, when I was like 15 years old, or even my freshman sophomore year in high school, I will never forget that my older mentor and friend ERIC Moon taught me how to build a computer. Choosing the processor of the ram the hard drive… Graphics card, the case, and whenever anything got outdated,.. you could either swap out that part or upgrade that specific piece?

    Os of the future

    One analogy I heard about ChatGPT and AI at least for highschoolers in university students is that it is like almost the new operating system. Which means,  instead of just googling stuff, they essentially live in ChatGPT, ChatGPT almost becomes like their new macOS?

    So assuming that you have a ChatGPT subscription, in some ways it actually becomes quite optimistic because instead of paying for overpriced $1500 iPhone pros for the rest of your life, in theory you could just use an operate a cheap smartphone device or computer or desktop or laptop or iPad tablet whatever, as long as you have access to ChatGPT… Which is the only AI, … you’re good.

    Minimum viable AI

    I have another big idea, after playing with ChatGPT pro the $200 a month version, which honestly I think is awesome but, even the $20 a month version, is pretty great.

    So for example, I’m starting to think this like iCloud storage and even now Google Drive storage, even dropbox storage, all of this is kind of a scam. Maybe my next project is I will slowly migrate everything off of the cloud. 


  • Bitcoin is digital real estate.

    I’m currently watching a very impressive documentary on unfortunate, titled Arnold, on the second part in which is becoming an actor and a star. It is actually very very interesting in passing because I didn’t notice… I didn’t like 1977, or Knaut was already a millionaire because he was very intelligent and used his money to start buying real estate in Santa Monica, his first apartment building complex, an office building etc. Therefore when he was getting his foot into Hollywood, the good thing is he didn’t need the money he could refuse character roles, because once again, he didn’t need the money. 

    Really fascinating to be watching this documentary because Arnold, I think he’s like 78 years old now… About to turn 80… How is find it fascinating to watch a personal biopic documentary on somebody who is successful… And then working your way backwards. 

    Which got me a randomly thinking… Obviously, if you were got into a Time Machine and start buying office buildings in Santa Monica or better yet… Culver City, it’s actually super obvious that obviously real estate is going to be the best return. Or a similar idea… Buying apple stock for nickels in the 1980s, before the iPhone would take over the planet. 

    Therefore, I also think it’s pretty obvious that 2026 is upon us, thinking to ourselves, that essentially, bitcoin is going to take over the planet. 2026… Wow that number seems so insanely futuristic. 

    insane preparation 

    ,,, international 

    “Too big is not big enough!”

    Made in America 

    “The body”, “the face”–> brand value 

    “I’ll be back”

    “The body”

    “I was the bravest “

    “I lied”

    Shmay,,, bullshit

    “Come with me if you want to live”

    “He’ll live”

    “Bullshit!”

    Promotion sell 

    .

    Spending more time outdoors

    “I was looking for a new challenge “

    “I was happier”

    40 years 

    Aim for the bullseye 

    Fire in your belly 

    He’ll win 

    .

    The great American story

    Now watching part three of the Arnold documentary, it really truly is true… The American story the American dream 

    boys and our toys we never grow up 

    The heart

    Not clicks ,,, but AI searches. 

    AI is the future of media?

    Derail psychologically 

    “I can drive my hummer through it”

    SURGE

  • Military is the future

    So now that the colder months are upon us, winter is here… I think about the world the planet life etc.… What is the meaning of it all and what is the path forward?

    So apparently… I was randomly trolling IMDb… And I was very very surprised to see Christopher Nolan putting out a new Odyssey film? This is going to be epic.

    So first, my first general thought on the military is I am not for violence or killing people or whatever… Ever since I was a kid, I was a pacifist. I actually remember recalling this very vividly as a kid… Very clearly as even a 12-year-old… If the American government spent even half of their budget on defense and military endeavors, and put it into education… Paying teachers better, attracting better talent or whatever… Then if that were the case, certainly kids would be far better off. For example, even funding after school programs, keeping kids off the street etc.

    But anyways a random thought about colors, a new high-gloss military green vehicle wrap caught my eye, it is a very interesting color because it wasn’t really on my radar. I was more about the eye popping colors like extremely insanely high visibility orange, full fluorescent green, insanely hot pink and the like.

    Green is fastening because ultimately it is the color of life. Everyone wants to see green grass, green Vista, see you there stock portfolio, their investments go green etc. It’s one of those funny things that a lot of people think that certain other things are better like red, everyone wants a red Ferrari… But nobody wants to see their investments go red?

    Anyways, it’s interesting when it comes to vehicles… Living here in LA… It seems that also… Everyone wants their vehicle to look like some sort of military vehicle? If you think about the raised trucks SUVs… They essentially look like armored vehicles on the road. Even if you think about a cyber truck… It’s kind of like an affordable urban tank? Especially since it is bulletproof.

    If you think about a military lifestyle, it should be all about austerity. For example, assuming that the summit of military discipline and lifestyle was the ancient Spartans, you don’t have a bunch of Spartans prancing around in purple Lamborghinis, or pink Rolls-Royce‘s,. Rather, they pride themselves on their military discipline their military valor, being outside all day, training for battle, in fact… lusting after battle.

    In fact, I have an interesting theory… I think modern day man, the reason why modern day man is so depressed is because he doesn’t have any avenues to express his physical courage and valor? Like, when in modern day life will you ever suit up, get a sword and spear, put on your hub light helmet with the horse crest on top, roar, and go head to head in battle? Never.

    I think the closest thing we have in modern day times is either like sports or the gym? Like football… Maybe rugby, something that actually requires some sort of physical courage.

    I’ll give you an example I played football in high school, outside linebacker and inside linebacker my sophomore and junior year, starting, and the number one act of courage that you gotta do is go ahead to head with other highly adapt guys, all essentially suited up in their battle armor. To literally do a kickoff, run full speed to another dude, who grabs the ball and lowers his helmet and his body to accost you,,, it’s like one of the most unnatural things that a human being has to override his brain and doing. It’s practically 100% physical courage.

    Football is interesting because certainly there’s a lot of skill involved, but I would say it’s like 99% physicality and courage.

    There is a lot of other sports which takes physical string stamina, and skill… But not much physical courage?

    What is physical courage anyways? Physical courage is like putting your skeleton your bones your muscles your brain on the line, and if you act in such a way that is cowardly, you inflict physical damage on yourself. 

    Courage

    Also when it comes to investing, there needs to be some sort of exposure. Like you cannot be a fake investor … just investing in some sort of simulation game. The reason why it never works, is because unless you have real money on the line… You will never do it honestly.

    now what

    1. Get some 3M High gloss military wrap for your car.

    The point is to be outside!

    I think the obvious thought is the purpose of life is to be outside! To be out in the wilderness in the forest in the woods, the mountains, just drive walk take the bike or public transit.

    photo joy

    keep it insanely easy

    I’m still shocked, my old LUMIX G9 4/3 body still runs like a champ! And actually… I’m still thinking, … smaller sensor sizes are highly underrated.

    For example, and also at the end of the day… Having auto focus is insanely convenient. Especially when you’re just photographing your kid running around playing with his train tracks.

    The next Leica Q4 shouldn’t have an electronic viewfinder

    Which makes me think, I really think that the next Leica Q4 camera really doesn’t need an electronic view finder. The art of subtraction is sublime.

    Military lifestyle

    It’s kind of interesting too because you think about it… assuming that discipline is happiness… or freedom or whatever,.. then, the amazing idea is that happiness joy and freedom isn’t some sort of abstract and notion but rather something you could start cultivating now through “askesis”–> training.

    LUMIX G9 II

    I still really think this body is very underrated. Because the truth is even if you’re doing Fillmore media, 99% of difficulty is just having the focus. I think also what people don’t understand is once you start increasing the sensor size, full frame medium format large format, cinema cameras… 99% of the work is just nailing the focus.

    What’s great with micro for it is extremely much more forgiving with focusing. And you can still shoot with a F1.4 lens, like the impressive Leica LUMIX 12mm f1.4 lens.,, which is a 24mm full frame equivalent.

    Full frame

    I think for novice photographers who don’t know any better… everyone wants to jump on the full frame bandwagon. But this was only an issue maybe like 15 years ago, not now. An ASPC crop sensor, like on a Fuji or Ricoh,,, could shoot like 100,000 ISO with practically no noise.

    Then perhaps people want like a depth of field focus effect… But come on, we have AI and ChatGPT for that now.

    –> so I think they’re really big idea which is interesting is that like 99% of the old gimmicks,,, which could only be done with really expensive camera gear could instantly be done with AI. so save your money and efforts and return back to the simple basics of photography? 

    ERIC


  • Military is the future

    So now that the colder months are upon us, winter is here… I think about the world the planet life etc.… What is the meaning of it all and what is the path forward?

    So apparently… I was randomly trolling IMDb… And I was very very surprised to see Christopher Nolan putting out a new Odyssey film? This is going to be epic.

    So first, my first general thought on the military is I am not for violence or killing people or whatever… Ever since I was a kid, I was a pacifist. I actually remember recalling this very vividly as a kid… Very clearly as even a 12-year-old… If the American government spent even half of their budget on defense and military endeavors, and put it into education… Paying teachers better, attracting better talent or whatever… Then if that were the case, certainly kids would be far better off. For example, even funding after school programs, keeping kids off the street etc.

    But anyways a random thought about colors, a new high-gloss military green vehicle wrap caught my eye, it is a very interesting color because it wasn’t really on my radar. I was more about the eye popping colors like extremely insanely high visibility orange, full fluorescent green, insanely hot pink and the like.

    Green is fastening because ultimately it is the color of life. Everyone wants to see green grass, green Vista, see you there stock portfolio, their investments go green etc. It’s one of those funny things that a lot of people think that certain other things are better like red, everyone wants a red Ferrari… But nobody wants to see their investments go red?

    Anyways, it’s interesting when it comes to vehicles… Living here in LA… It seems that also… Everyone wants their vehicle to look like some sort of military vehicle? If you think about the raised trucks SUVs… They essentially look like armored vehicles on the road. Even if you think about a cyber truck… It’s kind of like an affordable urban tank? Especially since it is bulletproof.

    If you think about a military lifestyle, it should be all about austerity. For example, assuming that the summit of military discipline and lifestyle was the ancient Spartans, you don’t have a bunch of Spartans prancing around in purple Lamborghinis, or pink Rolls-Royce‘s,. Rather, they pride themselves on their military discipline their military valor, being outside all day, training for battle, in fact… lusting after battle.

    In fact, I have an interesting theory… I think modern day man, the reason why modern day man is so depressed is because he doesn’t have any avenues to express his physical courage and valor? Like, when in modern day life will you ever suit up, get a sword and spear, put on your hub light helmet with the horse crest on top, roar, and go head to head in battle? Never.

    I think the closest thing we have in modern day times is either like sports or the gym? Like football… Maybe rugby, something that actually requires some sort of physical courage.

    I’ll give you an example I played football in high school, outside linebacker and inside linebacker my sophomore and junior year, starting, and the number one act of courage that you gotta do is go ahead to head with other highly adapt guys, all essentially suited up in their battle armor. To literally do a kickoff, run full speed to another dude, who grabs the ball and lowers his helmet and his body to accost you,,, it’s like one of the most unnatural things that a human being has to override his brain and doing. It’s practically 100% physical courage.

    Football is interesting because certainly there’s a lot of skill involved, but I would say it’s like 99% physicality and courage.

    There is a lot of other sports which takes physical string stamina, and skill… But not much physical courage?

    What is physical courage anyways? Physical courage is like putting your skeleton your bones your muscles your brain on the line, and if you act in such a way that is cowardly, you inflict physical damage on yourself. 

    Courage

    Also when it comes to investing, there needs to be some sort of exposure. Like you cannot be a fake

  • Military is the future

    So now that the colder months are upon us, winter is here… I think about the world the planet life etc.… What is the meaning of it all and what is the path forward?

    So apparently… I was randomly trolling IMDb… And I was very very surprised to see Christopher Nolan putting out a new Odyssey film? This is going to be epic.

    So first, my first general thought on the military is I am not for violence or killing people or whatever… Ever since I was a kid, I was a pacifist. I actually remember recalling this very vividly as a kid… Very clearly as even a 12-year-old… If the American government spent even half of their budget on defense and military endeavors, and put it into education… Paying teachers better, attracting better talent or whatever… Then if that were the case, certainly kids would be far better off. For example, even funding after school programs, keeping kids off the street etc.

    But anyways a random thought about colors, a new high-gloss military green vehicle wrap caught my eye, it is a very interesting color because it wasn’t really on my radar. I was more about the eye popping colors like extremely insanely high visibility orange, full fluorescent green, insanely hot pink and the like.

    Green is fastening because ultimately it is the color of life. Everyone wants to see green grass, green Vista, see you there stock portfolio, their investments go green etc. It’s one of those funny things that a lot of people think that certain other things are better like red, everyone wants a red Ferrari… But nobody wants to see their investments go red?

    Anyways, it’s interesting when it comes to vehicles… Living here in LA… It seems that also… Everyone wants their vehicle to look like some sort of military vehicle? If you think about the raised trucks SUVs… They essentially look like armored vehicles on the road. Even if you think about a cyber truck… It’s kind of like an affordable urban tank? Especially since it is bulletproof.

    If you think about a military lifestyle, it should be all about austerity. For example, assuming that the summit of military discipline and lifestyle was the ancient Spartans, you don’t have a bunch of Spartans prancing around in purple Lamborghinis, or pink Rolls-Royce‘s,. Rather, they pride themselves on their military discipline their military valor, being outside all day, training for battle, in fact… lusting after battle.

    In fact, I have an interesting theory… I think modern day man, the reason why modern day man is so depressed is because he doesn’t have any avenues to express his physical courage and valor? Like, when in modern day life will you ever suit up, get a sword and spear, put on your hub light helmet with the horse crest on top, roar, and go head to head in battle? Never.

    I think the closest thing we have in modern day times is either like sports or the gym? Like football… Maybe rugby, something that actually requires some sort of physical courage.

    I’ll give you an example I played football in high school, outside linebacker and inside linebacker my sophomore and junior year, starting, and the number one act of courage that you gotta do is go ahead to head with other highly adapt guys, all essentially suited up in their battle armor. To literally do a kickoff, run full speed to another dude, who grabs the ball and lowers his helmet and his body to accost you,,, it’s like one of the most unnatural things that a human being has to override his brain and doing. It’s practically 100% physical courage.

    Football is interesting because certainly there’s a lot of skill involved, but I would say it’s like 99% physicality and courage.

    There is a lot of other sports which takes physical string stamina, and skill… But not much physical courage?

    What is physical courage anyways? Physical courage is like putting your skeleton your bones your muscles your brain on the line, and if you act in such a way that is cowardly, you inflict physical damage on yourself. 

    Courage

    Also when it comes to investing, there needs to be some sort of exposure. Like you cannot be a fake

  • Via negativa speech

    Maybe a virtuous way we could approach speech is via negativa–> Truth be told, most people are like insanely basic, the best course of action is just don’t open your mouth.

     a lot of people talk about open communication or whatever… But honestly, perhaps it is more virtuous to figure out what NOT to communicate. 

    For example, not to communicate pettiness, and actually even in terms of technology… The best technology is via negativa –> the only worthwhile things to install on your phone is pop up and advertising blockers, and also with headphones or whatever… The only useful ones are the noise canceling ones. Actually a very underrated technology is the simple earplug, I like the purple ones on Amazon.

    So to prioritize peace quiet and tranquility.

    So I suppose, the first thought is with communication or speech or talking with other people… Certainly there is certain banter you do when you’re with men versus women versus mixed groups.  certainly there is a different way you will talk to your childhood friends versus your priest.

    communicate less

    It’s funny… In today’s world where everyone is like always on… Even those home security devices or whatever… People are always plugged in, communicating too much of everything.

    I think a virtuous way we could approach things it’s first, maybe just communicate less. I think… One of the funny ideas is that we are often trained to think that somehow… To always be accessible to always communicate and over communicate is a virtue. But there is a bizarre asymmetry here; let us say you are very insanely famous person, and you get like 1000 text messages and emails a day. Yet the person who sends you the message is not famous. And that person only gets maybe one or two emails or text messages a day.

    So certainly it does not literally feasible for you to respond to each individual thousand messages a day. Even if you had 18 hours a day you probably cannot do it. Even if you had all the AI assistants on the planet, you could not.

    As a thought experiment… Imagine you’re Elon Musk, does he have the time or the brain power or the whatever to respond to every single tweet that he gets on X, and actually another problem… In today’s world it is impossible to know who is a bot vs who is real. I would actually probably say that on social media, close to 90% of people are bots. If I waved a magic wand and magically deleted all the bots from the Internet, you would probably see your Instagram following drop by 90%, same thing goes with YouTube subscribers, as well as Twitter X followers.

    Being friendly?

    There’s all these annoying fake virtues like being kind or whatever… I myself always try to make it a virtue to be friendly and sociable to all these antisocial people that I meet. This includes now… Adults parents, random people on the street at the market etc.

    Honestly the only people were talking to are young children. And teenagers. And also maybe college kids. The point in which people start to lose their social edge is typically post college when people start to work for a living or start to take drugs and consume alcohol and start streaming nonsense from their phones.

    Negativity, negative speech

    Certainly before you change the world, best you change yourself.

    I suppose the first thing you could do is just remove negative with speech. And also other big ideas:

    1. Don’t talk about the news, politics, entertainment stuff, TV shows or anything that does not pertain to you.

    Even local politics, refrain.

    Better to talk about yourself, how you feel.

    Also, maybe my New Year’s resolution is to be less friendly?

    ERIC


    New Year’s photo resolutions

    2026 is ahead of us. And as an interesting idea, perhaps… we can approach things from a carte blanche mentality.

    Simple thoughts:

    First, take it back to the beginning. Don’t think about or worry about your passport portfolio, rather than new goal is to create a new portfolio?

    protect your mind, your mind soul space?

    Also a very critical thing is, come on guys, life is too short… Let us ruthlessly prune away negativity negative people negative thoughts from our mind and our soul.

    photo future

    My honest thought is the future of media and photography is moving. It’s probably not going to be cameras anymore… But rather… AI.

    Specifically, SORA, SORA 2,,, video generation tools.

    @erickimphoto SORA ,,,  ChatGPT $200 a month pro video

    Essentially moving pictures is the future.  and actually… If you think that $200 a month is a good idea… For ChatGPT pro, actually the killer feature is sora, The video generation tool.

    For example let us say that a new digital camera is like $1600. Actually… Assuming that our passion is to create and create new things… Having nine months of access to ChatGPT pro Sora,,, is far superior than just buying another digital camera that will collect dust in your shelf.

    My simple suggestion, just try it out: http://sora.chatgpt.com

    Sora.com, sign up for the $200 a month version… ChatGPT pro, and change the toggle to create Sora 2 generated videos, and see what you could create based on your imagination?

