Month: April 2023

He or she who lasts the longest is the most “successful”.

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LAST LONG(ER)

How to last (long)

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Thoughts on Lasting. Lasting Long

I was randomly playing some songs from Jay Z‘s album 4:44 in my head today, and some thoughts:

Will this song, and this album last, or not?

Probably not. Why?

Jay Z‘s 444 album was kind of a strange album, part apology album for Jay Z continually cheating on Beyoncé, and also, I think Jay Z just wanted to put out an album for the sake of putting out an album, maybe in order to make money, etc.

Why last?

Nietzsche once said that durability was one of the highest human goods, or things on planet earth. Durability.

Merino wool?

I used to be a huge proponent of merino, especially for traveling, living in hot and humid climates like living in Vietnam, Cambodia, etc. I still think that merino wool is phenomenal, for example the outlier.nyc merino wool tshirt was insanely great (the ramie, ramielust t shirt is interesting to me for travel this summer to Korea and Vietnam). However, this is by far the biggest issue of merino wool:

It just doesn’t last.

For example, I have at least three or four outlier.nyc merino wool T-shirts, which have essentially been torn to shreds, through over-wear and tear over the years. They are all just sitting in a drawer now.

This is a tricky thing, because, the thought:

Does durability matter, if, your goal is to have the most apex thing?

For example, let us say that you are traveling in the hot and humid climate for the summer, and you want the best possible T-shirt, or material to travel with. You can only bring one or two. Then certainly you will choose the best thing, which is 100% merino wool, in lieu of knowing that it may only last a year or two tops.

Maybe the same analogy with road bikes, or racing bicycles, let us assume that the chassis is 100% carbon fiber. If you are doing a race, and you need every last advantage, certainly having a chassis which is 100% carbon fiber is best, although it is more prone to breaking, and it will not last as long as an aluminum or steel chassis.

Having to replace things is just annoying

Are currently speaking, I have a conundrum; I love the record your digital cameras, however they keep breaking on me. For example, my Rico GR 3X, which I might have only bought a year or two ago, has already went kaput, it doesn’t even charge or turn on anymore.

Or, my previous Ricoh GRIII, which has this perpetual lens error issue.

I contacted Ricoh to send me a new one, however, they just told me to repair it. To send it in, and pay around $340 to fix it. I can’t be fucked doing this.

Therefore, trying to think long, I was thinking:

What is a camera that I could purchase, which I know will be reliable, durable, and will last a very long time, and also is very compact, which won’t break on me?

Retractable lenses are bad

First note from a design perspective; cameras which have retractable lenses, seem like a good idea because it makes the camera more compact and slim, but are horrible because it leads to more parts which will lead to breaking.

Thus, the best camera in the best lens is a lens which is non-retractable. This means all Ricoh GR cameras are out.

Leica camera is interesting, because at least, their cameras either have fixed lenses, like on their Leica Q series cameras, or, interchangeable lenses, like on their Leica M cameras.

However a big downside of this is that the cameras are insanely big and bulky. Don’t be fooled, the Leica M digital rangefinder camera is still a very big and bulky camera, not that much lighter than turning around a DSLR camera.

From a design perspective, the Leica Q camera is very cool, I reviewed the Leica Q2 a few years ago and I liked it, but the big issue with the Leica Q camera:

I can’t stop help thinking that it is just a really expensive Panasonic Lumix camera.

Also, the big issue with the Leica Q camera is that it is also like having a very very expensive iPhone. Why? Can you imagine as if you spent $6000 on a iPhone 6s, do you imagine that you’ll still be using it today?

Likewise, even if you have the newest Leica camera, Leica Q2 camera, I think the longevity on it will be quite poor.

Also, I am sure there is already a Leica Q3 in the works — just hold out.

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Just buy what is newest?

From a longevity perspective, it seems that a good strategy is to just buy what is the newest. That is, which was released in the current year.

For example, as I voice dictate these words on my iPad Pro M1 chip, only buy a new digital camera which has been released in the year 2023, or within the last few months.

Also the same thing goes with devices, smartphones, iPhones, etc.

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Cars

For example, the good thing of lagging behind, and being a late adopter is many-fold:

For example, let us say that you were an unfortunate purchaser of an early model Tesla model S, or Tesla model 3. Very quickly, your car got outdated. For example, to my understanding the touchscreens of the older Tesla model S cars are very slow, unresponsive and laggy. Or, to my understanding the brand new Tesla model 3 has a different type of battery, battery architecture from the older Tessa model 3 with the chrome trimmings.

