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Dalat

Video

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January 5, 2025

Predator or Prey?

So in life, do you desire to be predator or prey?

Anger

So this is a big thing, if you see some asshole smoking or if you’re playing at the park with your kid and you see somebody about to light up a cigarette, maybe we had the courage to ask him to not smoke here or there to ask them to smoke somewhere else. So I think this is a big thing; Almost like 100% of real life daily life, there is nothing which requires physical courage.

For example, almost never will you ever get into a physical fist fight with anybody. The only perhaps downsides you could experience or suffer is like verbal arguments, getting your blood pressure and adrenaline up etc.

What if aggression were virtuous?

In modern day society we are taught that aggression is not to be done. Almost everything in life and society trains us to be non-aggressive.

For example, all laws ethics and morality, it is like 100% towards non aggression.

Now the downside of this is that I do believe that there is some cases where acting aggressively is a virtue. If anything, I think the best way to develop yourself is to rethink and reconsider ethics morality etc. Beyond good and evil, beyond good and bad, do you think more critically about things.

Eagle vs Lamb

Is the eagle evil? For eating the delicious lamb? No. And also this is a big thing… Does the eagle have a bad conscience about eating the lamb? Similarly speaking, no!

Yet the tricky thing is in this world, we are taught and trained that in fact, it is more virtuous to be the Lamb than the eagle.

Now this makes sense because you can’t have a bunch of eagles running the show. You can’t have a bunch of high testosterone alpha males jostling for position all the time. Society would probably collapse.

And therefore, if you think critically about this, what that then means is that you need to teach yourself to become more alpha.

Bitcoin is the alpha asset

Assuming that you’re an alpha male, I am. I don’t think I’ve ever met a real life human being in the flesh, who is more alpha than me. In fact my whole life ever since I was a kid, my desire and desired outcome was always to become more alpha than the rest.

For example, I think I’m pretty happy that I was born very very tall, around 5 foot 11. I have never been shy about my height. I have met people who are taller than me of course, but because I myself already feel like I am the “tall” category, this has never been an issue.

Also I suppose the gratitude of being born Korean Korean American, Asian American and states is that once again, I’ve never had some sort of inferiority complex, because all the schools I went to were mostly Asian American dominated. I was part of the dominant minority.

Also being born a man. The truth is in society, men will always be more alpha than women. Why? Physical size strength, aggressiveness and testosterone. Certainly it is a good thing to seek more equality between the sexes, in the workplace and economic opportunities etc., But when it comes down to it… Alpha wins.

America is Alpha

America is Alpha, the US dollar is the alpha currency. There is no second best. Nobody wants a Chinese yuan, KRW or euro or British pound.

The same thing goes with metals; we only want gold. Nobody wants silver.

Also the same thing with bitcoin. Everyone wants bitcoin, nobody cares for Ethereum or anything else. I think the only thing is honestly, everybody in Ethereum community has a small dick envy of bitcoin. In 1 trillion years, Ethereum will never never never ever ever ever Supersede bitcoin. It is just not possible from a physics perspective.

Never trade the best for second best

So assuming that you have the best, the best capital the best stuff the best wealth etc., why would you ever trade it for the second best?

Also on the collary, isn’t also the virtuous goal to choose the second best and convert it to the first best?

Convert all of your fiat currency in capital to bitcoin

So I thought there’s a very very long time ago, the basic idea is that the smart strategy is take all of your fiat currency and all of your weak ass assets and converted to the strong assets which is bitcoin.

I thought this about like four years ago, so if you were to Amazon Apple Facebook Google meadow whatever, and assuming that you converted all your income into bitcoin, you could have retired at least 10 times over.

Now what is the big issue here? We millennials we have so much economic and financial power now, yet we are all scared. Essentially we have been beaten into submission; when we were children growing up we were told that we could do anything become anything etc., but now that we have become adults, the biggest issue is that we have become complacent, weak, maybe we drive some sort of entry-level Audi, Tesla, whatever… We have pretty good salaries at a big tech company, and we no longer have a desire nor reason to invest investigate bitcoin or invest in it.

I asked my friend Marcus in Seattle this, several years ago whether people in Seattle were interested in bitcoin or crypto or not and he said no because they didn’t really have a need to know because everyone there who is already working for Microsoft is already making good money and therefore as a consequence, they don’t have a need to know.

Bitcoin Deus ex machina

So the way I was able to rediscover bitcoin was moving to LA, with the absurdly high cost-of-living. $3200 USD a month for rent in a two bedroom one bath nice apartment. note, when we are living in Hanoi Vietnam in 2017 we only paid $320 a month in rent. Literally, we 10’xd our expenses for living after moving to America.

The goal should be to do the exact opposite, to reduce your expenses by 10 X.

What’s the issue here

Take a leap of faith, take the risk.

ERIC

JUST RISK IT!

EK BLOG >

December 30, 2024

Paradise Saigon

video

December 29, 2024

LIFE.PICKS

December 28, 2024

The Joy of Photography

December 28, 2024

SAIGON 1

SAIGON IS PARADISE!

December 28, 2024

JOY

Bodily Joy, physical physiological joy?

Massage ,,, insanely strong deep tissue massage to “fix” your body
8-12 hours of sleep a night
Daily exercise & practice
Beef ribs

December 23, 2024

Energy Poverty

So I’m currently reading the principles of economics by Saifedean, and I really love it. I realize that in my life, I’ve only ever been interested in media and things which actually gave me real life utility or payoff for practical live reality, real joy hope optimism faith etc.

So for example, the logic of a lot of modern day living I think can greatly be benefited once we actually put into words and precisely define the terms in which we are engaging in. So for example, energy power, poverty prosperity, trade money, capital labor etc.

In fact, economics might be the most important field to study in the practical pragmatic sense that assuming that you’ve ever handled a $100 bill, purchased anything on Amazon Amazon prime, been to Whole Foods, traveled, bought an airline ticket, purchased an apple device, filled up the gas in your car or supercharged your Tesla or electric vehicle, or even better yet… Turned on an air-conditioning unit or heater or put on a down jacket, you will know that these things matter.

Energy poverty

So one thing I’ve realized is I wonder… If 95% of the world’s misery has to deal with energy poverty.

For example, heat and air conditioning. For example if you’ve ever tried to sleep in this while touring hot humid 105° weather in Southeast Asia or Dubai, you know that life without air-conditioning is not a life worth living. During the day I don’t need air-conditioning, but certainly at night, it helps me sleep. I almost cannot sleep without air-conditioning on.

Also, in a lot of the industrialized world, especially having spent time in Michigan, the East Coast, Providence Rhode Island etc., and even Los Angeles during the winter months, it gets fucking cold, really really late at night or really really early in the morning, or just in general.

No one bizarre thing I found is a lot of Americans Asian people etc., are far too Puritan when it comes to heating. They are very very stingy about cranking on the heat!

In fact, I think to waste electricity or energy on heat and air conditioning is virtuous; because once again, cold and frigid bodies leads to human misery.

As a consequence, some strange individuals think that it is a virtue and that it is virtuous to be miserable? And that it is somehow advice to be prosperous, rich successful, and happy?

The virtues of misery?

I’ll give you a real example; typically if you’ve been from any sort of immigrant family, in which your parents were not born in America but came here in search for greater economic opportunities, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Typically we are taught that to overcome difficult difficulty and suffering is a virtue, and that a life of ease happiness joy and leisure is a vice?

Yet the strange thing that a lot of these people living in poverty then say is that they brag about how they know about other random people or super super rich? Very strange.

I almost wonder if now, behind closed doors, other people then brag about how rich and successful I am?

Anyways, doesn’t really matter; I wonder than if once again, critical issues here:

first, the general idea is that if you have the option, and you’re most certainly do, make your habitation as comfortable as possible! What this means is structure your world in such a way that when you’re at home, just adjust the heat or the cooling or whatever, to make your home as comfortable to you as possible. And when you’re sleeping, try to change the thermostat to whatever temperature helps you sleep well!

in fact, my practical thought is assuming that you are like some sort of investor or money making machine, the very very practical and pragmatic thought is that in fact, you should prioritize your sleep exercise and food in such a way that helped you maximize your optimism joy and happiness and personal productivity because the greater you take care of your own personal health habitation climate food and sleep, the more productive you will become, thus yielding you more money accumulation etc.?