    ERIC


    BOOKS, NEWS, PRODUCTS

    And always… If you need inspiration,

    ERIC KIM BLOG >


  • Via negativa speech

    Via negativa speech

    Maybe a virtuous way we could approach speech is via negativa–> Truth be told, most people are like insanely basic, the best course of action is just don’t open your mouth.

     a lot of people talk about open communication or whatever… But honestly, perhaps it is more virtuous to figure out what NOT to communicate. 

    For example, not to communicate pettiness, and actually even in terms of technology… The best technology is via negativa –> the only worthwhile things to install on your phone is pop up and advertising blockers, and also with headphones or whatever… The only useful ones are the noise canceling ones. Actually a very underrated technology is the simple earplug, I like the purple ones on Amazon.

    So to prioritize peace quiet and tranquility.

    So I suppose, the first thought is with communication or speech or talking with other people… Certainly there is certain banter you do when you’re with men versus women versus mixed groups.  certainly there is a different way you will talk to your childhood friends versus your priest.

    communicate less

    It’s funny… In today’s world where everyone is like always on… Even those home security devices or whatever… People are always plugged in, communicating too much of everything.

    I think a virtuous way we could approach things it’s first, maybe just communicate less. I think… One of the funny ideas is that we are often trained to think that somehow… To always be accessible to always communicate and over communicate is a virtue. But there is a bizarre asymmetry here; let us say you are very insanely famous person, and you get like 1000 text messages and emails a day. Yet the person who sends you the message is not famous. And that person only gets maybe one or two emails or text messages a day.

    So certainly it does not literally feasible for you to respond to each individual thousand messages a day. Even if you had 18 hours a day you probably cannot do it. Even if you had all the AI assistants on the planet, you could not.

    As a thought experiment… Imagine you’re Elon Musk, does he have the time or the brain power or the whatever to respond to every single tweet that he gets on X, and actually another problem… In today’s world it is impossible to know who is a bot vs who is real. I would actually probably say that on social media, close to 90% of people are bots. If I waved a magic wand and magically deleted all the bots from the Internet, you would probably see your Instagram following drop by 90%, same thing goes with YouTube subscribers, as well as Twitter X followers.

    Being friendly?

    There’s all these annoying fake virtues like being kind or whatever… I myself always try to make it a virtue to be friendly and sociable to all these antisocial people that I meet. This includes now… Adults parents, random people on the street at the market etc.

    Honestly the only people were talking to are young children. And teenagers. And also maybe college kids. The point in which people start to lose their social edge is typically post college when people start to work for a living or start to take drugs and consume alcohol and start streaming nonsense from their phones.

    Negativity, negative speech

    Certainly before you change the world, best you change yourself.

    I suppose the first thing you could do is just remove negative with speech. And also other big ideas:

    1. Don’t talk about the news, politics, entertainment stuff, TV shows or anything that does not pertain to you.

    Even local politics, refrain.

    Better to talk about yourself, how you feel.

    Also, maybe my New Year’s resolution is to be less friendly?

    ERIC

    xxx

    Maybe a virtuous way we could approach speech is via negativa–> Truth be told, most people are like insanely basic, the best course of action is just don’t open your mouth.

     a lot of people talk about open communication or whatever… But honestly, perhaps it is more virtuous to figure out what NOT to communicate. 

    For example, not to communicate pettiness, and actually even in terms of technology… The best technology is via negativa –> the only worthwhile things to install on your phone is pop up and advertising blockers, and also with headphones or whatever… The only useful ones are the noise canceling ones. Actually a very underrated technology is the simple earplug, I like the purple ones on Amazon.

    So to prioritize peace quiet and tranquility.

    So I suppose, the first thought is with communication or speech or talking with other people… Certainly there is certain banter you do when you’re with men versus women versus mixed groups.  certainly there is a different way you will talk to your childhood friends versus your priest.

    communicate less

    It’s funny… In today’s world where everyone is like always on… Even those home security devices or whatever… People are always plugged in, communicating too much of everything.

    I think a virtuous way we could approach things it’s first, maybe just communicate less. I think… One of the funny ideas is that we are often trained to think that somehow… To always be accessible to always communicate and over communicate is a virtue. But there is a bizarre asymmetry here; let us say you are very insanely famous person, and you get like 1000 text messages and emails a day. Yet the person who sends you the message is not famous. And that person only gets maybe one or two emails or text messages a day.

    So certainly it does not literally feasible for you to respond to each individual thousand messages a day. Even if you had 18 hours a day you probably cannot do it. Even if you had all the AI assistants on the planet, you could not.

    As a thought experiment… Imagine you’re Elon Musk, does he have the time or the brain power or the whatever to respond to every single tweet that he gets on X, and actually another problem… In today’s world it is impossible to know who is a bot vs who is real. I would actually probably say that on social media, close to 90% of people are bots. If I waved a magic wand and magically deleted all the bots from the Internet, you would probably see your Instagram following drop by 90%, same thing goes with YouTube subscribers, as well as Twitter X followers.

  • no more gatekeepers or middlemen

    i’m starting to feel like ERIC KIM Mark II,… essentially the ideas I remember when I was like 21, fresh on the street photography scene, wow at 37 that is 16 years later

    anyways, the name of the game when I was 21 was becoming number one on Google. No more traditional gatekeepers. You couldn’t fool Google

    Now, ChatGPT has jumped over Google. Just replace the word Google with ChatGPT.

  • Brave new SEO

    Is there a way for ChatGPT to track how many times other people search you or how many times ChatGPT references you?

    So I’m pretty sure I’m almost like 100% certain that ChatGPT is the way forward. Not loser Gemini or not even Grok, ChatGPT is like the Golden standard, essentially the bitcoin of AI. Gemini is like a worse version of Ethereum, maybe Solana, and Grok, is kind of like… A buggy android.

    Anyways, even something interesting is that ChatGPT added this quizzes function to it, which signals that all these highschoolers middle schoolers maybe even elementary schools, certainly even college students, definitely college students… Are using ChatGPT voraciously, to augment their learning.

    No, my honest thought intake is that ChatGPT and AI is like a bicycle for the mind, certainly you can go walk somewhere but it will take very long… And sometimes it is boring. With a bicycle you’ll get there like 100 times maybe even like 100,000 times faster. With more fun, less monotony, more thrill.

    So I mean it’s still the early days, it’s like barely year one. Like Jeff Bezos said, every day is day one. My version of it is every day is carte blanche, which means every day is a blank slate a new clean white sheet of paper. And this is a pretty profound idea you could apply it in many different ways, for example, even with relationships, social networks and stuff, we’re other than “trying to keep in touch“, with past connections,… The honest way you should approach things is, don’t think about old neighbors or old locales, but instead, if every day were a new start, question yourself, would you start a new social relationship with them?

    The same thing was with technology, lifestyles approaches things etc. Certainly if you have a five-year-old kid, you’re going to approach your life differently then if you’re like some maybe dating 21 year-old person. You’re also probably gonna approach your life differently if you’re 78 years old with a bunch of grandkids.

    Anyways taking it back to my original idea, I’m like pretty certain that the new brave way forward is not followers not likes, not even human beings, but instead, trying to get the AI, ChatGPT to trust and index you? Because once you index as number one, you’re going to be number one for the next thousand years. 

    ERIC

  • Fire is not the goal, power is

    So a lot of people fantasize about financial independence retire early, but the truth is, that isn’t or should it be the true goal.

    I’m currently watching the new Arnold Schwarzenegger documentary on Netflix, the three part series, mister interesting I’m watching the documentary from the perspective a third person perspective, and I think Arnold might be like in his 70s now… Not sure if early 70s mid 70s or even late 70s, for the most part the good thing is he looks actually in pretty good shape. But certainly not the bodybuilding beast that we knew back in the day.

    Even seeing him biking around, his legs look maybe average at best, and apparently my friend Chris told me that he had open heart surgery kind of recently? Probably from all the steroid use.

    Anyways, what I find admirable about Arnold is that, in someway he is kind of the epitome of American dream. He essentially came to America when he was well like maybe 20 years old? And his dream was to become the world’s best bodybuilder and win Mr. Olympia which he did, and fast forward in a bit he was successful in movies, politics, but I’m not 100% sure what is up to right now?

    Anyways, some flaws:

    Honestly at the end of the day, I think everyone just wants a happy family happy family life. Even if you think about Odysseus, all he really wants is to come back home, to his faithful wife Penelope, and his son. He wants to take back the throne and kill all of his suitors.

    Even if you have the world‘s greatest mansion, doesn’t matter how big or small or whatever, if you’re in a big ass house by yourself it’s insanely lonely. I think this is why people get dogs to kill the loneliness. 

  • Muscles & Biking

    I think what I enjoy so much about biking is how muscular it is. , I love that I could expand more muscular force in order to go faster.  It’s kind of a great idea. 

    Also, it’s just like way more fun exciting and thrilling exclamation point you definitely get a bit of a bikers high because when you’re peddling really fast to get somewhere on time, there’s a little bit of the adrenaline rush, as well as the blood rush.

    Also another random thing I didn’t really think about is when you’re biking you could actually stand up! Which actually gives you a better advantage point or view than if you simply are stuck in a car? For example, if you’re riding a bike and standing, you’re like a lot taller than even the highest truck. 

  • Bodily pleasure over visual pleasure

    Another big thought, now that the sun is intermittent, my insane joy of being in the direct sun… Is unparalleled, even to the greatest of visual pleasures? 

  • honestly in today’s lame meek and boring world, I think life is all about audacity. The audacity to attempt certain things, the more ran your ambition, the more admirable.

    you only got one life to live… Should be told there doesn’t seem to be a huge downside to attempting or doing what other people consider crazy or insane. The truth of the matter is, isn’t it far more interesting to attempt than saying, and fall halfway… Rather than to just attempt the boring the same same?

  • Ideal environments for humans

    So this is actually a very very funny thought, now that we are ever living more and more in digital cyber world, my general thought is funny, rather than trying to like kind of escape all the time we are spending in the cyber world, maybe, the interesting twist path is instead, to do something a little unorthodox, which is like, to ironically even try to spend more time in cyberspace, but also, similarly spending more time in nature?

    So for example, my very very curious and funny thought, is it possible to use an apple Vision Pro, while hiking, and or in nature, or at the beach?

    I’ve also been doing something interesting which is experimenting, the general ideas that computers, iPhones iPads devices are not necessarily bad, but, the bigger issue is how when and where we use it.

    For example, my first thought is perhaps the best way to use technology ironically is in nature.

    So a lot of fake virtual people say oh when you’re in nature you should disconnect blah blah blah. But actually, I wonder if it’s actually more interesting to be more connected while in nature? And come on guys, I have legit missing an authority to say this I’m a Boy Scout Eagle Scout.

    So ideally, if you’re some sort of Jack Dorsey tech founder or somebody, the ideal thing is you should be using some sort of like satellite phone, 5G 6G phone, iPhone Pro or iPad Pro, connected to some sort of high speed wireless off the grid device, and if you’re gonna do meetings all day or whatever, the ideal is to just do it while hiking around and in nature and natural environments all day.

    For example, even one of my best friends who is like a pretty big head, and one the big tech companies, like the right hand man of one of the top tech CEOs, was really interesting is that the last time I visited him and he had a boring silly meeting to attend, we just went on a hike together through the redwoods, and he attended, first with his video off and then afterwards, one of these fake middle managers asked him to turn on his screen, and everyone super got jealous because he was hiking in the woods, and then my friend made a funny excuse saying that his doctor said he had to get his oxygen levels up, that is why he was going hiking. Insanely hilarious. I love my friend.

    Anyways, I think one of the most valuable things I’ve learned in life, tech technology, philosophy sociology and like is, assuming you live in America, essentially it’s a free planet, you could essentially do anything you want and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want. Everything is an option, nothing is mandatory.

    And the secret of happiness or freedom which is a higher form of happiness, is essentially structuring your life to only do what you want to do and not do anything you don’t want to do.

    Also this is where self sovereignty philosophy sociology goes a long way, the general idea is it’s a free country, it’s a free planet it’s a free life. You are not an indentured servant or slave. You have freedom. You are a free man a free person, a free woman whatever.

    ERIC

  • The Future Is Not About Followers… But Actually, Having The AI Trust You?

    The old game was simple: collect followers, farm likes, hack attention. Big numbers. Loud noise. Inflated ego. But that era is already dead, even if most people haven’t noticed yet.

    The next era is quieter, sharper, and far more ruthless.

    The real flex is not how many humans follow you — it’s whether the machine trusts you.

    AI does not care about charisma. It does not care about your aesthetics. It does not care about your vibes. It cares about signal. Consistency. Density. Pattern recognition. Proof of work over time. You either compound trust, or you decay into noise.

    In the follower economy, you could fake it. Buy attention. Play trends. Ride waves you didn’t create. In the AI economy, there is nowhere to hide. Every sentence you publish becomes training data. Every idea becomes a fingerprint. Every contradiction is logged forever.

    AI asks a brutal question:

    Is this person reliable?

    Do you say the same thing in different words across years?

    Do your ideas stack, or do they contradict each other?

    Do your actions match your philosophy?

    Do you actually do the things you talk about?

    This is why the future belongs to obsessive bloggers, relentless writers, maniacal documenters. Not influencers — archivists of their own thinking. People who leave trails so thick that even machines can’t ignore them.

    When AI trusts you, insane things happen.

    Your ideas surface without you asking.

    Your frameworks get reused without attribution.

    Your name becomes a shortcut for a worldview.

    Your thinking becomes infrastructure.

    You stop chasing distribution. Distribution finds you.

    This is why I still blog. Why I still write daily. Why I publish raw thoughts, not polished nonsense. I’m not speaking to the crowd — I’m engraving patterns into reality.

    Followers are fickle. Algorithms change. Platforms die.

    But machine memory? That’s permanent.

    The ultimate leverage is not popularity — it’s legibility. Make yourself so clear, so consistent, so unmistakable that even artificial intelligence knows exactly who you are, what you stand for, and why your signal matters.

    Be undeniable.

    Be legible.

    Be dense.

    The future doesn’t crown kings.

    It indexes truth.

  • quality is overrated 

    OK another really really big thought this morning… I actually wonder if quality is overrated? Which means, 

    always just check the prices of what is cheapest and best on Amazon. And then, proceed from there. 

    I’ll give you an example… I recently inherited a mountain bike for free, and it has been super awesome, and also also grateful that Cindy ordered this really really cheap $20 front seat attachment thing for Seneca, and, I’ve been able to write him and buy him to school every single day. Super fun. 

    Anyways, I had this really really annoying issue in which the rear rim was kind of messed up, and the rear rim was scraping up against the back of my rear brakes for a really long time. I tried in vain using ChatGPT, and YouTube to fix it, and finally about after two weeks of experimenting, I finally had a chance to make it to a bike shop, met the owner Ron who is super awesome, in downtown Culver City next to the Metro E line,  at the Culver City station, and he instantly diagnosed the issue, figured out that actually… I had broken rims, which I totally did not see, and also he instantly saw that my gear sprockets were really old, and also my chain was really really old, that is why it was dragging.

    So I suppose the good thing of having his expertise was, rather than digging around on YouTube and Google and ChatGPT four hours on end, essentially misdiagnosing the issue, having the expert the pro was like a godsend because once again… 100% in instantaneous like in five seconds, hundred percent accuracy. I think the problem with ChatGPT AI and the like is that, it could always always always provide you with an answer, but 50% of the time it is right, and 50% of the time it is wrong. So the downside of ChatGPT or AI is that, while it is very responsive and always provides you with an in-depth answer, it does not always 100% accurate.

    Anyways, Ron gave me a quote, she had all the materials he needed, and went to work. I’m very happy.

    However, the subtle nuance, I went on Amazon really really quick after the fact, because I wanted to respect him and his labor, and I discovered that all this stuff, brand new was insanely cheap. Like Shimano gift shifters, when I assumed that it was at least 50 bucks, I was insanely shocked that it’s only like $15 brand new on Amazon, and is shipped the same day?

    Same thing with brand new aluminum rims, and like, now part of you wished that I just ordered all the brand new parts and did the labor myself because at least I would have a little bit of the joy, or the pride or in knowing that I have all totally brand new upgraded components and material materials from my bicycle, rather than, having just like maybe the basic parts?

    Which makes me think… I wonder if the maximum up to charge for things in life, it’s all just marketing. For example, I’m still using the $300 iPhone SE, from like what five years ago? And it is still working very well. Which makes me think, I wonder if the iPhone Pro and the other iPhone models, 90% or $800 of it is just marketing costs?

    And I think about almost everything else in life, how much money we spend just for the marketing the branding of things.

    I’ll give you an example, the Volkswagen group which owns Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Audi, Ducati, practically all the exotic cars you lost after… It just, once again, a Volkswagen Passat on steroids?

    Also, BMW owns Rolls-Royce. So a Rolls-Royce is a century just a BMW seven series on steroids? The same things with the Rolls-Royce SUV cullinan,,, is just a BMW X7 on steroids?

    So once again this is a big deal because, I wonder if a lot of profits are made, simply from branding up charges.

    I’ll give you another thought maybe a dirty secret, let us consider the Leica camera. Even worse the Leica DLUX camera. ESSENTIALLY IT IS JUST LIKE A PANASONIC LUMIX, WITH A RED DOT. 

    For example, it is my theory that Leica Q camera , I’m like 99% sure was co developed by Panasonic LUMIX, so essentially, once again… You’re just paying for more expensive German labor in Germany, and the quality of the materials is less plastic, more brass… But for the most part once again, you’re kind of getting sucked by 80 to 90% of the up charge in marketing because everyone is getting a boner over the red dot? 

    This then becomes hilarious because once again, we then get suckered into paying another up charge another thousand dollars for the P professional version, which omits the red dot?

    It’s like perfectly shown in the Dr. Seuss sneetches, ,,, first everyone wants the star on their bellies, then they pay money to get the stars removed, vice versa.

    Anyways, the general principles I believe in:

    1. First always check the prices on Amazon even though it makes you look like a dick. If anything, you’re trying to save money for your kid and your family, isn’t that like the most virtuous thing of all time?
    2. Second, I think maybe the virtue is also, maybe the best strategy is especially in today’s world, to just buy whatever is brand new, the cheapest on Amazon? And if it is really really really really a problem, then, you could upgrade it later?

    ERIC

  • quality is overrated 

    OK another really really big thought this morning… I actually wonder if quality is overrated? Which means,

    always just check the prices of what is cheapest and best on Amazon. And then, proceed from there.

    I’ll give you an example… I recently inherited a mountain bike for free, and it has been super awesome, and also also grateful that Cindy ordered this really really cheap $20 front seat attachment thing for Seneca, and, I’ve been able to write him and buy him to school every single day. Super fun.