Or, now that the all black everything aesthetic is becoming more mainstream, even the misfortune of owning an older Tesla car, with chrome trim instead of just simple black trim.

The difficult and tricky thing with purchasing a new car, electric car, or a Tesla car is this:

The battery technology in cars and electric cars is evolving so quickly, it seems on wise to actually purchased or on a brand new electric car, because within a year or two, or two or three years, it will probably already get outdated.

Or let us consider how everyone is excited and waiting for the cybertruck to come out. Once the cyber truck comes out, everyone will want to get rid of their Tesla model three cars, their Tesla model Y cars, they’re a Tesla model X cars, and their Tesla model S cars.

Or, when the Tesla roadster finally comes out, everyone will want to get rid of their Tesla model S plaid cars.

iPhone Pro?

The reason why it seems wise to always delay and lag in regards to buying a new phone or iPhone is this:

There will always be a new new iPhone.

For example, it seems that the iPhone 11 Pro, 12 Pro, 13 Pro, and 14 Pro has evolved very quickly. As I write these words, iPhone 14 Pro is already dated. I’m sure that the iPhone 15 Pro is already in the works.

As a consequence, imagine that you bought an iPhone 14 pro just a few months ago, imagine your extreme dismay and frustration when the new iPhone 15 pro comes out.

So in regards to phones, or iPhones, what is the best strategy?

What I have personally discovered is just buy the cheapest, newest iPhone. Currently speaking that is the iPhone SE. Even though I don’t really like it that much, at least it is cheap, and the processor is actually quite new, and I don’t feel like I am married to it.

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Invest in the new

It seems that the best strategy is to just buy what is new, newest. Why?

First of all, technology moves so quickly. By buying or investing in what is new, typically speaking there is a higher likelihood of longevity. Even buying a technological thing, whether phone, tablet, laptop, car, electric car, Tesla, digital camera etc … even something first released 1 year ago, or 2 years ago is too old.

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How to have you last?

In regards to “dedication”, what does this really mean?

My personal thought is only work on that what you truly care for, no compromise here. You must really really really really really insanely care for it.

For example, my insane passion for weightlifting, powerlifting, hypelifting, and innovation in health diet and fitness. Why do I care for this so much? Because, I think it is critical onto human thriving.

Don’t force yourself to do it

A clear distinction here is things that you think you “should“ do, and things that you must do.

For example, I think the reason why it is so hard for people to start exercising and working out, going to the gym is this:

They don’t want to.

For many people, it feels like this strange duty that one must do, rather than something that one wants to do.

Maybe the same thing is with blogging, vlogging, starting a YouTube channel, etc.; nobody should feel like they must do something against their own will, a lot of people think they “should“ do it, for marketing, business purposes etc. However, I say if your soul is not really into it, don’t even bother.

100% passion or nothing.

How I write

For myself, I only write about things which I am personally curious about, and things which I personally care for.

Perhaps the writer that I have been inspired by the most is Nassim Taleb. He has broken all “proper“ rules of writing, and as a consequence, his writing is fun, personal, lively, wise, deep and strong.

Ironically enough, I kind of make my living as a “writer“, even though I do not consider myself a writer. I consider myself more of a blogger, but even that is something I don’t really think of myself as. I just think of myself as a curious individual, and my passion is to just share my thoughts, and whatever mode or media which best suits for it.

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The downside with iPhone photos, even iPhone pro photos

I think that the iPhone, iPhone pro is a very great photo creation device. However the massive downside:

I don’t think it makes photos which last.

Certainly you can make great photos with it, but for truly truly great photos, photos which will last the test of time … no. For myself, the only photos that I’ve shot which have lasted were on my RICOH GR camera, Ricoh GRII, my Ricoh GR three, my Ricoh GR3X, as well as my Leica M9 camera, and also my film cameras (Ricoh GR1s film camera, Contax T3 film camera, Leica M6 camera, and Leica MP film camera).

Should we just keep buying Ricoh GR cameras ad infinitum?

My insane annoyance with RICOH GR cameras is that they don’t seem to last for longer than a year or two. What should we do about this?

