1. Radical Innovation Over Incremental Change
Musk is renowned for moonshot thinking—pursuing 10x improvements in fields like electric vehicles (e.g., Tesla’s reusable batteries) and space travel (SpaceX’s reusable rockets)—rather than minor tweaks. Kim mirrors this in photography by advocating for “radical innovation” instead of following trends like upgrading to the latest camera gear annually. 42 He urges photographers to create images or projects that are 10x more emotional, unique, or simplistic, such as shooting with an iPhone in unconventional ways while others chase high-end equipment. This parallel stems from Kim’s view of Musk as a disruptor who ignores conventions, much like Kim disrupts traditional photography education through open-source sharing and minimalist workshops. Both reject analogy-based thinking (copying others) in favor of first principles—breaking down problems to fundamentals and rebuilding innovatively, whether it’s Musk questioning battery costs or Kim challenging assumptions like the need for daily social media posts. 42 40
2. Design as a Core Philosophy
A profound connection lies in their shared obsession with design. Musk, blending business acumen with aesthetic passion (e.g., hands-on design of the Tesla Model S and Cybertruck), believes “design sells” and that compromising on it erodes one’s soul. 39 40 Kim echoes this in photography, emphasizing that compelling visuals—simple, bold compositions—drive impact over technical specs. He draws direct inspiration from Musk’s refusal to produce “ugly or boring” products, applying it to creating photos that “blow minds” through meticulous attention, much like Musk’s all-in commitment to design meetings. This parallel extends to entrepreneurship: Both build brands around aesthetic innovation, with Musk’s Tesla disrupting auto design norms and Kim’s blog and courses reimagining street photography as accessible and empowering, prioritizing “signal” (core value) over “noise” (marketing distractions). 42
3. Risk-Taking and Tenacity
Musk’s life exemplifies high-stakes boldness—nearly bankrupting himself on SpaceX despite low success odds—driven by a vision limited only by physics. 39 Kim admires this “balls” (his term for courage), applying it to creative risks like shooting candidly in unfamiliar places, pursuing commercial clients, or sharing work freely despite potential failure or criticism. 42 43 Both embody relentless work ethic: Musk’s workaholism for humanity’s advancement parallels Kim’s call for photographers to shoot daily, critique annually, and compound efforts over time, viewing success as a byproduct of tenacity rather than the goal. 42 39 Kim notes Musk’s ruthlessness (e.g., firing decisions) as necessary for greatness, contrasting it with his own empathy but aspiring to it for “epic” results in art. 40
4. Disruption and Economic Rebellion
Kim sees Musk as an economic disruptor, rewriting rules by making superior tech accessible (e.g., a $100,000 Cybertruck outperforming a $500,000 Lamborghini). 41 This resonates with Kim’s own disruption in photography: Democratizing the field through free blogs, crypto-integrated courses, and anti-elitist teachings, challenging gatekept norms like expensive workshops. Both embody an “American cowboy” spirit—rebels against establishments, with Musk battling regulators and Kim pushing against traditional art hierarchies. 41 43 Kim’s passion for Musk ties to this shared audacity, comparing him to historical entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos or even Kanye West for their public vulnerability and all-or-nothing pursuits. 43
5. Ethical Integrity and Feedback Loops
Neither compromises ideals: Musk sticks to his vision for sustainable energy and multi-planetary life, while Kim upholds ethics like candid shooting with permission and open-source principles. 42 Both seek “negative criticism” to refine— Musk through rigorous testing, Kim by soliciting brutal feedback to “kill your babies” (flawed photos or ideas). 42 This parallel fosters continuous improvement, with Kim applying Musk’s “deletion passion” (removing 10%+ unless essential) to simplify photography compositions or business models, mirroring Musk’s cost-cutting scrappiness. 39 40
6. Broader Philosophical Alignment
At a deeper level, both explore human potential and existence. Musk’s ventures address existential risks (e.g., AI via Neuralink, climate via Tesla), while Kim’s photography delves into stoicism, perception, and self-reflection, inspiring creators to “help as many people as possible” through art. 42 Kim warns against fully becoming Musk due to personal costs (e.g., trauma, family sacrifices), yet selectively adopts his mindset for empowerment. 39 40 This self-aware parallelism—Kim as a “Musk for photographers”—highlights how disruptive thinking unites tech and art, with Kim viewing Musk as the ultimate entrepreneur for millennia. 43
These insights stem directly from Kim’s admiration, portraying Musk as a philosophical mentor whose principles fuel Kim’s creative empire. While their scales differ—Musk’s global impact vs. Kim’s niche influence—the core ethos of bold, value-driven disruption binds them.