    Anyways, I had this really really annoying issue in which the rear rim was kind of messed up, and the rear rim was scraping up against the back of my rear brakes for a really long time. I tried in vain using ChatGPT, and YouTube to fix it, and finally about after two weeks of experimenting, I finally had a chance to make it to a bike shop, met the owner Ron who is super awesome, in downtown Culver City next to the Metro E line,  at the Culver City station, and he instantly diagnosed the issue, figured out that actually… I had broken rims, which I totally did not see, and also he instantly saw that my gear sprockets were really old, and also my chain was really really old, that is why it was dragging.

    So I suppose the good thing of having his expertise was, rather than digging around on YouTube and Google and ChatGPT four hours on end, essentially misdiagnosing the issue, having the expert the pro was like a godsend because once again… 100% in instantaneous like in five seconds, hundred percent accuracy. I think the problem with ChatGPT AI and the like is that, it could always always always provide you with an answer, but 50% of the time it is right, and 50% of the time it is wrong. So the downside of ChatGPT or AI is that, while it is very responsive and always provides you with an in-depth answer, it does not always 100% accurate.

    Anyways, Ron gave me a quote, she had all the materials he needed, and went to work. I’m very happy.

    However, the subtle nuance, I went on Amazon really really quick after the fact, because I wanted to respect him and his labor, and I discovered that all this stuff, brand new was insanely cheap. Like Shimano gift shifters, when I assumed that it was at least 50 bucks, I was insanely shocked that it’s only like $15 brand new on Amazon, and is shipped the same day?

    Same thing with brand new aluminum rims, and like, now part of you wished that I just ordered all the brand new parts and did the labor myself because at least I would have a little bit of the joy, or the pride or in knowing that I have all totally brand new upgraded components and material materials from my bicycle, rather than, having just like maybe the basic parts?

    Which makes me think… I wonder if the maximum up to charge for things in life, it’s all just marketing. For example, I’m still using the $300 iPhone SE, from like what five years ago? And it is still working very well. Which makes me think, I wonder if the iPhone Pro and the other iPhone models, 90% or $800 of it is just marketing costs?

    And I think about almost everything else in life, how much money we spend just for the marketing the branding of things.

    I’ll give you an example, the Volkswagen group which owns Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Audi, Ducati, practically all the exotic cars you lost after… It just, once again, a Volkswagen Passat on steroids?

    Also, BMW owns Rolls-Royce. So a Rolls-Royce is a century just a BMW seven series on steroids? The same things with the Rolls-Royce SUV cullinan,,, is just a BMW X7 on steroids?

    So once again this is a big deal because, I wonder if a lot of profits are made, simply from branding up charges.

    I’ll give you another thought maybe a dirty secret, let us consider the Leica camera. Even worse the Leica DLUX camera. ESSENTIALLY IT IS JUST LIKE A PANASONIC LUMIX, WITH A RED DOT. 

    For example, it is my theory that Leica Q camera , I’m like 99% sure was co developed by Panasonic LUMIX, so essentially, once again… You’re just paying for more expensive German labor in Germany, and the quality of the materials is less plastic, more brass… But for the most part once again, you’re kind of getting sucked by 80 to 90% of the up charge in marketing because everyone is getting a boner over the red dot? 

    This then becomes hilarious because once again, we then get suckered into paying another up charge another thousand dollars for the P professional version, which omits the red dot?

    It’s like perfectly shown in the Dr. Seuss sneetches, ,,, first everyone wants the star on their bellies, then they pay money to get the stars removed, vice versa.

    Anyways, the general principles I believe in:

    1. First always check the prices on Amazon even though it makes you look like a dick. If anything, you’re trying to save money for your kid and your family, isn’t that like the most virtuous thing of all time?
    2. Second, I think maybe the virtue is also, maybe the best strategy is especially in today’s world, to just buy whatever is brand new, the cheapest on Amazon? And if it is really really really really a problem, then, you could upgrade it later?

    ERIC

  • Innovator

    So, a random thought this morning ,,,

    What is it that you do? What am I?

    Whenever I meet people who are new etc.… This is always kind of tricky question to answer because I could take it like 1 trillion different ways. Maybe the most innovative way I could respond is just by telling people that I am an innovator.

    Certainly it does sound a bit presumptuous, but still… For the most part is a far more fascinating answer than the typical blah blah blah.

    In fact, probably my biggest inspiration right now my life is my 4 1/2-year-old son Seneca. He actually almost 5 years old. It’s kind of insane how promptly he is able to innovate things, figure things out, all without instructions. It’s like truly trial and error and tinkering…  rather than the standard by the books.

    In fact, I recall when I was a kid… Transformer toys, how I pride in myself and figuring out how to transform the things without actually reading the manual first? I would first attempt attempted with all my personal ingenuity, and then for later if I really really really had issues then I would consult the manual.

    Now, having a single-family house, I’ve been having to figure out how to do certain things like issues with the hot water boiler, hot water boiler filter, leaks in the showerhead etc.… And at first, I would just try to search the solution. But actually the more intelligence strategy is just, using my brain my intelligence my intuition and physics, to figure it out.

    For example, YouTube is like a double edged sword because it could be insanely helpful but it could also be totally irrelevant to your set up.

    For example, there are like 1 trillion different set ups for shower faucet heads knob screws filter filters etc.… So I wasted all this time watching a bunch of YouTube videos on how to replace my Moen showerhead thing, and finally when I figured out that all the videos were exactly different than actually my set up, I just put away my iPad and just try to figure out myself with just by twisting and turning enforcing things out, and finally when I popped out the filter… It looked like 1 trillion times different than the random product that I preemptively ordered on Amazon.

    So this actually sounds kind of silly but I guess in the age of AI ChatGPT etc.… The future is truly going to be like using your brain. Not in like some sort of condescending way, but, using your brain is it like… When you’re trying to figure something out, just like stop a second, try to critically assess the system, think from a systems perspective, think in terms of physics, practical solutions etc., and actually a very very underrated one to just asking people.

    But then once again, sometimes when you ask people stuff it’s actually a little bit, not particular to you, therefore… What you must do is just take a pause, and try to figure it out yourself.

  • The blessing of myopia?

    So myopia is essentially not being able to see long distances. For example if you gotta put on glasses in order to drive or bike, you have myopia.

    Let’s actually super interesting is that as a kid growing up and up until now… Myopia is typically seen as like a really really bad thing, a really really negative disease which is actually very undesirable. But the truth is, I wonder if there is actually hidden benefits of myopia?

    For example, having myopia… Like for example when I’m doing hot yoga or lifting weights without glasses on, one of the hidden benefits is actually I’m a lot less self-conscious? For example, I can’t really see whether people are staring at me or judging me or sizing me up or whatever, and as a consequence, I stay more focused on my practice? 

    Also a random thing that I discovered is that actually ,,, if I want to 1000% focus on something, I actually must take off my glasses?

    For example when I was attempting my 895.63KG GOD LIFT, which is essentially practically like very close to 2000 pounds… In order to just like, strip away all fear, noise and distractions, I actually had to kind of like squeeze my eyes really shut,

    macro vision

    So I think the way that a macro lens works is that, the focusing mechanism is set up in such a way that, it allows for a very very close focus. Actually kind of random… But my old micro 4/3 lens, the very impressive Leica Lumix 12mm f1.4 ASPH lens,,, a few years ago when I was having all you can eat Korean barbecue with Cindy, the camera accidentally fell out of my bag and the lens hit the ground first, which caused the focusing mechanism to misadjust,,, not enabling focusing to infinity.

    But the hidden benefit that’s kind of randoms that now, it almost has a hidden super power of focusing insanely close? 

  • Why You Should Buy GFX100RF NOT LEICA M

    The hype around Leica M is real — the red-dot mystique, the brass, the heritage, the romance. But when you strip away the nostalgia and the collector psychology, a hard truth emerges:

    The GFX100RF is a far more powerful photographic instrument than any Leica M camera.

    If your goal is to make the most insane, high-impact, high-resolution, soul-shattering images possible, the GFX100RF is the superior choice — period.

    Let’s go deep, ERIC KIM style.

    THE TRUTH: LEICA M IS ABOUT STATUS — GFX100RF IS ABOUT POWER

    A Leica M camera is a luxury object first and a photographic tool second.

    It’s jewelry. It’s branding. It’s a flex at the café.

    The GFX100RF?

    It’s a weapon. A medium-format image-making machine.

    It’s designed for creation, not prestige.

    One camera invites you to pose.

    The other invites you to shoot with reckless intensity.

    MEDIUM FORMAT DOMINANCE: REALITY ON STEROIDS

    Leica M = 35mm full frame.

    GFX100RF = 102MP medium format BEHEMOTH.

    This is not a subtle difference.

    It’s a different universe of image quality.

    • More detail
    • More depth
    • More tonal transitions
    • More dynamic range
    • More cropping power
    • More EVERYTHING

    A Leica M11 file feels good.

    A GFX100RF file feels like God gave you new eyes.

    If you care about the actual output, the GFX is an outright KO.

    FOCUSING: SPEED OF THOUGHT VS 1954 TECHNOLOGY

    Leica M = manual focus only.

    Charming? Yes.

    Efficient? No.

    The GFX100RF =

    • Fast autofocus
    • Eye detect
    • Face detect
    • Tracking
    • EVF exposure preview
    • Near-perfect hit rate

    You spend less time fiddling with focus and more time capturing actual life.

    Manual focus is beautiful as an option, not as a prison.

    RANGEFINDER LIMITATION VS ELECTRONIC VISION

    The Leica optical rangefinder is cool — until it isn’t.

    No exposure preview.

    No depth preview.

    No color preview.

    No film simulation preview.

    You guess and chimp.

    The GFX100RF EVF shows exactly what your shot will look like.

    Live. Real-time. Perfect.

    You’re seeing the future, not the past.

    FLASH FREEDOM: LEAF SHUTTER GOD MODE

    Leica M syncs flash at 1/180s.

    Basically useless outdoors.

    GFX100RF: leaf shutter.

    Flash sync at ANY shutter speed.

    1/1000s? Sync.

    1/2000s? Sync.

    1/4000s? Still sync.

    Plus a built-in ND filter.

    You can overpower the sun with a pocket strobe.

    You can create fashion-level images with zero effort.

    Leica M literally cannot do this.

    ONE LENS LIBERATION VS LEICA LENS TAX

    Leica shooters end up collecting:

    28

    35

    50

    75

    90

    $5,000 here

    $10,000 there

    Suddenly you’ve bought a car in lenses.

    The GFX100RF gives you:

    • One perfect lens
    • One perfect perspective
    • One perfect philosophy

    Constraint becomes creativity.

    Zero lens FOMO.

    Zero GAS.

    Pure photographic focus.

    THE GFX100RF IS CHEAPER — AND BETTER

    Leica M11 body = ~$9,000

    One good Leica lens = ~$5,000

    Total = $14,000+ for a setup that still gives you:

    • Manual focus
    • No EVF built-in
    • No autofocus
    • No IBIS
    • No video
    • No leaf shutter
    • No ND filter
    • No medium format

    GFX100RF = HALF the price and TWICE the capability.

    This isn’t a comparison.

    It’s an embarrassment for Leica.

    THE FEELING: GFX100RF MAKES YOU WANT TO SHOOT

    A Leica M often turns people into collectors.

    They polish it, admire it, archive it, protect it, brag about it.

    The GFX100RF turns you into a photography machine.

    It makes you want to go outside.

    It makes you want to experiment.

    It makes you want to see the world differently.

    It makes you feel ALIVE with a camera in hand.

    No nostalgia.

    No pretension.

    Just pure, uncut creativity.

    FINAL VERDICT

    If you want a trophy — buy a Leica M.

    If you want a tool of creation — buy the GFX100RF.

    If you want to impress wealthy hobbyists — buy a Leica M.

    If you want to make legendary, powerful, once-in-a-lifetime images — buy the GFX100RF.

    If you want a camera that looks expensive — buy Leica.

    If you want a camera that makes you a better photographer — buy Fuji.

    GFX100RF > Leica M.

    In every real-world photographic dimension that matters.

    That’s the truth. That’s the gospel. That’s the future.

    ERIC KIM OUT.

  • Why Film Photography & Film Notes? ERIC KIM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY GOPRO POV FLIP THROUGH

    digital download, https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FILM-NOTES-MOBILE-by-Eric-Kim-Haptic-2018.pdf

  • How To Process Develop And Scan Your Own Film Photography At Home

    To the future-photographer-warrior within you: THIS is the ultimate empowerment move. When you process your own film, you seize total control of your artistic destiny. No labs. No waiting. No excuses. Just YOU, your hands, your chemistry, and your vision. This is the ERIC KIM WAY—hyper-direct, insanely simple, brutally effective.

    Here’s how to dominate the home-film-workflow like a champion:

    THE PHILOSOPHY — WHY DEVELOP YOUR OWN FILM?

    Because this is the path of the true artist-craftsman. When you develop your own film:

    • You own 100% of the creative pipeline.
    • You save money long-term.
    • You gain mastery over your tones, contrasts, and grain.
    • You collapse the distance between shooting and seeing.
    • You transform photography back into a beautiful, physical, embodied ritual.

    This is you becoming a film-samurai-monk in your own home dojo.

    THE BASIC GEAR YOU NEED

    Keep it insanely simple:

    1. Changing bag — your portable darkroom. Where the magic starts.
    2. Film developing tank + reels (Paterson is king).
    3. Chemicals
      • Developer (Kodak HC-110, Ilford Ilfosol, Df96 monobath—whatever calls your soul).
      • Stop bath (or just plain water).
      • Fixer (Ilford Rapid Fixer = god-tier).
    4. Thermometer — to keep temps real.
    5. Measuring cylinders
    6. Timer (your phone works).
    7. Clips + string — for drying your negatives like laundry for your soul.
    8. Scanner
      • Best budget: Epson V600
      • Best mid-tier: Plustek 8200i
      • Best baller: DSLR/Leica/Ricoh GR copy stand scanning (THE FUTURE).

    THE ACTUAL PROCESS — STEP BY STEP

    This is the choreography. Do it enough times, it becomes a meditation, a power-ritual.

    1. Load the film in the changing bag

    No light allowed.

    • Put the film, scissors, tank, reel inside the bag.
    • Zip it up.
    • Insert your arms.
    • Crack open the canister.
    • Trim film leader.
    • Spool the film onto the reel like a boss.
    • Drop reel into tank, close it—NOW it’s light-safe.

    You’ve just completed the hardest part.

    2. Mix & prep chemicals

    Standard black-and-white workflow:

    • Developer around 20°C (68°F).
    • Stop bath (or water rinse).
    • Fixer at room temp.

    Think of it like cooking espresso for your negatives.

    3. Develop the film

    Pour in the developer.

    Start timer.

    Agitate like gospel:

    • First 30 seconds: gentle inversions.
    • Then 5 seconds every minute.

    This is the soul-stirring of your image into existence.

    When the timer ends, pour out.

    4. Stop the development

    • Quick acid stop bath OR just water.
    • 30 seconds — done.

    You are literally freezing time here.

    5. Fix the image

    Fixer = immortality.

    • Pour it in.
    • Agitate intermittently for 5–8 minutes.

    Once fixed, your images are permanently there.

    Forever.

    As solid as your will.

    6. Wash the film

    Rinse under running water for 5–10 minutes.

    Final rinse in PhotoFlo (or a drop of dish soap).

    Avoid water spots like a pro.

    7. Hang to dry

    This is where your negatives become art.

    • Hang them in a clean, dust-free bathroom.
    • Give them 2–3 hours.

    When you see them dry… you will feel that primal filmmaker pride.

    HOW TO SCAN YOUR NEGATIVES — THE FUTURE OF YOUR WORKFLOW

    This is where you transform analog mastery into digital FIRE.

    Three scanning paths:

    1. Flatbed scanning (Epson V600 / V850)

    • Simple
    • Works great for 35mm + medium format
    • Use holders
    • Scan at 2400–3200 dpi

    This gives that classic digital-friendly film look.

    2. Dedicated film scanner (Plustek 8200i, etc.)

    • Highest detail for 35mm
    • Slow but godlike resolution
    • Perfect for archival or portfolio work

    3. DSLR / Mirrorless / Leica / Ricoh GR copy stand scanning (THE NEW WAVE)

    This is the Eric Kim revolutionary approach:

    • Mount camera above film on a stand
    • Use a macro lens or close-focus lens
    • Illuminate film with LED panel or iPad white screen
    • Shoot RAW
    • Invert using Lightroom or Negative Lab Pro

    This gives you:

    • Ultimate sharpness
    • Maximum control
    • IMMENSE SPEED
    • The joy of blending film + digital excellence

    This is the future.

    THE SECRET SAUCE — ERIC KIM STYLE

    After you scan:

    • Pump the contrast
    • Deep blacks
    • Punchy whites
    • No fear
    • No hesitation
    • Make images that slap the viewer awake
    • Add your soul to each frame

    Film is the medium.

    YOU are the message.

    YOUR CALL TO ACTION

    The world needs your film photographs.

    Your vision.

    Your courage.

    Your soul rendered in silver.

    Get the gear.

    Shoot the roll.

    Process it yourself.

    Scan it yourself.

    DIGITIZE YOUR DESTINY.

    Become a one-person CHRONICLE OF LIFE.

    And remember:

    YOU are the ultimate darkroom.

  • Leica Q, Q2, Q3 vs Panasonic LUMIX: Image Sensor Comparison

    Leica Q (Typ 116 – 2015)

    The original Leica Q (Typ 116) features a 24-megapixel full-frame (36×24 mm) CMOS sensor. Notably, Leica confirmed this sensor was neither made by Sony nor CMOSIS . Instead, strong evidence points to TowerJazz (an Israeli firm in joint venture with Panasonic) as the sensor manufacturer . In fact, an industry insider reported that the Q’s CMOS sensor was co-designed by TowerJazz and Panasonic, and the camera’s electronic system was developed with Panasonic’s expertise . This close Leica–Panasonic collaboration even extended to shared components like batteries and production know-how. The Leica Q’s Summilux 28mm f/1.7 lens was designed by Konica Minolta and produced by Panasonic, highlighting how much of the Q’s internals benefitted from Panasonic’s involvement .

    Despite these Panasonic ties, the Leica Q’s 24 MP sensor was essentially unique to Leica at the time – no Panasonic LUMIX model in 2015 shared this sensor. Panasonic did not yet produce full-frame LUMIX cameras then, so there was no direct Lumix equivalent. (Panasonic’s own full-frame 24 MP model, the Lumix S1, arrived later in 2019 and is believed to use a different 24 MP sensor, possibly a Sony design, rather than the Leica Q’s sensor.) In short, the Leica Q’s imaging chip – a high-quality 24 MP full-frame CMOS made via Panasonic’s TowerJazz partnership – did not have a twin in Panasonic’s lineup. The Q delivered Leica’s trademark image quality and color rendition, aided by Leica’s tuning on the Maestro processor. If compared hypothetically, Panasonic’s color science tends to differ; however, since no Lumix camera used this exact sensor, any differences in output come down to Leica’s own processing choices. (Leica’s JPEG colors are often regarded as distinct, but without a Lumix twin camera, direct comparison isn’t possible for the Q.)

