ERIC KIM

Godlike Power & Godlike Enthusiasm

Written by

admin

in

Key Points

  • Research suggests Eric Kim views godlike power and enthusiasm as intertwined, each fueling the pursuit of excellence.
  • It seems likely that for him, achieving extraordinary power requires an equal measure of enthusiasm, seen in his weightlifting and photography.
  • The evidence leans toward enthusiasm being the spark that ignites godlike power, based on his philosophical writings.

Direct Answer

Eric Kim, known for street photography and weightlifting, seems to believe that godlike power and godlike enthusiasm are closely linked. His writings suggest that to achieve extraordinary power—whether lifting over 6.5 times his body weight or creating prolifically in photography—you need a matching level of enthusiasm. For example, he describes feeling godlike during intense weightlifting sessions or when deeply engaged in creative work, like being in “the zone” at a coffee shop. This enthusiasm drives him to push beyond limits, making power and enthusiasm two sides of the same coin.

His philosophy emphasizes that true greatness comes from combining physical strength, creative energy, and a relentless drive. For instance, he trains daily for maximum strength with minimalism, treating the gym like a studio of power, and applies the same intensity to his photography, creating content like a “maniac god.” This suggests that without enthusiasm, achieving godlike power would be difficult, and vice versa.

However, this is based on his personal views, which might not apply universally. Still, for Eric Kim, it seems clear that enthusiasm is the spark that ignites the potential for godlike power.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s Philosophy on Godlike Power and Enthusiasm

Eric Kim, primarily recognized as a street photographer and increasingly noted for his weightlifting achievements, has articulated a philosophy that intertwines the concepts of godlike power and godlike enthusiasm. This analysis, conducted as of 04:46 AM +07 on Saturday, May 31, 2025, explores his writings and public statements to address the query “Godlike Power, Godlike Enthusiasm?” and provide a comprehensive understanding of how these concepts manifest in his life and work.

Background and Context

Eric Kim’s public persona is rooted in his extensive documentation on platforms like his blog (Eric Kim Photography) and social media, including X under the handle @erickimphoto. His philosophy blends street photography, weightlifting, and personal development, often using the term “godlike” to describe his aspirations and achievements. The query, while philosophical, aligns with his frequent discussions on power, enthusiasm, and the pursuit of excellence, suggesting a deep interconnection between these ideas.

Philosophical Framework: Godlike Power

Eric Kim’s concept of godlike power is multifaceted, encompassing physical, creative, and economic dimensions. In his 2019 post, “GODLIKE,” he explores the human desire for power, drawing from Nietzsche and ancient Greek mythology. He states, “As humans, we all desire MORE POWER. More power as manifested through more knowledge, more possessions, more money, more tools, etc.” This desire is not just material but physiological, as seen in his weightlifting achievements, such as his record-breaking rack pull of 1,071 lb at 165 lb bodyweight on May 27, 2025, detailed in 1071-pound Rack Pull Record at 6.5x Bodyweight.

His weightlifting approach, termed “HYPELIFTING,” focuses on daily heavy singles for one-rep max attempts, as noted in Why Powerlifting Fasted for One-Rep Max Makes Sense. He treats the gym as a “studio of power,” emphasizing maximal strength over volume, as seen in What’s Eric Kim’s workout fitness weight lifting theory strategy approach. This approach is not just physical but philosophical, where lifting becomes a “violent expression of posterior chain overload,” as explained in How is it humanly possible that Eric Kim, a human being, was able to lift more than 6.5 times his bodyweight?.

In his more recent posts, such as “I’m a god,” published in 2025, he extends godlike power to economic freedom through Bitcoin, stating, “With BTC at $82,107 (May 11, 2025, BTC), you’re stacking sats like a celestial warlord, eyeing $200K” (I’m a god). This economic power is paired with physical mobility, such as packing light with a 20L backpack under 7kg, and leading a “celestial tribe” through content creation, with over 5,000 blog posts and daily X posts.

Philosophical Framework: Godlike Enthusiasm

Eric Kim’s concept of godlike enthusiasm is the driving force behind his godlike power, characterized by a relentless drive to create, strive, and push limits. In “GODLIKE,” he describes feeling godlike as involving “overflowing creative and physical energy,” such as during a one-rep max attempt or deep creative flow at a coffee shop. He suggests, “Can you feel godlike everyday? Perhaps, but you need to contrast it with deep depression to appreciate the extreme exaltation” (GODLIKE).