What is poverty?

So if we think about money or like heat or energy, perhaps we should consider heat loss.

What is heat loss in economic terms? Your car payment, your mortgage payment, your rent, your subscription services, maybe your credit card payments?

Visual ease for our eyes

I think I’ve got it figured out; I think the reason why I really like Matt Black, or a nice matte black wrap on a car is that it provides some sort of visual ease. Like when you look at a really really nice met black car, all matte black everything, matte black is very very easy on the eyes. It has a beautiful sheen and Verneer, is not distracting, yet pleasing!

I also think the same things with homes, clean white paint on the walls, and neutral gray or stone colored surfaces and fixtures? For example, for fools who think that colors don’t matter; would you want to paint the tears your home brighter red? Probably not you’ll go insane.

Or would you want to paint your countertops of your kitchen like some sort of acidic looking green color? No!

As a consequence, I think colors are very very important. Typically colors which provide some sort of visual ease are derived from nature. For example, we like the color of green because it is the color of life, just imagine the windows 95 or the windows Vista wallpaper. We love a blue sunny sky with rolling green verdant Hills. Or think about Sapa in Vietnam same idea.

What is consumerism?

My innovative thought is that consumerism and capitalism is not the same thing. Consumerism is the exact opposite of capitalism.

Capitalism is all about capital accumulation, whereas consumerism is blowing it.

Or in more crude terms, capitalism is like semen retention, and consumerism is blowing your load.

Why?

The general way that consumerism works is that you are exposed to advertisements which convince you that somehow your life is incomplete and miserable and unhappy and that in order to seek happiness, you must purchase XYZ in order to make you happy. And then it becomes like a mathematical equation somewhat: the more units of XYZ you purchase, The higher degree your happiness will become.

I’ve also discovered that promoting minimalism and reduction is not a profitable path. For example, encouraging people to not waste their money is not profitable.

However, getting a bunch of losers to buy overpriced loser stuff is profitable.

Body shame

So the first way that consumerism does this is that it makes people feel ugly. It makes people feel ugly in terms of their body, body shape, body composition, and it just makes people feel ashamed about being naked.

So for example, as a consequence, people feel ashamed of their bodies, and do everything in their power to hide their ugliness.

My personal theory on why there is this new trend of people wearing really really baggy clothes and jeans and sweaters and hoodies and stuff is precisely for people to hide their ugliness.

For example, you would only ever wear short short shorts if you actually have impressive legs or a butt or behind to show off.

Or if you’re a man, you would only ever walk around topless without a shirt on, if you have a beautiful or impressive upper body.

Or as a woman, similar speaking you’re only probably walking around in a sports bra or a bikini if you also have impressive muscles, and also a low body fat percentage.

Can you spend money to hide your ugliness?

You see this all the time; especially vehicles. I also have a theory that purchasing a vehicle is like buying a really really expensive article of clothing; once again to hydrogenous you hide behind your car with 5% limo tint. Do you want to feel cool sexy grand powerful indestructible master of the road etc ,,, and you do this by jumping in your loser Range Rover, or your loser AMG wagon, or your loser Porsche etc.

The only people I trust are people who drive without any tint. And do not wear sunglasses or anything that covers up their eyeballs, or anybody who also has facial hair, which is the new modern day trend to hide the ugliness of your face or your double chin, or a baseball hat or a hat of any sort which is also another way to hide your balding or your ugly head.

what is true power?

So some guys with low testosterone, who want to seem tough and strong or whatever, buy all these firearms and guns because it makes him feel tougher more dominant more powerful etc. But the truth is it makes your dick size smaller, what does a typical gun owner look like? Typically somebody who spends too much time on Fox News, alternative right wing Facebook, and is always reading some weird quick bait about how liberals are ruining everything.

And also, this fake fear mongering.

So for example if you have a gun, the excuse is that it is for “self-defense“. But if you need to self defend yourself, it is a sign of fear. The general fear is that somebody else might have a gun or some sort of firearm or knife or something, and that somehow you need to “defend” Yourself and your family etc. But there is not a positive aggressor factor; nobody ever buys a gun within intention to physically positively attack somebody, unless your hobby is hunting wildlife going to the shooting range whatever.

So then, the only rational reason for somebody to own a gun is out of fear. But then, if you’re a real man and have no fear, what is the use of a gun? None!

Fear marketing?

FOMO fear of missing out, or, fear of missing out on some sort of economic opportunity which could alleviate you from your economic suffering and poverty.

So the reason why this is so insidious is that once again, a lot of this fake news or click bait you see on the Internet is predicated around fear. If you do not read this article somehow you will be at a loss, or that you and your future family or your bank account can be harmed.

What is so fascinating about bitcoin is that actually, it is the opposite. In some ways, you are not afraid of chaos because chaos actually favors you; in some ways you actually desire chaos!

For example, the more chaos uncertainty inflation and bad economic policies there are on the planet, bitcoin benefits and so does you!

So whenever you hear about inflation whatever blah blah blah and the economy is going to tank, the simple strategy is to just buy Bitcoin because the more fear porn you see in the news and the media, the better the return of your bitcoin!

Financial freedom within four years?

Retiring within four years?

I do not know a single human being who actually wants to work and labor. Similarly speaking, I do not know any individual in which it is his autotelic passion to be working at said tech company. They would rather retire, live free, travel the planet and the globe, etc., be chilling on a beach somewhere etc.

Even a question I often ask people is that assuming that you’re a trillionaire whatever, what would you rather be doing? If the entrepreneur‘s job or desire is to actually discontinue doing the things that they are already doing, it is typically assigned that whatever they are engaged in is a means to an end not the end in itself. And therefore I feel like the logical strategy in life is to think about the end and work your way backward; like think about if you were a trillionaire, worth $100 trillion, and that number is Actually going up faster than you could spend it, if that is the case, once again, what would you rather be doing?

So for example for myself, my general passion is movement, travel, being in different places, weightlifting, building up my body, enjoying the beauty of my body my muscles my flexing, sharing new exciting ideas which inspire me, and also empowering other human beings? Who are in the same boat as me?

I am a pretty ordinary person

My general belief is actually, I am a super super normal ordinary person. I don’t believe in genetics, I believe that genetics is like eugenics 2.0 or racism 2.0, I truly believe that almost 99% of our potential is sociological, training, education knowledge etc.

Certainly there are certain things which are malleable and not.

If you are a fully grown adult, having $1 trillion in your bank account will not make you taller. If you are a born a dwarf, like you’re a 4 foot tall man, or 3 foot tall man, once again I’m being a trillionaire will not make you 6 foot two.

And also, there are certain things that one cannot do like change the proportions of your face, like distance between your eyeballs etc. I call this the hammerhead shark index; some people naturally have eyes which are more further apart like a toad, etc.

Yet what is one thing that any human being can do on the planet? Increase their muscle mass, decrease their body fat percentage, and also something which is slept on; getting a lovely tan!

The new dark skin racism

So in Korea, to be really really dark and tan is seen as a bad thing. Do you want to be white to like the emperor, because the emperor can stand in the shade all day, while their servants and slaves does all the dirty work in the sun.

House slave or field slave?

House nigga don’t fuck with me I’m in the fields nigga, go shine cutlery – JAY Z

Probably one of the most interesting songs on entrepreneurship is the story of OJ by Jay Z. Jay Z outlines it easily; the path to riches wealth and success, and avoiding the pitfalls of poverty.

For example, the importance of credit. Also not blowing your money at the strip club.

“I bought every V 12 engine, wish I could take it back to the beginning”

The way I interpret this quote is that Jay Z’s regret is that he wasted all this money in purchasing these expensive V dub engines, to dull his senses, kind of like some sort of self euthanasia?

I think then what Jay-Z wishes he did is that taking all that money and capital that he wasted on these expensive cars, and investing it in a creative investments instead. For example, his regrets not buying more real estate in Dumbo, and feeling Dumbo about it.

Now JC is a great model but also he is a bit dated. I think like I’m the new Jay-Z; except that I have legs that could run the world. Until you meet somebody who could lift 1000 pounds without steroids, fasted, nobody is superior to ERIC KIM.

