ERIC KIM

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Generic Design

A thought on Tesla cars:

I personally love the aesthetic (clean, flush, minimalist) of Tesla cars, but my critique: the design of the cars and the design language is a bit boring and generic.

For example the Model S— the Plaid mode is undeniably cool. However it is very generic — a bit and pieces here of a Jaguar, Toyota Camry in size, and bulbous in shape.

The Model 3 is definitely an improvement — it seems more like a shark (front end of a Porsche 911) and the tail lights and end definitely is distinctly “Tesla”. The Model X with the falcon wings are very cool, but it is a bit too big. The Model Y is certainly a huge innovation (perfect hybrid between the Model 3 and Model X), but still … it seems a bit too plain for my tastes.

And even if you think about it, there’s not too much variety you can get in a Tesla. Most people will probably opt for the white package, or the “all black” aesthetic, or perhaps red to be a bit more bold (but even the red color paint job isn’t bold or bright enough). So the question:

Is it fine to just get a very good generic design that “just works”, or should we strive towards more extreme, unconventional aesthetics?

My thought for now:

Opt for extreme.

ERIC

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An Elite Aesthetic

A thought on aesthetics:

What we are striving for is towards is an elite aesthetic — to look different, have a different taste (above the “vulgar masses”).

Furthermore to go even beyond a superficial elite aesthetic. For example, to me it seems too basic to buy an Audi car, a BMW, or even a Mercedes to “stunt” your aesthetic tastes. It is almost like the lazy way to spout “luxury” (equivalent to buying a Louis Vuitton bag). Even in some ways, buying a Porsche 911 is “too obvious” of a cool aesthetic (everyone already knows it is a cool car, and everyone already has one … so why do you gotta get it?)

Anyways with your design aesthetic, design choices, clothing, fashion, haircut, the way you present yourself — perhaps the desire is for us to differentiate ourselves even more from others, than to fit in.

ERIC

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RADICAL ADAPTATION

In today’s brave new pandemic world — the optimal strategy:

We must radically adapt to the now!

No future — only now.

How to Shoot Street Photography Right Now

Free motivation for you:

PDF: How to Shoot Street Photography Right NowDownload

Dear friends,

It seems that many of us have been sitting around in eager anticipation for COVID to blow over, or perhaps the day that we (or everyone in America) becomes fully-vaccinated.

But it seems that will not be the case, nor will ever be the case. It seems COVID is the ‘new normal’, and rather than waiting for things to change, we must learn to radically adapt to the present moment, and figure out how we can thrive artistically, creatively and photographically right now; today.

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How to Enjoy Photography More

No expectations. Enjoying the walk for the sake of the walk. The joy of all the natural wonders in the world. The joy of composing a scene, and the excitement to see how the scene will manifest as a photograph!

Photography as a zen, meditative practice.

Not Hateful Design

I don’t have to love it .. just not hate it.

Why does this matter? Because in modern capitalist American society, we desire to always obtain things that we love. And thus our Sysiphian quest for “more more more, better better better, improved, more optimized, and more beautiful”.

But with all our design things, tools and objects (camera, phone, tablet, car, clothing, shoes, watches, accessories etc)— we don’t need to *love* it— just not hate it. In fact, can we truly love any design objects? I say no. **We can only love human beings.**

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Pride in What You Paid For

We often think:

Oh… if I just got all this for free, I’d be so happy.

We wish to get ‘sponsored’ and to get free things. And I think many people desire to get a huge inheritance, etc.

But in actuality, the best life is in which you pay for everything. Why? By paying for something … you signal what you truly care for. And this also signals:

You have pride in what you paid for.

What you paid for either monetarily, time-wise, or what you sacrificed in life for it!

So in other words,

It is good to pay for things to exercise your personal judgement, aesthetics, ethics, ethos and taste.

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How to Optimize for Your Health

When it comes to life decisions, optimize for your health. In terms of your abode, living situation, neighborhood, food and diet, exercise, people and friends and city community.

You can do this by investing your money, time and resources towards your health. Your health reigns supreme!

Simple ideas:

  1. Optimize for your sleep
  2. Optimize your stimulants to give you maximal vigor
  3. Live in a place which has the ideal climate for you and your personal health
  4. Live in a home with the maximal amount of natural light. Ideally live near a park, or a place with fresh air trees and veg

Bright & Quiet

My new favorite aesthetic:

Bright and quiet.

What does this mean?

  1. With cars, I hate loud cars. Ideally electric or hybrid car.
  2. The best technologies REMOVE loud noises (BOSE noise canceling headphones)
  3. With color, white and bright is good! Black accents and chrome accents are good.
  4. With homes, optimize for bright light (huuuuge windows and tons of natural light) and quiet (as far away from street noise as possible)

Differentiation vs Equalization

In life, ask yourself the question:

Do I strive to become more similar to others, or more different?

And also:

Do you derive your pride from owning the same totems of wealth and success as others, or do you prefer to be radically different?

I say in life, strive to become *more different* from others in terms of belongings, lifestyle, philosophy, thinking, approach, artistic creation, speech, gait, writing and action!

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Photography is My Play!

How did children and kids learn? Via playing. Even dogs play with one another!

In modern society we are taught that to play is a vice, and to work is a virtue. Even now, kids playtime is continually cut down and down to prioritize (boring) academic work.

But moving forward … if we desire to extract the maximum from existence, to maximize our growth and artistic production, we must prioritize our play! And for me, photography as one of my apex joys and play activities!

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Anything Which Entertains You Is Good.

As I have hit all my life goals, have reached financial freedom, etc … I have a very difficult time entertaining myself. Almost nothing holds my attention (entertain as ‘en+tenare’ — something which holds your attention).

And in fact, ‘entertainment’ is not base. Epic poetry and deep philosophy tends to be the most entertaining to me, as it is difficult and challenging enough (and interesting enough) to hold my attention.

Thus moving forward in your life, remember:

Life is infinitely too short to be bored (Nietzsche).

And in this way:

Strive to find challenging and interesting enough things to entertain yourself!

Some ideas:

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The Best Design is Via Negativa

A design epiphany:

The best design is “via negativa”.

For example, the best designed shoes aren’t the ones that “look” the coolest, but the ones that DON’T cause pain! With cameras, the best designed camera has the LEAST amount of superfluous buttons, features, and the LEAST amount of confusion in the UI/UX (also the least weight, and the least amount of time it has on your shelf— the best camera is the one you shoot with all day, every day— either RICOH GR III or iPhone).

Also with homes, the best designed homes as having the LEAST amount of noise, the LEAST amount of heat loss, and the minimum of dark spaces at home.

Also the iPhone Mini as the best iPhone as it is the LEAST heavy, LEAST big (better for one handed texting and usage), and also lesser in price than the other “Pro” models.