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Long thinking

The reason why I love Jeff Bezos as an entrepreneur is that his personal vision and forecasting the future was phenomenal. And I think Jeff is one of those few entrepreneurs who was able to think at the 30-40 year level.

Why think Long? My thought is when you try to think at the 30 or 40 year level, you don’t muck around with the inconsequential.

There are certain facts:

1. You are currently alive
2. One day you will die

Then the question is, in between those two facts, what do you want to do with your life? Assuming that your body is the bow and arrow, how do you want to use your body as a tool, an instrument, or even a weapon?

Long photo thoughts

I believe it is the goal and aspiration of every photographer to create photos which last.

LONG PHOTOS.

“Vita brevis, ars longa.” (Life is short, art is long — art will last a long time)

Your life is short, however, the artwork you create, however you define artwork, has a potential for lasting a very long time.

So, how can you make photos that will last a long time?

The first thought is design your life and your world and your existence in such a way which maximizes your opportunity and ability to make photos. The simple fact:

The more you travel, the more you go outside, the more adventures you go on, and the more time you click the shutter, the more likely you are to make some photos which last.

Happiness lasts

Another funny thought, photos that I’ve shot out of happiness and joy and exuberance have also lasted. Why? When I look at my photos which were shot during periods in which I was very happy, it re-instills in me that happiness.

HOW TO OUTLAST?

Over-lasting is good.

A simple thought is not to just outlast others, but to “over-last”. For example, Nietzsche will easily be remembered for over 300 years. The same goes with Elon Musk. Also probably Kanye West. I think Jay Z will be forgotten. For example, nowadays young kids know who Kanye West is, nobody knows who Jay Z or Eminem is.

Thinking insanely long

Elon Musk — whether he succeeds are not in taking us to Mars, the attempt is great and interesting. Certainly he is already scheduled with Tesla, despite all of the naysayers. Why does everyone they say Tesla, and Elon Musk?

People feel small compared to him.

Even Peter Thiel once said that Elon Musk is a bad role model, because it is too difficult to emulate him.

Becoming more “crazy” or “Asperger’s?

There is one theory, sort of outlined by Peter Thiel in 0 to 1 in which he says,

Many successful entrepreneurs are successful, because they have some sort of low level of “Asperger’s”.

Or disregard for social norms.

For example, if you played by traditional social rules, better to just become an accountant, or consultant, or some sort of boring middle management, or executive. These people are never remembered.

Do you want to be remembered?

I believe it was Heraclitus who once said:

Men should seek the greatest human good, which is immortal glory and fame amongst mortals, yet the majority of men just stuff themselves like cattle.

A first critical thing you must ask yourself:

Do I even care to be remembered?

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Me?

For myself, I can go both ways. If I am forgotten, no biggie, when you’re dead, and after you die, you cannot reap the benefits of your fame or notoriety.

However, what I am interested in, and what I do have an interest and passion is this:

To create things which are useful to my fellow human beings who are alive right now, and maybe, being a benefit and an asset and turbocharger to future humans. After I’m dead.

Why do I care for this? Maybe there is some sort of intrinsic altruism here, or maybe it is just from my Catholic Christian upbringing.

Simply put, my thought is this:

I just want to create and share information and knowledge which I wish I had access when I was a kid, when I was 12, 16, 18 years old, 21 years old, etc.

For example, things like

1. How to transform my passion into a living, and whether this was even possible or not.
2. How to become famous, get a lot of likes and favorites, make my photos famous, make myself famous, travel the world, be distinguished, have solo exhibitions, print my own photo books, etc.
3. The limits of human physical strength. This is towards my powerlifting 2.0 idea.

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Go Long

Think 30, 40, 50 years beyond. I think this is the best way to think long.

ERIC

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EK WORK

Fresh out of the oven: ERIC KIM turbocharging workshop, downtown LA, June 17th, 2023 >

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EK TURBO THINKING

To turbo charge your thinking, shoot me an email at Eric [at] EricKim.com

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New directions

Some thoughts:

1. Maybe the best camera to always have with you is some sort of Lumix, hybrid photography and video and blogging camera. That you could shoot still photos whenever you want, but also shoot vlogs ad lib.. For example, Lumix G9 camera is surprisingly good as a black-and-white still photo camera, and also phenomenal for vlogging.
2. The new Sony full frame compact vlogging camera looks cool
3. Just buy a white Tesla — just buy a Tesla model three. Why? Compact design. Ultimately, I believe compact shall win. Even if you are a trillionaire, maybe still, a Tesla model three performance, and white is the best car? Why? It is the fastest, and also White is just the easiest to maintain and keep clean.
4. I’m over America.— what do I mean by this? Certainly I love being American, and I also love American values. But the downside of being rooted in America, is that ultimately, it just trends towards pretty boring stuff, like buying a house or a home, getting stuck. Much better to just live on the road.
5. The more I think about Lamborghini now, and the new Lamborghini Revuelto, it is just so uninteresting and lame. Better to just go plaid instead.

