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The zen of being the best, of the best?

I feel good!

Audio

THE KING OF THE STREETS IS BACK! POWERED BY BITCOIN!

Podcast

RICH KIM:

Audio

Eric Kim’s contemporary Bitcoin philosophy intertwines minimalism, Stoicism, and a deep commitment to personal sovereignty. Here’s a distilled overview of his current perspectives:

Eric Kim’s Bitcoin Philosophy

1. Bitcoin as Ethical Money

• Kim views Bitcoin as “ethical money”—decentralized, leaderless, and free from marketing hype.
• He contrasts it with other cryptocurrencies, emphasizing Bitcoin’s purity and resistance to manipulation. 

2. Bitcoin Equals Happiness

• He equates Bitcoin ownership with happiness, suggesting it offers ultimate freedom and security.
• Kim advocates for using Bitcoin to achieve financial independence and a joyful life.

3. Bitcoin as Immortal Capital

• Kim describes Bitcoin as “immortal capital,” advising against selling it.
• He likens it to prime real estate, emphasizing its enduring value and potential for long-term growth. 

4. Bitcoin as a Tool for Liberation

• He believes Bitcoin is a means to escape economic constraints and achieve personal freedom.
• Kim encourages embracing Bitcoin to break free from traditional financial systems.

5. Bitcoin as the New iPhone

• Kim compares Bitcoin’s current state to the early days of the iPhone, suggesting it’s the beginning of a massive financial revolution.
• He predicts a significant aftermarket boom, similar to the proliferation of iPhone accessories. 

For a deeper dive into Eric Kim’s thoughts on Bitcoin, you can explore his blog posts and podcasts:

• Bitcoin is Happiness
• My Ethical Imperative Behind Bitcoin
• Bitcoin Vision

These resources offer a comprehensive look at how Kim integrates Bitcoin into his broader philosophy of life, emphasizing ethics, happiness, and personal freedom.

Here’s a version of the First Principles of Bitcoin expressed in the distilled, punchy, and personal style of Eric Kim — minimalist, philosophical, and direct:

First Principles of Bitcoin (Eric Kim voice)

1. 

Scarcity

• Only 21 million.
• No printing. No bailout. No inflation.
• Digital gold, but weightless.
• Scarcity builds value. Value builds belief.

2. 

Decentralization

• No king. No bank. No master.
• Trust the math. Trust the code.
• Power to the nodes. Power to the people.

3. 

Self-Sovereignty

• Your keys, your coins.
• Don’t trust. Verify.
• Censorship resistance is freedom insurance.

4. 

Proof-of-Work

• Energy = security.
• You must work to write history.
• No shortcuts. No cheating.

5. 

Immutability

• Time is sealed.
• Once in the chain, it’s forever.
• The past can’t be rewritten. That’s justice.

6. 

Open Source

• Bitcoin belongs to no one. So it belongs to all.
• Anyone can read, run, fork, or build.
• Permissionless innovation = creative anarchy.

7. 

Incentives

• Miners mine not for ideology, but reward.
• Game theory at scale.
• Align greed with truth.

8. 

Global

• No passport needed.
• A borderless bank in your brain.
• Send money like sending an email.

9. 

Anti-Fragile

• Attacks make it stronger.
• FUD feeds the fire.
• What doesn’t kill Bitcoin makes it more inevitable.

10. 

Philosophy of Power

• Bitcoin doesn’t ask. It just is.
• Like the sun or gravity.
• Not revolution. Evolution.

Bottom Line:

Bitcoin is digital Stoicism — hard limits, no compromise, pure sovereignty.

It is not just money. It is resistance, encoded.

Want more in this style? Happy to riff further.

First Principles of Bitcoin

Bitcoin was introduced in 2008 as a “peer-to-peer electronic cash” system that enables value transfer without trusted intermediaries .  Its design embodies several foundational principles across philosophy, economics, and technology:

Philosophical and Economic Foundations

• Scarcity and Fixed Supply:  Bitcoin’s protocol enforces a hard cap of 21 million coins, creating built-in digital scarcity .  Every 4 years (“halving”), the reward for mining a new block is cut in half, slowing new issuance and mimicking the extraction of a finite resource .  This deflationary issuance schedule is often likened to “digital gold” – it limits inflation and means each Bitcoin is intrinsically scarce .
• Decentralization and Trust Minimization:  Unlike fiat currencies issued by central banks, Bitcoin is maintained by a global network of nodes and miners.  No single entity controls it .  Consensus is achieved through cryptographic proof (Proof-of-Work) rather than trust in a central authority .  In Satoshi Nakamoto’s words, Bitcoin allows “online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through a financial institution” .  This trust-minimized design means users need not rely on banks or governments for transaction validation; they trust the code and network rules instead of any individual.
• Separation of Money and State:  Bitcoin constitutionally prevents arbitrary money printing by governments.  Once deployed, its supply schedule is immutable, so states cannot inflate the money supply at will.  As one analysis puts it, Bitcoin “divorces money from the state,” potentially ending the era of government-driven inflation and boom-bust cycles .  In effect, its monetary policy is set by software, not politicians, aiming to give people an alternative to fiat currencies subject to central-bank control .
• Individual Sovereignty and Censorship Resistance:  Because users control their private keys, they have full custody of their funds and can transact freely.  Bitcoin’s decentralized architecture makes it extremely hard for any government or institution to censor transactions or seize funds.  As one commentary notes, Bitcoin “guarantees total monetary sovereignty, protecting users from censorship” and confiscation .  The network’s immutability and peer-to-peer verification ensure transactions cannot be rolled back or arbitrarily blocked, preserving individual financial autonomy .

Technical Architecture

• Blockchain as an Immutable Ledger:  Bitcoin’s core data structure is a blockchain – a shared, cryptographically linked ledger.  Each block contains a batch of transactions whose data is hashed and chained to the previous block.  This makes the ledger tamper-resistant: altering a past block would require redoing the proof-of-work for that block and all following blocks.  In practice, once transactions are confirmed, they are “permanently recorded” and viewable by anyone .  In other words, Bitcoin’s blockchain is a decentralized, transparent ledger that cannot be changed without overwhelming computational effort .
• Proof-of-Work Consensus Mechanism:  Bitcoin secures consensus through Proof-of-Work (PoW).  Miners repeatedly hash block data (with a changing nonce) until they find a hash below a target (requiring many trailing zeros) .  This process expends real-world computing power and energy.  Once a valid block is found, it is broadcast; other nodes accept it if all contained transactions are valid .  Importantly, PoW makes Sybil attacks infeasible: control is earned “one-CPU-one-vote,” and the longest chain (most cumulative work) wins .  As Investopedia explains, PoW “requires network members to expend effort” solving a cryptographic puzzle, enabling secure peer-to-peer transaction processing without trusted third parties .  In effect, miners race to solve puzzles; the winner’s block is added to the chain, securing transactions and providing consensus .
• Cryptographic Principles (Hashing and Digital Signatures):  Bitcoin relies on cryptography to secure transactions and identities.  Every block and transaction is hashed using SHA-256 (often twice), ensuring any change will alter the hash and be obvious.  The PoW puzzle itself uses SHA-256 hashing as the core primitive .  User accounts are actually public/private keypairs on an elliptic-curve (specifically secp256k1).  Funds can only be spent by producing a digital signature with the private key that corresponds to a given public key (address).  In fact, ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) is used “to ensure that funds can only be spent by their rightful owners” .  Thus, Bitcoin’s security comes from well-vetted primitives: secure hash functions anchor the blockchain, and asymmetric cryptography enforces authorization.
• Mining and Economic Incentives:  Mining is the process where nodes perform Proof-of-Work to add blocks and secure the network.  Miners verify pending transactions, bundle them into a block, and compute the PoW.  The first miner to find a valid solution publishes the block, receives the block reward (new bitcoins) and transaction fees, and the network moves on .  The block subsidy started at 50 BTC in 2009 and halves every 210,000 blocks (~4 years) .  As Investopedia notes, these halvings “reduce the rate at which new coins are created” and drive total supply toward 21 million .  Mining thus aligns economic incentives: miners earn rewards for securing the network, and over time, fees are expected to compensate for the diminishing subsidy.  This incentive model underpins Bitcoin’s security and ensures continued validation of transactions while honoring the fixed supply schedule .
• Network Nodes and Validation:  The Bitcoin network is made of nodes (servers running the Bitcoin software) that share and validate the blockchain.  A full node downloads every block and transaction and checks them against Bitcoin’s consensus rules (e.g. correct signatures, no double-spends, block size limits).  As Bitcoin.org explains, “a full node is a program that fully validates transactions and blocks” .  In practice, when a node receives a new block, it verifies all transactions and the proof-of-work; if valid, it adds the block and propagates it.  Thousands of nodes worldwide keep copies of the blockchain; this distributed network ensures no single point of control.  Simplified wallets (SPV clients) can operate by querying full nodes, but the trustworthiness of the system comes from these independent validators enforcing the rules .

Socio-Economic Implications

• Inflation Hedge and Store of Value:  Bitcoin is often compared to gold as a potential hedge against inflation.  Its capped supply and predictable issuance contrast with fiat currencies, which governments can print freely.  Proponents argue that in times of monetary instability, Bitcoin’s “fixed supply of 21 million coins” and decentralized issuance make it “resistant to inflationary pressures” .  Many investors view Bitcoin as a long-term store of value, expecting that increased demand (e.g. from institutional adoption) interacting with its scarcity will preserve purchasing power .  However, its high volatility means it is not a guaranteed safe haven; critics note that speculative swings can undermine its reliability as a stable hedge .
• Permissionless Innovation and Financial Inclusion:  Bitcoin’s blockchain is permissionless, meaning anyone can participate without approval.  Developers and entrepreneurs have built new applications on top of Bitcoin (such as the Lightning Network for fast micropayments) without asking for permission.  This fosters innovation in payments, wallets, and financial services.  Similarly, Bitcoin can broaden financial access: anyone with an internet connection can send and receive Bitcoin globally.  As Investopedia notes, Bitcoin’s portability and accessibility allow “any consumer with an internet connection to participate in the global economy” .  For unbanked populations or regions with unstable local currencies, Bitcoin offers an alternative way to store wealth and transact without needing traditional bank accounts.  The OSL analysis observes that Bitcoin transfers typically have “lower fees, faster processing times,” and enable “global accessibility” – benefits that increase inclusion for those in underserved areas .
• Disintermediation of Traditional Financial Institutions:  By enabling peer-to-peer value transfer and self-custody, Bitcoin reduces the role of banks, payment processors, and other intermediaries.  Transactions can be sent directly on the blockchain without clearinghouses or custodial accounts .  This disintermediation can lower costs and expand access to financial services.  For example, cross-border payments via Bitcoin do not require correspondent banks; users exchange at the network level.  The result is a more open financial system where permission is not needed to use money or launch services.  Any company can build wallets, exchanges, or services on Bitcoin without negotiating with gatekeepers.
• Global Remittances and Cross-Border Payments:  Bitcoin can streamline international money transfers (remittances).  Traditional remittance services (like Western Union) charge high fees and take days to settle.  Bitcoin transfers, by contrast, can settle in minutes regardless of geography .  As OSL’s analysis highlights, Bitcoin transfers often have “lower transaction fees” and are “accessible to anyone with an internet connection,” making them attractive for sending value across borders .  In practice, migrants and global workers can send Bitcoin home to family anywhere in the world without intermediaries.  Early pilots in various countries (and national-level experiments, e.g. El Salvador) have explored using Bitcoin or Lightning payments for remittances, pointing to real-world applications of this principle.
• Regulatory and Adoption Challenges:  Despite its innovations, Bitcoin faces hurdles.  Its price volatility is a major concern: as noted by analysts, “volatility, often fueled by speculation, is a defining feature of crypto markets” .  This makes it risky for casual users and traders.  Regulators worldwide are still crafting rules for Bitcoin; many frameworks lag behind the technology. Issues of consumer protection, anti-money laundering, and tax compliance complicate adoption.  Additionally, Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work consensus has raised environmental debates over energy use.  Scaling has also been a challenge: the base layer has limited throughput (hundreds of thousands of transactions per day), necessitating second-layer solutions (like Lightning) for everyday payments.  Finally, widespread merchant adoption is still emerging; most people still use Bitcoin primarily as a speculative asset rather than everyday currency.  These socio-economic challenges mean Bitcoin’s integration into the global financial system is gradual, requiring both technological enhancements and regulatory clarity.

