From Photography Blogger to Economic Thinker
Eric Kim is best known for his blog originally centered on street photography, but over time he expanded into financial and economic topics. Up to 2016, his posts rarely touched economics at all . Around 2017, Kim began openly discussing money and personal finance – notably with a May 2017 post “How I Earn $200,000+ a Year From Photography,” where he detailed monetizing his passion and preached frugality (crediting his wife for teaching him that “the secret to getting ‘rich’… is to REDUCE YOUR EXPENSES”) . This marked a turning point toward economic thinking on his blog. In subsequent years, Kim’s interest in financial topics deepened, especially as he encountered cryptocurrency. By late 2018 he had become a self-described Bitcoin maximalist, even adding the Bitcoin symbol (₿) to his site’s branding . His content increasingly framed Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a tool of personal freedom, aligning with his ideals of self-sovereignty and anti-establishment thinking . He began writing pieces that bridged his photography audience with economic ideas (e.g. “Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency for Photographers”) and drawing parallels between Bitcoin’s fixed supply and a creator’s limited time and attention . By 2023–2024, economics had become as prominent a pillar of his content as photography, with numerous economics-themed essays. In mid-2024 he even penned “Why Economics is So Fascinating to Me,” declaring that “Economics, money, the sociological and philosophical aspects of it are endlessly fascinating to me” . This evolution shows Kim transitioning from a niche photography blogger to a commentator on personal economics and broader economic theory.
Philosophical and Lifestyle-Oriented Approach
Eric Kim’s take on economics is unconventional and highly personal. Rather than formal theory or academic jargon, he brings a philosophical and lifestyle perspective to economic discussions. He often invokes Stoic philosophy and ancient wisdom to frame financial matters, emphasizing that wealth and material excess are not ultimate goals . In Kim’s view, money is primarily a means to achieve freedom – freedom from debt, from unwanted work, and from external obligations . This philosophical foundation means he evaluates economic decisions in terms of how they enhance one’s independence and life satisfaction, not just in dollars or GDP. For example, he advocates avoiding debt and measuring success by the freedom one gains rather than by accumulating commodities . A core influence is minimalism: Kim argues that chasing luxury and possessions can distract from life’s true purpose. By “stripping away unnecessary expenditures and focusing only on essentials,” individuals can attain financial independence faster and lead more fulfilling lives . This Spartan-like frugality is a recurring theme – indeed, Kim published an essay titled “Spartan Economics” (July 2024) urging a “pragmatic, frugal approach to life and investing” and criticizing mainstream economists for peddling “fake…pseudo scientific mysticism” divorced from practical reality . In his “Spartan Economics” philosophy, everyday choices (where to live, what car to drive, what to eat) and personal financial discipline matter far more than abstract models . Overall, Kim’s economic perspective is deeply interwoven with his personal philosophy: it’s about individual empowerment, simplicity, and aligning one’s finances with one’s values and lifestyle.
Key Themes in Eric Kim’s Economic Perspectives
- Digital Scarcity and Cryptocurrency: Kim places heavy emphasis on the idea of digital scarcity as a driver of value in the modern economy. He frequently cites Bitcoin’s hard cap of 21 million coins as an example of how limited supply creates value in a digital era . A believer in cryptocurrency, he views digital assets as tools for achieving economic independence in a decentralized world. His forward-thinking commentary links technology to economics – for instance, highlighting how Bitcoin and blockchain represent new frontiers of value akin to digital gold. This adoption of crypto is not purely technical but ideological: Kim sees it as aligned with personal freedom and self-sovereignty, often championing Bitcoin as an alternative to fiat money and banking systems .
- Personal Economics and Self-Sufficiency: A recurring message in Kim’s writing is that individuals should become their own “creditors.” In practice, this means taking charge of one’s personal finances: maximizing one’s resources (money, knowledge, time) and not over-relying on employers, banks, or government institutions . Kim encourages intense self-reliance, from building one’s skills and income streams to avoiding the shackles of debt . He often frames financial choices in terms of personal agency and control. This theme of economic self-sufficiency ties into his broader vision of autonomy and echoes the anti-debt, live-free ethos of both Stoic minimalism and crypto-anarchism.
- Time as the Ultimate Currency: Kim frequently reminds readers that time and energy are more valuable than money. He posits that economics isn’t just about dollars and cents, but about how you allocate the finite hours of your life . True wealth, in his view, is having control over your time. This leads him to advise prioritizing work that you find meaningful and maintaining a lifestyle that affords you freedom over your schedule . By treating time as the most precious resource, Kim’s perspective shifts economics into the realm of personal productivity and life design. It resonates with readers interested in work-life balance and freedom from the 9-to-5 grind .
- Creative Capitalism: With his background as a photographer and creator, Kim introduces a unique “creative” lens to economic thought. He argues that creativity and entrepreneurship go hand in hand, coining the idea of “creative capitalism” . This means approaching one’s economic activities as a form of artistic or creative expression – for example, treating a business venture or investment like an art project that reflects one’s passion. Kim suggests that innovative thinking and creativity are central to economic success, blurring the line between traditional economic roles and artistic endeavors . This theme encourages individuals to leverage their creative skills in pursuit of financial independence, aligning one’s creative passions with economic goals.