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EK SHOP

FOR THE ELITE & PRIVILEGED:

1. MUSE BY KIM
2. EK NECK STRAP MARK II
3. HENRI MARK IV

CONQUER ALL >

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Your photo assignment

Traffic.

I say when you’re driving, just keep your camera in your front right pocket or your cupholder, and just shoot photos when you’re stuck in traffic. Or at the stoplight.

Upload your best “traffic“ photos to arsbeta.com

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Next

1. Read books by Kim
2. Get a gym membership, or just buy some roguefitness.com equipment for your home gym
3. Think strongman
4. Watch John Wick four

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Start here

What is the future? You.

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Forward the turbo

If this give you even one interesting thought, feel free to forward this to a friend!

EK TURBO NEWS >

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“Fortune favors the strong.”

Fortuna adiuvat Fortis.

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Dear friend,

If you are hungry to turbocharge yourself, your life, your photography, your philosophy, your creativity, I cordially invite you to my new workshop in Downtown LA, this June 17th, Saturday 2023.

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Why?

Thinking about this for a long time, ultimately, what is real? Real is fellow like-minded individuals occupying the same physical space, breathing the same air, sharing thoughts on life, photography, art, creativity, and more.

What do you want?

I don’t know about you, but this is what I want:

1. Becoming more creative
2. Becoming more inspired
3. Thinking higher and more lofty thoughts
4. Thinking deeper, more critically, becoming more philosophical
5. Becoming a better photographer
6. Gaining more creative confidence
7. Gaining more social courage
8. I meeting fellow like-minded passionate individuals
9. Flourishing
10. Thriving

Who is this for?

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is for you.

This is a unique workshop because it will be a combination of entrepreneurial thinking, musings on photography life and art, deeper meaning and purpose in life, etc.

The structure of this workshop is that we will start off at the coffee shop, using this opportunity to meet one another, gain deeper insights about one another, better learning and understanding our life mission goals, and also, strategizing ways we could head towards those goals, and beyond.

Also, there will be a photography element. Some of the best photography happens while just walking and talking, especially in the vibrant and dynamic downtown LA backdrop.

Fortune favors the bold

What is the best way to live life? I think it is a combination of the social, the physical, the artistic and creative, and also, the new.

The reason why I love workshops so much, both teaching and attending them is that it gives you a unique opportunity to break out of your traditional routine. For example, you might have the same rhythm when it comes to waking up, going to work, going home, don’t do anything creative, go to sleep. Or if you’re retired or semi-retired, maybe you’re more homebound, or stuck in your own locale.

A workshop is an excuse to break out of your traditional routine, and do some thing new, challenging, and interesting. In this workshop, once we establish your life goals, your photography goals, I will help you personally strategize how to best achieve those goals, both philosophically, practically, and with great encouragement and enthusiasm. Treat this like your one on one time consulting with ERIC KIM.

Life goals, life dreams?

We all have different life goals in life dreams. What is yours? This workshop is your opportunity to unlock your true potential.

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The 411

The details for this Downtown LA LOS ANGELES workshop:

• Date: June 17th, Saturday, 2023
• Time: 11am-4pm
• Meeting spot: ilcafe, 855 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014. Same street as the Ace Hotel
• Contact email: Lea.a.chung@gmail.com — my workshops manager and also my mom!

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Bring a friend or family member!

What is also unique about this workshop is that when you register and sign up, you can bring a friend or family member for free!

Buy one, get one free! My BOGO (buy one, get one [free]) philosophy to life.