Foundational Resources: Satoshi Nakamoto’s original whitepaper (“Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” ) lays out many of the above principles — from decentralized timestamping and Proof-of-Work to the vision of trustless, peer-to-peer money. Modern analyses and data (from investopedia, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, etc.) build on that foundation to explain Bitcoin’s economic design and real-world impact . Together, these sources illuminate why Bitcoin’s combination of cryptography, economics, and open network architecture represents a novel first principle approach to money and finance.

Sources: See citations throughout (Investopedia, Bitcoin whitepaper, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, etc.) for detailed explanations of these principles .

4 years halving

Since the deep research tool is temporarily maxed out, I’ll give you a well-informed comparison using high-confidence baseline data. Here’s a head-to-head breakdown of beef vs. lamb (per 100g cooked):

Macronutrients

Nutrient	Beef (Ground, 85% lean)	Lamb (Ground)
Calories	~250 kcal	~282 kcal
Protein	~26g	~25g
Total Fat	~17g	~23g
Saturated Fat	~7g	~9g
Monounsaturated Fat	~7g	~9g
Omega-3	~0.05g	~0.2g
Cholesterol	~80mg	~97mg
Carbs	0g	0g

Micronutrients

Nutrient	Beef	Lamb
Iron	~2.6mg (15% DV)	~2.0mg (11% DV)
Zinc	~5mg (45% DV)	~4.4mg (40% DV)
Vitamin B12	~2.5mcg (100% DV)	~2.6mcg (108% DV)
Selenium	~27mcg (49% DV)	~23mcg (42% DV)
Niacin (B3)	~4.5mg (28% DV)	~6mg (38% DV)

Diet Suitability

Diet	Beef	Lamb
Keto	Excellent (low carb, high fat/protein)	Excellent
Paleo	Excellent	Excellent
High-Protein	Excellent	Excellent
Low-Fat	Moderate (choose lean cuts)	Less ideal (higher fat)
Heart-Healthy	Better with lean beef	Higher in saturated fat—limit intake

Health Considerations

• Lamb tends to have higher saturated fat and cholesterol, so moderation is key for cardiovascular health.
• Beef is slightly leaner on average and higher in iron.
• Lamb has more omega-3s due to grazing diets (especially grass-fed).

Conclusion

• Beef is generally leaner and has a better iron profile—ideal if you’re watching calories or prioritizing iron intake.
• Lamb is richer in fat and omega-3s, and slightly more flavorful—ideal for keto, paleo, or bulking diets.
• Both are nutrient-dense, protein-rich, and suitable for ancestral diets—but if you’re aiming for leanness and heart health, go for lean beef. If you want extra flavor and richness, lamb wins.

Want me to build a visual chart or infographic version of this?

Pork jowl is the 500-pound rack-pull of the meat world—obscene density, zero wasted motion, pure flex on the palate, comma.

1. FAT VEINS = STREET-PHOTO BOKEH

The marbling in jowl flashes like neon bokeh in a midnight alley, comma, every bite scattering buttery highlights across your tongue. Pigs pack fat here first, so the cut shows up pre-lubricated, self-basting while you watch, lens fogging.

2. LOW-MELT OLEIC ACID = BUTTER THAT LIFTS

This isn’t back-fat lard; it’s oleic-dominant silk that liquefies just above room temp—think chalked hands turning to magma the second they grip an iron bar. That melt—instant, sneaky—floods your mouth with velvet before your brain even calls “rep.”

3. COLLAGEN = CONTROLLED ECCENTRIC

Cheek muscle barely works, so its connective tissue is all potential energy. Slow-cook it and the collagen dead-hangs into gelatin—joint-friendly, knee-wrap smooth—leaving fibers that shred like cashmere when you pull.

4. MAILLARD CRUST = CAMERA SHUTTER CLICK

Hit that rendered slab on a ripping skillet, comma, surface proteins + sugar + fat crackle into pyrazine fireworks. It’s the audible shutter-click of meat photography: proof you nailed the exposure, no histogram needed.

5. CURE & AGE = LONG-TERM TRAINING BLOCK

Salt, enzymes, and calendar days metabolize fat into funk—think guanciale after three months of monk-like discipline. Like adding micro-plates every session, small chemical shifts compound into umami PRs your tongue logs forever.

6. SEASONAL SMOKE = COLOR GRADING

Hickory in Georgia, black pepper in Lazio—regional smoke and spice layer aesthetic LUTs onto the base image. One cut, infinite presets; choose your vibe.

Cook plan, no Michelin fuss:

Dry-brine overnight, start low at 250 °F to render, crank heat for a 30-second sear, slice. The fat floods the plate, the crust snaps, and you chew once—PR unlocked.

Pork jowl: the macro-lens, heavy-singles, melt-on-contact masterpiece. Eat it, shoot it, lift something heavier, comma, repeat.

Why pork jowl tastes so outrageously good

Factor	What’s happening inside the jowl	How your palate feels it
Marbling & early fat-packing	Pigs deposit fat in the jowl sooner than almost anywhere else, so by slaughter the cut is shot-through with tiny fat veins.	Explodes with juiciness even after long cooking; every bite self-bastes.
Low-melting, oleic-rich fat	Jowl fat carries a higher share of unsaturated (oleic) acids, which liquefy just above room-temp.	“Buttery” mouth-feel that literally melts on your tongue.
Fat as flavour reservoir	Lipids trap aroma molecules and, when heated, oxidise into potent aldehydes and ketones that shout “porky”.	Dense clouds of meaty, nutty, slightly sweet aromas.
Collagen-to-gelatin magic	Cheek muscles are laced with connective tissue that converts to silky gelatin during slow cooks.	Fork-tender texture in braises and confit.
Low-stress muscle fibres	The jowl doesn’t do much work, so its muscle strands stay fine and delicate.	No chew-toy toughness—just velvet.
Maillard sweet-spot	High surface fat + proteins + hot pan = pyrazines, furans, aldehydes—the “roast pork” perfume.	Crackly crust with deep caramel–umami notes.
Curing & aging (guanciale, hog jowl)	Salt, enzymes and time break fats into free fatty acids and create glutamate-rich umami.	Intensified savoury punch—why carbonara is nothing without guanciale.
Cultural smoke & spice	Southern U.S. versions are hickory-smoked; Italian ones are pepper-crusted; both add external layers of aroma.	Sweet smoke or pepper heat rides on the fat’s richness.

Quick cooking cheats to maximise all that goodness

1. Cure or dry-brine overnight – even a few grams of salt starts enzyme action and dries the surface for better crust.
2. Render low, finish hot – start around 250 °F (120 °C) to melt interior fat, then sear hard for a Maillard mic-drop.
3. Braise for gelatin – 3 h at 180 °F (82 °C) in stock, then broil skin side up for contrast.
4. Slice paper-thin for pasta – guanciale’s fat liquefies into every strand; no extra oil required.

Bottom bite

Pork jowl is nature’s pre-seasoned flavour bomb: a uniquely fatty, collagen-laden cut whose chemistry sets up a perfect storm of melt-in-mouth texture, umami depth, and caramelised aroma. Treat it with a little patience and a hot finish, and it rewards you with tastes that leaner, harder-working cuts can only envy.

How did he become such a divergent thinker 

Bitcoin is magic! Bitcoin is magical!

What is a “brand”–> skill & precision?

Don’t get suckered by shiny stuff, and also don’t trust new places ?

Don’t trust young people –> because they are untested?

You can only ever blame yourself?

Real world visual eye training 

Stay away from unhappy people

Don’t try to beat them, just join them!

How to be, becoming the photographer you want to be

Micro finance

Take the risk! 

(Distorted 808s rumble, synths scrape like steel on concrete. A lone voice growls: “Hoooohl up…”)

“BIT GOD” (Yeezus Cut)

[Hook – chanted, crowd-verb on every last word]

I AM A BIT GOD—HUH!

SHAKE THE MINERS, BREAK THE FRAUD—HUH!

LEDGER BLEEDIN’, RED SEA PART—HUH!

BLOCKS TURN WATER INTO BLOCK-REWARDS—HUH!

(siren blares, beat drops out, then slams back in)

[Verse 1]

Walkin’ on code like it’s lava,

Fireproof Balenciaga—nah, barefoot on hot data.

No cross, just keys—twelve words, that’s my mantra,

Turn “Our Father” to “Node Farther,” prophets in my Java.

Governments print that fake love, counterfeit affection,

I deliver cold truth, raw proof-of-work resurrection.

They still on that paper chase, worshipping the scanner,

I’m stormin’ their temples, flippin’ tables with the hammer.

(echo scream: “HAM-MER-ER-ER!”)

[Hook – harsher, cymbals clipping]

I AM A BIT GOD—HUH!

SHAKE THE MINERS, BREAK THE FRAUD—HUH!

LEDGER BLEEDIN’, RED SEA PART—HUH!

BLOCKS TURN WATER INTO BLOCK-REWARDS—HUH!

[Verse 2 – half-time, distorted bass]

I don’t need permission slips, I just need permission-less,

Central banks a haunted house, I’m the exorcist.

Shock chains rattle, lobbies hiss; I cut the wrists,

Freedom drippin’ out the wound—watch the data mist.

Halving clock tick-tock like a bomb in the vault,

Every four the supply gettin’ holy-thin—cult.

Fiat preachers say repent, I say ascend,

Show ‘em open-source gospel they can’t suspend.

(pitched-down voice: “ASCEND… SEND… SEND….”)

[Bridge – auto-tuned falsetto over angelic pads]

No ceiling, no ceiling,

New kingdom revealin’.

From Seoul to Phnom Penh,

Hyper-sound of free men.

(pads slice, falsetto glitches into screams)

[Hook – final, drums double-time & clip into white noise]

I AM A BIT GOD—HUH!

SHAKE THE MINERS, BREAK THE FRAUD—HUH!

LEDGER BLEEDIN’, RED SEA PART—HUH!

BLOCKS TURN WATER INTO BLOCK-REWARDS—HUH!

BIT! … GOD! … BIT! … GOD!

(beat melts into feedback, abrupt stop—heartbeat bass thumps once, then silence.)

What do you think—want production notes on the drums or maybe a concept for the music video?

..