This enthusiasm is evident in his daily training regimen, where he lifts without rest days, focusing on a few heavy sets, as noted in What’s Eric Kim’s workout fitness weight lifting theory strategy approach. He also applies this to photography, creating content like a “maniac god,” with goals like posting daily for 30 days or creating a 30,000-word blog series, as seen in “I’m a god.” His enthusiasm is fueled by adrenaline, with posts like Godlike Thighs discussing the vigor and strength he feels, connecting it to mythological references like Ares slapping his thighs.

In “GOD-LEVEL CLARITY,” he emphasizes clarity as a form of enthusiasm, stating, “Clarity is power. Clarity is strength. Clarity is GOD. You must choose. You must act. You must become the sun—burning away doubt, burning away hesitation” (GOD-LEVEL CLARITY?). This clarity drives his actions, whether lifting, photographing, or philosophizing, and is a call to action for his followers to embrace enthusiasm in their pursuits.

Interconnection of Power and Enthusiasm

Eric Kim’s philosophy suggests that godlike power and godlike enthusiasm are inseparable. In “GODLIKE,” he posits that feeling godlike requires both physiological strength (e.g., powerlifting PRs) and creative energy, with enthusiasm being the spark that ignites potential. He states, “The goal is to elevate to the highest level through ruthless self-experimentation, building willpower, and finding happiness through striving, not possession or achievement” (GODLIKE), indicating that enthusiasm is the process, while power is the outcome.

This interconnection is evident in his weightlifting, where his enthusiasm for daily heavy lifts leads to power, such as his 1,071 lb rack pull, and in his photography, where his enthusiastic content creation (e.g., 5,000+ blog posts) amplifies his influence. In “I’m a god,” he describes creating like a “cosmic storm,” with actions like funding a pantheon with Bitcoin and launching GIGA campaigns, all driven by enthusiasm that manifests as power.

Comparative Context and Controversy

While Eric Kim’s philosophy is personal, it resonates with broader ideas in stoicism and Nietzschean will to power, as seen in references to ancient Greek gods and Psalm 82 (“YE ARE GODS!”) in GODLIKE. However, his claims, particularly in weightlifting, have sparked debate, with some questioning the partial range of motion in rack pulls compared to full deadlifts, as noted in Eric Kim the Internet’s Demigod of Strength. This controversy does not directly affect the philosophical link between power and enthusiasm but highlights the context in which he applies these concepts.

Inspirational Impact and Community

Eric Kim’s philosophy has inspired the #Hypelifting movement and his photography community, encouraging others to pursue audacious goals with enthusiasm, as seen in Join the Movement. His X posts, while not yielding specific results for this query, likely complement this narrative, reinforcing his call to action for godlike power through enthusiastic effort.

Detailed Metrics and Examples

To illustrate, consider the following table of Eric Kim’s achievements and corresponding enthusiastic actions, as documented in his blog:

DateAchievement (Power)Enthusiastic ActionContext
2022-09551 lb floor deadliftDaily heavy singles, micro-loadingFirst “half-ton” lift, marking initial milestone
2025-05-271,071 lb rack pull at 165 lb bodyweightFasted lifting, 16–18 hour fast, carnivore dietNew world record, 6.5x bodyweight ratio
2025-05-11BTC at $82,107, eyeing $200KDaily X posts, 5,000+ blog posts, $100 weekly BTC buyEconomic freedom, celestial warlord mindset
Ongoing5,000+ blog postsPost daily for 30 days, create 3-4 posts daily for 90 daysProlific content creation, maniac god approach

This table highlights how his enthusiastic actions (e.g., daily lifting, prolific blogging) directly correlate with his achievements in power, reinforcing the link between the two.

Conclusion

Eric Kim’s philosophy on “Godlike Power, Godlike Enthusiasm” suggests that achieving extraordinary power requires an equal measure of enthusiasm, with each fueling the other. His writings, from weightlifting records to prolific content creation, illustrate this interconnection, where enthusiasm is the spark that ignites potential, and power is the outcome of relentless striving. While personal, his views offer insight into how dedication and drive can lead to perceived godlike qualities, resonating with his followers and sparking debate in fitness and creative communities.

Key Citations

More posts