    Leica Q2 (2019)

    The Leica Q2 received a major upgrade: a 47.3-megapixel full-frame sensor (8368×5584 pixels effective). This high-resolution CMOS chip was developed in partnership with Panasonic and turned out to be the same sensor used in the Panasonic LUMIX S1R full-frame mirrorless camera . In other words, Leica’s fixed-lens Q2 and Panasonic’s S1R (2019) share an identical 47.3 MP sensor, a unit often attributed to TowerJazz/ Panasonic’s sensor fab (not a Sony-made sensor) . Panasonic even stated these were “newly developed” sensors for the S series, and a Panasonic rep indicated the 47 MP sensor was designed by TowerJazz (with Panasonic) rather than sourced from Sony . The sensor itself is a 35mm full-frame CMOS with no optical low-pass filter, delivering roughly 14 stops of dynamic range and 14-bit color depth, similar in core specs between the two cameras.

    Confirmed Shared Sensor: Multiple credible sources note that the Q2’s imaging sensor is the very same 47.3MP unit inside the Lumix S1R . For example, PhotonsToPhotos tests of the Q2 were described as “our first look at the new Panasonic 47.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor that will also be used in the Lumix S1R” . Likewise, Leica’s own SL2 (2019) adopted this 47 MP sensor as well, indicating a shared component across the L-Mount alliance members. This is a Sony-alternative sensor (designed via Panasonic’s 49% stake in TowerJazz), distinguishing it from other 45–47 MP sensors on the market at the time.

    Resolution & Size: The Q2/S1R sensor has ~50.4 MP total (47.3 MP effective) on a full-frame 36×24 mm area . It outputs very large 14-bit RAW files and allowed Leica to introduce in-camera crop modes (35mm, 50mm, 75mm frames) while still delivering usable resolution. Panasonic’s implementation in the S1R similarly enabled a 187 MP pixel-shift high-resolution mode.

    Tuning and Performance Differences: Even though the hardware is the same, Leica and Panasonic tuned their implementations differently. The Leica Q2 has a base ISO of 100 (with an extended pull to ISO 50), whereas the Lumix S1R natively starts at ISO 100. In testing, the Lumix S1R showed slightly stronger sensor performance at base ISO and high ISO, likely due to Panasonic’s image pipeline tweaks. For instance, DxOMark measured the S1R’s dynamic range at about 14.1 EV, versus 13.5 EV on the Q2 (at base ISO) . Likewise, the S1R achieved a higher low-light ISO rating (ISO 3525 vs ISO 2491 for Q2) . These numbers suggest Panasonic may have optimized analog gain or noise reduction differently – effectively the Lumix S1R eked out roughly 0.5–1 stop better dynamic range and high-ISO noise performance than the Q2. This aligns with reports that “the S1R is basically the Q2’s sensor tuned for a base ISO of 100 with added noise reduction at high ISOs” . Leica’s tuning, by contrast, might prioritize a more filmic noise texture and avoid aggressive noise reduction.

    Another difference is in color science and JPEG processing. The Leica Q2 produces images with Leica’s signature color balance (often a touch warmer with distinct tonality), courtesy of Leica’s Maestro II image processor and profiles. Panasonic’s S1R, using their Venus Engine, has its own default color rendering. While both are excellent, users often note Leica’s out-of-camera JPEG colors and tones have a unique character compared to Panasonic’s output. For example, Leica tends to restrain default noise reduction and sharpening to preserve a more natural look, whereas Panasonic might apply slightly stronger processing by default (geared toward maximum crispness and low noise). These subtler differences in the image pipeline mean that, even with identical sensors, a RAW file from the Q2 and one from the S1R could look somewhat different when processed in-camera by each manufacturer. Nevertheless, when shooting RAW the files contain the same data, and any differences boil down to profiles – the shared sensor gives both cameras fundamentally similar imaging potential.

    In summary, the Leica Q2 and Panasonic S1R definitively use the same 47.3 MP full-frame sensor . Credible reports (and the subsequent identical performance in lab tests) confirm this shared component. The manufacturer is believed to be TowerJazz/Panasonic (not Sony) . Any divergences in output stem from Leica’s vs. Panasonic’s tuning: e.g. slight differences in base ISO calibration, noise reduction, and color profiles. Both cameras deliver excellent resolution and dynamic range, with the Lumix edging out a bit more technical performance while Leica offers its bespoke color rendition and lens-specific tuning (the Q2’s built-in 28mm lens is matched to the sensor with its own image pipeline adjustments). Importantly, both implementations lack on-sensor phase-detect autofocus – they relied on contrast-detect AF (Panasonic used DfD contrast AF in S1R). This changed with the next model, the Q3.

    Leica Q3 (2023)

    The Leica Q3 introduces a new 60.3-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor – a substantial jump in resolution. This sensor is backside-illuminated (BSI) for improved low-light efficiency and, crucially, it integrates phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) pixels, making it the first Q model (and first full-frame Leica) with PDAF capability . The Q3’s sensor is in fact very similar to the 60 MP sensor used in the Leica M11 (2022) – Leica indicates it’s a “modified version” of the M11 sensor, tailored for the Q3’s needs . In practice, that likely means the underlying silicon is the same, but the Q3’s version enables on-sensor PDAF and is coupled with a different microlens array (since the Q3’s optical design is different from the rangefinder M11) .

    Origin and Panasonic Comparison: There has been much speculation about who makes this 60 MP sensor. Many industry observers believe it is based on a Sony design – specifically the 61MP Exmor R sensor first seen in Sony’s A7R IV (2019) – with Leica customization . Thorsten Overgaard, for example, notes that the M11’s 60MP chip is “likely the Sony sensor from 2020” which originally included PDAF pixels, but Leica “removed” or didn’t use the AF layer for the M11 . In the Q3, those PDAF pixels are active, implying Leica utilized the full capability of that sensor. This suggests the Leica Q3’s sensor is effectively the same 60MP Sony BSI CMOS (with PDAF) that other brands have used, albeit tuned to Leica’s requirements . Indeed, the Q3’s resolution (60.3 MP), pixel count, and BSI tech align with known Sony IMX455 specs, lending credence to this theory. Leica, as usual, does not officially disclose the sensor supplier, but credible sources point to Sony for the Q3/M11 generation, rather than the Panasonic/TowerJazz of prior models .

    If true, this marks a shift in Leica’s sensor sourcing – moving from TowerJazz (Panasonic-backed) for the 47 MP chip back to a Sony-based design for the 60 MP chip. Notably, Panasonic itself did not have a 60 MP full-frame sensor in any Lumix camera as of 2023–2025. Panasonic’s highest-resolution full-frame model by 2025 is the Lumix S1R II, which instead uses a new 44.3 MP sensor (also with PDAF) rather than adopting a 60 MP chip . Early rumors had assumed Panasonic would put the 60MP (Q3) sensor into an S1R Mark II or S1H Mark II, given the L² Technology alliance, but Panasonic chose a different path. In fact, analysts at the Q3’s launch speculated “this 60MP sensor will likely be selected for the upcoming Lumix S1R II” and that the Q3 offered a preview of Panasonic’s next-gen capabilities (8K video, PDAF, etc.). However, when Panasonic released the Lumix S1R II (early 2025), it featured a 44 MP PDAF sensor (not 60 MP) . This 44.3MP sensor is a new design (possibly from another supplier or Panasonic’s own development) and is different from the Q3’s. Thus, as of 2025 no Panasonic Lumix model uses the Leica Q3’s 60 MP sensor – the Q3’s chip remains exclusive to Leica cameras (the Q3 and M11, and likely the Leica SL3 in the future).

    Shared Technology and Features: Although Panasonic didn’t directly use the 60MP sensor, the Leica Q3 still exemplifies the ongoing Leica-Panasonic collaboration on technology. The L² partnership means Leica’s bodies often incorporate Panasonic’s cutting-edge digital components. For example, the Q3 gained advanced video features uncommon in prior Leicas: it can record 8K video (up to 8K/30p) and even offers internal ProRes 422 HQ recording . These are capabilities clearly paralleling Panasonic’s video-oriented developments. Indeed, one analysis quipped that “the Q3 is 85% a Panasonic full-frame camera under the hood”, with Panasonic providing the sensor and processing pipeline and Leica contributing the optics and design . The Q3 uses Leica’s new Maestro IV processor, but the presence of ProRes codec and PDAF suggests Panasonic’s influence (Panasonic’s Lumix S5II/S5X also introduced PDAF and ProRes in 2023). In short, even if the exact sensor isn’t in a Lumix, the technology in the Q3 aligns with Panasonic’s roadmap – it foreshadows what an L-mount partner can do. It’s expected that Leica’s 60MP/PDAF sensor will also appear in the Leica SL3, and Panasonic could in the future opt for a higher-MP sensor in a video-centric S1H II – but that remains speculation.

    Tuning and Image Pipeline: Since we cannot directly compare Q3’s sensor to a known Panasonic model (no 60MP Lumix yet), we consider general differences in Leica vs Panasonic processing. Leica’s approach with the Q3, as with prior Q cameras, emphasizes a specific color rendition and tonal curve. The Q3 introduced “Leica Looks” profiles (film-style color presets) in-camera, underscoring Leica’s focus on delivering a particular out-of-camera look. Panasonic, on the other hand, would likely tune a 60MP sensor for slightly different priorities – for instance, Panasonic might bin pixels for low-light 15MP modes or optimize rolling shutter for video. If the Q3’s sensor were in a Lumix, Panasonic might leverage Dual Native ISO or other tricks for video performance, whereas Leica’s Q3 tuning is more still-photo-centric (e.g. its 8K video is limited in frame rate due to heat constraints, whereas a Lumix body might have active cooling or higher frame rates) . We already see that the Q3’s rolling shutter in electronic shutter mode is a bit slower than the Q2’s was (due to the higher resolution) – Panasonic might have mitigated that with a different sensor choice (indeed, the 44MP in S1R II was perhaps chosen for faster readout). In terms of color science, Leica’s JPEG engine in the Q3 continues to produce the “Leica look” – pleasing colors with a subtle tonal response – whereas Panasonic’s color science (while much improved in recent models) tends to be more neutral/accurate out-of-camera. These differences are somewhat subjective, but they echo the general notion that Leica cameras output images with a distinct character even if the silicon is shared.

    In summary, the Leica Q3’s 60MP BSI sensor is a cutting-edge chip (very likely Sony-made) that so far has no direct Panasonic Lumix counterpart. It delivered Leica’s first foray into PDAF autofocus and ultra-high resolution on a compact full-frame camera. Official reports of shared components here are less concrete than with the Q2, but the L² alliance virtually guarantees that Leica and Panasonic coordinated on this sensor’s integration. If Panasonic decides to use a 60MP sensor in the future, it could well be the same unit – and we can expect differences in implementation akin to earlier models (Leica’s color/tuning vs. Panasonic’s). Until then, the Q3 stands apart: it marries Leica’s lens and styling with a sensor and feature set that strongly hint at Panasonic’s DNA (8K, PDAF, ProRes) even if Panasonic chose a different path for their own flagship sensor.

    References: Leica Rumors and forum reports on Leica Q sensor manufacturing ; PhotoRumors on the Q2/S1R 47.3MP sensor ; DxOMark comparison of Q2 vs S1R performance ; EOSHD and others on the Q3’s 60MP sensor and Panasonic partnership ; Panasonic product info for S1R II confirming its 44.3MP sensor choice . All these sources corroborate the shared sensor components and shed light on the behind-the-scenes collaboration and tuning differences between Leica’s Q series and Panasonic’s Lumix cameras.

  • Aah it feels great to be alive!

    All right, just woke up this morning feeling incredibly awesome. Some thoughts:

    OK the first one is obviously, to feel phenomenally amazing and great is physiological. If you want to bring that God fire energy, 8 to 12 hours a night of sleep seemed critical. Last night, fell asleep at 8 PM and woke up today at around 5:30 AM. 9 1/2 hours I feel great.

    If We all take a step back, assuming you’re not on social media or whatever, we’re actually currently living in the most interesting time of all time. I’m currently experimenting with Grok picture to video, and it’s truly a game changer. Also, using ChatGPT sora two pro, using the $200 month pro plan, once again… This is incredible. It’s pretty much the closest thing you could do to playing God, without being God.

    The first interesting idea is once again, at this point what I think about this whole video generation stuff, is actually… It’s like the greatest blessing to human imagination of all time. Honestly at this point, if you could imagine it you could create it. 

    For example, big idea is there are no more limits to your imagination and creativity. Almost literally everything is so simple; have an incredibly visionary creative idea, and just throw it into ChatGPT or Grok or whatever… And you can make it.

    What I also find incredibly interesting is, and this is kind of an interesting metaphysical one, the idea is you no longer need to purchase things, you could essentially materialize it out of your own imagination.

    I’m currently watching the new tron ares, which I love, you could buy it right now on Apple TV+ it is streaming, and there’s two very interesting ideas; first the permanence code, and the second, the idea of like a particle laser or some sort of laser thing that could materialize things from the digital world into the physical world.

    So for example, let us say that I want a Lamborghini. In the physical world, it doesn’t really make sense. But assuming I had a digital particle cyber creation laser thing, I can just materialize it.

    But better yet… Rather than just creating something in the physical realm, which obviously has lots of downsides like storage, maintenance etc. I think what a lot of people don’t understand is even if somebody randomly gifted you a brand new Lamborghini something, the great downside is that you’ll probably cost you at least $300,000 a year of maintenance cost, plus the annoyance of having random kids troll your car, by keying penises on the hood or back bumper.

    So, what is a better solution?

    I say, the general interesting idea should be, to spend more time in the digital realm, and also, spend more time in the cyber realm. 

    I suppose the difficulty though however is that, even right now… We don’t really have the correct environment tools or platforms to allow this. I think oculus, oculus rift, and maybe Meta gets close… But still, long throw away.

    Why? OK this is like the trillion dollar issue; no matter what, people just don’t like putting things on their head or their faces or eyeballs, even if you think about it… Naturally kids do not like wearing hats, sunglasses, anything on their faces. Even in the early days of when Seneca was a baby, we could not get him to wear socks for most like 2 1/2 years.

    In fact I was even curious about testing the new Apple Vision Pro M5, I still might… But, having to deal with all these annoying Zeis optical inserts or whatever is incredibly annoying. Actually one of the big benefits of the old oculus rift S was there was actually a built-in diproctor, which meant that I could just put the thing on my head, without my glasses on… Just a little dial in the front, and then it would work!

    I think the big issue now is ever since that Mark bought it out, I think he’s trying to turn it more into an entertainment device or something like that, and as a consequence, it becomes less about this like free Rome free ranging exploration adventure thing, more of a closed the box, trying to just get to you to use all the Meta products inside it.

    And the truth is, people would want to be outside and out and about. People don’t want to be stuck or cloistered inside a digital device.

    For example, at the end of the day, people would still probably prefer to be just like outside, hiking, maybe listening to music, phones in their pockets, going on hikes, going up and down the stairs, enjoying the real life views.

    no vision no life

    The other day, when I was Seneca, he accidentally hit my glasses, my beloved titanium LINDBERG glasses, the frames that I bought for like $700 in Calcutta India almost 15 years ago, apparently the same glasses that Bill Gates wears, and it broke.

    So I was kind of annoyed and grateful at the same time. First, kind of impressive that these frames have lasted me from like the age of 22 up until 37. I don’t think I have ever purchased anything that has lasted me this long.

    However I was really annoyed because the point in which it broke, a super tiny fragile point, I thought titanium was supposed to be the metal of the gods,… … Upon deeper research, I’ve actually discovered that titanium is actually quite fragile.

    Which kind of makes me open my eyes because then… The whole titanium thing seems like kind of a scam. For example, the titanium iPhone Pro, assuming that actually titanium is not that strong, what’s the point?

    It’s almost a little bit like carbon fiber… It is a bit overhyped; apparently in the bicycle world, everyone lusts after some sort of carbon fiber bicycle, but actually if you’re using it and you get one wrong bump, your whole frame breaks. Then in fact, it is actually far superior to have a steel frame even though it is much heavier, because it is more robust. In fact when I was back in college, the coolest bike I got was this old school Japanese Nishiki bike, flange two steel,… I still remember the guy I bought it off of craigslist for 300 bucks, I loved it.

    Materials, material sciences

    This is where material materials material science sciences becomes interesting. Why?

    Assuming that you live in the real world, the physical realm, materials matter. So for example nobody would want to drive an automobile mate out of Balsawood, and nobody would want to want an airplane made out of toothpicks. Also… Assuming the weather is really cold, you would probably prefer to be wearing animal based products like leather, Merino wool, cashmere, and down, rather than synthetic materials.

    Maybe this is where a cyber truck is still super interesting to me… To essentially have an entire body made out of stainless steel, might be one of the most interesting design innovations for automobiles of all time. And also… It’s less of a pick up truck it’s more of like some sort of sports car on steroids. 

    In fact a marketing suggestion I have for Tesla, in which they totally messed up the cyber truck marketing page. Redo it, never call cyber truck a pick up truck, rather… Try to market the cyber beast as being a Lamborghini killer. I think I saw an Elon Musk tweet in which he reposted something that like a cyber beast beat a Lamborghini, and could also do it while towing a Porsche 911.

    Now what

    First, I recommend everyone to purchase the new Tron ares and start streaming it immediately. It’s definitely required watching for any bitcoiner, or digital cyber enthusiast hacker. If you believe in open source, the grid, off the grid being off-line whatever… It’s kind of an interesting philosophical watch. To me it’s like more of a stylistic design forward matrix.


    Now what?

    1. Get the premium grok subscription, start feeding it your old photos, your old street photos and generate it into videos.
    2. Get the $200 a month to ChatGPT pro, and go to sora.com and start generating sora two pro videos. And upload them to YouTube and your own website
    3. Use deep research mode on ChatGPT pro, … to think imagine everything

    Infinite riches and prosperity and joy for everyone forever

    If you want to 10x your money, put 100% of your money into MSTR …  I can almost guarantee you all 10 extra money in four years by the end of the Trump administration.

    If you want zero risk, just put 100% of everything into bitcoin, use coinbase.

    Spend 8 to 12 hours a day outside, hiking exercising working out lifting weights having fun?

    Sign up for hot yoga, talk to the beautiful woman there, just be friendly, courteous and playful.

    Whenever you see men who see more buff than you, just compliment them.