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My personal goals for you this workshop

For myself, this is what I hope you will gain after attending this workshop:

1. Improved and increased vision, determination, and chutzpah regarding your life goals
2. New strategies, new ways of thinking to approach your life, your creative and photographic life
3. New innovative thoughts, entrepreneurial ideas to turbo charge your approach in life, photography, creativity and art
4. Making new friends, new connections, joining the EK illuminati
5. Greeter social confidence in the context of street photography, approaching strangers, interacting with strangers, etc.
6. Critical feedback on your ideas, your photography, your portfolio, and also, how to put yourself out there, gaining traction as a photographer artist and thinker
7. Gaining new hopes, aspirations, and dreams in life

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Skin in the game

Now that I am a bitcoin billionaire, I don’t really have a good use for money anymore. Therefore, the reason I teach is workshops is simply for fun.

If after the workshop you are not 100% satisfied with your experience, just email my mom (my workshops manager) at Lea.s.chung@gmail.com and either I will give you a spot in the near future workshop, 100% for free, or, I’ll offer you a free consulting session, or, all refund your money 100%.

Why? Skin in the game, soul in the game. The way I treat money nowadays is that is just a filter; I don’t want random people attending this workshop, only the determined, bold, and great.

Your investment

The tuition for this workshop is $3700 USD. However, if you submit your full deposit and tuition by June 3rd, it will only be 999 USD (this includes you bringing a free friend or family member — insanely good deal!)

Normal tuition portal ($3700 USD) >

Early-Bird Discount Portal (only 999 USD) >

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Secure your future

There are only six sign-up spots in total, which is in total 12 people.

Secure your future before it is too late.

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How do I know if my spot is secure?

Once you submit your full tuition for this workshop, your spot is 100% secure. If you have any questions regarding the workshop, please email my mom and workshops manager Lea Chung at Lea.s.chung@gmail.com

How should I prepare for this workshop?

You don’t need to prepare anything before this workshop. Just come to the workshop with an open mind, and of course your camera! I recommend bringing your smallest most portable camera possible, preferably your RICOH GR III/RICOH GR IIIX camera, maybe your Leica Q/Q2 camera, or Leica M rangefinder if you want to practice zone focusing or other things. Or your Fujifilm x100/X-PRO camera, etc.

How to get to the workshop

If you live in southern California, or Northern California, and you plan on driving, there are lots of open parking spots close by. Just drive around and find the closest parking lot, typically cost around 10 or $15 for the whole day.

Do you plan on flying in, and stay at an Airbnb, just take an Uber there.

More fun idea is just stay at the Ace Hotel just down the street. This could also be a fun opportunity for you to also check out the new downtown LA Apple Store, very cool.

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What the hell are you waiting for?

Legends never die.

Normal Tuition Portal:

$3700 USD: PayPal Buy Portal Here >

Early-Bird Tuition Portal:

Only 999 USD: PayPal Buy Portal Here >

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Now what?

Once you submit your deposit, your spot is 100% secure. In the meanwhile, before you’re waiting for this exciting workshop, keep thinking, creating, sharing and publishing, and excited to finally meet you in the flesh!

ERIC

Business expense, corporate education

The great thing with this workshop that it could also be a business expense for you, or part of your corporate educational learning and development. If you need a special invoice to follow this as a business expense, or an extended learning opportunity, email my mom Lea Chung (my workshops manager) at Lea.s.chung@gmail.com and we will set you up.

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DOMINATE PHILOSOPHY

YOUR LIFE GOAL IS TO DOMINATE?

In modern day life, we are taught certain things which are immoral, unethical, as well as evil. However, perhaps in order to develop grow and flourish, we need to have a mindset more towards domination.

What is the point of life?

If you think about nations, what do nations desire? Nations desire to grow. To grow bigger, to expand, to take on more colonies, to build her military, to extract more natural resources, etc.

For example, America is currently the bully with a big stick, and goes around the world give you “aid”, to less fortunate countries. However what America really wants here is to expand her military bases and global dominance.

Even China, which is lagging seriously behind in terms of military power, is trying desperately to extend her borders to beyond, maybe setting up some sort of new colonies in Africa, the Kazakhstan area, etc.

However, the reason why China will always be number two, not number one, is this:

China’s strength comes from her industriousness, not her creativity and ingenuity.

For example, if you are a Chinese billionaire, will you use an iPhone pro or a Huawei phone? Similarly speaking, will you use an iPad, or some random Chinese made tablet? Also, rich mainland Chinese kids, would they rather wear Yeezy‘s or Balenciaga sneakers, or would they prefer to wear some sort of Chinese luxury brand?