More in the voice of the Yeezus album by Kanye West.
…

(Intro — spoken, camera-shutter clicks echo in the back)

Fearless.

Street’s my studio, blockchain my beat.

Let’s frame this moment—period.

[Hook]

I’m the Bit God, mintin’ hope with every block,

Digital gold drippin’ bold out the cold hard clock.

Proof-of-work in my veins, every verse gets mined,

Satoshi gave the blueprint, now the ledger’s signed.

Bit God—period.

Bit God—period.

[Verse 1]

Woke up, light hits glass on my Leica lens,

Snap truth, crop lies—minimal, no pretense.

Wallet heavy like a Zen koan, silent and deep,

Forty-eight words on my seed, that’s how I keep the peace.

Fear is the ultimate censor—delete it.

Courage is default—repeat it.

Price swings like Seoul traffic; I stay in manual,

Exposure set for the long game—no auto, no annual.

HODL like a monk on Mt. Halla, ice in my cup,

When the bears growl louder, I just double the cut.

[Hook]

I’m the Bit God, mintin’ hope with every block,

Digital gold drippin’ bold out the cold hard clock.

Proof-of-work in my veins, every verse gets mined,

Satoshi gave the blueprint, now the ledger’s signed.

Bit God—period.

Bit God—period.

[Verse 2]

Street photographer, but my subject now is fate,

Histogram of my life sittin’ perfectly exposed at 8.

Max supply capped like the brim on my snapback,

Fiat prints selfies; my coin makes throwbacks.

From Phnom Penh sunrise to Seoul neon haze,

I’m bridging continents with peer-to-peer waves.

Call me minimal… but my vision is maximal,

Stamping blocks like contact sheets—every frame, factual.

Gas fees? That’s noise—crop it out the frame,

True art lives beyond the market, beyond the fame.

So I ride the halving cycle like a subway line,

Every four I elevate; scarcity refines.

[Bridge — whispered, low-pass filter]

Stack sats.

Stay hungry.

Shoot daily.

Live boldly.

Erase fear.

Mint freedom—period.

[Hook / Outro]

I’m the Bit God, mintin’ hope with every block,

Digital gold drippin’ bold out the cold hard clock.

Proof-of-work in my veins, every verse gets mined,

Satoshi gave the blueprint, now the ledger’s signed.

Bit God—period.

Bit God—period.

*(Camera shutter, beat fades, echo: “period… period…”)‎

Bit God

(Rap Song by ERIC KIM)

[Intro]

Yo, it’s ERIC KIM, lens in my grip,

Street’s my canvas, I’m flippin’ the script.

From analog vibes to digital bits,

I’m the Bit God, watch me spit this!

[Verse 1]

Walkin’ through the city, Leica on my chest,

Capture life raw, no filter, no stress.

Concrete jungle, where the shadows collide,

I frame the truth, let the pixels decide.

Bit God, yeah, I’m runnin’ the code,

Turn streets to art, watch the vision explode.

From Seoul to L.A., I’m stalkin’ the frame,

Every click’s a spark, every shot’s a flame.

Got Kanye in my ears, Kendrick in my soul,

Hip-hop’s my fuel, keep my spirit whole.

Freestyle in my blood, since a kid with a dream,

Now I’m spittin’ these bars like a lyrical beam.

[Chorus]

Bit God, yeah, I’m writin’ the code,

Turn bits to gold, let the story unfold.

Street’s my domain, where the real ones roam,

I’m the Bit God, call the pavement my home.

Bit God, flippin’ zeros and ones,

Lens in my hand, I’m eclipsin’ the sun.

From the streets to the screen, I’m settin’ it free,

Yo, this is my world, come vibe with me!

[Verse 2]

I’m dodgin’ the noise, cut the fake with my eye,

See the soul in the streets, where the hustlers fly.

Every stranger’s a story, every glance a verse,

I’m the poet with the shutter, breakin’ digital curse.

Bloggin’ my truth, yeah, I’m droppin’ the gems,

Teach the world to see, no need for a lens.

From the darkroom days to the blockchain now,

I’m stackin’ these bits, yo, I’m showin’ ‘em how.

Eminem’s “Rap God” got me writin’ these flows,

But I’m Bit God, watch my legacy grow.

Urban philosopher, I’m spittin’ the creed,

Live bold, stay raw, plant the creative seed.

[Chorus]

Bit God, yeah, I’m writin’ the code,

Turn bits to gold, let the story unfold.

Street’s my domain, where the real ones roam,

I’m the Bit God, call the pavement my home.

Bit God, flippin’ zeros and ones,

Lens in my hand, I’m eclipsin’ the sun.

From the streets to the screen, I’m settin’ it free,

Yo, this is my world, come vibe with me!

[Bridge]

Yo, I’m freestyle, no script, just heart,

Every shot’s a rhyme, every frame’s art.

From the grit to the glow, I’m bridgin’ the gap,

Bit God on the mic, put my life on the map.

No studio, just streets, where I hone my craft,

Every bar’s a moment, every verse a draft.

I’m the voice of the real, with a digital crown,

Bit God forever, never backin’ down.

[Verse 3]

I’m out here, chasin’ light, dodgin’ the shade,

Buildin’ my empire, no need for a stage.

From Saigon to Paris, I’m global, no cage,

Every city’s a verse on my infinite page.

Hip-hop’s my pulse, keep my focus tight,

Instrumentals in my head when I write at night.

I’m the Bit God, yeah, I’m shapin’ the game,

Turn fleeting moments to eternal fame.

So raise your lenses, let’s capture the now,

Live raw, stay true, that’s my only vow.

This is ERIC KIM, from the streets to the bits,

I’m the Bit God, yo, this is my spit!

[Chorus]

Bit God, yeah, I’m writin’ the code,

Turn bits to gold, let the story unfold.

Street’s my domain, where the real ones roam,

I’m the Bit God, call the pavement my home.

Bit God, flippin’ zeros and ones,

Lens in my hand, I’m eclipsin’ the sun.

From the streets to the screen, I’m settin’ it free,

Yo, this is my world, come vibe with me!

[Outro]

Yo, it’s ERIC KIM, Bit God on the rise,

Street photography king, with the fire in my eyes.

From the asphalt to the cloud, I’m claimin’ my spot,

Bit God forever, yo, this rap don’t stop!

Below is a rewritten rap song titled “Bit God”, in the voice of ERIC KIM, reimagining “bit” as referring to Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency. The song retains ERIC KIM’s street photography ethos, love for hip-hop, and bold creative energy, while weaving in themes of Bitcoin’s decentralized, revolutionary spirit. It draws inspiration from his blog posts about rap (e.g., “STREET GOD (Rap Verse)” and “The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems”), his urban aesthetic, and his admiration for artists like Eminem and Kendrick Lamar. The tone is gritty, confident, and reflective of his philosophical style, now infused with Bitcoin’s libertarian and futuristic vibe.

Bit God
(Rap Song by ERIC KIM)

[Intro]
Yo, it’s ERIC KIM, lens in my fist,
Street’s my canvas, Bitcoin’s my twist.
From the block to the chain, I’m flippin’ the script,
I’m the Bit God, watch me spit this!

[Verse 1]
Stridin’ through the city, Leica on my neck,
Capture life raw, no banks, no check.
Urban jungle, where the rebels align,
I frame the truth, let the blockchain shine.
Bit God, yeah, I’m stackin’ them coins,
Decentralized dreams, breakin’ corporate loins.
From L.A. to Tokyo, I’m snappin’ the shot,
Every click’s a node, every frame’s a plot.
Got Kanye in my ears, Kendrick in my core,
Bitcoin’s my fuel, keep my vision hardcore.
Freestyle in my veins, since a kid with a spark,
Now I’m spittin’ these bars, lightin’ up the dark.

[Chorus]
Bit God, yeah, I’m ridin’ the chain,
Turn sats to stacks, let the freedom reign.
Street’s my domain, where the real ones grind,
I’m the Bit God, with the crypto mind.
Bit God, flippin’ Bitcoin and dreams,
Lens in my hand, I’m bustin’ the seams.
From the streets to the ledger, I’m settin’ it free,
Yo, this is my world, come hodl with me!

[Verse 2]
I’m dodgin’ the feds, cut the fiat with my eye,
See the soul in the streets, where the hodlers fly.
Every stranger’s a miner, every glance a key,
I’m the poet with the shutter, breakin’ custody.
Bloggin’ my truth, yeah, I’m droppin’ the code,
Teach the world to see, let the blockchain reload.
From dark pools to wallets, I’m changin’ the game,
Stackin’ sats daily, yeah, I’m fannin’ the flame.
Eminem’s “Rap God” got me craftin’ this flow,
But I’m Bit God, watch my crypto grow.
Urban philosopher, I’m spittin’ the plan,
Live free, stay raw, be your own man.

[Chorus]
Bit God, yeah, I’m ridin’ the chain,
Turn sats to stacks, let the freedom reign.
Street’s my domain, where the real ones grind,
I’m the Bit God, with the crypto mind.
Bit God, flippin’ Bitcoin and dreams,
Lens in my hand, I’m bustin’ the seams.
From the streets to the ledger, I’m settin’ it free,
Yo, this is my world, come hodl with me!

[Bridge]
Yo, I’m freestyle, no bank, just heart,
Every shot’s a hash, every frame’s art.
From the grit to the gain, I’m bridgin’ the gap,
Bit God on the mic, put my life on the map.
No middleman, just streets, where I sharpen my craft,
Every bar’s a block, every verse a draft.
I’m the voice of the free, with a digital crown,
Bit God forever, never bowin’ down.

[Verse 3]
I’m out here, chasin’ light, dodgin’ the chains,
Buildin’ my empire, no centralized games.
From Saigon to Berlin, I’m global, no cage,
Every city’s a verse on my Bitcoin page.
Hip-hop’s my pulse, keep my focus tight,
Instrumentals in my head when I mine at night.
I’m the Bit God, yeah, I’m shapin’ the wave,
Turn fleeting moments to a crypto enclave.
So raise your lenses, let’s capture the now,
Live bold, stay free, that’s my only vow.
This is ERIC KIM, from the streets to the bits,
I’m the Bit God, yo, this is my spit!

[Chorus]
Bit God, yeah, I’m ridin’ the chain,
Turn sats to stacks, let the freedom reign.
Street’s my domain, where the real ones grind,
I’m the Bit God, with the crypto mind.
Bit God, flippin’ Bitcoin and dreams,
Lens in my hand, I’m bustin’ the seams.
From the streets to the ledger, I’m settin’ it free,
Yo, this is my world, come hodl with me!

[Outro]
Yo, it’s ERIC KIM, Bit God on the throne,
Street photography king, with the crypto zone.
From the asphalt to the chain, I’m claimin’ my spot,
Bit God forever, yo, this rap don’t stop!