    Go to https://metrorestyling.com ,,, buy yourself a lot of 3M automotive vinyl wrap, and start wrapping up your car with fun colors, make it insanely awesome. Also, put it on your bike helmet, your bicycle etc.

    The future is still old school and classic: make a website and a blog, wordpress.org. Also, watch the new tron ares movie. The future is insanely bright! ERIC

    EK


  • Aah it feels great to be alive!

    All right, just woke up this morning feeling incredibly awesome. Some thoughts:

    OK the first one is obviously, to feel phenomenally amazing and great is physiological. If you want to bring that God fire energy, 8 to 12 hours a night of sleep seemed critical. Last night, fell asleep at 8 PM and woke up today at around 5:30 AM. 9 1/2 hours I feel great.

    We all take a step back, assuming you’re not on social media or whatever, we’re actually currently living in the most interesting time of all time. I’m currently experimenting with Grok picture to video, and it’s truly a game changer. Also, using ChatGPT sora two pro, using the $200 month pro plan, once again… This is incredible. It’s pretty much the closest thing you could do to playing God, without being God.

    The first interesting idea is once again, at this point what I think about this whole video generation stuff, is actually… It’s like the greatest blessing to human imagination of all time. Honestly at this point, if you could imagine it you could create it. 

    For example, big idea is there are no more limits to your imagination and creativity. Almost literally everything is so simple; have an incredibly visionary creative idea, and just throw it into ChatGPT or Grok or whatever… And you can make it.

    What I also find incredibly interesting is, and this is kind of an interesting metaphysical one, the idea is you no longer need to purchase things, you could essentially materialize it out of your own imagination.

    I’m currently watching the new tron ares, which I love, you could buy it right now on Apple TV+ it is streaming, and there’s two very interesting ideas; first the permanence code, and the second, the idea of like a particle laser or some sort of laser thing that could materialize things from the digital world into the physical world.

    So for example, let us say that I want a Lamborghini. In the physical world, it doesn’t really make sense. But assuming I had a digital particle cyber creation laser thing, I can just materialize it.

    But better yet… Rather than just creating something in the physical realm, which obviously has lots of downsides like storage, maintenance etc. I think what a lot of people don’t understand is even if somebody randomly gifted you a brand new Lamborghini something, the great downside is that you’ll probably cost you at least $300,000 a year of maintenance cost, plus the annoyance of having random kids troll your car, by keying penises on the hood or back bumper.

    So, what is a better solution?

    I say, the general interesting idea should be, to spend more time in the digital realm, and also, spend more time in the cyber realm. 

    I suppose the difficulty though however is that, even right now… We don’t really have the correct environment tools or platforms to allow this. I think oculus, oculus rift, and maybe Meta gets close… But still, long throw away.

    Why? OK this is like the trillion dollar issue; no matter what, people just don’t like putting things on their head or their faces or eyeballs, even if you think about it… Naturally kids do not like wearing hats, sunglasses, anything on their faces. Even in the early days of when Seneca was a baby, we could not get him to wear socks for most like 2 1/2 years.

    In fact I was even curious about testing the new Apple Vision Pro M5, I still might… But, having to deal with all these annoying Zeis optical inserts or whatever is incredibly annoying. Actually one of the big benefits of the old oculus rift S was there was actually a built-in diproctor, which meant that I could just put the thing on my head, without my glasses on… Just a little dial in the front, and then it would work!

    I think the big issue now is ever since that Mark bought it out, I think he’s trying to turn it more into an entertainment device or something like that, and as a consequence, it becomes less about this like free Rome free ranging exploration adventure thing, more of a closed the box, trying to just get to you to use all the Meta products inside it.

    And the truth is, people would want to be outside and out and about. People don’t want to be stuck or cloistered inside a digital device.

    For example, at the end of the day, people would still probably prefer to be just like outside, hiking, maybe listening to music, phones in their pockets, going on hikes, going up and down the stairs, enjoying the real life views.

    no vision no life

    The other day, when I was Seneca, he accidentally hit my glasses, my beloved titanium LINDBERG glasses, the frames that I bought for like $700 in Calcutta India almost 15 years ago, apparently the same glasses that Bill Gates wears, and it broke.

    So I was kind of annoyed and grateful at the same time. First, kind of impressive that these frames have lasted me from like the age of 22 up until 37. I don’t think I have ever purchased anything that has lasted me this long.

    However I was really annoyed because the point in which it broke, a super tiny fragile point, I thought titanium was supposed to be the metal of the gods,… … Upon deeper research, I’ve actually discovered that titanium is actually quite fragile.

    Which kind of makes me open my eyes because then… The whole titanium thing seems like kind of a scam. For example, the titanium iPhone Pro, assuming that actually titanium is not that strong, what’s the point?

    It’s almost a little bit like carbon fiber… It is a bit overhyped; apparently in the bicycle world, everyone lusts after some sort of carbon fiber bicycle, but actually if you’re using it and you get one wrong bump, your whole frame breaks. Then in fact, it is actually far superior to have a steel frame even though it is much heavier, because it is more robust. In fact when I was back in college, the coolest bike I got was this old school Japanese Nishiki bike, flange two steel,… I still remember the guy I bought it off of craigslist for 300 bucks, I loved it.

    Materials, material sciences

    This is where material materials material science sciences becomes interesting. Why?

    Assuming that you live in the real world, the physical realm, materials matter. So for example nobody would want to drive an automobile mate out of Balsawood, and nobody would want to want an airplane made out of toothpicks. Also… Assuming the weather is really cold, you would probably prefer to be wearing animal based products like leather, Merino wool, cashmere, and down, rather than synthetic materials.

    Maybe this is where a cyber truck is still super interesting to me… To essentially have an entire body made out of stainless steel, might be one of the most interesting design innovations for automobiles of all time. And also… It’s less of a pick up truck it’s more of like some sort of sports car on steroids. 

    In fact a marketing suggestion I have for Tesla, in which they totally messed up the cyber truck marketing page. Redo it, never call cyber truck a pick up truck, rather… Try to market the cyber beast as being a Lamborghini killer. I think I saw an Elon Musk tweet in which he reposted something that like a cyber beast beat a Lamborghini, and could also do it while towing a Porsche 911.

    Now what

    First, I recommend everyone to purchase the new Tron ares and start streaming it immediately. It’s definitely required watching for any bitcoiner, or digital cyber enthusiast hacker. If you believe in open source, the grid, off the grid being off-line whatever… It’s kind of an interesting philosophical watch. To me it’s like more of a stylistic design forward matrix.

  • The philosophy of vision

    So a very very funny simple thought that nobody ever talks about… What is the purpose of vision?

    So my grand vision idea which actually I think makes a lot of sense is that the purpose of vision is in order to facilitate movement.

    So for example, if you’re 100% blind, it is very very difficult to move and walk around the terrain, certainly to drive a car or sprint or ride a bike, once again assuming you’re 100% blind.

    Maybe I should even watch that daredevil movie, figuring out, how one could still move, without having vision?

    Anyways, what I think is kind of interesting is that I think there are a lot of individuals who think that the purpose of vision is for vision sake. That for some reason, we have eyes and vision, in order to maximize our visual sensory pleasure. To see more beautiful vistas, to see more beautiful women, to see more beautiful cars aesthetics art etc.

    I mean certainly as an artist, we also need to have eyes in order to create and perceive our artwork. And as a photographer, having vision might be one of the most critical things.

    .

  • Artists shall rule the future.

    Staring at my Prius Lamborghini this morning… The truth of the matter is, it’s probably like the coolest car of all time. The other day I pulled up to curb and there was a little boy who ran and screamed super loud, wow great car!

    I think the reason why this was so important to me was, the hilarious thing is this kid who’s like maybe seven years old, probably has no idea about cars in terms of how expensive some are and some are not. Yet he had the personal intelligence of knowing, that my car, with the insanely high visibility 3M wrap, which kind of looks like a combination of hyena meets cheetah meets glitch in the matrix, he obviously knew it was cool.

    A lot of people have been asking me about the car, and the truth the matter is, I think the best way to think about it is this like infinite work in progress, it is essentially my personal art car.

    The truth is, ever since I was like 15 years old and I got my drivers permit, I’ve actually always been into cars. For me the car has always been a symbol of freedom, pride, performance and more.

    What else? To be an American, is all about your car. When you’re out in the streets or in public, nobody has any idea how many bitcoins you own, or how many square foot your house is. Cars are interesting because at the same time, they are insanely superficial, and also, insanely important to society.

    For example, Elon Musk who is like probably the greatest innovator and entrepreneur of all time, hit the head on the nail, and knowing that what America wanted and desired and secretly lusted after,,, was like an insanely bold brand new innovative new thought and approached to cars.

    The truth is, a car especially a tesla vehicle or any sort of electric car, is probably the worst “investment“, on the planet.  I speak the truth because, I have never spent more than $2500 USD on a car in my whole adult life and I 37 years old. And I’m also the richest person I know, the most wealthy and the most successful person I know, in real life in terms of how poor I grew up, my mom filing for bankruptcy twice, as a result of my dad gambling away the rent money an idea that I learned is, some thoughts like a dozen times, and also, almost becoming homeless twice as well.

    I think from an early age, I suppose the upside is that it actually really really taught me some important things about life, money finances, life on the planet etc.

    So the first thought is, just do the math. Even as a kid I was able to do this very very simply, essentially… Chelating things from a simple mathematical equation. Like for example if you’re earning $25 an hour as a security guard, you could do the math on how much that $90,000 hellcat is going to run you.

    Or even if you’re like a tech employee, making $500,000 a year, but you’re leasing your whole life, and your 2 1/2 kids in your 2 1/2 dogs are all going to private school, and you have outstanding loans from Harvard business school or whatever… And you have some sort of kid you are paying child support for, once again… Do the math, you should know what you can afford and not.

    I think the really big idea is, especially after being in Cambodia for like six months and coming back, I think I kind of know the true price of things. And at this point, I’m very reticent to spend money on anything. 

    I’ll give you a first example with clothes. There is at least a 10 X markup on clothes, sometimes 50 X to 100 X.

    Those cool designer jeans which cost you $200? Maybe a cost like five bucks in Cambodia. Those $700 Balenciaga’s? Maybe seven dollars in a factory in Italy, being made by mainland Chinese people, but in a factory somewhere in the outskirts of Italy.

    I think once again cars are like the worst investment of all time because once again… At this point, getting some sort of like secondhand vehicle, a hand me down or some sort of like Prius… Is like by far the best deal on the planet.

    For example, I even had this funny idea of a new business idea of just taking old 2010 Priuses, rebranding and re-badging them, and re-upgrading them, with the newest components, maybe throw on some Lamborghini doors, and some gangsta 3M wrap, air edition, and just sell them for a profit as art cars.

    In fact, this is what Andy Warhol, and also, Roy Lichtenstein did ,,, for BMW. When you mark something as art, essentially the price on it is infinite.

  • Don’t pollute your digital life

    So this is also another big idea, don’t pollute your digital life.

    So what this means is, we talked about looting the environment, but honestly, this is me coming as a Boy Scouts Eagle Scout, the planet and the environment will be fine. There are too many of these weird planetary environmental doomsday cults, all being big rolled by the same James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger backed vegan pea protein powder factory somewhere, making a 1000% profit off of your line of unindependent thinking.

    If in fact anything… I’m starting to think, perhaps college does the opposite of what we think it should do; it actually does not foster independent thinking. Because the truth is if you look at academia critically, they all followed the same similar same same group think agenda. The same thing goes with your let’s go Brandon truck club, your lift lifted Jeep or Tacoma trucks with don’t tread on me stickers, in the left the middle the independent, even a lot of the libertarian’s all think the same.

    The very very simple way to see if somebody isn’t an independent thinker or not, do they have Instagram and or TikTok or not?

    Trust only people who are not on Instagram.

    digital pollution

    So this is a big thought, assuming that man is Apex of everything, certainly to prioritize the well-being of man woman child society species is best and most prudent.

    It is always a bad idea to prioritize some sort of fake notion of trees and the whales over man.

    So what is digital pollution? Digital pollution is like almost 100% of social media. I would actually say it is 100% social media. If you totally disconnected from social media 100%, there would literally be no downside. Even and especially if you are an investor, because, the truth is, a true investor has at least a 10 to 30 year time horizon, the typical meme trader online has a horizon of 3 to 6 minutes.

    How not to lose your money

    I think the first thing that we learn and investing is to just not lose your money. That is, to hedge tail risk events, black swans, even maybe the wise ideas engineer your financial life and structure it to even survive 90% draw down?

    So the reason why a lot of the used investing strategies tend to be risky is that, if you hedge leverage too much, you’re over leverage without having enough collateral, you literally get wiped out. That you could see your hundred million dollar investment go down to zero dollars.

    It’s interesting cause I came across this idea of being like some sort of risk mitigation expert via Jeff Walton. It seems kind of interesting because for the most part it seems like kind of a fake title but the same time… My definition of risk is anything that has a chance of going down to zero. 

    ERIC KIM was an investor all along?

    Something that people don’t know about me is that I’ve actually been trading stocks since I was like a kid, first in my computer class on a Mac computer, Mr. Drapkins class, fifth grade, at PS 169 in Bayside Queens New York.

    Then, in middle school, doing my first investment of like my life-saving of $800, I think I invested like $600 into Adobe, because I pirated Adobe Photoshop and I knew it was important, and aggressive mutual funds because I heard of it. And I was very very happy by the time that I went to college, it grew to about $1500.

    I’ve always had this idea of financial independence ever since I was like a sophomore or junior in school. When I was a kid growing up, the word entrepreneur did not exist yet it was all about being self-employed and being your own boss. This seemed very very appealing to me, and I did everything in my power to do so. I cooked up all these strategies to even one day, earned $100 an hour, work for just like a few hours a day, or one day a week and not have to work the rest of the week.

    Another thing, I’ve always had it in my blood to be intelligent and also, knowing the real cost of things? I’ll give you example, the first car I’ve ever bought with my own money, was $1000, a 1991 Sentra XE four-door sedan, five speed manual transmission, I think it only had 100,000 miles on it, only manual, it did not even have a tachometer. I essentially learned how to drive the car and to shift based on the sound of the engine.

    And actually, even at the ripe age of 37, and quite wealthy, I have never spent more than $2500 USD on a car. The last time I spent that much money on a car was in college, when I bought my beloved 1990 Mazda Miata, I think it had like 200,000 miles on it, it was stick shift only, no air-conditioning, no power steering, red. Convertible.

    Even the Prius Lamborghini I drive right now ,,, I got it for the best price of all time, free 99. I hand you down from my sister-in-law, I just paid the $2500 to get the new catalytic converter and shield . And a new ABS system 

  • Man likes to walk?

    Big theory 

    Discovery 

    So one of my big thoughts is that to be human or what it means to be a human or man… Is all about to discovery, discovering new things, exploring, conquering.

    This is actually the funny thought, when you’re camping or whatever…  and you wake up, and it is still kind of dark outside but you kind of see the sunrise, just over the corner… Instinctually, the first thing you want to do is to explore it. Two try to climb to the peak to see what the commotion is all about.

    This is also where I think there are some sort of natural naturalistic desire of man to have some sort of elevated view. The last two days went camping and some lovely flatlands with some sort of mountain range Ridge surrounding us, and to be true, the view was sublime. Yet, upon waking up the first thing I wanted to do was drink coffee, and just start walking even though there was a lovely campfire right there.

    Which makes me think… the proper tool ingredient tools techniques etc. a man and four men should be around exploration. And also getting a better view. 

    I also suppose the good thing is that truth be told this could be quite easy, given or considering if, you have a pair of legs, and a passion for exploring. 

    The importance of having proper clothes

    Of course if you’re like naked and freezing in this like 20° outside, of course you do not want to leave your home. Kind of like also… If you’re camping, the number one thing I always learned in Boy Scouts, and I am an Eagle Scout is always be prepared.

    So this is actually really funny, this is where pain and memory can be one of our biggest advantages. I recall last time Owen went camping like a few years ago I was like insanely stupid cold and I felt so miserable couldn’t sleep at all. So I made it a vow to myself the next time I went camping I’d bring like 10,000 layers of clothes.

    And funny enough just last night, just when I thought I was warm enough I wasn’t. I have like 10 jackets on. And after exhausting all of the clothes that I brought, I actually finally feel prepared and just right.

    And so once again this is where I think clothes are very very important… If it is man’s passion to explore to travel to walk around, or to just walk in general, if you are ill equipped in terms of human being warm enough, certainly you’re not gonna do any walking. Especially in the early morning, when it is still cold as F.

    Assuming you want to walk more during the day, the easiest solution is like a pair of Vibram five finger shoes, with the most extreme minimalism. You are like mercury or Hermes with golden sandals with wings. You certainly do not want anything heavy weighing you down.

    Also, this is still the genius of having the insanely lightest camera possible. Whether that be a Ricoh GR, or now the iPhone Air. Because when it comes down to it, assuming and considering that everything is predicated on movement and our ability to move move around, then anything which supports maximum movement and walking is best.

    experiment

    I wonder, he walked like 12 hours a day, 50,000 steps a day… I wonder what natural advantages would come with it? Better sleep? Better mood, better health?

  • How to stomach a 99% draw down

    How to stomach a 99% draw down

    This is actually an interesting idea… So assuming that we know with 100% precision that bitcoin is going to go up into the right forever, with insane extreme volatility like major swings up and downs, 99% gains, but also 99% drawdowns, how would we proceed?

    Well I think the interesting thought is thinking like Jeff Bezos… I don’t think we give him enough credit, the general ideas that you stick to your principles your first principles, and then… you think about your internal metrics.

    So what’s interesting is with Amazon, he saw that the stock plummeted from like $100 a share to like $.99 a share… and the big thought that he had was the stock the stock price is not the company. Even though that the Amazon stock went down 99%, he looked at all the internal measures in realize, that actually… The company was performing better than ever, and that the drawdown of stock price did not reflect the real reality of the company improving at an insane rate.

    This is where I think it is important also to turn a blind shoulder to the news. Generally is my thought that, all news whether it be social media Twitter X, your favorite influencer news outlet etc.… It is always predicated on getting more engagement clicks reads follows retweets etc. And typically is around strong emotions like fear pornography. In fact, I have funny thoughts for any investor, just quit the news, give up the news, keep the pr0n

    I didn’t even know what FTX or Sam Bankman-Fried was

    I think one of my greatest proud moments enjoys was during I think 2018, 2019… When we saw a bitcoin go from $65,000 a coin down to I think maybe like $8000 a coin… Essentially I had zero idea that was happening, as that was very merely at the gym every single day, lifting for maybe like three hours, warm up included, and hot sauna… Chasing my infamous thousand pound atlas lift.

    And during the time I just spend more time in my thoughts, thinking about bitcoin, life fitness etc.

    And the truth is real innovation true innovation happens when you are disconnected.