How did Lamborghinis get cool?

American rappers. Jay Z, Kanye West, etc.

“Lamborghini mercy your chick is so thirsty I’m in that juicy Lambo with your ass she trying to jerk me.” – MERCY KANYE WEST

I was born in 1988. I am currently 35 years old. When I was a kid growing up in the bay area, Alameda Oakland area, this is the funny thing:

Nobody had any idea what a Lamborghini was, it was not even in the cultural mindset.

When I was a kid growing up, it was all about the Acura Integra type R. Or the civic type R. My personal dream is the kid was to get a red Acura Integra, stick shift, white rims, and some sort of body kit. I still remember flipping through pages of import tuner, fantasizing about the body kit I would get, and also trying to scheme up of ways I would be able to somehow cough up the money.

Also let us consider the fast and the furious movies. Then it became cool to drive a Nissan skyline GTR, Toyota supra, etc.

Essentially what I learned is that tastes can be created and made through the media, whether it be movies, music, podcasts, etc.

Even apparently the Acura NSX was cool from Quentin Tarantino, pulp fiction.

You become the tastemaker

I believe that I am currently the most influential photographer alive. For example, it was I who popularized the Ricoh GR digital camera, I almost feel that Ricoh should give at least 10% of proceeds to me. Before me, nobody knew what a Ricoh was. Now, Ricoh GR3 and GR3X cameras are all back-ordered. It was also I who declared that Ricoh was the new Leica.

How does one become a taste maker?

Are there is certainly a hierarchy to taste. Otherwise everyone will just be sipping on Starbucks Frapuccino’s all day, eating McDonald’s hamburgers, and eating Twinkies.

Or listening to Katy Perry.

Certainly everyone has a different taste, and at the end of the day it is all subjective. However, philosophically, we desire to create a hierarchy.

For example, how is it in why is it the Nike is still cooler than Adidas? First and foremost, I just think that Nike is more innovative, has a cooler looking logo, and the Nike logo is far more dynamic than Adidas, the three stripes logo is lame. Even as a teenage kid, I always preferred the old-school Adidas trefoil logo instead.

In order to be a taste maker, you first need some sort of self-hosted option. Building your own website and blog through bluehost.com and installing WordPress.org

What is the difference between a website in a blog? A simple definition:

All blogs are websites, not all websites are blogs.

For example, blog just means web-log, a log of your activities thoughts and stuff on the web.

Or, another easy way to think about it is that a blog is just a more dynamic website which gets updated very frequently. A blog is just like your own social media.

Why is it so critical to own your own website and blog?

First of all, you cannot and will not get censored. If you are on any foreign platform, whether it be Spotify, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc., sooner or later you will get censored, you might become blacklisted, or, your account my simply get suspended or removed.

What people do not realize is that social media is not free-speech. Why? Facebook who owns Instagram is a privately held corporation, not a free-speech platform.

Longevity

I have owned ERICkimphotography.com and ERICkimphotography.com/blog since 2009, 2010. It is still alive and well. However, in the past, I used to blog on Xanga, but it is now dead and all of the content on it was deleted. Also, nobody uses Flickr anymore. Even with my Facebook account, somehow I got locked out of it. I can’t even login anymore.

The upside of longevity is that the longer you are alive, and the longer you keep posting and sharing, you will gain traction. I think to gain a true follower or a true fan takes anywhere in the context of 5 to 6 years. So ask yourself:

That what you are doing, can you keep doing it for 5 to 6 years, 10 years, 20-30 years? Beyond?

Me

For myself, I will keep making photos until I die, hopefully at age 120. Also, I will keep working out, lifting weights, and exercising until I die, also at the age of 120.

A simple thought:

The longer you live, the longer you keep publishing, and putting yourself out there … certainly this will increase the likelihood that you will be remembered.

Unlearn the ethics

It seems to be a good idea to unlearn ethics. Unlearn what you have been taught, and allow yourself to become more immoral.