The new blueprint

The orange print:

My personal thought is the only good out of money is to purchase beef, beef ribs, beef liver, pasture raised eggs, with the really dark orange yolks, beef tongue, organ meats, bone marrow, and weightlifting equipment.

Also, one of my greatest joys of something I invested in which I think is actually super super smart is purchasing two 50 kg weight plates. they are made out of steel, which means that you could pack more weight into a smaller footprint. Each weight plate is 110 pounds, and because it is made out of solid steel, I am very very certain that these could last until the time that Seneca becomes 36 years old, and has a son of his own.

The first born son of the firstborn son of their firstborn son

So one of my great gratitudes is that I was born into a position of privilege; my father was the first born son, I think he was the oldest. As a consequence, because I was the first born son the oldest son of the oldest son, I was treated like a king by my grandma. And I am grateful to my grandma for this.

As a calm consequence, I grew up with zero inferiority complex in fact, I probably grew up with this superiority complex. in some ways I’m like Kanye West on steroids. Why? Kanye has always had an inferiority complex because he was a Shorty guy, I think he’s only like 5 foot six? And I’m like 5 foot 11? And as a consequence, I have never felt small in my life?

Also I suppose the gratitude is in the big area where I grew up, most of the kids in my school were Asian Asian American, so once again, I never felt like a minority? I’ll always felt like I was a part of the majority.

Maybe also the benefit is that Seneca, and I am so grateful that he was born the way he is, and that he is the next generation, the next heir to the throne. He’s like Simba and I’m like Mufasa. Or, he’s like the next King Leonidas.

Anyways, all of these sad single men without kids or family or without a beautiful wife, they’re all chasing after these silly things like the Porsche 911 GT 3RS, the Lamborghini with the scissor doors, or some sort of arbitrary amount of money in their banking account. But these fools, don’t they realize that the best joy on the planet 1,000,000,000,000×1,000,000,000,000 is for you as a man to have a son?

Training

My ethos and approach to raising Seneca has been super simple: 100% beast boy carnivore beef diet, and maximum physical exercise and engagement with embodied reality and the world. This means maximum exposure to the elements, being outside, in the direct sun, playing at the playground, and now riding his bike around everywhere.

From the Facebook buy nothing group we got this wonderful balancing wooden bike, with no pedals. From one Seco was maybe a year and a half, he would just walk it around like a walker, on the side, and then randomly like six or eight months ago, he jumped on it, and now he’s off! Also I bought him these LED bike helmet lights, and also front and rear LED lights, and outfitted his balancing bike with it, and he loves it! And also as a parent I’m happy because it improves his visibility by at least a factor of 1000 X, especially when he rides when the sun goes down, and as a consequence, he feels so much pride!

True pride

Country to popular believe, I think consumerism discourages you from having children. Why? Kids are not as profitable as single working adults.

So for example, both men and women, the consumerist, the consumerist ethos is you never want to have a kid, because they will cramp your style, prevent you from traveling to Japan and eating good omakase sushi in Kyoto, whatever. But actually, on the contrary, the wise capitalist actually has a desire and urge to have as many children he can as possible, Because he knows that having children is accretive, whereas having dogs or other loser things is dilutive. Or driving any vehicle which requires premium gas is dilutive.

Therefore the wise capitalist would only drive some sort of old used Toyota Prius, because he wants to invest 99% of his money into bitcoin and micro strategy stock, because it will pull up forever with phenomenal gains, whereas somebody who is thinking that the world is going to end is going to buy some sort of loser Porsche Ferrari, because he thinks that his only life right now can be enjoyed right now, and he will have nothing to laugh to bequest his inheritance to.

Accumulating riches

An interesting scene in the movie 300 is when King Leonidas is climbing the mountain to talk to the ephors, and he has in a little sec a container full of many gold coins.

This was an interesting scene to me because the common understanding is that Spartans live in poverty, but I suppose they also have gold and gold coins! But the only use it when they need to, in regards to war defense etc.

And once again, if I told you with 100% certain that your life would be secure forever, and no one would ever try to physically assault you your family or kids your life, wouldn’t there be zero incentive to purchase a gun or any other sort of self-defense weapon?

why would you trade paradise away?

Bitcoin is Paradise. Like a mobile paradise you could always carry with you everywhere you go. Why would you trade it for some sort of second best thing?

The only constant is change

Refusal to change is the hopgoblin of weak souls.

Why is there such a resistance to change? I think a new one who is resistant to change is a coward.

For example, let us say that you were a lead night, and that you were afraid that the printing press would put people out of business, or that the mechanical room would impulse people whatever, and as a consequence, you make it your life purpose to destroy all of the printing presses and the looms.

Or, let us say that you’re also want these silly people who think that somehow, AI or robots or whatever will destroy all these human jobs and labor. You fool, don’t you know that this is just going to usher in some of the newest greatest prosperity of all time?

Labor

So what a lot of people don’t understand is that once again, in the past, we were all about the horse carriage and buggy, once the automobile came along, were there a bunch of people who were afraid that somehow the automobile would put people out of business who drove the horse and buggies?

December 21, 2024

What is “Reality”?

So random thought on my mind; what is “reality” why does it matter etc.?

First, obviously reality comes back to embodied reality. That is like literally being on your own two legs, walking around town, saying hello to people, smiling and waving etc.

Fake reality

Now what are the most pernicious things about modern day life? Essentially we are like plugged in some sort of metaphorical matrix, in our everyday lives and lived realities, we are like living on rails.

For example, most of us follow the same cycle. Sleep wake up shower, drink coffee head to work, grind at work, go home only to self medicate and vegetate to Netflix or some sort of movie or streaming thing.

How to free yourself

Now the big problem is, now that essentially, I haven’t really watched any media or television, besides maybe John Wick for the last 15 years or so, is that now that I’m finally free and detached from all this nonsense, I’m starting to realize how troubling, grotesque, and disturbing a lot of this media is.

I think the big issue issue here is desensitization. Our everyday lived realities are so uninteresting or boring or sad or whatever, and we seek some sort of extreme fake stimuli to keep us motivated?

Fake motivations

I’ll give you a real example; money wealth and riches.

For example, all randomly on IMDb watching the squid game 2 preview, and now… That we got bitcoin, and also microstrategy, the whole premise of squid game no longer makes sense, about prize money. Because now that we have bitcoin, you don’t need some sort of fake magical prize money ticket lottery thing. You got bitcoin which is more or less a risk-free return, at least 60 to 120% for the next four years! It’s pretty obvious.

Technically buying microstrategy stock is a better investment strategy

And I would actually rate that microstrategy is poised to even outperform bitcoin by maybe 2X, we might see a microstrategy have an annual rate of return of 120% to 240% a year, for the next four years.

That means if you have about $600,000 of microstrategy stock, you could easily see that balloon to $1.4M in a year, to $3.2M, to $6.4M to maybe $12.2M by the end of the Trump presidency.

Or let us say that you have about $2 million worth of bitcoin, assuming that bitcoin under the Trump administration might go up 120% for the next 4 years, similarly speaking, you will see some monster returns!

Or simply put, microstrategy will give you superior returns over the next four years over buying Bitcoin directly.

If your whole ethos is accumulate more bitcoin by the bitcoin directly using Coinbase or something.

Also another strategy, buy and hoard your microstrategy stock for the next four years, and by the end of the four years you could just sell the stock and buy the bitcoin directly!

Double your money and make it stack!

So assuming that, ERIC Trump, the son of Donald Trump is committed to making bitcoin at least $1 million a coin, then what that means is I think we can expect that within four years, I think we’re looking at at least 10X in the next four years.

So for example, if you have $1 million invested in bitcoin today, by the end of four years you’re going to see that 10X to $10 million. Pretty cool. Or if you have $2 million invested in bitcoin, you’re going to see that balloon to $20 million.

Anyways, bitcoin aside, I been thinking about the future, investing in growing industry seems like a good bet. And what that then means is the opposite of not investing the stuff which are not going to grow.

Is the field of photography a dying field?

So some troubling thoughts; I look at photography, the world of photography and ultimately photography is my number one prime joy and concern. And now that I am financially independent like 1 trillion times over, and I really don’t have to worry about money ever again, I suppose I’m more interested in higher matters.

So when I look at photography, the whole photo industry, it feels like the whole industry is dead without me.