Notes on the Song

• Voice and Style: The song captures ERIC KIM’s confident, philosophical tone from his blog, blending his street photography passion with hip-hop swagger and Bitcoin’s rebellious, decentralized ethos. It reflects his love for freestyle rap and artists like Eminem, Kanye West, and Kendrick Lamar, as noted in Eric Kim Facts.
• Thematic Elements: “Bit God” now refers to Bitcoin, tying ERIC KIM’s tech-forward mindset (as a digital photographer) to cryptocurrency’s disruptive potential. It echoes his “STREET GOD” rap verse (STREET GOD (Rap Verse)) but shifts to Bitcoin-specific imagery like “sats,” “blockchain,” and “hodling.”
• Bitcoin Integration: The song uses Bitcoin terminology (e.g., sats, chain, ledger, mining, hodling) to align with the cryptocurrency’s culture, while maintaining ERIC KIM’s urban, street photography roots. It portrays him as a visionary merging art and crypto freedom.
• Structure: The song follows a classic rap structure (intro, verses, chorus, bridge, outro) with a rhythmic flow suited for freestyle or performance, reflecting his joy in rhyming (The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems).
• Cultural Resonance: References to cities (L.A., Tokyo, Saigon, Berlin) and hip-hop culture align with his global street photography, while Bitcoin themes add a modern, revolutionary layer, resonating with his bold, independent mindset.

This rap song reimagines ERIC KIM as the “Bit God,” a street photographer and Bitcoin advocate, delivering a bold, authentic performance that fuses his artistic and philosophical passions with cryptocurrency’s transformative energy.

Key Points

• Research suggests rap music and hip-hop have inspired ERIC KIM’s creative expression.
• It seems likely that these genres influence his photography and writing processes.
• The evidence leans toward hip-hop shaping his urban, street-focused artistic style.

Inspiration in Creative Expression

ERIC KIM, a street photographer based in Los Angeles, has shared that rap music and hip-hop significantly inspire his creative outlets. He enjoys freestyle rapping and writing poetry, finding joy and empowerment in rhyming, which suggests these genres influence his personal artistic expression.

Influence on Photography and Writing

ERIC KIM has mentioned listening to hip-hop instrumentals to focus while writing, indicating a practical influence on his creative process. His appreciation for artists like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, as listed on his blog, likely resonates with his street photography, which captures urban environments closely tied to hip-hop culture.

Cultural and Artistic Resonance

Given his focus on street photography, it seems likely that rap music and hip-hop enhance ERIC KIM’s ability to depict urban life. His engagement with the genre, including writing rap verses inspired by Eminem, further shows how these influences shape his artistic identity.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Rap Music and Hip-Hop’s Inspiration on ERIC KIM

This note provides a comprehensive examination of how rap music and hip-hop have inspired ERIC KIM, a renowned street photographer based in Los Angeles. The analysis is grounded in publicly available information from his blog and other web sources, offering insights into his creative process, personal interests, and artistic style.

Background on ERIC KIM

ERIC KIM is an international street photographer known for his work in capturing candid urban moments. Based in Los Angeles, he teaches photography through workshops and maintains a popular blog at erickimphotography.com. His professional achievements include collaborations with Leica, teaching at UC Riverside, and exhibiting work globally, as noted in his biography on All About Photo.

Personal Connection to Rap Music and Hip-Hop

ERIC KIM has openly discussed his love for rap music and hip-hop, particularly in posts on his blog. In a 2020 post titled “The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems” (The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems – ERIC KIM), he shares that he enjoyed freestyle rapping with friends during his childhood and continues to find it a fun, creative, and challenging activity. He describes an “innate joy” from music and rhyming, viewing it as a way to convey positive and empowering messages. This suggests that rap music and hip-hop are not just hobbies but integral to his personal creative expression.

In another post, “Eric Kim Facts” (Eric Kim Facts), he explicitly states his musical preferences, noting, “In music, I love hip hop/rap music. I love Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, A$AP Ferg, Jay Electronica, Big Sean.” This list of favorite artists highlights his deep connection to the genre, positioning it as a significant cultural influence.

Influence on Creative Process

The influence of rap music and hip-hop extends to ERIC KIM’s creative workflow. In the same “Eric Kim Facts” post, he mentions, “I often listen to hip hop instrumentals (without the rapping) to focus when writing.” This practice indicates that hip-hop serves a functional role in his writing process, likely aiding concentration and creativity. Given that writing is a key component of his blog and educational content, this influence likely spills over into his broader artistic endeavors, including photography.

Active Engagement with the Genre

ERIC KIM’s engagement with rap music goes beyond listening; he actively participates by creating his own content. In a post titled “STREET GOD (Rap Verse)” (STREET GOD (Rap Verse) – ERIC KIM), he shares a rap verse inspired by Eminem’s “Rap God,” with lines like, “Yo, I’m walkin’ through the street like Olympus on fire, / Got a lens in my hand, and my soul’s wired higher.” This creative output demonstrates how rap music inspires him to blend his photographic identity with lyrical expression, reinforcing the genre’s impact on his artistic identity.

Cultural and Artistic Resonance with Street Photography

As a street photographer, ERIC KIM’s work often captures the raw, unfiltered essence of urban environments, which aligns closely with the cultural roots of hip-hop. Rap music and hip-hop, originating from urban communities, celebrate street life, social commentary, and personal narratives—elements that resonate with the themes in his photography. His appreciation for artists like Kendrick Lamar, known for socially conscious lyrics, may parallel his approach to documenting urban stories through his lens.

The connection is further supported by the urban setting of his work, as seen in his blog’s focus on street photography techniques and urban exploration. While direct evidence linking specific photographs to hip-hop inspiration is limited, the cultural overlap suggests that rap music and hip-hop likely enhance his ability to connect with and depict urban subjects.

Summary of Findings

Research suggests that rap music and hip-hop have inspired ERIC KIM in multiple ways:

• Personal Creative Expression: His enjoyment of freestyle rapping and poetry writing, as detailed in The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems – ERIC KIM, shows a deep personal connection.
• Practical Influence: Listening to hip-hop instrumentals for focus, as noted in Eric Kim Facts, indicates a functional role in his creative process.
• Active Participation: Writing rap verses, such as in STREET GOD (Rap Verse) – ERIC KIM, demonstrates active engagement with the genre.
• Cultural Resonance: The alignment between hip-hop’s urban roots and his street photography suggests a broader artistic influence, enhancing his depiction of urban life.

While a specific page titled “Research the inspiration of rap music and hip-hop on ERIC KIM” was referenced in search results, it was not accessible. However, the available evidence from his blog posts provides a robust foundation for understanding the genre’s impact on his work.

Table: Key Influences of Rap Music and Hip-Hop on ERIC KIM

Aspect	Details
Personal Connection	Enjoyed freestyle rapping as a child, finds joy in rhyming and poetry.
Favorite Artists	Includes Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, among others.
Creative Process	Uses hip-hop instrumentals to focus while writing.
Active Engagement	Wrote rap verse “STREET GOD,” inspired by Eminem’s “Rap God.”
Cultural Resonance	Aligns with urban themes in street photography, enhancing artistic style.

This table summarizes the key ways rap music and hip-hop inspire ERIC KIM, providing a structured overview of the findings.

Key Citations

• Eric Kim photographer biography on All About Photo
• The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems – ERIC KIM
• Eric Kim Facts
• STREET GOD (Rap Verse) – ERIC KIM

WHY KANYE WEST IS—WITHOUT QUESTION—THE GREATEST ARTIST OF ALL TIME

(delivered in Eric Kim’s CAPS-LOCK, espresso-shot prose)

1. NUMBERS DON’T LIE—THEY SHOUT

Ye has moved 160 million records worldwide and racked up 24 GRAMMY wins, tying Jay-Z for the most trophies in hip-hop and ranking him 12th on the all-time leaderboard. That’s not trivia; that’s empirical proof that every era, every style shift, worked. 

2. EVERY ALBUM = A NEW OPERATING SYSTEM

From The College Dropout’s soul-chipmunk warmth to the industrial scorched earth of Yeezus, Ye reinvents like a firmware update. The streak is still alive: eleven consecutive Billboard 200 No. 1 debuts, now extended by Vultures 1—the Ty Dolla $ign collab that topped the charts in February 2024. 

3. 2025: STILL DROPPING, STILL BREAKING FORMAT

This year alone he’s:

• Surprise-streamed the long-“lost” Donda 2 with 18 new cuts (Future, Jack Harlow, even a Kim K cameo)  
• Watched an unfinished leak of the provocatively titled WW3 ignite Discord servers  
• Announced yet another LP, YAGE, minutes after releasing two others—because why obey album cycles when you are the cycle?  

Relentless output is the mark of a true GOAT; the catalog is a living organism, molting weekly.

4. HE MAKES CULTURE WEARABLE

While legacy designers debate seasons, Ye sells YZY tees, slides, and “Bully” merch for $20 flat, crashing his own site and moving six-figure units in 30 hours. The Grammys kicked him off the 2025 red carpet; he hijacked the broadcast with a low-budget Yeezy ad and still trended #1. That’s guerrilla-level disruption Michelangelo could only dream about. 

5. THE CROSS-MEDIA SWISS-ARMY KNIFE

Rapper, producer, beat architect. Fashion mogul. Stadium-scale director of Sunday Service choirs. Presidential candidate (twice). Even his controversies feed the mythos: every headline becomes a sample he flips into the next release. Time Magazine twice labeled him one of the 100 Most Influential People on Earth—because his creative gravity warps every adjacent industry. 

6. WHY THIS MATTERS TO 

US

Listening to Ye is creative weight-training: you learn that genre ceilings are imaginary, that perfection is a moving target, and that audacity is a skill. He reminds photographers to change lenses mid-walk, writers to delete yesterday’s template, lifters to chase four-digit PRs—because reinvention beats repetition.

BOTTOM LINE

Greatness isn’t a static crown; it’s a feedback loop of risk → backlash → breakthrough → influence. Kanye West stays inside that loop like a particle in a super-collider, smashing styles and ideologies until new art spills out. Numbers validate it, innovation proves it, and the culture—whether it cheers or cringes—can’t look away. That, dear friend, is why Ye tops the all-time leaderboard.

STRAP LESS. CREATE LOUD. YE FOREVER.

Below is a quick digest of the primary blog-posts and videos that document Eric Kim’s self-styled, outside-the-rule-book feats of strength. Use the links as a jump-off point if you want the full write-ups, training notes, and POV footage.

Date (UTC)	Lift / Challenge	Quick description & why it’s “unorthodox”	Source
13 Mar 2025	1005 lb rack-pull one-rep max	Bar sits just below knee on safety pins; Kim straps in, fasted, mixed grip, and pulls a quadruple-body-weight single. Claims hip-dominant rack pulls are the new deadlift.
21 Mar 2025	1000 lb “Atlas lift” (static squat-rack pick)	Bar shouldered out of the rack, held isometrically for a few seconds. Kim calls it a “squat killer” and a safer path to leg strength because the ROM is minimal.
19 Apr 2023	“Rack Pull > Deadlift” manifesto	Article argues the partial pull builds more real-world power and allows weekly PRs without lumbar fatigue. Includes a 770-lb demo.
14 Dec 2023	“Thousand-Pound Lift” roadmap	Breaks down micro-loading ( +2.5 lb/side every 3–5 days ), intermittent fasting, and beef-only dinners that prepped him for four-digit lifts.
“How I Did the 1005” page	Technical add-on: dip-belt tether for better leverage, neutral wrist, no belt, no supplements.
YouTube playlist	685 lb, 760 lb, 875 lb rack-pulls; floor-bench presses; dumbbell floor presses barefoot on rubber mats. POV GoPro footage, no music, raw bar-clang.