ERIC

PHILOSOPHY BY KIM

Essays by KIM

1. JUST SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AND WISDOM WITH OTHERS.
2. How to Get More Done in a Single Day – MEMENTO MORI PHILOSOPHY
3. THINK FOR YOURSELF
4. Cruel?
5. GO DEMIGOD.
6. How to Be Happy: Challenge and Danger Philosophy
7. To Become Greater, You Must Become *LESS* Productive!
8. Imperfect Beauty
9. The Philosophy of Pleasure
10. What Interests You?
11. Anti Theory of Everything
12. Become?
13. STRONGER OR NOT?
14. Carte Blanche Ideals
15. CHOOSE JOY
16. Don’t Judge Your Impulses
17. On Becoming Less Human
18. COWARDICE.
19. The Philosophy of Futurism
20. PHILOSOPHY IS VALUE-SETTING
21. PHILOSOPHY IS NOT LIFESTYLE
22. WHY STANDARDIZATION IS BAD.
23. YOUR OWN TABLE OF VALUES.
24. RETRO IS BAD.
25. INSANELY LOFTY THOUGHTS.
26. Strive to *Lose* Weight, Not *Gain* Weight
27. DIABLO II ANALOGIES FOR REAL LIFE.
28. If You Know Your *WHY* You Can Discover Any *HOW*
29. Life is Too Short to Be Miserable
30. What Consumption Takes Skill?
31. OFF THE GRID.
32. REALITY IS CRUEL.
33. Pain is Information
34. WHY REMOVE VULGARITY AND DISORDER FROM OUR EYES?
35. AUTOTELIC.
36. UNPLUG.
37. How to Become a Philosopher
38. SUBOPTIMAL IS OPTIMAL
39. THE LUST FOR MORE.
40. TO DO IS TO BECOME.
41. IN PRAISE OF AGGRESSIVE.
42. THE PHILOSOPHY OF OPTIMISM
43. OUR PHILOSOPHICAL WILL TO EXISTENCE
44. Is Hope a Vice?
45. MOVE MEAN
46. Carte Blanche Ideals
47. One Interesting Thought
48. What Lasts? What Doesn’t Last?
49. A WOUND STIMULATES THE RECUPERATIVE POWERS
50. Children & Purpose
51. Thoughts on Becoming a Parent
52. Where Does Our Desire to Upgrade Come From?
53. WE ALWAYS NEED SOMETHING FURTHER TO ASPIRE TO.
54. Self-Task Yourself an Awesome Mission in Life
55. Differentiation vs Equalization
56. My Passion to *Become* Something More
57. No Aesthetic or Ethos is Forever
58. What is Your Higher Purpose in Life?
59. IT WILL NEVER SATISFY YOU.
60. How to Decide
61. Things You *Want* to Do vs Things You *MUST* Do
62. Towards a More Beautiful Mode of Existence and Future
63. EXTREME GRATITUDE.
64. AMAP (As Much as Possible) or None.
65. Why or How Does it Matter?
66. The Philosophy of Time and Events
67. How *Not* to Resent
68. FORWARD LOOKING
69. DOMAIN FLEXIBILITY.
70. The Miracle of Human Growth
71. EXTREME ADAPTATION.
72. Why Plan?
73. You Don’t Need to Justify Yourself
74. The Philosophy of Ego
75. True vs False Passions
76. How to Achieve Tranquility
77. On Making Your Own Philosophy
78. The Purpose of Life is to Create New Life
79. Think On!
80. The Wisdom of Doing Nothing
81. Congruency
82. My Thoughts on Meditation
83. The Philosophy of Purpose
84. Emulate Yourself
85. Good Fear, Bad Fear
86. For the Betterment of Humanity or Just Yourself?
87. What you *really* believe in and care for is manifested through your actions (or non-actions)
88. Why Culture is Your Enemy
89. YOUR EXPERIENCES ARE KING.
90. LIFE IS INHERENTLY GOOD.
91. Artistic, Physical, and Philosophical Muscles
92. All New Experiences are Good Experiences
93. What is the Purpose of X?
94. UTILITY.
95. Philosophy is a Luxury
96. The Attempt is More Interesting than the Result
97. Joyfulness vs “Happiness”
98. Effectiveness Over Happiness
99. Self Actualization
100. MAXIMAL ENGAGEMENT
101. Life & Pain
102. On Living Every Day with No Regret
103. Learn as if you’re going to live forever, live as if you’re going to die tomorrow
104. Live Every Day Like it Were the Last Day of Your Life
105. Self-Determination
106. FALSE GRATITUDE vs REAL GRATITUDE
107. HOW TO LIVE MORE
108. THE UPSIDE OF TRAGEDY
109. Satisfaction is a Sucker’s Game
