I’ve always been a sucker for cars ever since I was a kid. For me, the car was a symbol (and practical means) of freedom. Going where I wanted to go, based on my own schedule, while also having pride in my vehicle.
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I still love cars and car design.
Why? To me, car design is sculpture. Luxury cars and sports cars are sculpture that happen to be able to take you from point A to point B.
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Furthermore, cars are an aspirational thing; pushing human limits and design to the maximum.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Screenshot_2019-05-03-11-35-35-864_mark.via_.gp_.jpg?resize=1080%2C1715)
Also as a random note; I love the marketing and branding copy/text they use to get you hyped and amped up. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lamborghini seem to have the best marketing language to advertise their cars.
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But of course buying these cars won’t make you sexier, stronger, or more innovative. But still; they are interesting icons of aspiration towards greatness and strength.
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#nocar lifestyle
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Traveling and living abroad, I don’t own my own car– but I often have this urge and desire to purchase these luxury sports cars.
I recently had an epiphany:
What if instead of desiring a luxury sports car to make me feel stronger, sexier, and more badass– I could just sculpt my own body and mindstyle to become stronger, meaner, and leaner?
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_20190503_025932-2000x1500.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500)
For example, instead of seeking carbon fiber parts for my racecar, I seek to reduce the weight of my camera, devices, and personal belongings. Also shedding superfluous body fat from my frame.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BMW-2018-ConceptVehicle-M8-GranCoupe-Greatness-02.jpg?resize=927%2C987)
Instead of desiring muscular design from the car, desire more muscles from my own body!
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BMW-2018-ConceptVehicle-M8-GranCoupe-Worlds-01.jpg?resize=1600%2C813)
Instead of desiring a “meaner” car design, make myself look more mean and lean physically (less body fat, more muscle mass).
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BMW-2018-ConceptVehicle-M8-GranCoupe-Statement-03.jpg?resize=660%2C395)
Instead of seeking a car with more horsepower and speed, I seek to become stronger at powerlifting (Deadlift, Squats, Dumbell press), while being more productive creatively and artistically?
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Downsides of car ownership
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- Maintenance costs and hassle/headaches (oil change, fixing parts, tune ups, time in garage).
- Insurance costs and gas money costs.
- Hassle of parking (the upside of Uber/Lyft; no worrying about parking).
- Less stress of people denting your car. Also less hassle from police, speeding tickets, thieves, etc.
Upsides of not owning a car
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- You end up walking more, thus shooting more photos and street photos.
- More money in the pocket for travel and other interesting experiences.
- Less stress of figuring out where to park your car when you’re traveling or out of the country.
- More freedom: Freedom to leave whenever. Also, the upside of modern technology and Uber to take you anywhere you need to go.
- If you really need a car, you can always rent one for super cheap.
Simplify your life
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I wonder; if we no longer desired to own a car (in fact, we prefer NOT owning a car), wouldn’t this simplify our lives for the better?
- More money
- Less stress
- Less hassle
- More flexibility
- More focus on ourselves and our own body
- More walking (beneficial to our photography, health, and life)
So it seems my conclusion so far is simple:
Perhaps the best car is no car.
Live light.
ERIC