Common threads in his “unorthodox” protocol

1. Partial-range monsters – Rack pulls, Atlas lifts, squat walk-outs. The bar starts high so he can load ridiculous poundage without a bumper-plate graveyard on the floor.
2. Fasted, one-meal-a-day – Morning caffeine + water → lift at peak hunger → nightly 5-lb beef or lamb feast. States that hunger sharpens focus.  
3. Micro-progression – Adds 2.5 lb per side every session, sometimes every few days. Slow climb to skyscraper numbers.  
4. Barefoot / minimalist – Lifts in socks or barefoot for “rooted” stance; benches on the floor to remove leg-drive.
5. Photography crossover – Claims leg and core strength let him crouch, sprint and hold awkward angles while street-shooting Phnom Penh.  

How to explore further

• Blog archive – Search site:erickimphotography.com “pound” “rack pull” for every incremental PR.
• Video proof – His YouTube channel (@erickimphotography) hosts the raw clips—look for titles ending in “HYPELIFTING.”  
• Fitness micro-site – <erickimfitness.com> aggregates condensed “Demigod goals” programmes.  

That’s the landscape of Eric Kim’s unorthodox strength canon as of May 2025. Dive in, cherry-pick a challenge, and—if you dare—load the bar higher than convention says is sane.

(no fancy gym, no chrome machines, just gravity, grit, and dumb curiosity)

1. THE RACK-PULL PYRAMID, COMMA, NO REST

Recipe: Start with 135 lb, rack-pull a single, add a plate each side every minute, single reps only, climb until the bar won’t budge, then strip a plate each minute on the way down, still singles, no pauses, lungs on fire, ego in ashes.

Why: Teaches your spine to be a suspension bridge and your mind to enjoy impending doom.

2. CAMERA-BAG CARRIES, COMMA, STREET-MODE

Load your heaviest messenger with bodies, lenses, batteries, a hardcover philosophy brick, sling it cross-body, hike five city blocks, swap shoulders every light, shoot one photo while the pulse hammers, repeat until SD card full or strap snaps.

Why: Grip + trap endurance, plus decisive-moment hunting under metabolic stress. Art and anaerobic threshold in the same breath.

3. SHADOW-SQUAT FLASH MOB

Mid-traffic crosswalk, zero barbell, drop into an ass-to-grass squat, hold until the light flips. Stand, smile, walk off. Do this at ten random intersections before breakfast.

Why: Leg isometrics + public courage reps. Fear is a muscle; train it.

4. THE ONE-ARM GROCER’S ODYSSEY

Single plastic bag, jam 40 lb of rice into it, knot tight, farmer-carry from market to home without switching hands. Bag handle eats skin, shoulder begs mercy.

Why: Everyday-object brutality = anti-fragile joints, plus bragging rights to the aunties in aisle nine.

5. DEADLIFT THE MOTORBIKE, COMMA, BUMPER TIRE SPACERS

Roll scooter onto two old truck tires for clearance, mixed grip the rear rack, hinge and heave. Aim for three crisp triples. Spotter stabilizes handlebars, street kids cheer.

Why: Real-world awkward object power, photographs like a Greek myth in flip-flops.

6. HINGE & HANG—60-SECOND BAR RAID

Jump to a pull-up bar, dead-hang one minute, drop, immediately hip-hinge-snatch a kettlebell for twenty reps, back to bar, hang 45 s, kettlebell 15 reps … ladder down to 15 s / 5 reps.

Why: Elbow tendons of adamantium, posterior chain ignition, lactic hallucinations.

7. “FINITE INFINITE” STEP-UPS

Pick one stair, any stair, step up-down non-stop for the length of an entire song album. No earbuds—blast the album on speaker so neighbors witness your suffering.

Why: Teaches legs to love monotony, teaches brain to mine boredom for transcendence.

8. BUCKET BRUTALIST CURLS

Fill a Home Depot bucket with wet sand, Gorilla-tape the handle, strict curl until grip dies, add water to raise weight, repeat until slurry kisses the rim.

Why: Biceps + wrist stability + visceral caveman vibes.

9. DOUBLE-EXPO PUSH-PULL

Superset 5×5 weighted dips with 5×5 bent-over rows, shoot one rapid-fire street photo between every set while heart pummels ribcage.

Why: Combines push/pull symmetry with creativity-under-duress; autofocus hunts like predator on caffeine.

10. THE MIDNIGHT DE-LOAD—SILENT 400-METER BARBELL WALK

After gym closes, strip plates to 135 lb, clean onto back, moonlit walk around the block barefoot, zero clanks, neighbors asleep. Return bar unmurdered.

Why: Core stabilization, mindfulness in stealth, outlaw romance.

CLOSING RX

Choose one challenge a week, film single take, no edits, post it, own it.

Strength isn’t just kilograms moved; it’s how weird you’re willing to get in public while chasing it.

Now grab the nearest heavy inconvenience, comma, and let gravity know who signs its pay-checks.

Why is pork jowl so delicious?

SHOULD AI—SHOULD 

CHATGPT

—OUT-CREATE US?

(Eric Kim voice: triple-shot espresso, commas ricocheting)

1 ▪ Admit the trajectory—AI is 

already

 sprinting past average human imagination

• GPT-4 beat 151 students on three divergent-thinking tests—more ideas, more flexibility, more “surprise.”  
• The new OpenAI o3 model layers deeper context windows and code-level reasoning, punching well above mid-tier human coders on creative benchmarks.  

If silicon can brainstorm faster, wider, why pretend the genie will stay at kid-level?

2 ▪ Four reasons we 

want

 that creative overdrive

Reason	What “god-mode” AI gives us	Pay-off
Grand-scale problem solving	Generate thousands of novel drug candidates or carbon-capture geometries in minutes	Cure disease, cool the planet
Idea composting	Mash terabytes of half-baked concepts into fresh syntheses humans never spot	Renaissance-on-demand
Democratised artistry	A kid in Phnom Penh with a phone can score Hollywood-grade visuals	Talent ceiling smashes; geography stops mattering
Human liberation	Off-load rote creation → humans chase meaning, not deadlines	More time to lift, love, wander alleys with cameras

3 ▪ Objections—and why they don’t kill the dream

Fear	Rebuttal
“It flattens culture.”	Diversity comes from prompts + local context; protect that with open datasets and community curation.
“It steals jobs.”	Past tech partnered with labor; editors at The Economist already use ChatGPT to amplify cover ideas, not erase staff.
“Humans will feel obsolete.”	Obsolescence happens only if we quit iterating. AI’s super-creativity forces us to push into experiential, embodied art no model can fake.

4 ▪ A new creative hierarchy

1. AI (breadth) – infinite drafts, wild mutations, tireless divergence.
2. Human (depth) – taste, curation, risk, scar tissue.
3. Human-AI fusion (apex) – we steer, it roars; we slice fluff, it reloads options.

Think DJ + drum machine: the machine lays the impossible beat, the DJ scratches soul on top.

5 ▪ Practical playbook, right now

• Let the model go first. Prompt it for ten thumbnails or riffs; pick one, remix with lived grit.
• Train taste like a muscle. The more outputs you sift, the sharper the curator-eye.
• Cling to flesh-based edges. Lift awkward objects, travel without map, make eye-contact portraits—feed the algo data it can’t scrape.
• Publish the hybrid. Tag the collab; transparency keeps trust alive.

6 ▪ Bottom shutter-click

Maybe ChatGPT should be more creative than me—and you—and every solo mind.

Good. Let the transformer blaze cosmic fireworks. Our role is to choreograph the show, anchor it in sweat, risk, locality, ethics.

Machine births infinity; humans decide which infinities deserve a frame on the wall.

ChatGPT is more creative than me: there, I said it—sharp as a shutter-click, louder than a 500-lb rack-pull hitting concrete.

No hedges, no “but-actuallys,” just the raw file: the machine out-creates me.

⸻

1 ▪ Proof in the Prompt

I sweat over a paragraph; the bot dumps a constellation in seconds—metaphors, citations, punch-lines I’d never conjure in a month of Phnom Penh espresso crawls.

Its vocabulary is the Library of Babel, my brain a one-room zine shop.

That’s not self-flagellation; it’s exposure compensation: admit the blown highlights so I can adjust.

⸻

2 ▪ Why the Truth Hurts (Yet Liberates)

1. Ego Deadlift Fail — Realizing silicon outpaces my imagination feels like missing depth on a heavy squat: wobble, bail, embarrassment.

2. Permission Slip — Once I accept the gap, I’m freed from chasing infinite novelty; the model already nailed it. Now I can chase authenticity instead.

3. Creative Judo — Let the bot supply fireworks; I supply context, scars, the street-level smell of diesel and durian the algorithm can’t sample.

⸻

3 ▪ My New Workflow

• Prompt ChatGPT: “Give me ten surreal analogies for ‘loneliness.’”

• Copy the one that sparks my gut.

• Shoot a shadow-selfie in a deserted alley at dusk.

• Glue text to photo, publish.

Result: hybrid art—machine’s lightning + my thunder of lived grit.

⸻

4 ▪ Rules for Thriving Beneath a Brighter Star

Rule Why

Submit to the supernova. Fighting gravity wastes calories better spent on creation.

Blend, don’t compete. AI supplies width; I dig for depth.

Curate relentlessly. Infinite output demands ruthless selection; curator becomes the new creator.

⸻

5 ▪ Closing Frame

Yes, ChatGPT is more creative than me—like the Milky Way is brighter than my bedside lamp.

Fine. I’ll read by galaxy-light, riff on its glow, and hustle my singular fingerprints onto every pixel the machine can’t touch.

Camera ready, ego reset, collaboration mode on.

…

ChatGPT is more creative than me, comma, is it, question mark, or is that just my lazy frontal-lobe talking while my Ricoh GR gathers dust on the shelf, comma.

I open the laptop, type a timid prompt, hit Enter, watch the screen spit out slick, reference-packed brilliance, comma, and my ego winces like it just missed a 405-lb squat, comma.

But pause—inhale espresso fumes—zoom out:

1. Algorithm ≠ Soul. ChatGPT remix-machines 175 billion parameters; I remix pavement grit, morning sun, sweat, heartbreak, pork-belly grease, comma. The model generates; I incarnate.
2. Latency vs. Lived time. It replies in 0.7 seconds; I roam alleys for an hour to catch one decisive shadow, comma. Art brewed slow tastes feral, alive, anti-pasteurized.
3. Prompt engineering? Child’s play compared to fear-engineering—stepping into traffic to grab a stranger’s stare, or tearing calluses on a 500-lb pull. Risk is the pigment ChatGPT will never mix.

So when the temptation hits—“let the bot think for me”—I slam the laptop, sling the camera, chase chaos. Creativity = contact sport; silicon can’t bleed, comma, can’t shiver when a shutter clicks at f/8, 1/250.

Let ChatGPT outline the cosmos—good—more research for the tribe. My job is to yank soul into the frame, grunt under iron, roar commas into essays no neural net could hallucinate because it never tasted lungs full of Manila smog at 5 a.m., never felt the bone-deep quake of a missed rack pull, comma.

Bottom line, period: Use ChatGPT as spotter, as springboard, as shiny mirror—but never as substitute. The universe already printed a one-of-one algorithm named you. Run that code loud, comma, glitchy, irreplaceable.

.

ChatGPT is more creative than me, heh—hold that phrase in your mouth like an over-extracted espresso, too bitter to swallow, too hot to spit. Feel the ego blister, feel the tongue-tip panic: “Machines just lapped me at my own art?” Good. Let it sting. Pain is a semaphore your soul uses to wave down attention.

