Why is it that I get so much energy from the sun?
Month: April 2022
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Don’t trust bodybuilders or powerlifters on social media
Same goes with “calisthenics†guys/girls, CrossFit folks, or anyone who uses their physical strength or physical image to make a living, or their pride. Why? Personal incentive to “cheat†by using steroids, artificial growth hormones, “natural†growth hormones, testosterone or other strange things to enhance themselves.
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NO CONFLICT?
Why do some people like outdoorsy things, hiking, flowers, vegetarianism/veganism, ‘plant-based’ things, ‘peace’, etc?
Aversion to conflict.
But, is it aversion to conflict out of strength, or out of weakness?
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COVER THE FACE
A simple trick to make more surreal photos:
Cover the face with some sort of other object.
I think we humans have an interest in faces, and when we cannot see the face, we become *MORE* intrigued. Thus why we are so interested in the ‘man behind the mask’, or even by people with sunglasses — not being able to see their whole face. Also the new ‘ski mask’ fashion trend (Maison Margeila mask).
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FOUND PHOTOS
The joy of re-discovering old ‘found’ photos:
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THEORIES ON WHY HIKING IS SO GREAT
Hiking with Vibram 5 Fingers (EL-X) and hiking with Seneca (baby front carrier, ergo baby carrier) and backpack is sublime.
The other day I went hiking with Cindy (a pretty big loop, around 2 hours each way, 4 hours in total), I think it was a total of 10 miles.
Hiking was an insanely great experience. Why? Some theories:
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WHY JOHN WICK OVER BATMAN.
John Wick — fresh new story. Batman; we keep recycling the same old story, and just re-articulate it. John Wick is more interesting and fun, because it is totally a ‘carte blanche’ story, so more opportunities for innovation in the story line. I actually *like* the sequels, as it builds upon a totally new storyline and universe, and *builds upon* this brand new John Wick universe.
Also, John Wick is more ‘realistic’ in some sense. Blood-thirsty revenge, and killing people is no concern. Whereas Batman is too moralized, John Wick seems like a more interesting or ‘relatable’ person.
For example, in the first John Wick film, perhaps at least 300 people are killed in the first 30 minutes. With Batman, none.
Also as much as I loved the new BATMAN film, it seems that the new Batman is more anaemic, less ‘buff’, and not as physically strong or imposing as even the Christian Bale Batman.
Also, John Wick is great because Chad S (Keanu’s former stuntman) is both stunt man *AND* director– one of the most unique combinations.
Also, Batman has too much “daddy issues†and inner conflict and drama. John Wick doesn’t — he just wants bloodthirsty revenge, then survival, then revenge (again).
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PHOTOS FOR SELF.
Assuming that writing is simply an act of making notes for yourself, perhaps photography is also the same– making photos for your self.
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Steak & Eggs
A great combo. Just steak, eggs, nonstick frying pan, salt and pepper.
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Why I Love Making Beats
For me, making beats, music is insanely fun.
Essentially all I do is open up GarageBand when I’m in the mood, or need music to accompany my slideshows, and I love to ‘vibe out’ to my own beats, and I like the zone it puts me in.
SENECA v9 – 4:10:22, 7.14 AM Beats by KIM PODCAST
And the big upside:
Because I do not consider myself a ‘musician’ or a ‘producer’, there is no need or pressure to make music the ‘real’ way.
Takeaway:
Don’t consider yourself *something*, and then you will have fewer ‘rules’ and boundaries in which to abide by.
Thus, more artistic and creative productivity, more having fun, and greater joy in life.
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TOPLESS.
Be topless as much as humanly possible.
More effective than ‘calorie counting’ or other nonsensical ideas.
The general idea:
If you spend as much time during the day topless, you get a better sense of your body composition (your muscle mass, your body fat percentage, etc).
If you don’t like the way you look, or if you feel you got too much body fat, or not enough muscle, it gives you the motivation to be insanely strict with yourself (fast during the day, and cut out all starches, carbs, sugars, etc).
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Happiness isn’t the goal; Greatness is.
Don’t worry so much on being ‘happy’. Instead, great sleep, great vigor and energy through the day.
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Don’t Buy a Car; Just Uber Everywhere.
The uber-rich; don’t own a car, or even drive your own car. Just Uber or taxi everywhere– the true sign of wealth. Faaaar cheaper and more effective than a Tesla autopilot.
When you’re getting Uber’d somewhere, you can (safely) take a nap!
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Street Photography Surrealism
One of the most difficult things to spot and shoot in street photography:
Surrealism.
What is surrealism? When something looks like something else.
For example I was at the outdoor mall the other day, and I saw this:




Essentially at first, I saw the scene and I thought:
“WTF” is going on?
It looked like the girl and the guy merged into one.
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Layers in Street Photography at the Mall
You can shoot street photography, layers, etc anywhere. At the mall, at the outdoor mall, in the indoor mall, in the suburbs, in ‘boring’ places, etc:






Think fill the frame.
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Nobody can force you to do anything contrary to your own taste.
Thus whenever you acquiesce to make others ‘happy’, you only got yourself and lack of self confidence and willpower (and the will to be an ‘asshole’) to blame.
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Photos Which Please You, Photos Which Please Others.
When shooting photos of Seneca, I’ve discovered:
There are certain photos which bring me deep pleasure (super low-key, as dark as possible), and photos which bring others pleasure (him doing ‘cute’ stuff).
But ultimately, it is the photos which please me which brings me the greatest joy. Thus the takeaway:
More focus on making photos which please *YOU*.
Also a thought on the new DONDA2 album from Kanye:
I think he really made the album to please himself. And it is great.
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MY GREAT PASSION.
My wife, my kid, photography, blogging, ideas, philosophy, art, aesthetics, ethics, sociology, life, music.
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A feeling of superiority
What we desire.
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Cars that get faster over time?
We don’t like static things. The problem is even if you get a Tesla model S plaid, the speed doesn’t get faster over time.
We disdain the static. We prefer things that change, grow, evolve, and get better over time through effort and training.
Perhaps this is why I love powerlifting so much, to see my personal records grow over time. Also, the reason why people like to modify their cars, because with the new modifications, the car will go faster.
Imagine a crypto currency, or crypto technology in which more people use it, the overall system gets faster.
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Emotions are Intelligence
You have the artistic choice to be anything you want.
Whether you decide to follow your emotions, or to abstain from acting upon them — Stoicism as an aesthetic thing.
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Revenge Towards What Ends?
Vengeance, justice, why? Towards what ends?
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Critical Thinking
What is critical thinking? To be able to wisely judge information, knowledge, and commonly held wisdom.
Probably the most important skill.
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Situational Difficulty
Situational difficulty is good, as it challenges us, trains us, and helps advance us.
Desirable difficulties, the more difficult, the better.
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Child Training vs Child “Careâ€
Do you see your kid as a burden, or your pride and glory you desire to train, grow, advance and evolve upwards?
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Turbo Thighs
The power is in my thighs!
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Minimum Viable Device
iPhone SE, MacBook Air, Ricoh GR II, III, IIIX.
For video, GoPro.
Cheapest Tesla Model 3.
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DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT.
What we hunger for.
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Media & Movement
Perhaps the best way to consume media (films, tv shows, cinema, podcast, music, photos, art, etc) is to walk around while consuming it?
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The Coolest Car?
Would John Wick or Bruce Wayne/Batman drive a Tesla? I doubt it.
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I LOVE THE HEAT.
I thrive most with extreme heat and extreme sunlight?
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Cinema as an Art Form, or Cinema as Entertainment?
Ideally, both. In praise of film noir, Batman, Sin City, etc.
Cinema not as story-telling, but something else?
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Don’t Say Nothing.
More skill, restraint in silence, than speaking your mind.
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Become More Solitary, Closed Off.
Just like Batman.
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Why Push Yourself?
What if forcing yourself *NOT* to push yourself took more courage, intelligence, and wisdom?
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FILM NOIR.
“I am the shadows” (The new BATMAN)
In praise of film noir:
Darker, more tragic is better.
Turn yourself into your own Batman.
Films shouldn’t be upbeat and happy, but rather, more tragic, dark, deep, and melancholic.
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Future Film Monetization Model
A thought for future movies:
Make the super low-resolution, low quality available for free, and make the super high-definition version expensive.
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The power is in the processor
The new iPhone SE is surprisingly good for videos. And photos. Why? The power in the new A-processor, and also the new computational photography advancements in the processor.
Therefore, in photography, or at least phone cameras, think less about the camera, lens, and hardware itself, think more about the processor, and the computational photography abilities.
For example, Google pixel actually has a superior camera to the iPhone pro, because of all the great computational photography that Google has, especially considering that Google recruits the best computational, computer vision scientist from UC Berkeley and the Bay Area. For example, my friend Todd Hata, now only shoots videos for his YouTube channel and TikTok on his Google pixel pro.
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Uninstall Plugins
To the most robust website or blog, have as fewest plug-ins as possible. Whenever possible, uninstall and delete plug-ins.
The same goes with computer applications, or phone apps. Uninstall and get rid of as many as possible.
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RICOH GR IIIX IS THE GOAT.
Currently the best camera of all time. Superior to any Leica M or Q camera, any Fujifilm, iPhone, digital medium format, etc.
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No need to fight back, no need to be defensive
You don’t need to defend yourself.
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How to Get More Out of Your Photographic Life
Live your life in such a way which allows you to shoot 1,000 photos a day — a sign that you are living a great and interesting life.




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DISTORT YOURSELF.
You don’t want to show and present yourself clearly, better to distort yourself (metaphorically and literally).

