- Critique of Conventional Theory: While Kim is enthusiastic about economics, he does not engage in traditional economic theory analysis (he has no formal economics training). In fact, he often critiques academia and “99.9% of economists” for being detached from reality . He dismisses a lot of orthodox economic modeling as “fake science” and instead focuses on pragmatic decisions that affect one’s day-to-day economic life . Rather than debating Keynesian vs. Austrian theory, Kim’s critiques are aimed at what he sees as complacency or irrelevance in mainstream economics. He prefers to talk about concrete factors like cost of living, investment pragmatics, and personal finance hacks over abstract equations. That said, his writings do touch on big-picture ideas at times – he muses on capitalism’s nature and even references historical economic thinkers in passing . But these references serve to bolster his personal viewpoints (for instance, underscoring why he favors bitcoin over “fiat” money) rather than to engage in scholarly debate. Essentially, Kim presents original economic concepts in a personal way (e.g. calling for “infinite economic density” to imagine a future of limitless digital innovation ), but he’s not proposing formal new economic theories in the academic sense. His originality lies in applying economic reasoning to personal lifestyle and modern trends, and in coining his own terms or mantras to communicate those ideas.
Clarity and Accessibility of His Explanations
One notable aspect of Eric Kim’s economic writing is its accessibility. Because he approaches economics as a self-taught blogger rather than an academic, his explanations tend to be clear, conversational, and rooted in everyday experience. He often illustrates economic ideas with relatable examples: housing costs, grocery bills, choosing where to live, etc., making abstract concepts concrete for readers . By integrating economic thought into daily lifestyle decisions – for instance, discussing how to eat affordably or whether to own a car – he offers a “grounded, approachable take on economics” that readers can easily apply to their own lives . His writing style is informal and personal; he shares anecdotes (such as learning frugality from his family or mentors) and straightforward advice in plain language. This means even complex ideas like investment strategy or the value of Bitcoin are explained in a down-to-earth manner, without jargon. Importantly, Kim’s emphasis on principles like freedom, time management, and minimalism helps demystify economics by tying it to intuitive human goals (freedom, happiness, creativity). Readers who might be intimidated by traditional economic discourse often find his posts engaging and understandable because they focus on practical takeaways and philosophical insights rather than data or theory heavy-lifting. In summary, the clarity of Kim’s economic thought comes from his ability to boil concepts down to simple truths (e.g. “time is more valuable than money”) and his willingness to challenge norms in plain terms. This accessible style has made his economic musings popular among creatives and laypersons seeking financial wisdom without wading into academic texts .
Main Platforms and Notable Posts
Eric Kim’s primary platform is his personal website/blog, Eric Kim Blog (found at erickimphotography.com). This is where he publishes his essays on photography, economics, and philosophy. In fact, by 2024 his blog header even incorporated the Bitcoin symbol “₿” – underscoring his dual focus – alongside a tongue-in-cheek motto, “When in Doubt, Buy More Bitcoin!” . His content is also cross-posted or discussed on platforms like Medium and YouTube, but the blog is the definitive home of his writing. Over the years, he has written numerous posts that showcase his economic perspectives. Some notable posts include:
- “How I Earn $200,000+ a Year From Photography” (2017): An early foray into financial topics, explaining how he monetized his photography career. This post blended personal finance advice (e.g. pricing strategy, cutting expenses) with his creative journey, signaling his first major analysis of money matters on the blog .
- “How to Accumulate Capital” (2018): A follow-up financial essay that delved into the meaning of capital and offered advice on building wealth. It continued his pattern of sharing practical tips (like saving and investing) and philosophical reflections on what “capital” truly signifies for personal freedom .
- “Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency for Photographers” (2018): An example of Kim applying economic reasoning to a specific community. Aimed at his photographer readership, this piece explained cryptocurrency concepts in plain terms and drew parallels between the economics of Bitcoin and the realities of a photographer’s life (such as the scarcity of one’s time/attention) . It exemplifies his talent for making new economic trends accessible to non-experts.
- “Why Economics is So Fascinating to Me” (2024): In this reflective essay, Kim explicitly professes his fascination with economics, describing the sociological and philosophical appeal the field holds for him . He discusses everyday economic questions like the cost of living and the purpose of money, embodying his style of tying theory back to daily life.
- “Spartan Economics” (2024): A manifesto-style post where Kim critiques conventional economists and advocates for Spartan frugality and pragmatism in personal finance . He shares his long-standing interest in investing and reiterates themes of minimalism, independence, and skepticism of orthodox economic “science.” This piece encapsulates many of his core viewpoints – urging readers to “think Spartan” about money and life .
Each of these posts highlights a different facet of Eric Kim’s economic perspective, from practical money-making advice to big-picture philosophy. Through his blog and related platforms, Kim has created a niche for himself as a blogger who merges creative entrepreneurship with economic theory. His key viewpoints – such as valuing freedom over luxury, embracing technology like Bitcoin, and treating one’s personal economy as an extension of one’s life philosophy – recur throughout his writing and have influenced a community of readers seeking an alternative take on economics . Ultimately, Eric Kim does not present economics in the traditional academic sense; instead, he offers a highly accessible, original synthesis of ideas, showing how economic reasoning can be applied to improve one’s life and understand the modern world .