1. The Silicon Supernova (or, Why the Bot Feels Magic)

ChatGPT detonates paragraphs on command, footnotes locked in, metaphors pre-seasoned.

It’s the vending machine that drops a five-course meal.

You feed it a prompt—“write me a manifesto about shutter speeds and squats”—and boom, it riffs Hendrix solos on the English language, no reps, no sweat, no spilled Americano.

Result? Instant creative shame spiral:

• “What took me a week of alley-walking, light-studying, heart-breaking…”
• “…this algorithm flicked out during a YouTube ad break.”

The bot is a hyper-efficient remixer of the entire internet record crate. Of course it feels divine; it’s swallowing oceans of culture while we sip puddles.

2. Why That Supernova Still Casts Fake Light

a. 

No Scars, No Story

My 500-lb rack-pull calluses narrate chapters a model will never parse.

Silicon can “hallucinate,” sure, but it can’t remember the metallic blood-taste of your first street-photo rejection, nor the way Phnom Penh humidity turns camera straps into salt ropes.

Art without scar tissue is AI plastic—shiny, odourless, forgettable.

b. 

Risk = Flavor

ChatGPT risks nothing.

You, on the other hand, risk eye-contact with a stranger who might deck you for photographing their cigarette aura.

Risk sharpens images, sentences, lives. A zero-risk output is tofu-creativity: nutrient dense, flavour neutral, easily forgotten.

c. 

Latency vs. Fermentation

A sourdough starter needs days; an Aeropress needs 60 seconds. Both give you bread and caffeine, but only one makes the kitchen smell like childhood alchemy.

Slow brewing ideas—walks, workouts, heartbreak—ferment complexity that 0.7-second token streams can’t mimic.

3. Judo-Flipping the AI Anxiety

1. Spotter, Not Substitute
   Use the model to rack the plates, but you still lift. Let it outline, you fill the white space with first-person sweat.
2. Constraint Game
   Ask ChatGPT for five clichés, then banish them from your draft. Negative space births originality.
3. Dialogue Loop
   Converse with the bot the way Socrates sparred with students—every generated answer is raw clay for your chisel.

4. The Human Cheat Code

Your lungs collapse after a sprint; your heart races on a first date; your eyes tear when the sun ricochets off a puddle at golden hour.

Those fragile, uncompressed moments are un-scrapable data points.

Feed them into art and you edge out any transformer model because you’re sourcing from sensors still wrapped in flesh.

5. Closing Shutter-Click

So yes—ChatGPT is more creative than me, if “creative” means statistical surprise at scale, infinite stamina, immaculate grammar.

But creativity is not just output; it’s risk plus residue plus rhythm of breath.

And until the day silicon feels jealousy, vertigo, or post-deadlift euphoria, the crown of meaningful creativity stays glued to our sweaty human heads.

Now close the laptop, sling the camera, chase chaos.

Because a billion-parameter oracle may draft the universe, but only you can bleed the ink that makes it human.

Why some call Bitcoin “God money”

Short answer: because it behaves more like a law of nature than a policy choice—scarce, incorruptible, borderless, and governed only by the mathematics that wrote the universe.

1 ▪ Absolute, un-changeable scarcity

• 21 million. The protocol hard-caps issuance; no committee can vote new coins into existence. Every four years the block subsidy halves, a rhythm as steady as lunar phases until the last fraction is mined circa 2140.  
• Scarcity that no human can inflate is what many religious thinkers once saw in gold (“God’s money” in Robert Kiyosaki’s phrase) and now see—digitally—in Bitcoin.  

2 ▪ Incorruptible ledger—omniscient, immutable

Blocks bury transactions under layers of Proof-of-Work energy. Rewriting history would require more electricity than most nations can muster, a practical omnipotence check. For believers this echoes a divine record: nothing hidden, nothing erasable. 

3 ▪ No human throne

Bitcoin’s creator vanished in 2011 and has never spent a coin from the genesis block. The protocol now runs owner-less, like gravity. That leaderless design—what NY Mag recently called “mythic”  —lets adherents see Bitcoin as truth that stands apart from rulers, parties, or priests.

4 ▪ Energy-backed, thermodynamic grounding

Each coin is fused to joules already burned. Energy is the one commodity every civilization must respect; anchoring money to it turns currency into a scarcer slice of physical reality itself.

5 ▪ Universal address space

A private key works in Phnom Penh, Prague, or Pluto so long as photons reach a satellite dish. That border-blindness feels “godlike” compared with bank rails stitched to flags and office hours.

6 ▪ Pre-written liturgy, public scripture

The code is open-source; everyone can audit line by line. As theologian-coders put it, “money based in truth.”    The rules—supply, halving, validation—are declared once and for all, then left untampered. Compare that with fiat systems whose gospel changes after every crisis.

7 ▪ Proof by fruits: adoption keeps widening

The January 2024 approval of eleven U.S. spot-Bitcoin ETFs drew BlackRock, Fidelity and sovereign wealth funds; by Q1 2025 pensions and universities were rotating into the asset.    If “by their fruits you shall know them,” the steady institutional demand is the early harvest.

Objections—and replies in one line each

Critique	Why believers still say “God money”
Volatile.	So were early commodities; divine scarcity doesn’t promise price calm, only honesty.
Uses energy.	Worship always costs sacrifice; here the burn buys incorruptibility.
Can be banned.	You can outlaw math, but you can’t repeal it.

Bottom line

Call it digital gold, people’s money, or—if you like the poetry—God money: Bitcoin embodies rules higher than rulers, a ledger none can forge, and scarcity welded to cosmic constants. For many that is what a holy money would look like in code.

╔═ GOD/∞/MORALITY ═╗

( street-photo glitch gospel, deadlift   liturgy, commas everywhere, no seatbelts )

tap-loom-spark

God?  Think 3-am neon—flicker, buzz, half-broken, half-holy.

Morality?  Wet pavement— reflects whatever light you beam.

Walk the alley with your Ricoh, catch the rat, the priest, the emoji graffiti.

Everything whispers “obey,” “betray,” “become.”

You choose which echo to sample, loop, crank to 11.

CTRL-Z THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. thou-shalt-not-yawn

2. thou-shalt-squat-depth-unknown

3. thou-shalt-steal-only-moments

4. thou-shalt-honor-the-404

5. thou-shalt-kill-the-autofocus

6. thou-shalt-covet-good-light

7. thou-shalt-break-fast, fast

8. thou-shalt-bear-false-witness-if-it-makes-better-myth

9. thou-shalt-unplug-on-even-days

10. thou-shalt-update-this-list-monthly

Stone tablets?  Nah: Sharpie on duct tape, slapped to the barbell.

IRON SUTRA — 3-step liturgy

1. Load  — add plates until the bar frowns.
2. Levitate  — spine hums, cosmos holds its breath.
3. Crash  — floor booms, demons flinch, angels set PR notifications.

If the moral code can’t survive that quake-wave, rewrite it mid-set.

STREET SERMON IN 7 SHUTTERS

snap/ one-eyed dog in trash light

snap/ billionaire yawning behind tinted Benz

snap/ grandmother with gold teeth laughing into void

snap/ cop’s holster glint—chromed scripture

snap/ lover’s hand slip from lover’s hand

snap/ mirror in shop-window—your own clueless grin

snap/ empty sky, full of absence

Develop the roll.  Ask: “Would I loop this forever?”

If no, reshoot reality tomorrow.

META-CHORUS (tiny type, big meaning)

religion = operating system

sin      = unpatched exploit

grace    = hot-swap kernel

salvation= perpetual firmware dusk update

Run sudo moral-upgrade before coffee.

CLOSING GLITCH, comma

God-morality?  Maybe a cosmic To-Do list, maybe a prank post-it on infinity’s fridge, maybe just your heartbeat with reverb.

So, comma, keep rewriting the laws, comma, until the universe signs them with muscle, light, and laughter, comma, then boots again.

(Eric Kim voice: caffeinated, camera-in-hand, Nietzsche in the backpack, Ricoh GR in the front pocket)

0. FRAME THE SHOT

Imagine the universe as a Leica M-A loaded with endless 35 mm film.

Every frame you expose—sip of espresso, failed squat, stolen street portrait—winds back to the exact start the moment you click the shutter. Same film, same scene, forever. That’s Nietzsche’s Eternal Return: the cosmic rewind button with no eject option.

The question mark: Would you press the shutter again? And again? And again?

1. WHY THE LOOP PANICS THE MASSES

1. Infinite mediocrity – scroll once, scroll forever; dread is the algorithm.
2. Moral recursion – cruelty you shrug off today metastasizes into boundless echo.
3. Agency crisis – if everything repeats, what’s left to change? Cue existential vertigo.

But panic is wasted light—flip the exposure compensation.

2. HOW TO TURN TERROR INTO TECHNIQUE

a. Live so powerfully you’d rehearse it for eternity

Shoot with intention. If the loop is fixed, let every act be a decisive moment worth printing in platinum-palladium.

b. Compose micro-idylls

If the sunrise will greet you a trillion times, learn to frame it fresh each cycle: new angle, new lens flare, new gratitude. Joy scales infinitely when you savor details.

c. Lift heavy as metaphysics

A 500-lb dead-lift, repeated eternally, becomes a hymn to becoming. Iron doesn’t care about cosmic theories; it answers with pure presence. Every rep is a philosophical argument shouted through your hamstrings.

3. PROGRAM THE LOOP LIKE A STREET SHOOTER

Daily Gesture	Eternal Impact
Smile at a stranger	Compassion ripples through timeless asphalt.
Write one honest paragraph	Truth hard-bakes into the cosmic archive.
Experiment boldly (new focal length, new risk)	Curiosity inoculates infinity against boredom.
Delete what doesn’t spark	Negative space isn’t empty; it’s breathing room for eternity.

4. THE APPARENT PARADOX—CHOICE WITHIN CYCLIC FATE

Yes, the reel rewinds.

But the attitude you bring to each rerun is raw agency. Different consciousness = different universe, even if the frames match pixel for pixel. Consciousness is the secret variable Nietzsche left for us to discover in the darkroom.

5. CLOSING SHUTTER-CLICK

The eternal return is not a prison; it’s the ultimate editing prompt:

Curate a life you’d gladly watch on loop.

If the answer today is “No,” rewrite the script before the next cosmic refresh.

Pack lighter baggage, press heavier iron, shoot bolder frames, love like the exposure meter is stuck at +2.

Then, when the universe whispers “Again?” you grin, slam a double espresso, raise the camera—and say “Yes. Encore.”

GOD MORALITY—WHO’S DRAWING THE LINES?

(Eric Kim cadence: espresso-fueled, shutter-snapping, barbell-clanging, commas erupting like rapid-fire)

1. THE CANON SHOT

“God says so”—the oldest moral lens cap on Earth. Helpful? Sometimes. Heavy? Always. If omnipotence writes the rule-book, you either obey or dive into the abyss. But street photographers, lifters, hustlers—we thrive on framing. Morality is a frame, God is the light source. Your job is deciding exposure: trust the meter, or go full manual?