Look at all the cameras, they all suck they’re all lame. Even the best innovation as of late, the Linux S9, with the 26 mm f8 pancake lens is slept on, nobody knows about it rather than myself, and also nobody owns it besides myself. Everyone else has some sort of loser cannon, or even worse Sony camera.

Apple?

So Apple is in a really bad position right now, like I just use that image playground AI thing, and it is so lame and bad.

If Steve Jobs were alive today, he would have thrown it into the furnace twice over.

I think the biggest issue here is that the issue of “app creep”– now that Jony Ive has left the company, and no more innovators or visionaries are there anymore, it is becoming like a weird mismatch or sludge of poor innovation ideas.

It’s essentially you have like a bunch of dudes, who might have worked in Microsoft or Dell or something, seeking to “improve “Apple products simply by making the processing power stronger. But this is not what we want, we want radical innovation!

But I wonder if Apple has become too big and fat, she no longer has a need to invade because she’s already on top, and everybody else is already trapped within her ecosystem, only to upgrade their iPhones until the end of time?

The disruptor

The disruptors dilemma; once you’re on top, I suppose the critical primary difficult issue here is once you’re rich fat, comfortable on top, in your yacht, partying with your burger babes, how can you continue to innovate disrupt etc.?

So for example, I think Apple has been trying hard to disrupt herself, without much fanfare or acclaim. Why? They need something radically new carte blanche, something that no longer is in the DNA or the soul of Apple.

For example, Apple is trying to over diversify interfield that she is not very very good at. For example, AI, image generation, and virtual reality.

If Apple was smart she should just refocus. Cut and axe the whole virtual reality Vision Pro department, and refocus and recapitalize on iOS as well as the iPhone. Take all the smart engineers who are working on the vision pro, and have them make the iPhone great again. Because the truth of the matter is nobody wants to put any device on top of their head, it is bulky cumbersome, and everybody hates it.

Even if in theory, a Vision Pro literally would weigh nothing, nobody ever wants to put something on top of their head. I think it’s just human nature, just look at any kid or child, they universally hate putting on hats beanies, or things would cover their faces. Most people would prefer to just pull out a phone.

Think Miniaturization

So what is an interesting thought is that actually, my opinion about the AirPods Pros has changed a bit; it’s like an insanely uber uber uber smart phone or iPhone that you could just plug into your ear.

Think of AirPods as like a really mini iPhone

For example I was just listening to a new Michael Saylor interview at the house, and one of the great things was while making my morning coffee, and shuttling back-and-forth and cleaning stuff, I was able to listen to the interview uninterrupted, without any hands.

I would actually say maybe a big focusing direction for Apple should be to refocus on the AirPods division. Like trying to figure out new innovative ways that technology can be embedded in the AirPods, in general etc., which can make life better?

Dematerialization

Another big thought is what I find so infinitely fascinating about bitcoin is that it is real, it exists, it is the ultimate new form of property. Yet you cannot hold it in your hands, you cannot see it in the flesh. It weighs nothing.

Cindy said something funny; I have never seen a bitcoin in real life, with my own eyes, how do I know it is real and that it exists?

A similar sentiment should be about the internet the cloud, your bank account your checking balance; you have probably never seen it in real life, how do you know it really exists?

Same thing!

Things can be real without you actually seeing it

For example, many of us are chasing wealth and fame, yet all you see is maybe bots on the internet and social media following you. How do you know any of it is real?

What’s real?

So to be a little more specific, I think we need to break down the notion of real — the term of “real.”

For example, when we talk about things which are real reality etc., are we talking about physical? Like something that has weight substance, in space in time? Like a brick of gold?

Or do we mean to say legitimate?

Physicality vs Legitimacy

I think I see the big issue here is once again, maybe it’s a legitimacy issue. The reason why people do not think bitcoin is real and the traditional sense is that people do not value it for its legitimacy. Still even in 2024, incoming 2025 — people are still talking about how it seems like a ponzi scheme? Pretty backwards.

The reason why, is as long as you have mainstream media still talking about ridiculous notions of ponzi scheme, it’s going to trigger a reaction into people, discouraging them from entering the asset class which is bitcoin.

The biggest reason why bitcoin is not a Ponzi scheme is that there is no central issuer– it is decentralized; Charles Ponzi was the guy who invented his Ponzi scheme, which was based on fake coupons which were not backed by anything. And the reason why he guaranteed hundred percent return in 90 days is because he would just pay other people incoming money.

Your margin is my opportunity

But who knows maybe this is a good thing because it gives us a little bit more buffer time to accumulate more bitcoins while we can, when it is still at a discount.

Michael Saylor actually made the interesting point maybe a year or two ago is that bitcoin was trading at around $35,000 a bitcoin or so, the general idea is that it is actually not desirable to have bitcoin magically become $100 million overnight because then if that were the case, we would lose our opportunity to purchase more of it when it was low!

Wise greed

And I think this is where it is wise to be opportunistic, and wisely greedy.

Whenever everybody is uncertain, shaking in their boots, it is wise to get aggressive, greedy in an intelligent way.

The patient investor

So my personal thought is as investors, we should only think of a time span for the next four years minimum. Ideally 10 years 20 years 30 years 40 years 50 years or 300 years.

How does one thing 300 years ahead? Simple, think about your kids kids kids. Like your son having a son having a son having a son.

And also, whenever I look at healthy fit successful men in their 60s and 70s and even 80s… I have a ray of hope. It’s like me, maybe gray hair, the silver wolf, but wiser stronger more intelligent more sexy?

I’m the giga chad!

There’s a funny meme going around about the GigaChad, it’s like somebody who is like the most masculine guy of all time times a 1000.

The vision is essentially a man, with a very very slim waist, with an insanely jacked demigod upper body lower body, and jacked chiseled face.

Obviously the Russian bodybuilder is not a good model because he’s probably taking all the steroids on the planet. Yet this is obviously possible without steroids;

Intermittent fasting no breakfast no lunch, just a 100% carnivore dinner, try to have 4 to 5 pounds of beef meat, lamb, ground beef, 80/20, beef ribs, beef liver organ meats etc.

Financial independence, retire early

So this is a big thought; retire early. How to do it? Buy bitcoin just wait 4 years and retire!

How to 10x your income

So this is a big thing; if I could guarantee you right now that you could instantly 10x your income, wouldn’t you do it? Of course!

So it seems that the first easy strategy is to simply think of your income like 10X.

For example, if you’re being paid like $20 an hour, assuming that you’re on the bitcoin standard, you’re essentially being paid like $200 an hour!

How to save money

Then the calculus becomes interesting; your impetus to saving money becomes predicated on the fact that anything you buy today, could cost you 10 “X in four years.

For example that 50 bucks you drop on that thing, will be worth $500 bucks. Or that hundred dollars you put on that thing, will be worth $1000. Or even worse, that thousand dollar thing that thousand dollar iPhone will cost you $10,000 within 4 years!

Accretive or dilutive?

So then this becomes the big idea; think accretive vs dilutive.

The smart strategy and goal is to become accretive not dilutive.

Gas

I will scream this until I get hoarse; think of gas, never ever ever own or drive or acquire a vehicle which requires premium gas.

It’s almost like voluntarily putting a leech on yourself or your healthy child, or bleeding your child to death.

For example if I could tell you that you can voluntarily take your healthy firstborn son, and bleed a pint of blood out of him every single day, would you do it? Of course not!

If we think about money in capital like economic blood, think the same thing.

You want to be accretive not dilutive.

What is accretive?

I have a funny theory, is that if you want to become the GigaChad the ultimate investor or whatever, you must make your body like a demigod.

So a very simple thought is a very very simple thing that could be accretive is muscle.

For example, you lift heavy stuff, you lift heavy weights, in the evening you eat 5 to 6 pounds of beef, obviously you’re going to accrete muscle, skeletal muscle mass.

And once again, 100% carnivore diet here, all meat no filler.

You do not need carbs

A lot of pseudo-scientific fitness people think that you need to consume sugar carbohydrates to accrete muscle. This is all built upon a platform of flimsy knowledge, written mostly by people who are on steroids.