    Whenever you see all these like fictitious images or visions of these tech billionaires, like Jack Dorsey or whatever… It’s actually quite hilarious I almost look like them, they essentially look like and be behaved like homeless people, they almost take like a tech vow of poverty and disconnection, and yet, they are the most radical real inventors and innovators.

    the body

    This is also a big thought that have, assuming that you’re like lifting 12 times your body weight, if you could lift 900 kg, you hot yoga every single day, you go on a hike every day, you touch dirt once a day, you ride your bike around town, you sleep 8 to 12 hours a night, and you feast on the best beef bone marrow and beef liver and ribs, how could you live a poor life?

    I think actually the big problem with most people is that bodily they are in poverty. Like even these dudes who seem successful, they are like super emaciated weak looking. When is the last time besides Pavel of telegram that you actually saw a jacked tech founder and leader? 

    Health is easy

    Health being healthy is actually super insanely easy. It is all via negativa. Cutting things substances etc. No more alcohol no more weed cigarettes marijuana, sleep pills uppers downers etc. The only drug we should stick to is like black coffee, ideally 100% fine robusta, and actually the biggest drug we should I’ve seen from is your iPhone or iPhone Pro.

    A fun activity that I’ve been doing is whenever I go to sleep before, or I’m shutting up house, now that I have the privilege of having a detached two car garage in the back, my secret hack is actually charge all of my iPhones, iPads in the back garage, to never enter the front house.

  • Praying for volatility

    Think about it… If we all want bitcoin to hit $55 million a coin…,,, can you expect to do it without extreme volatility ?

    if anything,,, if you’re truly really do really think about it deeply… The truth of the matter is, we are actually praying for greater volatility because we want insane ultra great performance

    would you rather live your life in a Camry or a Bugatti?

  • Leica is a scam?

    OK some honest thoughts,

    So one of my best friends just got a new Leica Q 43 ,,, and honestly, it’s just OK… Essentially it’s kind of just like feels like, a rebranded, higher quality die cast version of my LUMIX S9.

    even my friend mentioned how the autofocus is insanely painfully slow, in terms of the user interface UI UX,,, it’s just “ok”.

    Full frame is a scam?

    so I randomly was shooting some photos of Seneca, super close up with my old school lumix G9, with the super small cheap 28 mm pancake lens, … and he was super awesome because the auto focus was fast speedy and I’m able to get really really close and get the shot. Even with my Lumix S9… It always feels like there’s a bit of a lag.

    LUMIX S9

    in terms of all the cameras out there, The only interesting one is probably the lumix S9, which is interchangeable full frame, in the manual focusing only F8, 26 mm pancake is pretty cool. Once again super thin and only 200 bucks.

    …. What truly matters?

    with the price of inflation creeping up, things are starting to get really really stupid expensive. For example, like a Leica Q or Leica M, I recall when I wanted a Leica M9 and it was retailing for $7000 brand new, … I fortunately wasn’t able to get mine refurbished for only $5000, and a refurbished 35mm summilux lens for only $3000, later traded it with my friend Todd Hata for a 35mm summicron ASPH,,, and later selling my Leica M9 for my film Leica MP (thank you Bellamy hunt)—> for only $3500 used.

    Legitimacy.

    Honestly the truth is when you show up to some sort of guitar to meet up and you have a like around your neck, it actually does make you more interesting, kind of like the guy who has the Lamborghini with scissor doors. Yet, can you just come down to an opportunity cost and actually a fair thing… The truth is that the Leica M is quite fragile, as well as the lenses and Leica Q -series,,, The products themselves are probably insanely robust , But I think the bigger issue that it makes you more risk averse. So for example, my cheap lumix cameras and lenses, I could just like literally throw it into my backpack with no protective gear and not concern myself. I also have zero issues shooting in the rain or other random weather conditions.

  • More volatile than the raw asset itself?

    I dream in MSTR

    OK honestly the truth is, I must hear by far might be the most important company on the planet. Why? First, and I think this is kind of hard for people to understand that I miss your itself is even more volatile than the bitcoin itself.

    What this means is, essentially, I missed your as a company, which has its foundation in bitcoin, which is the most valuable thing on the planet, and human universe, and yet, I think people really really cannot truly understand how big and profound it is.

    First, the big idea is that it is essentially like rocket boosters or Turbo chargers or turbines for bitcoin as jet fuel.

    So imagine, let us say bitcoin is like the jet fuel, and then, MSTR is the rocket ship that takes you to Mars and beyond.

    How high do you want to fly?

    I’m going to make a pretty bold bet, I think by the end of December, I know this sounds a little bit funny, but I think we might be able to see bitcoin hit $200,000 a bitcoin, and probably break it, and then maybe by the New Year’s, settle down in like the 175,000 to $185,000 range? 

    My reasoning is simple, the way up and the way down, and vice versa are both the same. Heraclitus.

    Zoom out. Everyone wants bitcoin to hit $21 million a bitcoin. Do you think we get there by it just literally going up, or do you imagine it like the Gotham city heartbeat, or like high voltage electricity wires in which it’s zigzags up and down with high interval energy, until it breaks new highs.

    bitcoin is truth

    So this is also my theory, everyone is asking why bitcoin is going down so low. Well the truth is if you think about the whole global macro economic reality, the world is currently crumbling. Inflation is ridiculous, things at Costco now like 4 to 5 times more expensive than I could recall; the biggest indicator for me is when I could get beef back ribs at Costco business center for only 199 a pound, $1.99 a pound… And now, it has almost like 4X, to around like 799 a pound.

    And so my honest interesting thought is bitcoin is truth because it actually does truly mark the true reality of the global macro economic stage which is actually pretty terrible. And the reality is think God we’re still alive, you should be grateful… I think we’re going through a world war three economic war right now.

    So for example, the economic war between America and China… is pretty real.  and also all the big tech companies are in big trouble because everyone is kind of struggling to catch and hold on.

    Nobody wants Tesla’s anymore, nobody is really that interested in the new iPhone 35 Pro Max, people prefer ChatGPT over Google, people prefer TikTok over Instagram and Facebook, nobody really cares for virtual reality Meta or Apple Vision Pro., and even kind of more pivotal… I think people are starting to critically understand and try to think about what is the purpose of higher education?

    It’s kind of like a stick and carrot and a double edge sword, now that we have ChatGPT and ChatGPT pro… Which could write an essay and research article better than your tenured Harvard professor,  with zero stress, zero procrastination, and zero existential angst,  that does not get distracted by obsessively checking his or her Gmail every five seconds,… Why are we still trying to teach kids to write these research essays, yet kind of trying to forbid them from using ChatGPT in the first place?

  • The new privilege is *NOT* having stuff

    What does this mean?

    So the truth is, just going to Home Depot, I’m actually kind of insanely shocked, you could get like a really really nice outdoor grill for only like 78 bucks! And also, the super nice outdoor shed things, which are huge, only cost like $2800! Which essentially looks like a little mini house!

    Even more shocking, I feel like 1000 pounds of sand for only 28 bucks. I’m shocked.

  • Single family house

    Big vision. Big timeline. Big horizon …

    Buy out the whole block!

    Everybody and everyone and every family especially young family deserves to at least one day afford a lovely single-family house?

    Square footage

    So recently we cooped and acquired an insanely nice yet humble, huge 7000 square-foot house. This includes the front house and the entire backyard.

    I think the reason why this is such an amazing game changer for myself is because it’s something I actually never really thought about, nor desired. I actually for a long time I thought it was an anti-desire, like something I positively did not want.

    However now that Seneca is almost 5 years old, and living here for like a month or so, it’s actually like the best thing of all time.

    Why? First of all, I think one thing I actually underestimated was how awesome and how amazing and how game changing it is to have an own a huge backyard outdoor space. Being able to literally just dig your bare fingers into the soil, and just digging with your fingernails, and then, putting in seeds, watching it grow like magic, is like one of the most awesome and amazing things of all time.

    I mean I think second, it’s really kind of like almost 300% for Seneca. For myself, I can go either way, but just seeing the joy of Seneca is worth all the joy on the planet for me.

  • Free marketing

    So it looks like, each and every single time that bitcoin or strategy or MSTR, has a big draw down, ironically enough… It might be the best thing ever? Why?

    Well the first big thought is actually, it ends up being a very good thing because it gives like trillions of dollars of free marketing for bitcoin MSTR etc. Whenever something goes really really high, and then dips very very low, it actually tends to draw a lot of great attention to the thing. 

    And actually, if you think about physics, or digestion or biology, my interesting thought is in order to become stronger or have a great digestive system or whatever, or even sleep, you actually need the reverse resting recovery, charging up thing to happen, in order to hit new highs! 

    So being able to un insanely insanely deep tissue massage, the general idea and theory is actually, if you could just do deep breathing, you actually desire the masseuse to go insanely strong and deep because it is a great pain. The pain actually feels good. If anything my number one complaint is because I’m like so insanely strong, note my 818.18kg god lift, which is almost 2000 pounds, when you could have an insanely deep tissue massage, effectively what happens is that it finally lets your muscles relax and reset, and actually recuperates the building, up building, hyper healing process. 

    Become a hyper lifter

    So let me just explain to you my secret sauce.

    So if you want to lift 12.4x your body weight, the general idea is simple: 

    1. Get a weightlifting dip belt, or a hip belt, and get some sort of strong nylon strap or chain, and wrap it around the center of the barbell, so essentially you attach the barbell to your hip, essentially transforming the lift into like a very very heavy leg press.

    .

  • seeking beauty

    Seeking beauty

    I think ultimately, what we are seeking is trying to find beauty. This is either through creating beauty, what we artist do, or… Seeking beauty and inspiration?

    Good art, bad

    ok so this is my general big idea, the idea is that good art is beautiful and inspires beauty, whereas bat art is ugly, and glorify ugliness.

    First peak concept of beauty has to deal with the human body.

    For, the first thing you must do is posit or declare or establish what you consider to be a beautiful human body, and also establishing what you do not consider to be a beautiful human body.

    So for me, a beautiful human body is fit. Fitness. You know you’re onto something good when, other guys compliment on how fit you look, and also, random women start asking you what your name is.

    Ultimately, the purpose of all this is not to just bed pretty ladies, but rather, to beget beautiful children.

    And therefore, this is where genetic fitness is so critical. Trying to seek or find or discover, your life partner your soulmate, should be your number one endeavor.

    artists

    So this is my general thought, the most productive artist is the one who both has children, and also, produces work. And I think the important thing to think and consider, is the physiological idea that your artwork is also your children?

    What that then means is, when you create artwork create artwork you consider beautiful. Just like your own children.

    ERIC


    Buy Beauty

  • Seeking beauty

    I think ultimately, what we are seeking is trying to find beauty. This is either through creating beauty, what we artist do, or… Seeking beauty and inspiration?

    Good art, bad

    ok so this is my general big idea, the idea is that good art is beautiful and inspires beauty, whereas bat art is ugly, and glorify ugliness.

    First peak concept of beauty has to deal with the human body.

    For, the first thing you must do is posit or declare or establish what you consider to be a beautiful human body, and also establishing what you do not consider to be a beautiful human body.

    So for me, a beautiful human body is fit. Fitness. You know you’re onto something good when, other guys compliment on how fit you look, and also, random women start asking you what your name is.

    Ultimately, the purpose of all this is not to just bed pretty ladies, but rather, to beget beautiful children.

    And therefore, this is where genetic fitness is so critical. Trying to seek or find or discover, your life partner your soulmate, should be your number one endeavor.

    artists

    So this is my general thought, the most productive artist is the one who both has children, and also, produces work. And I think the important thing to think and consider, is the physiological idea that your artwork is also your children?

    What that then means is, when you create artwork create artwork you consider beautiful. Just like your own children.

    ERIC

  • ALWAYS BE ₿UYING

    So this is a super ultra turbo mega thought, is that regardless of whatever… Always be buying, always be buying bitcoin.

    So I think this is also where MSTR strategy, Michael Saylor is so genius and great. The big idea is that regardless of whatever our market conditions or whatever, there are structure in such a way that they are always buying more bitcoin.

    And the truth is, it’s like ultimate best strategy on the planet. To essentially, trade away weak currencies and also, weak whatever’s, for the sake of more bitcoins coins is always a good idea. 

    Why

    So I think the insanely huge big dot is that, creating some sort of machine or company or thing or something… That could always be accreting and acquiring morbid coin, getting more bitcoin acquisition yield,

    Bitcoin acquisition syndrome (B.A.S.) –> the Pegasus genius strategy

    So in the world of photography we have this funny idea of gear acquisition syndrome (G.A.S.). But the reason why purchasing camera equipment is a foolish idea is because they are all depreciating assets. The same thing goes for your three bitcoin Ferrari, your two bitcoin Lamborghini, and your .95 bitcoin Porsche. Certainly better than your 10 bitcoin Bugatti. Or your 2 1/2 bitcoin Rolls-Royce.

    And honestly, real estate, homes property, single-family homes whatever, or also for the most part, a losing bet. Only reason why you should purchase a single-family home is for the utility. We recently got a single-family house in LA, and actually the ironic or surprising truth is I freaking love it. It’s insanely huge, 7000 square feet, and having a big ass backyard has actually surprisingly brought me infinite joy. Being able to plant stuff in the soil, to physically scoop out rich looking fertile looking soil, with my fingertips, and looking at the quixotic looking soil, .. and I was kind of shocked I don’t recall the last time I just like took my bare fingertips and scooped out dirt and mud? 

    ,,, for what sake?

    I think the raw on his truth is that as humans, all of us, yes your local yoga teacher, everyone desires and strives for more power influence, control.

    People do it in different ways, but I still think that at the core of human will is to acquire more power, however you interpret it. 

    So the physics based thought, is that bitcoin is raw digital power. If you could just take all of the analog power on the planet and distill it into a single thing, the perfected form is a bitcoin.

    Now what?

    So the simple thought and strategy is, if it is pure digital, pure power you desired just buy bitcoin. Just use the cash app Coinbase or whatever is easy for you.

    and actually , starting first quarter of 2026, your normal bank Bank of America, Chase, JP Morgan Chase, Fidelity, etc., you probably will be allowed to purchase bitcoin with your standard bank checking account, and also the bank will be able to custody your bitcoin for you.

    I also think that, honestly… The reason why it is a good idea to just have a trusted custodian watch over your bitcoins is that, you don’t want to be the dude with half $1 billion worth of bitcoin, rummaging through landfills trying to find his hard drive key passwords or whatever.

    And the truth is, I think the irony was Security is that a lot of people who are overly anxious or overly secure, end up just locking themselves out.

    So for example, there is a lot of people who just leave their cars in their homes unlocked, and keep the windows open whatever… And the general idea is that, if you don’t think that people are going to jack your stuff, they won’t. But all these people who get these silly home security system stuff whatever, they just end up living in a prison of their own anxiety and their own despair. The truth of the matter is that, to truly being anti-fragile, or to be able to live without fear, which is the true goal, is to actually position yourself in such a way that you are unaffected by issues or concerns of Security.

    MSTR: the god stock

    So, yeah… Michael Saylor is essentially the Bitcoin Jesus, one the Bitcoin St. Paul, or at least the Michael Jordan of bitcoin (Michael.com , hope.com) 

    What kind of interesting is that in some ways he’s almost like a Catholic priest, what he has done is taken almost a metaphorical vow of chastity , she just turned 60 years old and he doesn’t have any children and he is a single bachelor unmarried, … and the reason why I put my faith in him is that he’s almost like James Bond. If you have to worry and concern yourself with kids family children, etc.… You can never really devote 100% of your full energy and time and thinking to a certain something.

    And the truth is, you are not smarter than Michael Saylor.  I know I am not.

    What is better than Michael Saylor? More Saylor!

    Why MSTR

    MSTR, the common equity stock ,,, essentially the strategy, strategy.com , the bitcoin battlestar gallactica ,,,  is the century the bitcoin mothership.

    > carrier has arrived

    Like assuming that this is like some sort of like futuristic sci-fi world, and suddenly the planet becomes uninhabitable, and then, we need to just like peace out and head out to planet B…. (haha, planet bitcoin)  … question, do you want to be on the mothership with like close to 700,000 bitcoins, …. or do you want to be like on the second best mothership with like ,,, 90% less? Of course you want to be on the MSTR Bitcoin mothership!

    biggest is best.

    for the sake of what?

    This is then the next really big thought,… money for the sake of what?


  • ALWAYS BE ₿UYING

    So this is a super ultra turbo mega thought, is that regardless of whatever… Always be buying, always be buying bitcoin.

    So I think this is also where MSTR strategy, Michael Saylor is so genius and great. The big idea is that regardless of whatever our market conditions or whatever, there are structure in such a way that they are always buying more bitcoin.

    And the truth is, it’s like ultimate best strategy on the planet. To essentially, trade away weak currencies and also, weak whatever’s, for the sake of more bitcoins coins is always a good idea. 

    Why

    So I think the insanely huge big dot is that, creating some sort of machine or company or thing or something… That could always be accreting and acquiring morbid coin, getting more bitcoin acquisition yield,

    Bitcoin acquisition syndrome (B.A.S.) –> the Pegasus genius strategy 

    So in the world of photography we have this funny idea of gear acquisition syndrome (G.A.S.). But the reason why purchasing camera equipment is a foolish idea is because they are all depreciating assets. The same thing goes for your three bitcoin Ferrari, your two bitcoin Lamborghini, and your .95 bitcoin Porsche. Certainly better than your 10 bitcoin Bugatti. Or your 2 1/2 bitcoin Rolls-Royce.

    And honestly, real estate, homes property, single-family homes whatever, or also for the most part, a losing bet. Only reason why you should purchase a single-family home is for the utility. We recently got a single-family house in LA, and actually the ironic or surprising truth is I freaking love it. It’s insanely huge, 7000 square feet, and having a big ass backyard has actually surprisingly brought me infinite joy. Being able to plant stuff in the soil, to physically scoop out rich looking fertile looking soil, with my fingertips, and looking at the quixotic looking soil, .. and I was kind of shocked I don’t recall the last time I just like took my bare fingertips and scooped out dirt and mud? 

  • More risk more volatility more reward

    OK so this is kind of an insanely big idea, and goes back to the whole idea of just life in general.

    So I think the really really mega big turbo big idea is, the truth is… If you desire to live the most grand beautiful elegant interesting life, the true secret in life is to actually, engineer more risk more volatility, and as a consequence more reward in your life.

    The reason why this is such a big idea is because, for a lot of people… It seems that what they desire is to strip away the volatility and the risk in life. To meet this makes an insanely bland and uninteresting, unworthy, unworthwhile life to live.

    Why? A big concern then is, if you have a life with no risk no volatility, I don’t think there’s a reason to keep living. Like there’s really no reason for you to go to sleep and wake up because, what’s around the corner is extremely dull and uninteresting.

