ERIC KIM

New Forward Facing Design vs Retrospective and Nostalgic Design

My critique of much of modern design:

It is focused on the nostalgia of the past and retrospective because it is “cool” and sells, rather than the substance of it.

For example, there is no reason why modern digital cameras need to look like old school rangefinders. There is no more film cartridge or 35mm cassette which requires it. Also in a world of great autofocus, manual focusing is more about the romanticism than the practicality. In this way, RICOH GR as superior to Leica M cameras in almost all regards.

Same with car design — the delight in the flush nose and front end of the new Tesla cars because a radiator is no longer needed! So with design ask yourself:

Is this design facing forward for the better, or facing backwards and the past for the worse?

ERIC

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Carte Blanche

‘Carte Blanche’ — the phrase in French (blank slate, blank piece of paper).

Why is carte blanche so beautiful? When things are new, clean, pure, and un-tainted … then you can truly re-challenge yourself, re-innovate, and re-create yourself and the future (and past!)

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Why Make Photos?

For me the primary reason to make photos:

I have a poor memory, and when I look at my old photos, it resparks great joy in my heart and breast!

Perhaps then for us photographers, forgetfulness or having a poor memory is a great blessing in disguise!

Also perhaps our forgetfulness of our past memories and photos gives us motivation and reason to look back at our old photos and re-relish in them!

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Uncorrupted Desires

Do you remember your pure, uncorrupted desires when you were a kid, a teenager, high school student or naive and optimistic college student? Perhaps the best way forward in life is to stick to your pure uncorrupted desires and aesthetics/ethics as a kid, and use your adult resources and wisdom to advance!

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Easily Bored?

A thought while looking at the new McLaren Artura hybrid super car:

Assuming you buy the best car which exists… how long before you bore of it?

Which makes me think more about boredom in general:

  1. Boredom of our devices, cars, cameras, tools, phones, laptops, etc
  2. Boredom of our home, city, neighborhood, etc
  3. Boredom of certain designs, clothes, fashions, etc

What is the meaning of being easily bored? And are there some virtues of being easily bored?

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Anything Which Causes You to Live More Fearfully is Bad

Or in other words, optimize your life in such a manner which causes you to live maximally brave and fearlessly.

This can mean own possessions which you’re not afraid to fuck up, break, scratch or dent. Having a phone you’re not worried about breaking and ruining is better … so you don’t need to baby it and fret over it! Same goes with your car — the worst car is the car in which you’re worried about getting pulled over, getting it keyed, scratched, stolen, etc. Incognito is best.

The Never-Ending Journey

A thought in a half awake state, which got me up this morning:

The joy of life is that there is no end.

For example, with consumer goods. Perhaps the ideal isn’t to strive to have a “perfect” device which you keep forever, and are forever satisfied and happy and pleased with it. Instead, to always “upcycle”your tools and things — ideally buying it used or refurbished, and either keeping it as long as you can (before your eventual upgrade), or perhaps the joy of just testing things out for your own personal interest and returning it later. Essentially not to get tied down by our things.

But anyways, the goal isn’t some end perfect homeostasis. The goal is to continue to journey on this beautiful and unpredictable life, strive to seek your own personal maximum growth, and to create art and share this life journey of yours with others via your blog, website and any other platform which can amplify your voice and creative vision!

ERIC

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Towards a More Independent Street Photography Approach

This means:

Strive to position yourself in street photography in such a manner in which you enjoy street photography as an independent pursuit for yourself — to enjoy the process of going out and making photos, the joy of interacting with strangers, the joy of being on the streets, the joy of the chase, the chance encounters, the joy of reviewing your photos, selecting the best ones, and sharing your favorite ones.

The more of an independent approach you can take in your street photography, the happier you will be, the more self-motivated you will be (autotelic approach to street photography) and the more creatively prolific you will become!

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What is Your Higher Purpose in Life?

In life you have the power to dictate your own purpose in life. Your own higher purpose in life. A purpose so high and mighty that you are willing to forgo everything else.

Assuming you don’t believe in a (conscious) afterlife, and think that life is devoid of inherent meaning (nihilism) then this is the greatest thought:

No guilt or fear from *NOT* living a ‘normal’ life, and being able to eschew all societal norms and ‘rules’ in order to pursue your higher purpose in life!

In other words:

  1. You can safely ignore all societal norms and rules, because you have decided for yourself that your higher purpose in life far surpasses the importance of conforming to normal social rules.
  2. There is no ‘punishment’ or ‘eternal damnation’ in the afterlife … thus, all your actions and responsibilities are your own!

ERIC

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