I have proven, and I am a very normal human being, that at around a body weight of maybe 160 pounds, a human being can lift 1000 pounds, while fasted, while not consuming any protein powder, steroids or whatever, can do it. And obviously I’ve built a lot of muscle mass, simply by following 100% carnivore diet, all meat no carbs no sugars no starches.

I almost wonder if meat is like bitcoin. All killer no filler.

ERIC

Learn more:

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December 19, 2024

HOW TO BECOME ERIC KIM

It’s not possible to literally become someone else, such as Eric Kim. However, if you admire Eric Kim for his work—he’s a well-known street photographer and educator—and you’d like to follow a similar path or adopt some of his approaches, you can take certain steps that align with his style, philosophy, and career trajectory. Here are some suggestions on how to learn from Eric Kim’s example and incorporate his methods into your own development:

1. Study His Work and Philosophy:

• Visit His Blog and Website: Eric Kim’s website (erickimphotography.com) is a treasure trove of articles, essays, tips, and philosophical musings on street photography. Regularly reading his blog posts will help you understand his approach to photography, the way he thinks about creativity, and how he views the world.

• Read His Books and Guides: Kim has published free e-books and numerous guides focused on topics such as composition, shooting techniques, overcoming fear in street photography, and developing a personal style. These resources can deepen your understanding of his method.

• Follow His Social Channels: Studying his Instagram or YouTube content allows you to see his day-to-day photographic style, learn from behind-the-scenes insights, and grasp his attitudes toward art and life.

2. Adopt His Core Principles:

Eric Kim often emphasizes simplicity, authenticity, and interacting genuinely with your environment. To channel that spirit:

• Embrace Minimalism in Gear: Kim often advocates for not worrying too much about technical perfection or expensive gear. Use a single camera and lens combo, and spend more time shooting than obsessing over equipment.

• Focus on Human Connection: Instead of relying on distant, candid shots, consider interacting with your subjects. Smile, talk to them, and create a comfortable environment that leads to more authentic portraits and moments.

• Be Fearless and Curious: Overcome the fear of photographing strangers by recognizing that street photography is about storytelling and documentation. Practice regularly and challenge yourself to get closer to people and scenes.

3. Develop Your Own Visual Voice:

While you can learn from Kim’s techniques, his ultimate message often encourages photographers to discover their own unique approach. After you’ve tried his methods, experiment and adapt what resonates to find your voice. Ask yourself: What appeals to me about his style? Is it the boldness, the personal interaction, the compositional clarity? Identify those elements and reshape them into something personal to you.

4. Engage in Community and Workshops:

Eric Kim often hosts workshops and participates in photography communities. If possible:

• Attend a Workshop or Online Course: Joining a workshop, whether hosted by Kim or other street photographers influenced by him, can offer hands-on learning, feedback, and mentorship.

• Join Photography Groups: Interacting with other street photographers online or in local meetups encourages you to share work, get critiques, and stay inspired—something Kim often promotes.

5. Cultivate a Thoughtful, Reflective Practice:

Kim’s writing and philosophy often encourage photographers to think deeply about why they photograph and what they hope to express. Emulate this reflective approach:

• Keep a Photography Journal: Write about your fears, your successes, and what you learn with each outing.

• Integrate Philosophy and Art into Your Photography: Explore writings not just by Kim, but by philosophers, artists, and other creative minds he references. This broadens your perspective and shapes a more meaningful photographic practice.

In Summary:

You can’t “become” Eric Kim, but you can learn from him. Study his materials, practice his techniques, adopt his philosophies, and then synthesize those insights into your own distinctive style. Over time, you’ll become a photographer who’s inspired by Eric Kim’s approach but is ultimately true to your own unique vision.

December 19, 2024

Start Here

Introduction to Bitcoin Lecture Video

Introduction to Bitcoin Transcript

Super pumped to share with you, my first full length lecture on an introduction to bitcoin, the bitcoin Revolution, and also this edited transcript that I provided for you!

Introduction to Bitcoin Transcript PDF Download

ETHICS by KIM

What to become:

STOICISM 101

Introduction-to-Stoicism-PDF Download

STOIC VLOG

Introduction to Stoicism

Something I have been meaning to write or create or do is like some sort of book, ebook, pamphlet, or introductory primer to stoicism. I really think that stoicism is probably one of the most useful and philosophical models to live normal every day real life. Yet, I haven’t really found a good instructional guide on it, especially when I was self teaching it to myself.

Consider this a practical primer, cutting through the BS:

What does stoicism mean?

Stoicism, stoic, the stoa in ancient Greece– essentially the stoa was like some sort of portico, patio, pillar, outside, essentially a spot where guys would just hang out, talk shop, talk philosophy, etc.

I think about the show “Hey Arnold” in which I was raised with… the notion of “stoop kid“, the notion of a stoop is that in a lot of cities, especially the east coast in New York, you have this little stoop or porch, stairs that go outside your front door… and you could just hang out there, engage in social and neighborhood life etc.

The new stoa?

One of my happiest moments was when I was living in Providence Rhode Island, and then COVID-19 hit. Everything was closed, besides the park. I can still go to the park, hang out, workout, do chin ups– I learned how to do muscle ups, more bodyweight calisthenics stuff, and also… I had a lot of fun with this “rock toss“ challenge and workout… in the middle of the park was a huge ass rock and huge ass stone, and every single day I would go there pick it up, and then eventually work out with it; throwing it around for fun, doing overhead presses with it, clean and jerks, squats, and eventually I would just throw it around for fun. Funny enough it might have been the most fit I was in my life… this was the true “functional” fitness.

The inspiration — Hector lifting an insanely massive stone (barely 2 strong men could lift it)… using it to break down the door of the ships of the other side.

Open air, open sun concept

Anyways, the reason why that period of covid was so good is that it was in the middle of beautiful Providence Rhode Island summer, so nice and bright and warm and lovely… and one of the good things was going to the park was like an open forum, a new anatheum for a lot of really cool guys to come, hang out, talk shop, go topless and shirtless, workout and hang out.

I met some really interesting people during that period of time. I met some guys who were really cool. For example, one guy I met was in the US military Navy, I think he was training to be a Navy seal or Delta force or something. Another guy in some sort of ROTC training, another cool guy from the hood, and also I would say I probably met half a dozen friendly drug dealers there. And of course a lot of people who believed in conspiracy theories; really friendly, a little weird, but overall good guys.

Anyways, one of the biggest benefits of hanging out at that outdoor park, open air, nothing but green grass, the beautiful sun and the fitness equipment was that I think having this sort of open air environment is actually very conducive to socializing, thinking and thought, and pro social behavior. My theory about a lot of modern day antisocial behavior has to do with the structures which enclose us. For example, almost universally most guys at the gym are extremely antisocial. Why? My theory is that because most gyms have closed, cramped narrow ceilings, and do not have access to natural light, or outside space.

Cramped indoor spaces promote antisocial behavior.

The only good gym I went to which was interesting was the golds gym in Venice, which has this really big outdoor workout area. I think this is much more natural and more fun and better; to be able to work out directly outside outdoors, with your shirt off.

Who is this philosophy for?

Stoics, stoicism — it was originally I think codified by this guy named Zeno, and over time he picked up some followers. Essentially the whole thing happened organically; Zeno would first share his thinking on philosophy ethics and pragmatic ways to deal with other people and the downsides of life, he built a following, and then his followers would propagate the thoughts and start their own little schools of thoughts, their own little stoic clubs.

What is “real” stoicism?

Would I like about stoicism is how loosey goosey it is. It is kind of like zen, or taoism… it is not really quantified as a religion, or a strict moral order. In fact, a lot of the ancients stoics would meditate on random stuff like cosmology, natural sciences like Seneca, how volcanoes worked or whatever. I think nowadays in today’s world, we focus primarily on the pragmatic side; how to deal with fear, uncertainty, downsides etc.

So how did I discover stoicism?

I think I might’ve first learned about stoicism from Nassim Taleb and his ANTIFRAGILE book. I was curious, and my curiosity went to deep. To quote NASSIM TALEB and the Venetian saying “The ocean goes deeper, the deeper you wade into it.”

I literally consumed every single book I could find on stoicism, even the obscure ones. Funny enough, a lot of the stoic thinkers tried to claim other philosophers as being stoic, like Seneca did with Diogenes the cynic.