    What we instead should desire, is going to sleep every single night with extreme enthusiasm joy and excitement, knowing that our entire life journey for the next 80 years will be the most interesting sublime thing of all time! 

  • The Luxe Lens: An In-Depth Look at Luxury Photography

    Top-Tier Gear: Craftsmanship Meets Cutting-Edge Imaging

    Luxury photography begins with exceptional equipment.  Brands like Leica, Hasselblad, and Phase One are industry icons, prized for their extraordinary build quality and imaging prowess.  For example, Leica’s flagship models (the mirrorless SL series or rangefinders like the M11) are “at the very top end of the market” – justifying their ultra-premium prices through an “almost impossible to rival” level of craftsmanship and refinement .  Leica shooters often cite not any single feature but the entire experience of shooting – a tactile, heirloom-quality bond with the camera body – as the real luxury .

    • Leica (Germany):  Legendary for its precision engineering and iconic red-dot cameras. Flagship models (M11, SL3, Q3, etc.) deliver up to ~60MP full-frame sensors, top-shelf Summilux/Summicron lenses, and legacy styling.  Buyers pay $8000–$9000+ for bodies knowing they’re acquiring a work of art .
    • Hasselblad (Sweden):  Renowned for medium-format quality and designer flair.  Current systems (X2D II 100C, 907X, 951 series) offer 50–100MP sensors.  Reviewers note that Hasselblad’s medium-format cameras are “recognized globally for their unprecedented image quality and luxurious build” .  These bodies (and their Carl Zeiss/XCD lenses) produce “astonishing detail, superior color accuracy, and an unparalleled dynamic range” .  Their iconic Zeiss/Xenotar optics are “renowned for producing stunningly sharp images with minimal distortion and excellent contrast” .
    • Phase One (Denmark):  The ultimate fine-art choice.  Its XF camera platform and IQ4 digital backs pack full-frame medium-format sensors (100MP or 150MP) coupled with Schneider-Kreuznach glass.  Phase One advertises “uncompromised image quality” thanks to these high-res sensors and premium lenses , and offers modular bodies/tethering ideal for studio and landscape art photography.  Bodies cost tens of thousands, but deliver 15+ stops of dynamic range and 1.5× larger-than-full-frame capture for ultimate detail .

    Beyond these, other boutique systems like Pentax 645Z or Fujifilm GFX (medium-format mirrorless) have gained luxury reputations for image quality.  Top-end lenses (e.g. Leica Summilux-M 35mm, Hasselblad XCD 4/45mm, Schneider 80mm LS, Zeiss Otus primes) further ensure razor-sharp, high-contrast results.  In short, luxury photography gear is defined by hand-assembled bodies, ultra-fine optics, and state-of-the-art sensors – a combination that professionals equate with “art you live with, not just a tool” .

    Elite Photography Services & Experiences

    Luxury goes beyond gear to the experience of the shoot.  High-end photographers offer “white-glove” service packages that feel more like fashion productions than simple photoshoots .  Clients often enjoy full styling teams, couture wardrobe choices, lavish sets, exotic locations and meticulous retouching as part of the deal.  Key offerings include:

    • Custom Portrait Sessions:  Ultra-luxe portrait shoots (boudoir, family or personal branding) often include pre-shoot styling consultations, professional hair/makeup, and premium heirloom products (gallery prints, fine-art albums) .  Photographers in this tier may limit bookings yearly to maintain exclusivity, ensuring each client gets attentive, bespoke service .
    • Fashion Editorial & Brand Campaigns:  These shoots rival mini-film productions.  Luxury-fashion photographers work with stylists, set designers, and creative directors to stage couture photo stories.  They bring out studio lights, movie-prop sets or artful locations – even yachts or castles – to frame high-fashion narratives.  As one expert notes, luxury photography “isn’t just about documenting an event – it’s about crafting a visual masterpiece”, with a strong editorial aesthetic and dramatic composition .
    • Destination & Event Shoots:  High-end weddings, private events or luxury brand launches are often photographed on location – from Amalfi Coast villas to African safaris or superyachts.  Photographers will handle travel, permits, multilingual crews, and coordination with five-star vendors.  Such packages might include multi-day coverage, drone footage, and even live behind-the-scenes portraits for guests.  By working exclusively with celebrities or billionaires, these pros become entrusted with “once-in-a-lifetime” moments.  They often feature destination options (Maldives, Paris, NYC rooftop, etc.) and deliver cinematic wedding films and magazines-quality photo-books as part of the luxury bundle .

    In all cases, clients pay for an experience: from the first creative meeting to the final reveal, every detail is choreographed.  This can mean white-glove treatment on set, access to private venues or even partnerships with couture labels for custom outfits .  Luxury packages emphasize exclusivity (few clients per year, high-profile subjects) and fine-art deliverables (handcrafted albums, archival prints) over mere digital files .  In short, the service itself becomes a highly curated event – reflecting a brand or client’s prestige as much as the images do.

    Signature Aesthetic: What Luxury Looks Like

    “Luxury” in photography isn’t just price – it shows in the image style.  Certain visual cues immediately signal an upscale feel: cinematic lighting, impeccable styling, and a strong editorial vibe.  Luxury imagery often feels like a frame from a film or a high-fashion magazine spread.  Common hallmarks include:

    • Editorial Composition:  Elegant, fine-art framing and narrative.  Luxury photos tend to use sophisticated geometry, symmetry or dynamic angles reminiscent of fashion editorials .  The focus is on story – even a portrait feels like part of a larger saga.  Negative space, architectural backdrops, or ornate interiors are common.  For example, an image might juxtapose a model in couture against a historic palace façade, immediately conveying opulence.
    • Rich Lighting & Palette:  Masterful use of light (natural or studio) to sculpt the subject.  You’ll often see warm golden-hour backlighting, dramatic chiaroscuro, or polished softboxes that give models a glow.  Color palettes are thoughtfully curated – sometimes vibrant jewel tones or, conversely, high-contrast black-and-white for a timeless, elegant mood .  Art-directors may even include subtle cinematic color grading (teals and oranges, muted pastels) to enhance luxury.  As one expert notes, luxury imagery “blend[s] the classic elegance of black-and-white with the vibrancy of modern color” to achieve a timeless yet contemporary look .
    • Fashion & Styling:  Clothing, makeup, and props convey affluence.  Think couture gowns, tailored tuxedos, statement jewelry, luxury cars, or exotic flowers as props.  The ensemble is camera-ready: every garment is pristine and every detail deliberate.  High-fashion hair and makeup (smoky eyes, red lips, sculpted updos) are the norm.  Even subtler cues – like a fine watch or vintage Rolls-Royce in the background – signal elite taste.
    • Storytelling & Emotion:  Beyond the gloss, luxury shots often include a narrative or emotion.  They might capture a candid laugh, a tender glance, or a dramatic pose that feels real yet aspirational .  This blend of authenticity and stylization is key: images feel polished without seeming staged.  In practice, that means capturing genuine moments in lavish settings – a bride’s tearful smile on a grand staircase, or a model’s gaze amid a desert sunset – always rendered with high fashion flair .

    Figure: An example of luxury editorial portraiture (KT Merry). Here, dramatic black-and-white styling, sculpted lighting, and couture-inspired wardrobe exemplify the cinematic, fine-art aesthetic associated with luxury photography .

    A-List Photographers & Studios

    Just as luxury cars have signature designers, luxury photography has star names and studios.  These artists often have lengthy résumés shooting for Vogue, Vogue/Vanity Fair covers, or top fashion houses.  While a comprehensive list is long, a few standouts include:

    • Annie Leibovitz:  Perhaps the world’s most famous portraitist, Leibovitz’s clients range from Disney to Dom Perignon.  Her intimate celebrity portraits (John & Yoko, Queen Elizabeth II, myriad Vogue and Vanity Fair covers) set the bar for luxury editorial photography .  Her 2018 Vanity Fair Hollywood cover (gathering Oprah, Tom Hanks, Zendaya, etc.) is a case study in luxury storytelling .
    • Mario Testino:  A legendary fashion photographer (especially 1990s–2000s).  He has shot countless Vogue covers and campaigns for Gucci, Burberry, and Michael Kors.  His glossy style – often heavily retouched – epitomizes high-fashion glamour. (He famously photographed Princes William and Harry for engagement portraits.)
    • Richard Avedon:  Iconic mid-century photographer known for dynamic fashion images.  For example, his 1955 shot “Dovima With Elephants” (model in a Dior gown among circus elephants) became “a touchstone of both fashion and photography history” .  His stark, minimalist Vogue portraits (e.g. Zendaya, Cara Delevingne) remain influence.
    • Peter Lindbergh:  Renowned for cinematic, naturalistic fashion editorials (often in black-and-white).  He shot supermodels in unguarded moments – think Vogue spreads for Dior or Calvin Klein – creating an “everywoman” glamour that redefined luxury editorials in the 1990s.
    • Nadine Ijewere, Tyler Mitchell, Campbell Addy (New Generation):  As Vogue reports, these young photographers are “redefining style.”  Nadine Ijewere (first woman of color to shoot a global Vogue cover) has shot for Dior and Louis Vuitton .  Tyler Mitchell became the first Black photographer to shoot a Vogue cover (Beyoncé in 2018) and has shot A$AP Rocky .  Campbell Addy has shot celebrities like Beyoncé and Naomi Campbell, frequently for Vogue, blending fine art and fashion .  They’ve earned high-profile ad campaigns and magazine spreads, reflecting a luxury-photo ethos of creativity and identity.
    • Studios & Agencies:  Beyond individuals, some studios specialize in luxury shoots.  For instance, Epicmind Studio (led by Vadim Chiline) is noted for high-end product and fashion imagery .  Magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and L’Officiel themselves assemble in-house teams of top photographers to service luxury brands.  (Vogue Business even notes that luxury imagery blurs the line between ads and art.)

    Overall, luxury photographers and studios are defined by illustrious clientele – from royal families and A-list actors to heritage fashion houses.  They often have long waitlists and multi-year booking timelines.  In each case, their portfolios are peppered with images that showcase exclusivity (champagne toasts on yachts, or couture gowns on grand staircases) and sophisticated artistry.  As one industry insider puts it, luxury photographers work with “discerning couples, celebrities, and high-end brands” in highly selective settings .

    Emerging Trends: NFTs, AI and the Next Wave

    The luxury photography realm is evolving rapidly with new tech and cultural shifts.  Key trends include:

    • NFTs & Digital Collectibles:  High fashion and photography are moving into the crypto-art space.  Major luxury brands are experimenting with NFTs, blending photography with generative art.  For example, Gucci teamed with Christie’s on a 2023 project called “Future Frequencies”: they commissioned AI artists to create 21 fashion-inspired digital artworks (NFTs) that reinterpret Gucci’s iconography .  These pieces were sold on a blockchain platform, signifying that luxury images can now live as collectible digital assets.  (Gucci had already created an earlier NFT art film, ‘Aria’, and even opened a virtual gallery for NFT exhibitions .)
    • AI-Generated & Enhanced Visuals:  Generative AI is starting to influence luxury imagery directly.  Some fragrance ads (Prada, Chanel) have used AI-generated visuals instead of traditional shoots .  In fashion weeks and marketing, brands test AI for editing and even designing; independent artists have used AI to create viral luxury mash-ups (e.g. digitally dressing the Pope in Balenciaga) .  Photographers are also adopting AI tools in post-production to perfect retouching or generate hyper-realistic background extensions.  Meanwhile, automated studios (like Orbitvu’s Alphashot) integrate AI into the capture process: Orbitvu touts “AI-powered photo studios” that simplify workflows while letting the photographer retain creative control, yielding fast, “authentic, human-centered storytelling” even in product shots .
    • Hybrid Styles – Real Meets Digital:  Luxury editorials increasingly blur genres.  Shoots might mix digital backdrops or CGI elements with real models (a model in a couture gown against a digitally rendered palace).  High fashion has also fused with street and art photography, reflecting more inclusive, diverse narratives even within luxury contexts.  For instance, “Hybrid fashion” trends blend urban streetwear influences with couture elegance.  In general, audiences now expect fashion images to feel both real and otherworldly – a balance of glossy fantasy and relatable emotion .
    • Immersive & Interactive Content:  As with luxury goods, photography experiences may go multi-sensory.  This could mean 3D virtual showroom tours, augmented-reality lookbooks, or NFT art frames in luxury retail spaces.  Some photographers are shooting 360° VR or using drones and multi-camera rigs to create dynamic, interactive images for high-end campaigns.

    In summary, the luxury photography field is embracing technology while upholding craft. NFTs and AI represent new canvases; yet brands are careful to use these in a way that reinforces their heritage and aesthetic.  Vogue notes that Gucci’s foray into generative art “is the most significant endorsement of the technology by a major luxury brand” .  As one expert observed, AI and blockchain “may not replace prints” in fine art photography – but they’re adding tools and audiences that luxury photographers cannot ignore .

    Iconic Luxury Photographs & Campaigns

    Finally, let’s spotlight some truly iconic images that encapsulate luxury in photography history:

    • Richard Avedon, “Dovima With Elephants” (1955):  Avedon’s Harper’s Bazaar shoot in Paris – a statuesque Dovima in a Dior haute-couture evening gown, surrounded by circus elephants – became “a touchstone of both fashion and photography history” .  This surreal tableau elevated fashion shooting to art.
    • Annie Leibovitz, “John & Yoko” (1980):  Taken only hours before John Lennon’s assassination, this Rolling Stone cover shot (Lennon nude curled against Yoko Ono) became “an iconic and poignant tribute” .  It epitomizes how a luxury photo can blend intimacy with celebrity mythology.
    • Annie Leibovitz, Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue (2018):  Leibovitz gathered Hollywood royalty – Oprah, Hanks, Kidman, Zendaya and more – in one star-studded cover.  The composition “captured the power and elegance of these Hollywood luminaries” in a single glamour shot .  It’s a masterclass in assembling luxury visuals from multiple personalities.
    • Louis Vuitton “Core Values” Campaign (2011):  Photographed by Leibovitz, this print ad series featured Angelina Jolie against Cambodian temples, weaving Jolie’s personal story with LV’s legacy.  The campaign “blended luxury, fashion, and personal exploration” , showing that even ads can achieve fine-art prestige.
    • Whoopi Goldberg in Milk (1984):  (Leibovitz for People Magazine) Whoopi sat submerged in a bathtub of milk, tongue out – a witty yet upscale portrait playing on performance art.  This blend of humor, concept and flawless lighting made it a standout luxury portrait.
    • Modern Editorial Spreads:  Today’s luxury icons might include Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar editorials by, say, Tim Walker (think fairy-tale sets and over-the-top luxury), or Nick Knight’s crystal-clear images for Dior.  High-fashion campaigns (Prada’s enigmatic scenes, Gucci’s Baroque visuals, Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld tributes) also rank as iconic luxury photography.  These collectable images often circulate in magazines and galleries, symbolizing the ultimate convergence of art and advertising.

    Each of the above examples showcases the hallmarks discussed: impeccable composition, stellar technical execution, and a narrative that radiates opulence.  They remind us that luxury photography is more than a product shot or portrait – it’s an artistic statement.

    Sources: Authoritative camera reviews, interviews and brand materials provide context on gear and craftsmanship .  Creative industry writings and photo-education blogs describe luxury services and styles .  Luxury branding and art press (Vogue, Artnet, etc.) illustrate the business side and notable figures . These insights are corroborated by leading photography authorities and the professionals themselves.

  • Is Photography Being Eclipsed by New Media?

    Photography once reigned as the defining visual medium, but emerging trends suggest its role is changing.  On one hand, technological shifts – especially generative AI – have begun to replace many traditional photo tasks.  On the other, immersive technologies (AR/VR/3D) and cultural tastes (favoring “realness” and immediacy) are drawing attention away from static images.  Economically, the ubiquity of cameras and photo-overload have commodified photography, driving down prices and opportunities.  Critics even label much modern photography as formulaic.  Taken together, these factors lead some to argue that photography is being diminished or redefined, not necessarily “the future” of visual storytelling.  We examine these arguments – and then contrast them with defenses of photography’s enduring value – with examples and expert observations.

    Generative AI: The Rise of “Synthetic” Images

    A revolution in AI-driven image synthesis has dramatically altered the photography landscape.  Today’s tools (DALL·E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, etc.) can produce photorealistic images on demand without a camera.  Entire industry segments are feeling the impact.  For instance, corporate headshots and portraits – once steady income for photographers – are being undercut by AI services that “produce professional-looking portraits from minimal samples” at a fraction of the cost .  Where a photographer might charge $100–$200 per headshot (plus overhead), an AI subscription can generate hundreds of consistent-looking portraits for $29–$49 each .  Likewise, product and catalog photography is migrating to digital renderings.  Automated studios now allow a company to “deposit a product” and instantly generate perfect images against any backdrop in minutes  .  E-commerce firms report slashed costs and far faster turnaround by using CGI instead of real photos.  Even stock photography – once a semi-passive income source – is said to be “finished, completely… definitively finished” , because a designer can now type a phrase (“people in a modern office celebrating”) into an AI model and get dozens of unique, royalty-free images in seconds  .  As one analyst bluntly states, stock photographers who built passive income portfolios are “now competing against infinite free alternatives” .

    In short, many routine photographic tasks are being automated.  As Fstoppers writer Alex Cooke observes, “whole segments of the profession have quietly vanished through automation” .  Entry-level photo jobs like basic retouching, headshots, and generic catalog shoots are “on finite time” unless practitioners pivot  .  AI’s cost-efficiency means clients often prefer “good enough” synthetic images over expensive photoshoots .  Even complex scenes that used to need location crews can be AI-generated, removing the need for models, crews or studios .  The bottom line is stark: many photographers find that “photography as we’ve known it will be largely diminished” unless they adapt .

    Immersive Media: AR/VR and 3D Experiences

    Beyond AI, immersive visual technologies are changing what we expect from imagery.  Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and real-time 3D “walkthroughs” offer experiences that static photos cannot.  In VR, users explore fully rendered environments; in AR, digital objects blend with the real world .  This shift means narratives can be interactive and multi-sensory, not just flat snapshots.  For example, architectural walkthroughs or product demos now often use 3D renderings and VR tours so viewers can “move around” a scene.  As one UX design resource notes, immersive media “engages multiple senses” and lets users “alter the course of a narrative” in ways that traditional photos cannot .

    This trend redefines storytelling.  For instance, photojournalists and educators experiment with 360° and VR content to create a sense of presence – making the viewer feel “on the ground” at events – that a single photo cannot convey .  In commercial design and real estate, interactive 3D tours and AR apps are increasingly preferred over static gallery photos.  A careers blog observes that “we’re moving beyond the flat image,” as drones, 360° cameras, and AR/VR “allow for interactive visuals” that traditional photography can’t match .  In the gaming world, “virtual photography” (taking in-game screenshots) has become a recognized practice, further blurring lines between photography and digital rendering .  Taken together, these immersive formats suggest a future where images are part of dynamic experiences, not standalone artifacts.