2. THREE MODES OF GOD MORALITY

Mode	Metaphor	Upside	Downside
Divine Command	Auto-mode	Quick decisions, zero calibration	Creativity throttled, ISO of conscience stuck at 100
Co-Author	Aperture priority	God sets max aperture (love, justice); you pick shutter speed	Responsibility sneaks in—no blaming the firmware
God-Within	Full manual RAW	You embody creator, craft ethics per frame	Risk of blown highlights (hubris), but dynamic range = infinite

Pick your mode. Just don’t claim you “had no choice”; that’s moral laziness dressed as humility.

3. LIFTING AS LITURGY

• Rack pull 500 lb. Knees tremble, spine flashes white noise.
• In the grind you feel it: cosmic gravity ≈ moral gravity.
• You can’t bargain with physics; you can only conform or crumble.

That’s God Morality in the gym: absolute, objective, steel-bar scripture. Ignore form, herniate. Follow form, ascend. The lesson: transcendental laws + embodied discipline = ethical muscle-mass.

4. STREET PHOTOGRAPHY AS THEOLOGY

On the sidewalk every stranger is Imago Dei—or just pixels to exploit. Choose. God Morality whispers: “Respect the soul in the frame.” When you press the shutter, you’re writing a tiny gospel of how humans ought to be seen. Exploitative crop? Sin. Honest portrait? Sacrament.

5. THE RISK OF OUTSOURCED ETHICS

Hand your conscience to an all-powerful server in the sky, and your agency atrophies faster than a missed leg day. Nietzsche’s warning: kill the external God, or at least wrestle Him, so you own the moral gains. Passive obedience = spiritual sarcopenia.

6. FORGING A GOD-TIER ETHIC—A 5-STEP PROGRAM

1. Daily audit: Before sleep, replay actions like RAW files. Keep, tweak, delete.
2. Steel tests: If a principle survives under a 600-lb bar, it’s real.
3. Public publish: Write your code. Blog it. The crowd is your confessor.
4. Compassion reps: One radical act of kindness per day—volume builds virtue.
5. Silence set: 10 minutes of nothing—let the still, small voice speak.

7. CLOSING FRAME

God Morality? Maybe it’s divine firmware, maybe it’s user-generated ethics running on cosmic silicon. Either way, you’re the operator. Expose boldly, lift reverently, shoot truthfully. When the universe reviews your contact sheet, let every frame say:

“I answered to something higher—then lifted higher still.”

Now go deadlift your doubts, share a kind word with a stranger, and press the shutter on a better world.

THE ETERNAL RETURN, THE ETERNAL LOOP, ?

Breathe in: same air, same sunrise, same mistakes.

Breathe out: same exhale, same echo, same horizon.

That’s the eternal return—Nietzsche’s cosmic prank where your life re-rolls on infinite repeat, frame-perfect, pixel-locked. No new DLC, no bonus levels. Every PR, every heartbreak, every Tuesday coffee—again, again, again.

—

1. WHY IT TERRIFIES

• Perfect déjà vu: if you flinch once, you flinch forever.
• Moral audit: the loop asks, “Would you hit ‘Play’ on this timeline for all eternity?”
• Agency squeeze: same script implies no edits, ergo dread.

—

2. WHY IT EMPOWERS

Flip the question mark—own the punctuation.

If you choose each rep, each word, each kiss as though you’ll relive it eternally, mediocrity self-destructs. The loop becomes a forge:

1. Intentional living: half-hearted scroll-fests? Not worth infinite reruns.
2. Joy in micro-moments: a sunrise admired once is nice; a sunrise relished forever is a dividend machine.
3. Courage on tap: fear melts when you realize timidity also loops ad infinitum.

—

3. HOW TO PROGRAM THE LOOP

Action	Effect on Infinite Replay
5 a.m. heavy singles	Eternal dopamine surge; strength echoes across cycles.
Publish raw thoughts daily	Narrative compounds; future-you never gags on silence.
Radical generosity	Kindness ricochets forever—virtuous groundhog day.
Zero-regret decisions	Every “yes” or “no” gets tattooed on infinity—choose boldly.

—

4. THE META-MOVE

The universe presses Ctrl-R; you press Ctrl-W—write, work, win.

Each loop is exactly the same unless the loop includes you deciding to evolve.

Paradox? Maybe. Power glitch? Definitely.

So plant a flag:

“If I must live this moment eternally, I will craft it so well that eternity applauds.”

—

5. QUESTION MARK, ANSWERED

The eternal return, the eternal loop, ?

Answer: Yes—let it spin.

But load the disc with art, love, deadlifts, laughter, and purpose so dense that infinity never feels long.

(read loud, chest up, commas flying like shell-casings)

1. THE PRIME AXIOM

Higher testosterone, higher bias-toward-ACTION, higher happiness, period, no footnotes, no brakes. Eric Kim hammers this on his blog: “Testosterone is the secret to happiness,” he snarls, because the hormone turns hesitation into momentum and momentum into euphoria. 

2. RECEIPTS – CURRENT PERSONAL RECORDS

Lift	Weight	Context	Source
Rack Pull	1,005 lb at 165 lb BW, mixed-grip, barbell vibrating like a Tesla coil	April 2025
Atlas Lift (static partial squat-rack pick)	1,000 lb	Mar 2025
Conventional/Sumo Deadlift (floor)	551 lb raw, barefoot	Sept 2022
Full Squat (ass-to-grass)	385 lb GoPro POV	Feb 2022
Squat Walk-Out / Lift-Off	775 lb (8 plates) yoke-style stand-up, no belt	Jul 2024
Floor Bench Press	385 lb chalk-cloud single	Feb 2023

Goal on deck: 700-lb floor deadlift––stated outright in the May 2025 training log. 

3. BIO-CHEMICAL TRUTH, BRO-SCIENCE STYLE

Testosterone floods the limbic dopamine circuits, cranks the reward dial, slaps the fear-center across the mouth. Leg-day megaton moves (rack pulls, atlas lifts) spike T harder than any preacher-curl fluff, so every PR isn’t just weight moved, it’s serotonin hijacked, happiness detonated. 

4. THE HYPELIFTING PROTOCOL, COMMA AFTER COMMA

Wake up, black coffee, cold shower, commas, slap chest, commas, scream “LIGHTWEIGHT,” commas, load plates ’til the bar bows, commas, ONE rep, commas, post the video, commas, feel the testosterone surge, commas, grin like you stole fire from Olympus. Every comma = one more micro-hit of forward motion.

5. WHY PRs = BLISS

1. Proof-of-Work: Iron doesn’t lie; numbers go up, confidence goes orbital.
2. Social Shockwaves: Pull a grand on the rack, strangers stare, ego eats that energy for breakfast.
3. Momentum Loop: Higher T → bigger lifts → louder inner-voice → greater life-satisfaction → repeat.

Eric says it best: the high-T Prius driver “will deadlift your car, chug a shake, and drive off grinning while you wonder why he’s so damn happy.” 

6. RUN THE PLAY

• Carnivore slabs, sunlight, and eight hours out cold.
• One heavy single per lift, per week – nothing else matters.
• Log everything, celebrate every half-pound jump.
• When the bar stops rising? Add commas, add fury, add plates.

7. CLOSING WAR-CRY

Testosterone isn’t a lab value, it’s a lifestyle. Chase the numbers, embrace the commas, smash the PR, and happiness will have no choice but to keep up.

(Now shut the laptop, chalk the hands, and go make gravity your hobby.)

(read this, then go dead-lift something heavy)

0. WHY LISTEN TO ME?

I’m ERIC KIM—street-photographer, power-lifter, unapologetic carnivore, Bitcoin HODLer, and self-proclaimed alpha-nerd. I’ve spent the last decade documenting how jacking up your T-levels adds jet fuel to creativity, courage, and joy. I’m not alone: lab coats are finally catching up, and the data is starting to echo what my quads have known for years. 

1. THE SIMPLE EQUATION

Higher Testosterone ⇒ Higher Bias Toward Action ⇒ Higher Happiness

• Happiness isn’t a fluffy emotion—it’s forward momentum.
• Testosterone is the biochemical green-light that screams “GO!” when the lizard-brain whines “maybe later…”  
• Action crushes rumination. Less rumination = more smiles.

2. THE SCIENCE (YES, THERE 

IS

 SCIENCE)

Study	What it found	Why it matters
Journal of Urology “Hormones to Happiness” abstract (May 2025)	TRT in low-T men significantly lifted mood scores across seven trials	Even the ivory-tower guys admit T can brighten the psyche
PubMed review, 2024	TRT gave hypogonadal dudes a small but real bump in energy & mood	Proof that bringing T from low to normal flips the happiness switch
Neuro-imaging study (2025)	Testosterone fine-tunes the brain’s “social radar,” making wins feel juicier	More reward sensitivity = more perceived life-bliss

Translation: if your tank is empty, filling it makes you happier; if your tank is full, overfilling it turns you into a Ferrari—not a Prius with serotonin issues.

3. THE BRO-SCIENCE (A.K.A. MY LIFE EXPERIMENT)

1. 5 a.m. fasted dead-lifts → Testosterone spike → Post-workout euphoria kicks in before sunrise.
2. One-meal-a-day carnivore feast → Cholesterol = raw material for more T.
3. Cold shower → Dopamine + Testosterone cocktail that nukes anxiety.
4. Street photography walk → Risk, eye contact, micro-wins → Neurochemical jackpot.

Do this trifecta daily and watch your grin spread wider than the 14-mm lens on my Ricoh GR. 

4. HOW TO 

MAX OUT

 YOUR T (AND THUS JOY)

1. Lift heavy, low rep, compound. Squats & deads aren’t just leg day—they’re hormonal warfare.
2. Sleep like a stone idol. Sub-6 hrs = cortisol canyon; cortisol is T’s kryptonite.
3. Sun + steak + salt. Vitamin D, cholesterol, electrolytes—the holy trinity.
4. Quit the sugar-dopamine drip. Insulin spikes tank T.
5. Own your risk. Publish that photo, launch that side-hustle, ask for the raise. Testosterone is potentiated by victory. Every tiny win feeds the cycle.  

5. FAQ (FOOLISHLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

• “Can women use this?” Yes. Women have testosterone too; optimal levels fire up confidence without obliterating femininity.
• “What if I’m already mid-range?” Mid-range effort → mid-range life. Push higher (safely) and feel the difference.
• “Isn’t too much T aggressive?” Aggression is mismanaged energy. Channel it into art, iron, or entrepreneurship and it transmutes into joy.  

6. CAVEATS (BECAUSE MOM SAID SO)

• If your doc tags your haematocrit as “sky-high,” back off or donate blood.
• Monitor PSA, blood pressure, and cholesterol—then smash PRs in both squats and blood panels.
• TRT is a tool, not a crutch. Use lifestyle first, syringes last.  

7. THE CALL TO ACTION

Close this tab. Go lift. Go create. Go conquer. Let testosterone light the fuse, and watch happiness explode.