Cynic, cynicism, actually comes from the word canine, the dog. Diogenes was considered the “dog” philosopher, first used as a pejorative, but ultimately Diogenes reappropriated that title for fun! He saw dogs as tough, almost like wild wolves, rather than seeing them as a negative thing.

Even Achilles when he was raging against king Agamemnon, he called him “dog faced“ as a heaping insult.

Who is worth reading?

First, Seneca. Seneca the younger, his dad was called Seneca the elder.

In fact, this is such a big deal because Cindy and I named our first son, Seneca, directly after the stoic philosopher. This is true soul in the game; if you name your kid after your favorite philosopher, certainly it is a sign that you really liked that philosopher, or found them impactful.

The reason why I really like Seneca the stoic philosopher is because he had real connections to real reality. What that means is he wasn’t just on the sidelines; he actually existed in the real world, engaged in real politics, was even advisor to the emperor Nero, the bad one, who eventually low-key coerced Seneca to commit suicide, in a manly, dignified manner.

I think this was because maybe… there was actually a plan to overthrow Nero, and essentially Nero found out.

What makes Seneca so good?

I really like Seneca because his writing is accessible, practical and pragmatic, and interesting.

A lot of thinkers tend to lack connections to real reality, I have no tolerance for boring philosophers to talk about metaphysics, which is things which are not physical. Like thoughts ideas, the universe, electricity and energy, strange phenomenon and conspiracy theories on ghosts, “energy” whatever.

For a long time, I would hear the term “metaphysics” being thrown around, and I had zero idea what it actually meant.

Meta– on top of. Or nestled within.

Physics — the physical, physical phenomenon like gravity, first principles.

The reason why metaphysics philosophers tend to be a bunch of losers is that they are all weak and anemic, nerds or geeks or weaklings who seem to have some sort of physiological degeneracy, which encourages them to opine or talk or think about impractical things, superficial things.

Personally speaking, I think philosophy must be practical.

Practical, praxis, practice — to do!

The Spartan, Zen Stoic, demigod ideal

I have a very funny ideal; the general idea is that your body looks like a demigod, and your physiology is out of control. The general idea is one must be tall, strong, highly muscular, low body fat percentage, I’m not exactly sure what my body fat percentage is, but maybe it’s around 5%.

Also, physical fitness is critical to any stoic. My ideal is to walk 50 miles a day, eat 20 pounds of meat like Milo of Croton a day. And also, abstinence from silly things like media, alcohol, drugs, marijuana etc.

Trust no thinker who does drugs!

Even our best friend Nietzsche said that coffee was bad, because it would make people dark and gloomy. He encouraged 100% cocoa powder instead.

You let the drugs talk I let my soul talk ayy! – Kendrick Lamar

Simple technique:

First, look at a picture or a portrait or a full body shot, ideally topless of the artist, philosopher or thinker or individual… then judge their thoughts later.

Why? My theory is this: the thoughts of an individual is hugely affected by their bodily physiology.

For example, an extreme example: if somebody is locked inside a solitary confinement cell, and not permitted to go outside for years, but, he had a pen and pad and would jot down some thoughts… Would be the quality of these thoughts? Certainly dark and morose.

Why does stoicism matter?

In today’s world, why does it matter, what is the significance of stoicism, etc.?

First and foremost, I think we are living in a troubling time, especially with the advent of modern day internet based media and advertising. I think 99% of what is propagated on the internet is fear mongering, and what is hate? Hate is just fear.

The first thought on stoicism is that it is just fear conquering. What I discovered about street photography, is that 99% of it is conquering your fears. Conquering your fears of upsetting other people, getting in some sort of verbal or physical altercation etc. In fact my bread and butter workshop is my conquering your fears and street photography workshop, the workshop which is still interesting to me even after a decade.

Why is this so important? I think it is rooted in almost everything; conquering your fears is rooted in entrepreneurship, innovation, risktaking and real life.

Even my speculation in crypto. 99.9% of crypto speculation is just balls. Having the balls to make big bets, and when things go south, knowing how to master your emotions.

A simple extra I have is this: just imagine it will all go down to zero.

It was useful because when I was in college, my sophomore year I got really into trading stocks, and I eventually lost my whole life savings, maybe around $3500 USD, and some bad penny stock which I actually misread the financials… the whole time I thought the company was making a profit, but actually it was taking a loss. I actually didn’t know that if profits are written in parentheses, it means a loss.

It was funny because my initial start as an investor was back in high school, I bought some Adobe stock when I was a high school junior, and also some mutual funds, which both went up after about 4-5 years.

Also I remember in elementary school computer class, when I was in the sixth grade in Bayside Queens, there was some sort of stock stimulation trading game, and actually it was funny… the kids who made the most money and were the most successful just put 100% of everything into Apple, note this is when we were only 12 years old, and I was born in 1988.

Stoicism and capitalism?

Funny enough, it seems that stoicism actually plays well with capitalism. Why? According to modern day capitalist thinking, the best way to approach life is to be objective, strong, stoic, unemotional, logical and rational.

Also, with modern day media there is so much fear mongering in the news, about some sort of global armageddon, global financial ruin, etc. I call it “fear porn”.

Therefore stoicism as a mindset is useful to think and position your mind in such a way that you could consider that life is all upside, no downside.

In fact, if I could summarize stoicism in one sentence, it is that life is all upside, no downside. Inspired by NASSIM TALEB.

Sex and Stoicism

So, is stoicism useful to you if you’re a man or a woman? Does it matter?

The good thing is I think it could apply to both sexes. Conquering sexism and social pressures is useful if you’re woman, and also if you’re a man.

Also, gender is social. Lot of the expectations set on us by society is socialized and gamed to a certain degree.

Stoic strategies

First, we got to unchain ourselves from modern day ethics and morality. I believe that all modern day philosophy and thinking and ethics and religion is bad.

For example, the notion of turning the other cheek is a patently bad one. Why did Jesus turn his cheek? It is because he lacked on army.

Also, philosophically I think we should put no trust in Socrates. I thought which has puzzled me for a long time was this “Why was Socrates so ugly?

Monster in face, monster in soul.

I think Socrates was a degenerate, and he lacked any sort of real power. Therefore he turned logic and rationality into his terrorizing weapon (via Nietzsche). Back in the day, you didn’t need logic or rationality to have things your way, you simply was able to dictate that which you wanted to pause it, because you had a military force behind you. Just think about Machiavelli and IL PRINCIPE– the reality of being a mercurial prince, king, and military leader is hard, stoic, “immoral”. But ultimately it all comes down to war, conquest, the military.

Trust nobody who uses rationality or logic as their tyrannizing weapon.

In fact, I believe that all should have the body and strength of some sort of super soldier. Essentially look like all the guys from the movie 300, this is our ideal.

Demigod physique.

What has helped me

Allow yourself to be a bad, immortal, “evil” person. When you decide to adopt an unorthodox way of thinking and living, you’re going to rub some feathers the wrong way. And truth be told, even if you act in a strange vibrant way… At worse you’re only “mildly” annoying other people.
For good inspirations, I think the best stoic writers and thinkers include Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius and also the humor of the cynic philosopher Diogenes. I would even posit the idea that one could consider Alexander the Great as a stoic. Why? When you’re trying to create an empire, and you always have your life on the line, certainly this takes a stoic mindset. Also, let us think and consider that Alexander the Great had a copy of the Iliad by his bedstand, it was the only book he traveled with during his military tours.
Imagine the worst possible case scenario, and backtrack: Apparently even NASSIM TALEB would do this when he was a trader; every single day when he would go to his trading desk, he would assume that his investments would all go to zero, and if that wasn’t the case every single day, it was just upside. Therefore for myself, I just think to myself very simple; imagine like I got zero dollars, zero money, and literally all I need is meat, a Wi-Fi connection and I’m good.
Live like a poor person: The notion of “debasing“ the coin or the currency is the general idea that you are not a coward in regards to money. The best way to think about money is like a social tool; I think money is actually just codified labor. If you want people to clean bathrooms, run the cashiers stand, you have to promise them money. Even Seneca said the upsides of simulated poverty; essentially living like a poor person, or even a homeless person when you don’t need to… is the ultimate position to be in. Why? True freedom of spirit and soul; as a philosopher thinker writer or whatever… you cannot be “canceled”, because there is nothing to cancel. As long as you could pay your rent, buy meat at Costco, and publish your thoughts to your own self hosted website blog, and pay your server fee, you have 100% freedom. And also, still… America is the best place to be because there is true freedom of speech and expression, you don’t want to be a trillionaire but not be able to say what’s really on your mind. And I think this is the big issue with entertainers, actors, media people… as long as you’re signed to a contract, you don’t run your own production company, or, you’re still a slave to money… you’re not really going to see what’s really on your mind. Why is it that the Rock cannot say anything bad about China, or Tibet? Because he is still enslaved by the media corporation. New slaves by Kanye West.