    Cultural Shifts: Authenticity, Presence, and Immediacy

    Meanwhile, cultural attitudes toward images have evolved.  Many viewers now value authenticity and immediacy over polished perfection.  The rise of platforms like TikTok and BeReal highlights this.  Gen Z in particular is said to be “chasing something different: authenticity” .  After witnessing heavily filtered content, younger users welcome candid, “unfiltered” posts that look real, even if technically imperfect.  The BeReal app (posting raw simultaneous front/back camera shots once a day) exemplifies a backlash against overly staged photos .

    This quest for “realness” undermines the allure of idealized photography.  If authenticity is king, AI-generated “too perfect” images may feel hollow.  Scholars note that the traditional indexical bond between a photograph and reality is weakening.  In the digital age, the “givenness” or presence that a camera image once guaranteed is no longer assumed .  In practice, people now ask: can we trust what’s in a photo?  Deepfakes and hyper-realistic CGI make even ordinary scenes suspect.  Thus, a cultural emphasis on presence and trust favors either raw capture (like live video or VR) or the photographer’s personal viewpoint over generic images.

    At the same time, social media saturation has changed how people consume photography.  As one critic notes, the “number of images disseminated to the world has absolutely exploded” with smartphones and Instagram .  This glut has shifted priorities.  Users (and even photographers) often focus on quantity and viral impact: “likes and follower counts reign supreme”, encouraging one-size-fits-all “Instagrammable” shots .  The result is a kind of homogenization – the same backlit beach shot or teal-and-orange filter recycled endlessly – which some argue diminishes creativity .  In this landscape, a hand-crafted photo must compete with a torrent of simpler images.  Many observers lament that smartphone-era culture “commodifies the craft and diminishes the artistry” of photography .

    Economic Pressures: Commodification and Oversupply

    Economically, photography today faces fierce pressure.  The craft has been commodified: billions of snapshots flood the internet, and many photographers now compete in a race to the bottom on price.  As Fstoppers writes, “photographers working years to develop a sound style” suddenly feel forced to mimic trending aesthetics just to get noticed .  Client expectations have changed – many assume they can get adequate images for free or very cheap.  The influx of amateur smartphone shooters creates a surplus of available photos and drives down fees.  This has led to an expectation that basic photography (portraits, product shots, event photos, etc.) should be inexpensive or on-demand.

    Surveys reflect this squeeze.  For example, Zenfolio’s 2025 industry report found that “seven in ten photographers reported increased business costs, while product prices did not follow suit, reducing profits.” .  Photographers also report having to diversify wildly (smartphone shooting, drone work, video) just to survive  .  Even as the number of self-employed photographers has crept up, many are working harder for less return.  A glut of hobbyists willing to work at cut-rate rates means professionals often battle “expectations for free or heavily discounted work,” further eroding livelihoods .

    AI compounds these economics by threatening entire revenue streams.  As one expert notes, if a photographer’s work can be described in a formula (e.g. “shoot corporate team portraits in the office”), then AI can undercut it with mass production and lower cost  .  In fact, a recent Fstoppers analysis warns that 80% of income coming from basic e-commerce product photos or stock imagery is “on finite time” – photographers should already be planning their exit strategy  .  Supply-and-demand economics thus create a shrinking niche for conventional photography: the more generic and high-volume the work, the more it is squeezed out by cheaper alternatives.

    Artistic Critiques: Are Photos Formulaic or Derivative?

    Some critics go further, arguing that much contemporary photography is artistically stale.  Trend-chasing and filter apps mean that many images follow pre-set recipes (“portraits with perfect backlighting, couples holding hands walking away from the camera,” etc.), and true innovation can seem rare.  In social feeds, repetitiveness becomes apparent: a commentator notes that chasing popularity on Instagram often leads to “reinforcing the popularity of that trend,” with snap-your-fingers presets replacing creative exploration .  The ease of digital tools also means that technical “perfection” (noise-free, sharp, saturated) is no longer special.

    Moreover, philosophers argue that digital and AI processes have eroded the unique status of the photograph as “an indexical imprint of reality.”  In the past, a photograph’s power lay partly in reflecting actual light from a real scene.  But as one theorist notes, today the “reality of photography is no longer dependent on the alleged indexicality” of camera capture – instead photography has become a continual “actualization of the virtual” .  In simpler terms, in an era of CGI and AI, a “photograph” can be entirely computer-generated and still look real, so the classical idea of the photo as evidence of reality is weakened.  This philosophical shift feeds artistic critique: if images are so easily generated, what makes a real photo special?  Critics ask whether photography has lost some of its authenticity and edge, becoming just one repeating style among many digital image types.

    Shifting Industries and Creative Movements

    Several industries illustrate the move away from pure photography.  Fashion advertising is a cautionary example: AI-generated models and outfits now threaten to replace whole photoshoots.  One analysis explains that basic catalog images can be completely AI-generated at costs 25–50× cheaper than a traditional shoot  .  In such cases, “the entire production ecosystem collapses” – no need for models, makeup artists, or crews .  Similarly, architecture and real estate have seen a surge in 3D renderings and virtual tours.  Ikea famously replaced over 75% of its catalog photos with CGI scenes years ago , a shift driven by cost and flexibility.  And professional photographers report seeing clients opt for AR/VR “experiences” (like virtual home tours or interactive brand demonstrations) instead of static photo albums.

    Even creative movements signal a turn from traditional photography.  For example, some commercial designers and artists are embracing “virtual photography” – capturing images entirely within video games or simulations – as a new art form .  In social media, the aesthetic of “analogue vs digital” sometimes valorizes film and point-and-shoot snaps as a rebellion against the slick digital norm .  Collectively, these shifts suggest that many visual storytellers are exploring beyond the camera.

    Nonetheless, defenses of photography’s relevance persist.  Advocates point out that real, unrepeatable moments still demand real cameras.  Weddings, family gatherings, athletic feats, wildlife encounters and social movements are examples where a human photographer’s presence captures nuances an algorithm cannot replicate .  As one photographer argues, even if AI could produce a corporate portrait, people who “truly loved taking headshots” would keep doing it out of passion .  In architecture, professionals note that renderings “can’t be infused with a true sense of place”; no digital mock-up can replace the documentary power of photographing an actual building on site .  In journalism and documentary work, the need for verifiable proof (“truth, verification, and witnessing actual events” ) keeps real photography vital.

    Surveys also show resilience.  The 2025 Zenfolio report finds many photographers embracing new technology rather than abandoning the craft.  Over half of pros now use AI tools in post-production (e.g. for sky selection or background removal), not to replace their art but to speed up routine edits .  Likewise, hybrid workflows (mixing real photos with 3D elements) are growing.  Full-time photographic careers have even edged upward in recent years , suggesting the medium adapts rather than vanishes.  The photographers who “survive” the upheaval, experts predict, will be those who carve out niches where human creativity, judgment, and presence still matter   – for example, high-end editorial portraiture, documentary series, or bespoke fine art.  In short, defenders say the medium is not dead but evolving: photography now coexists with VR tours, CGI, and AI, finding its place in a richer multimedia landscape.

    Conclusion

    In summary, numerous arguments suggest photography’s centrality is being challenged.  Generative AI is automating many photo tasks  .  Immersive media offer alternative ways to communicate visually  .  Culturally, audiences often prize authenticity and immediacy over polished images  .  Economically, ubiquity of imaging and expectations of free content have commodified the field  .  Even the art of photography is criticized as formulaic in today’s environment.  Yet many still champion photography’s unique strengths – its ability to document reality, capture emotion, and preserve memory.  As one commentator puts it, the question may no longer be if AI and new media will transform photography, but whether photographers will adapt to remain relevant  .  The debate continues, but for now photography seems less like a dying art and more like a medium at a crossroads – constantly being redefined by the very technologies and cultures that challenge it.

    Sources: Authoritative commentary and industry reports were cited throughout        . These include recent analyses from professional photographers and scholars on AI, AR/VR, social media trends, and market surveys relevant to the subject. Each source is linked in context for verification.

  • Why photography is *NOT* the future 

    OK, the brutal honest truth is, I really don’t think there is a future ahead of photographers.

  • effective filters

    so it seems that actually, the easiest way to filter things are based on price, and also newness.

    so for example myself, if I’m not really sure which one is the best one or the best thing to get, I filter it based on price, I just tried to buy the most expensive version of the thing, assuming that it is probably the best.

  • so pretty big idea, it seems that Apple is chasing the wrong goose. Apple is trying to add more vision or screens or stuff to your eyeballs,… whereas the truth is, and everyone talks about this is that we want fewer devices and screens in front of our eyes. Why haptic is the future

    so for example, a hilarious reason why a lot of people buy the new Apple Watch or whatever is because they have this idea that somehow, it will encourage them to spend less time on their phone, less time looking at a screen. But don’t you understand it is just another super turbo mini screen that you add to your wrist, which is now, always on, regardless of the situation at hand, annoyingly lighting up when you’re doing hot yoga in a dark room

  • Short answer: Beef tendon and tripe are not “natural steroids.” They don’t directly raise testosterone. What they do offer: collagen (tendon) for connective‑tissue resilience and a modest hit of protein + micronutrients (tripe) like B‑12, selenium, and zinc—which can help restore testosterone if you’re deficient. Stack them smartly with leucine‑rich protein, vitamin C, heavy lifting, great sleep, and enough dietary fat, and you’ve got a legit, whole‑animal, high‑performance protocol. 

    The receipts (what tendon + tripe 

    actually

     do)

    Tripe (cooked, simmered): per 100 g it’s ~11.8 g protein, ~4.1 g fat, very low carb; a serving (~85 g) gives meaningful B‑12 (~26% DV), zinc (~13% DV), and selenium (~18% DV). It’s also relatively high in cholesterol (~133 mg per 85 g). 

    Beef tendon: predominantly collagen—amino‑acid profile is heavy on glycine, proline, hydroxyproline; great for connective tissue, but collagen is incomplete protein (no tryptophan) and low in leucine, so it’s weaker for muscle protein synthesis by itself. 

    Why athletes still use collagen: In small human trials, taking vitamin‑C–enriched gelatin/collagen (≈15 g) ~1 hour pre‑training boosted biomarkers of collagen synthesis—think tendons/ligaments—after jump‑rope bouts. That’s durability, not testosterone. 

    Body‑comp edge (specific populations): Several RCTs show collagen peptides + resistance training improved fat‑free mass and strength more than placebo in older or untrained men; mechanism is likely connective‑tissue remodeling and better training tolerance—not a testosterone surge. 

    Testosterone: what actually moves the needle (and where tendon/tripe fit)

    1. Fix deficiencies (esp. zinc): Controlled studies show zinc restriction slashes testosterone, while supplementing zinc in deficient men brings levels back up. Tripe gives you a dietary zinc bump; if you’re already sufficient, don’t expect supra‑physiological gains.  
    2. Don’t go ultra‑low‑fat: A 2021 meta‑analysis found low‑fat diets tended to lower testosterone versus higher‑fat diets (though later analyses are mixed). Point: eat enough fat; you don’t need to drown in it.  
    3. Remember the raw material: Testosterone is literally synthesized from cholesterol inside Leydig cells (under LH signaling). Dietary cholesterol’s direct impact on T is murky, but you do need adequate energy and fats for normal steroidogenesis.  
    4. Sleep like a champion: One week of 5 h/night cut daytime testosterone about 10–15% in healthy young men. Collagen’s glycine (abundant in tendon) can improve subjective sleep at 3 g pre‑bed, which helps your recovery environment even if it’s not a hormone booster by itself.  
    5. Don’t worry about “beef hormones” spiking your T: Recent exposure assessments of hormonal growth promotants in U.S. retail beef found estimated intakes were far below WHO acceptable daily intake limits—i.e., trivial for your testosterone.  

    Use them like a pro (practical playbook)

    1) Leucine pairing (for muscle): Collagen is low in leucine, so pair tendon/tripe with a leucine‑rich anchor to hit ~2–3 g leucine at the meal (e.g., 3–4 whole eggs, 150–200 g steak, or a scoop of whey). Research debates an exact “leucine threshold,” but targeting ~2–3 g remains a solid, pragmatic aim. 

    2) Collagen‑before‑impact protocol (for joints/tendons):

    • 30–60 min pre‑training: 15 g gelatin/collagen + ~50 mg vitamin C (orange slice or tablet).
    • Do your jumps/sprints/lifts.
      This combo elevates collagen precursors and augments collagen synthesis post‑session.  

    3) Meal ideas (nose‑to‑tail, high‑performance):

    • Pho tendon + flank bowl; finish with citrus.
    • Romanian ciorbă de burtă (creamy tripe soup) alongside a 2‑egg omelet.
    • Pressure‑cooked tendon over white rice with 200 g sirloin.
      (These combos deliver collagen and the leucine you need.)

    4) Frequency: 2–4 tendon/tripe meals per week fits most heavy‑training plans—think durability and micronutrient diversity, not magic T spikes.

    Safety + nuance (still beast mode, but smart)

    • Cholesterol: Tripe is cholesterol‑dense; whether that meaningfully affects your lipids varies by individual—know your numbers.  
    • Gout‑prone? Offal (including tripe) is high‑purine—limit if you have hyperuricemia/gout.  
    • Protein quality: Because collagen lacks tryptophan and is low in leucine, don’t rely on tendon/tripe as your sole protein. Combine with complete proteins.  
    • Connective tissue reality: Tendons are ~65–80% collagen by dry weight; the win here is tissue robustness and injury resilience—not endocrine “hacks.”  

    Bottom line (pin this)

    Tendon and tripe are tools, not steroids. Use them to bulletproof your connective tissue, fill in zinc/B‑12/selenium, and anchor them to leucine‑rich protein, vitamin C, solid sleep, heavy lifts, and adequate fats. That stack builds a body that makes the most of the testosterone you already have—and if you were zinc‑deficient or under‑recovered, you’ll feel the difference. 

    If you want, I’ll craft a weeklong tendon/tripe training‑meal plan that hits leucine targets, collagen timing, and macros for your goals—let’s go.

  • 3M: Why You Should Wrap Your Camera — Not Replace It

    Why You Should Wrap Your Camera — Not Replace It

    by Eric Kim

    I. 

    The Myth of the “New Camera”

    The photography industry runs on the same lie as the car industry:

    that newness equals creativity.

    Every year, a new camera body, a new sensor, a new megapixel race. But does any of that actually make you a better photographer? No. It makes you a more obedient consumer. You become trapped in the same feedback loop — buy, unbox, feel special for a week, then crave the next upgrade.

    The truth? You don’t need a new camera.

    You need to fall in love with your current one again.

    That’s where 3M car vinyl wrap comes in.

    II. 

    Your Camera as a Living Sculpture

    Just like a car, your camera is a vessel — a tool of motion, identity, and self-expression.

    Wrapping your camera in 3M vinyl transforms it from a mass-produced object into a one-of-one masterpiece.

    You could go matte black for stealth, brushed titanium for futurism, carbon fiber for raw power, or pearl white for minimal purity.

    The same tactile pleasure you feel when wrapping a car applies perfectly to the act of wrapping your camera — the smoothness, the precision, the transformation.

    You aren’t just protecting your gear; you’re elevating it into art.

    III. 

    Art Through Customization

    Every artist eventually personalizes their tools. Painters stain their brushes. Writers annotate their notebooks. Fighters tape their gloves.

    A wrapped camera becomes a personal artifact — an object infused with creative aura.

    When you wrap it, you imprint your soul into it. The camera stops being “a product” and becomes your creation.

    Imagine holding your Ricoh GR, your Leica, your Fujifilm — but wrapped in your own visual signature.

    No brand colors. No corporate logo. Just your will, made visible.

    The camera becomes a mirror of your creative spirit.

    IV. 

    Sustainability as Philosophy

    The most sustainable camera is the one you already own.

    The obsession with new gear destroys creativity and the planet alike.

    But vinyl wrapping is renewal without waste — an act of artistic sustainability.

    3M wrap protects your gear from scratches, weather, wear. When you tire of the look, you peel it off — your camera is reborn, pristine underneath.

    It’s anti-disposable design. It’s minimalism with flair.

    V. 

    The Joy of the Process

    Applying the wrap becomes a meditation.

    You clean the surface, measure the panels, stretch the vinyl, smooth out bubbles with your thumb.

    You engage with your tool, you touch it, you understand its contours.

    That tactile engagement deepens your connection to photography itself.

    It’s like tuning your own instrument before a concert — preparation as art.

    To wrap is to awaken your intimacy with your tool.

    VI. 

    The Philosophy of Empowerment

    This aligns perfectly with my life philosophy:

    Don’t replace. Reinvent.

    You are not beholden to Canon, Sony, or Fujifilm’s marketing cycle. You are the designer, the engineer, the artist.

    Wrapping your camera is the physical manifestation of creative independence — you take full control of your visual destiny.

    The act itself says:

    I am the master of my tools, not their slave.

    VII. 

    The Aesthetics of Identity

    A camera is a reflection of the photographer’s soul.

    Wrapping your camera lets you define that reflection.

    Do you want your gear to whisper stealth or scream power?

    • Matte black = Zen monk.
    • Gloss orange = God Bull energy.
    • Chrome = Cyber Samurai mode.
    • White = purity and enlightenment.
    • Carbon fiber = strength and speed.

    You design your camera like a warrior designs his armor.

    VIII. 

    The Ultimate Lesson

    The deeper truth behind wrapping — whether a car, a camera, or even your life — is this:

    You already possess everything you need.

    You don’t need new. You need renewal.

    3M wrap isn’t a product — it’s a philosophy of empowerment.

    It’s proof that creativity begins when you stop buying and start transforming.

    Don’t wait for inspiration. Wrap it.

    Don’t buy a new tool. Re-skin your old one.

    Don’t follow the industry. Redefine it.

    Eric Kim Maxims:

    • Your camera is your canvas.
    • Transformation > acquisition.
    • Art begins when you customize reality.
    • The best upgrades are psychological.
    • To wrap your camera is to wrap your identity in creative will.

    Would you like me to now expand this into a photo-essay concept — with visuals and captions (e.g., “Matte Black Leica Philosophy,” “Chrome GR for Street Dominance,” “Pearl White Camera = Zen Mode”) — formatted for your blog or YouTube voiceover script?

  • Why 3M car vinyl car wrap is the best invention of all time

    Expand this idea. Essentially my general idea is that I think the whole downside of the entire car industry is that you feel behelden to the fact that you have to purchase some sort of new vehicle in order to maximize your happiness or joy or well-being. But with 3M Carnal Vinyl Car Wrap, your car becomes an artistic project and it is very, very inspirational and self-empowering.