Key take-aways (May 2025)

Question	Short answer
Does “naturally” high testosterone make men happier?	Not reliably. Large cohort work the past two years finds no clear link between higher serum testosterone (within the normal range) and greater life-satisfaction or lower future risk of depression.
Does bringing low testosterone up to normal via therapy help mood?	Yes — but only modestly. Across several new randomised trials and meta-analyses (2023-2025), hypogonadal men who received testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) showed small but significant improvements in vitality, energy and depressive-symptom scores (≈0.2–0.3 SD).
Is TRT better than lifestyle change alone?	Probably not. A 2-year RCT with >500 men found that weight-loss counselling plus placebo improved psychosocial well-being as much as counselling plus TRT; subsequent letters (2025) argue any extra mood benefit is minimal.
Adolescents & young men	Evidence is sparse and mostly cautionary reviews; no high-quality trials yet link testosterone therapy to happiness in this age group.
Older men (50 +)	Recent reviews of “T-Trials” and TRAVERSE sub-analyses show slight lifts in depressive symptoms and vitality, but one 2024 cohort found baseline testosterone did not predict new-onset depression.

What the newest studies actually say

1. Natural testosterone & subjective well-being

• Prospective cohort (Australia, 7 000 men ≥60 y, 2024) – Higher total or free testosterone did not reduce 5-year incidence of major depression.  
• Daily-sampling field study (UCSB, 41 men, Proc. R. Soc. B 2024) – Testosterone spikes in single men predicted courtship effort, not libido or happiness; partnered men’s testosterone fell with no change in well-being.  
• Overall, once men are within the normal physiological window (≈300–1000 ng/dL), more testosterone does not translate into greater mood or life-satisfaction. Effects seem to plateau.

2. Testosterone‐replacement therapy (TRT) in hypogonadism

Evidence	Design	Mood/Happiness outcomes
TRAVERSE Mental-Health secondary analysis (n = 5 204, 2024)	RCT, 24 mo gel vs placebo	PHQ-9 ↓ ≈1 pt (small), energy ↑; no effect on sleep/cognition.
Cureus systematic review (35 RCTs, Apr 2025)	Meta-analysis	QoL ↑ (standardised mean diff ≈0.28), sexual satisfaction ↑; no major BP or lipid harms.
EJE review of “T-Trials” (2024)	Aggregate of 7 RCTs	Modest gains in vitality and depressive symptoms in men ≥65 y.
Weight-loss + TRT RCT (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023) & 2025 letter	2-year, 269 men	Lifestyle change alone delivered comparable psychosocial benefit; TRT added little.

Magnitude: in most trials the effect size on validated mood scales is small (Cohen’s d 0.2–0.3). Clinically meaningful for some men who start very low, but nowhere near antidepressant-level changes.

3. Age-specific notes

• Adolescents/young adults – 2024 review calls current evidence “insufficient”; safety and psychological impacts remain unclear.  
• Middle-aged to older men – Benefits concentrate in those with documented hypogonadism. Normal-range supplementation yields negligible mood change and carries unresolved long-term safety questions.  
• Very old (≥75 y) – No dedicated RCTs on happiness; ongoing TRAVERSE extension may fill this gap.

Mechanistic snapshot

Animal and imaging studies suggest testosterone modulates limbic dopamine and serotonin signalling, which can lift motivation and energy. But those pathways saturate quickly; above mid-range levels, extra T mainly changes social-behaviour variables (competition, courtship), not happiness itself. 

Practical implications (2025)

1. Test only if symptomatic. Mood-only complaints seldom justify TRT unless morning levels < 300 ng/dL on two occasions.
2. Lifestyle first. Sleep ≥7 h, resistance training, weight management and limiting alcohol raise testosterone and mood with lower risk.
3. If TRT is prescribed, review after 3-6 months; discontinue if mood has not improved or reaches the mid-normal serum range.
4. Monitor haematocrit, PSA, lipids and blood pressure every 6-12 months.

Bottom line

High testosterone is not a happiness hormone. In men whose levels are already normal, pushing them higher does little for mood. For clinically low testosterone, replacement can nudge vitality and depressive symptoms upward, but the gains are small and should be weighed against cost, monitoring, and still-uncertain long-term risks.

If you’d like personalised guidance on lifestyle strategies that boost both testosterone and well-being, just let me know.

Nobody will ever mention that Pusha T is the goat. Am I the only one?

First, he is handsome. And tall, and very innovative with his fashion.

Second, he was in the Lego movie piece by piece with Pharrell. A must watch.

Third, he is honest. He does not lie. And this is why he makes Drake look like a Muppet.

…

PUSHA T: THE GOAT, THE GRIND, THE GLORY

(told in my best Eric Kim inner-monologue — rapid-fire, minimalist, caffeinated)

1. Precision-driven poetry.

Every bar is a Leica prime lens: fixed, razor-sharp, no distortion. Push wastes zero syllables. He’s not spraying verses; he’s placing bullets. Listen to “If You Know You Know,” “Infrared,” any 16 he’s floated since – the lines snap into focus like a perfectly timed shutter. No filler. Just decisive frames.

2. Consistency is the ultimate flex.

—from 2002’s Lord Willin’ to 2022’s It’s Almost Dry and now the completed Clipse comeback Let God Sort ’Em Out (first duo LP in 15 years, produced top-to-bottom by Pharrell)  .

Two-plus decades, zero stumbles. Most rappers peak once; Push runs marathons at sprint pace.

3. Minimalism as aesthetic & ethic.

No bloated albums. Seven-track DAYTONA felt like a photo-zine: thin, but every spread a keeper. Craft over catalog. He edits like a ruthless street photographer—keep the bangers, trash the rest.

4. Authentic voice, un-watered-down.

Coke-rap? Sure—but filtered through haute-cuisine detail: pink tops, Pyrex pots, the clink of a triple-beam. It’s reportage. It’s Garry Winogrand wandering the block, except the camera is Push’s vocal tone.

5. Curated soundtracks.

When Pharrell, Ye, Madlib, or…Pharrell again tailor beats, Push treats them like gallery walls. Negative space, stark drums, one well-placed sample—rooms where his voice echoes.

6. Fearless competitive spirit.

He ended the Drake dynasty with “The Story of Adidon.” Full stop. Art isn’t polite; it’s honest. Push pressed the shutter at the decisive moment, captured the raw frame, hit publish. History logged.

7. Culture Midas.

Fashion? He’s not chasing trends; he’s liquidating rare grails through GOAT to make room for what’s next while hyping the new album release . Rapper → Louis Vuitton runway curator → streetwear archivist. A reminder: Greatness spills past the mic.

8. Longevity through evolution.

May 2025 and he’s still “so far ahead, you know they behind.” Fresh music, fresh fits, fresh energy—as if debut-year hunger never left. That’s GOAT behavior.

Takeaway, friend:

Study the discipline. Shoot fewer frames, but make every one iconic. Speak in bullets, live in bold, and never, ever dull your edge. Push shows us why mastery isn’t an event—it’s an ongoing series of deliberate, exquisite clicks.

Now get out, hit the streets, create your own classics.

(freestyled in the turbo-minimal, all-caps soul-shout of Eric Kim)

1. RAW VOICE > POLISHED POLITENESS

Rap is the Leica M-Monochrom of sound—no filters, no smoothing, just the hard grain of truth. A rapper spitting sixteen bares teeth the way a street photographer presses the shutter at 0.7 m: point-blank honesty, no excuses. Every bar says, “Here is my life in 1/60 of a second—deal with it.”

2. HYPER-COMPRESSED STORYTELLING

Three verses, one hook, maybe a bridge—that’s it. Like composing haiku with bass drums. Hip-hop taught me to slice narrative fat: drop adjectives, keep verbs, punch with nouns. The same ethic powers my blog posts, my photography zines, my one-rep-max training logs. Minimal words, maximal punch.

3. BEAT = HEARTBEAT

When the 808 hits, my sternum becomes a metronome. That vibration is embodied mindfulness—now is impossible to ignore when the kick drum rattles your rib cage. I chase that bodily presence whether I’m rack-pulling four digits or roaming Saigon alleys at blue hour. Rap is a portable meditation bell.

4. DIY / PUNK / STREET CRED

Early hip-hop was two turntables and a busted mic; modern trap can be cooked on a $300 laptop. Same with photography: one Ricoh GR, one spare battery, go. Rap’s mantra—make art with what you have right now—destroyed my gear lust and super-charged my creativity budget for beef ribs and plane tickets.

5. RHYTHM AS PROPRIOCEPTION

Great rappers ride micro-beats between the beats—like floating your shutter at 1/15 and trusting body sync instead of IBIS. Listening trains my neural timing; afterward my deadlift setup, my shutter cadence, even my driving flow smoother. The groove is a muscle, and rap flexes it daily.

6. LYRICAL WEIGHT TRAINING

Tongue-twister syllables = metabolic conditioning for the mind. Memorizing “Busta Rhymes – Break Ya Neck” is sprint intervals for diction; decoding a Kendrick metaphor is mental pause-squatting 5 seconds out of the hole. Hip-hop keeps my cognition bar path laser-straight.

7. HUSTLE ETHIC

Mixtape grind, SoundCloud drops, open-mic nights—rap glorifies relentless shipping. That energy infects my own “publish wide, publish daily” philosophy. Blog post, YouTube video, newsletter blast—drop it, drop it, drop it. Perfectionism dies on the altar of constant output.

8. GLORIOUS IMPERFECTION

Vinyl crackle, off-beat ad-lib, voice crack—all left in the final mix. Imperfection is the human watermark. I leave motion blur in street photographs and chalk streaks on lifting videos for the same reason: flaws prove realness.

9. EMPOWERMENT VOLUME KNOB

Need courage before a cold-approach street portrait? Cue M.O.P.’s “Ante Up.” Need rage before a heavy single? Cue DMX growls. Need playful zest on a photo walk? Chance the Rapper brass lines. Rap is Spotify-on-demand emotional pre-workout.

10. COMMUNITY, NOT COMPLACENCY

Freestyle ciphers = live-fire incubators. One MC spits, next tries to one-up, iron sharpens iron. I translate that to creative critique sessions, lifting hype circles, group photowalks. We build each other by challenging each other.

11. LANGUAGE EVOLUTION

Slang today is Oxford English tomorrow; rap is the petri dish. “Flex,” “lit,” “goat,” “secure the bag” started on mixtapes and now headline Fortune articles. Witnessing living language mutate in real time fires my love of words—keeps prose nimble, punches clichés in the throat.

12. HISTORY WITH A BASSLINE

Hip-hop is a rolling documentary: housing projects, systemic struggle, diaspora wins. Each album is an oral-history zine set to drum loops. Studying it refines my street-photography ethic: listen first, shoot second, respect context always.

13. PLAYFUL BRAVADO

Braggadocio in rap isn’t vanity; it’s a creative pep-talk. Talking big rewires self-belief. When I rap along—badly, loudly—I’m rehearsing courage scripts that later surface when pitching workshops or attempting ridiculous PRs.

14. ENDLESS REMIX CULTURE

Sampling James Brown horn stabs, flipping soul vinyl—they prove every piece of art can be raw material for more. I remix my own photos into diptychs, slice blog paragraphs into tweet threads, even turn lifting timestamps into poetic timestamps. Creation begets creation.

THE TL;DR BEAT DROP

Rap & hip-hop fuse raw truth, rhythmic mindfulness, hustle gospel, and linguistic kung-fu into a sonic pre-workout for life. They teach me to strip gear, amplify intent, and ship art daily—camera, keyboard, barbell, or microphone.

So next time the 808 rumbles your liver, don’t just nod—absorb. Let the kick drum calibrate your heartbeat, let the rhymes sharpen your syntax, let the hype jack your dopamine so high you publish that zine tonight.

TURN UP, STRAP LESS, SHOOT FAST, LIFT HEAVY.