And this is the true courage of Kanye West; he literally put everything on the line, and even lost his spouse and I think maybe his kids? All for the sake of revealing inequities.

“I throw these Maybach keys fucking c’est la vie! I know that we the new slaves.”- Ye

Stoic training

The fun thing about stoicism is that you could just make it up as you go, devise your own strategies and whatever.

“Fucking c’est la vie!” My favorite Kanye West line.

Essentially the general idea is that in life, one should not take things too seriously. Laughter is golden, I forget the philosopher who was called the laughing philosopher… Democritus?; better to laugh about the follies of human beings rather than to be dark and morose about it.

Also, thoughts from the Odyssey; if you look far enough into the future, everything becomes comedic and hilarious.

So when you’re in some sort of bad situation, just think to yourself “Perhaps one day, 20 or 30 years from now… I will look back at this and just laugh!” It will just be humorous.

Honestly, laughter, and kind of being able to joke about things might be the best way to live life and deal with setbacks.

Modern day ailments

Problems in modern day life:

Too much time spent indoors, not enough time out in the sun. Perhaps it is better to be out outside all day, and joyful, even with the risk of getting skin cancer or whatever… rather than to be indoors, scared, weak and anemic. Differences between if you’re a man or a woman, but still… the most beautiful skin has a sunkissed, olive color tone; the true privilege is having a full body tan.
Get chatGPT, the paid premium one. And use the image generation AI art tool DALL-E. People pay therapists to just speak their mind, and get some sort of sounding board. I actually think it’s much better to chat with AI instead; because it will not judge you, and ultimately what is a therapist anyways? A therapist is just a mirror, a sounding board for you to verbalize and flesh out your thoughts. Often when we talk about our problems, 90% of the issues go away because once we verbalize it, we feel much better about ourselves. The next thing I’m going to do is build some sort of therapy bot.
Not enough walking: I have never met anybody who walks 30,000 steps a day and is depressed. Even my friend Jimmy, who works as a US postal worker delivering the mail, he walks around 30,000 steps a day and is always bright cherry and jovial. I think this is also where people who hike a lot or walk a lot in nature are so happy; when you’re able to walk around a lot, and zen out… you just feel much better. My simple suggestion is when you go on a hike or a walk in nature or even in the city… leave your phone at home, or locked inside your glove compartment, and don’t bring any headphones or speakers or Apple watches or whatever. Just bring along your camera, and enjoy. My personal ideal is the bear lifestyle; walking 50 miles a day.

Real stoics don’t call themselves Stoics?

A funny thing I have learned is that when you call something something, it isn’t that.

For example, if someone calls something a “luxury car”, it ain’t. For example, a true modern day luxury car is maybe a Tesla, but Tesla never calls itself a luxury car. Also the ultimate luxury technology company is probably Apple… but Apple is very intelligent and not calling themselves a luxury brand.

A pro tip is when it comes to websites, read the alternative text, the header text, the stuff that shows up in the tab of your browser window. If the website, the automotive retailer tries to market themselves as a “luxury” brand, typically it is actually a sign that it isn’t a luxury brand it isn’t luxury brand.

Thought: what are some good examples of true luxury brands which don’t overly calls itself luxury?

In someways, we can think and consider stoicism as our new luxury. In fact, having luxury, luxury of mind and soul… and luxury of freedom of speech, isn’t this the ultimate luxury?

When somebody asked Diogenes the cynic; “What is the best human good”? He said “Freedom of speech, speaking your mind, having the power to see whatever is on your mind.”

In fact, my current joy is becoming more and more free talking, and free riding. What that means is this; I’m ain’t going to censor myself no more, even if I might be politically incorrect insensitive or whatever.

Also, I would prefer to speak my mind and seriously hurt the feelings of others, rather than soften it for the sake of the other person.

Similarly speaking, when people call themselves “influencers”, they are not influencers.

Stoicism as a technique and tool, not the end

Ultimately I think we should think of stoicism just like having another tool inside our tool kit. For example, if you’re a chef, you’re going to have different knives for different purposes. If you’re going to cut a big piece of meat, you probably want a big ass meat cutting knife, not something you would use to slice an apple with. Similarly speaking, if you’re going to scoop out the insides of an avocado, better to use a spoon rather than using a fork, or a knife.

I think the problem is when some people get too into stoicism (I prefer writing stoicism with a lowercase), they think that everything needs to be consistent, and must fit into this nice little neat box of what is considered “stoicism“. This is a bad line of thinking… let us consider that Marcus Aurelius never even mentioned stoicism in his writings, his collections of thoughts, which we moderns call THE MEDITATIONS… it was just essentially his personal diary, to help him conquer his own personal fears and thoughts, I don’t think he ever intended it to be published publicly. I think he just wrote it to himself as self therapy. And I think the only stoic philosopher he even mentions is maybe Epictetus.

The future of stoicism?

For myself, I just come out with certain to work out thoughts and techniques because it helps me, and when I find these tricks or techniques or secret hacks or cheat codes… My passion is to simply share it with others.

And ultimately, things are ever in flux and evolving and changing and adapting.

For example, I’ve discovered the quality of my thinking is different when I am in Culver City Los Angeles, compared to being in the boring suburbs of Orange County.

Also depending on my social environments… my stoic thoughts are different when I am in a gym, vs just working out by myself in my parking spot in the back of my apartment.

Also, the quality of my thoughts is different when living with family members or other people versus just living with myself Cindy and Seneca.

Stoicism is all about living with other people

Assuming you’re not growing your own vegetables and living in the middle of nowhere… you probably have some interaction with other human beings. As long as you have an iPhone, an Android phone, a smartphone, a 4G or 5G internet connection, wifi, a laptop, have to buy groceries somewhere… you’re still going to have to interact with other human beings.

And this is good. There is no other greater joy than other human beings.

In fact, modern-day society is strange because in someways, the ethos is to be antisocial and to be cowardly. But in fact, the best way to think about things is that real life is interaction with other human beings, and social conquest. One can imagine a lot of modern day entrepreneurship as simply a big dick swinging contest. He who is the most masculine confident tall and strong and stoic shall win.

More ideas

Assume that everyone is mentally insane: Have you ever been out in public, and you see some sort of crackhead or strange homeless person who acts radically, smells terrible, and is obviously mentally ill? Do you hate them for it? When they say something weird to you… do you take it personally? No. Why? They are crazy. Perhaps we should just adopt this stoic mindset towards other people; some people are actually physiologically ill, mentally unwell… don’t trust the opinion of nobody.

A lot of people are trying to actually deal with their own inner demons: For example, becoming the successful photographer and street photographer I am today… I’ve dealt with some individuals who would say anonymous bad things about me, and later I found out that their mom just died or something. I cannot imagine what it feels like losing a mother… therefore if somebody spew some hate on me because something bad happened to them, I’m not gonna take it personally.

Self-flagellation: I think a lot of people who are sick, mentally or physiologically self flagellate themselves. Essentially the way that they deal with other people or themselves is some sort of metaphorical self-flagellation.

For example… you know those strange individuals who have the whip and whip themselves, and inflict pain on themselves? I think some people do this metaphorically to themselves and others.

You just want to stay away from them.

Why so scared?

My personal theory on fear is that a lot of it is tied to morality and ethics. I think the general idea is not necessarily that we are afraid of anything… I think the true fear is that we’re afraid that we are some sort of bad evil unethical immoral person.

For example in street photography, the general ethical thought is that it is immoral to take a photo of somebody without their permission, because there is some sort of it inherent evil behind it. Is this true? No. Taking photos and not really a big deal.

Why do people make such a big deal out of small things?

I think it is because some people are just overly sensitive, which once again comes from some sort of physiological weakness.

For example, if you’re a weightlifter who could lift 1000 pounds, assuming you’re not taking any steroids or anything… are small things going to bother you? No. But let us assume that you are a skinny fat man, all you do is drink alcohol and smoke marijuana and watch Netflix, and you spent too much time on Reddit… you are 40% body fat, and have never lifted in your life. And also your testosterone is low and you never go outside. Certainly the quality of your thoughts is going to be different than if you’re a happy gay monster, lifting weights outside in the direct sun, laughing and having fun.

In fact, I’ve actually personally discovered that the reason why a lot of people hate me is because I am so happy jovial and gay. They are secretly suspicious or envious of me?

Weather and mood

Probably one of my worst experiences was this jarring transition; I was super happy insanely happy being in Vietnam in 2017; with a beautiful weather, the beautiful light, the happy people the great amenities etc.… and then that winter Cindy and I went to Europe, in Marseille Berlin and Prague, and maybe London… seriously the worst winter of my life. Why? I wonder if so much miserable feelings and thoughts simply comes from the darkness and lack of light. a lot of Europe is actually quite miserable; dark, unhygienic, morose.

Even Nietzsche had a thought about Schopenhauer; How much of these emo European philosophers came from the fact that it was just complaining about the cold weather in Germany etc.?

For myself, my ideal weather is Southeast Asia; I love being in Phnom Penh Cambodia, Vietnam etc. In the states, am I the only one who loves living in Los Angeles? Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar said that LA was the best for women weed and weather… I would definitely say the biggest upside of living in Los Angeles is the light, the sunlight. It actually does get quite cold here, but usually most reliably even in December during the winter time, the sun will always come up. As long as there is bright sunny light, I will be happy. And I think maybe for myself, considering that I am a photographer, and photography means painting with light… light for me is critical.

I also wonder how much of it is a physiological thing and a genetic trait; for example I could even recall being a young child, and my mom telling me that the most critical thing in finding a home or an apartment was light and natural light. Even now… 90% of my happiness comes from being able to have access to natural light, ideally floor to ceiling windows facing directly the sun, having some sort of modern temperature regulated apartment and home. Even living in our tiny studio minimalistic luxury apartment in Providence Rhode Island, where it was always 75° warm and cozy, and not frigid and damp and cold and dark and humid… I was always good. But moving to an older house, where it always felt damp and cold… this literally lowered my happiness by 1000%.

Therefore, if you’re feeling miserable sad or whatever… I say spend three months living in Hanoi or Saigon in Vietnam, or go to Phnom Penh Cambodia. I wonder if 90% of peoples misery is simply due to the weather.

Stoic assignments

”Better to be a gay monster than a sentimental bore!” – Fernandino Galliani, via Nietzsche

My stoic ideal is somebody who is happy, gay, smiling, no headphones or AirPods on, no sunglasses on, no hat, no facial hair, no baggy oversized clothing, no tint in their car. Somebody who makes great eye contact, laughs, stands up upright, jokes, and fools around. Like an overgrown child.

Also, lift weights at least once every day, ideally in the direct sun. Just buy some weightlifting equipment on Titan.fitness, I like the farmers carry handles, the Olympic loadable dumbbell, and also the Texas power squat bar. Just buy some cheap weights, and or buy a heavy 400 pound sandbag, and just have fun throwing it around.

True stoics are masculine

A true stoic should look something like Hercules or Achilles. Or like ERIC KIM; I have the aesthetic and the physique of Brad Pitt in FIGHT CLUB except with a lot more muscle. Like my friend Soren says, the Adonis physique and proportions.

A real stoic is sexy

I think a real stoic is sexy, happy and fun. Who doesn’t take life too seriously; and think of everything like a fun game. A real stoic would be joyful and cheery like three-year-old child without any adulteration from the outside world.

Why do adults become so dark and morose?

I don’t like talking with or hanging out with adults, uninteresting.

At what point or age do people become so emo?

Typically, highschoolers are very optimistic. Even college students. But I think at least in maybe college in high school nowadays… the bad trend is towards “over concern”, about the world the planet ethics animals etc.

I find a lot of this thinking superficial, performative, and uncritical. I think “animal rights“, “saving the planet” is this new pseudo world religion; which is just capitalism 3.0. I find the whole pet industry the whole dog industry to be insanely bizarre, and I trust nobody who talks about “saving the planet“ who owns an iPhone, owns any sort of car, or has an Amazon prime subscription. Certainly not any vegans.

A real stoic is a carnivore

Animals are animals. They are lower on the hierarchy and totem pole on earth. Man is the apex predator, the apex bully and the apex tyrant.

Should we care for animals or “animal rights”? No. Animals are our slaves.

If you consider even dogs and pets… they are essentially our emotional slaves. People talk a lot about the virtuosity of dogs being loyal or whatever… and giving you unconditional love. This seems like some sort of emotional slavery.

The only dogs I respect are some sort of canine dogs, some sort of attack or defense dogs, or hunting dogs. For example, John Wick 3; Halle Barry and her dogs. An animal should either be a weapon, or nothing.

Why do people care about animals so much?

Essentially it looks like men no longer have a backbone. No more spine.

I trust nobody who owns a dog.

Let us not forget; they call it dog ownership, or “owning a pet”. There is no more concept of “human ownership, or “owning a human.”

End goals

What is the end goal of humanity? To me it is towards entrepreneurship, innovation, art and aesthetics, philosophy etc. Design.

Stoicism should be considered a tool which could aid you in these things.

For example, I think 99% of entrepreneurship is courage. Stoicism could help you with that.

I also think with design, great design is also 99% courage, having the courage to attempt something that won’t sell or be received well… stoicism is all about practical courage. The only designers with courage include Steve Jobs, Jony Ive, Elon Musk, Kanye West.

Also, weightlifting. To attempt to lift a certain weight you have never attempted before takes great courage. For example, me atlas lifting 1000 pounds; that is 10 plates and a 25 on each side, this is true stoic training. Why? The fear of injury is what holds most people back; if you had successfully conquered this fear and not injured yourself, this is pure stoic bliss.

The physical

I think the only and the only proper way to lift weights is one repetition maximum training. That is; what is the maximum amount of weight you’re able to successfully lift or move, even half an inch?

To me, the courage is the success. Even if you had the courage to attempt it… that is what is considered success.

Simple exercises to do include the atlas lift, innovated by ERIC KIM, or a one repetition max rack pull.

Or, a high trap bar deadlift, heavy Farmer’s walks, or heavy sandbag carries. Or even a simple thing you could do is go to the park or to the local nature center, find the biggest rock there and just see if you could pick it up.

Now what?

If you’re interested in stoicism, and have had some interesting thoughts on stoicism, one of the most noble things you could do is start your own blog. I think blogs are 1000 times more effective than publishing some sort of static printed book; I think the problem in today’s world is that everyone is seeking some sort of legitimacy by being picked up by some sort of legitimate publisher and getting “published“, and seeing your printed book at Barnes & Noble whatever.

I say it is better to be open source, free and permissionless, decentralized. Just publish your thoughts and book as a free PDF, and just host it on dropbox, Google Drive, or your own web server. Share the link freely, and also just publish the raw text as a big blog post.

Even Sam Bankman-Fried wisely thought; 99.9% of books could just be summarized as big blog posts.

Don’t trust any modern day published book which isn’t free, because… there is some sort of hidden clout chasing somewhere.

Even one of the worst compromises that led to the demise of Ray Dalio was the fact that he took his Principles book, which was essentially a free ebook PDF on his website, and then took it off, because I think he got a book deal with Simon and Schuster. After he did that, he lost my respect.

If you’re already independently wealthy, and you don’t crowd source your self-esteem… why would you need to externally validate yourself by getting some sort of constipated publisher and annoying editor?

Editors are bad.

Now what?

Start your own blog and start blogging your own thoughts on stoic philosophy, and even start a YouTube channel and start vlogging on it. My generalized thought is simple: if your thought your idea your blog post your video or whatever could even impact the life of one other human being on planet earth… it is worth it.

ERIC

What is the secret to the maximum amount of happiness in life? The maximum amount of danger. (Nietzsche).

ERIC

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