110. Supreme Repose
111. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE? According to ERIC KIM
112. STUBBORN, FLEXIBLE
113. EVERYTHING HAPPENS AS IT *SHOULD* HAVE HAD HAPPENED
114. Good Addiction, Bad Addiction?
115. What is the Best Life?
116. The Philosophy of Thinking
117. The Philosophy of Conspiracies
118. Conspiracies
119. Growth
120. Skepticism.
121. What Do You Really Want Out of Life?
122. Seem or Be?
123. Learn Through Pain
124. Respect Yourself
125. In Praise of Elitism
126. Why Independent Thinking?
127. I Will Never Die
128. Bitter is Better
129. The Genesis of Nihilism and Existential Dread
130. The Ethics of Personal Enrichment
131. Good vs Not Good
132. Punished by Privilege
133. Abstinence Over Moderation
134. Just Leave Others Alone
135. You Can Only Critique that Which You Truly Understand and Love
136. ERIC KIM Critique of Metaphysics
137. Only Trust Philosophers Who Deadlift
138. Heuristic: If Someone Talks Shit About Others Behind Their Back, Most Likely They’re Also Talking Shit About You Behind Your Back
139. Virtue is a Privilege
140. What Are Your Life Goals?
141. Honesty
142. Why I’m Anti Moderation
143. No Spite, No Malice.
144. Ascending Life or Descending Life?
145. Double Edged Sword
146. Ignorance.
147. Why I Don’t Trust “Nice Guys”
148. Why You Must Share Your Opinion
149. Selfish Isn’t Evil
150. Wisdom is the Goal
151. YOU ARE KING.
152. MASTER YOURSELF
153. What is “Good” for You is Often what is Bad for You
154. Care.
155. BITTERSWEET
156. ONE REP MAX
157. Morality and Ethics is the Snare
158. BY HELPING YOURSELF, YOU BEST HELP OTHERS
159. Insanity is Good.
160. Think Deep.
161. PHILOSOPHY IS THE FUTURE.
162. Open Mind vs Closed Mind
163. ENTHUSIASM IS GENIUS
164. Towards a More Critical and Rigorous Line of Thinking
165. How to Encourage and a Foster Independent and Free Thinking
166. What is the Purpose of Life?
167. WHY PHILOSOPHY IS SUPREME.
168. Elitism.
169. I Cannot Form an Opinion About Somebody Until I’ve Met Them in the Flesh
170. ALL GENETICS ARE GOOD GENETICS.
171. Happiness vs Freedom
172. The Birth of a Hater
173. My Way Isn’t the Right Way
174. Walking as an Existential Thing
175. Why I’m So Tolerant
176. Mortal Gods
177. THE HUMAN SPECIES
178. Why I’m So Skeptical
179. Just Follow the Money
180. Why Selfish?
181. WHY WE CANNOT BLAME OTHERS
182. Why Are We So Anti Elitism?
183. What Actually Interests You?
184. How to Become Yourself
185. SELF HATE
186. Optimistic Fatalism
187. Death is the Ultimate Creative Constraint
188. FLUX.
189. How to Think for Yourself
190. FLESH
191. How to Live the Best Life
192. Why Live a Life Without Regrets?
193. Why Plato Ruined Art and Aesthetics for Us
194. Self Respect
195. Hypocrite vs Contradict
196. Ideals vs Reality
197. Spaceship Philosophy
198. What is Your Ideal Life?
199. MY EXTREME GRATITUDE TOWARDS LIFE AND BEING ALIVE!
200. Critique of Utilitarianism
201. Don’t Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated
202. The Eternal Recurrence of Tragedy and Joy in Life
203. Elite Asceticism
204. Why I Don’t Like Numbers
205. Action and Reaction, Cause and Effect
206. The Antidote to Nihilism: The Philosophy of Nothingness
207. ERIC KIM Notes on Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
208. EXPLOIT CHAOS.
209. WHY I DON’T BELIEVE IN GENETICS
210. Self-Wisdom
211. The Future Belongs to the Fearless
212. INDIVIDUALISM
213. Why Live Forever?
214. THIS TOO WILL PASS.
215. Why Education?
216. How to Become Yourself
217. Things Shouldn’t Go Back to the Way They Used to Be
218. Why Am I So Cruel?
219. The Great Joy of Existence
220. Virtue for the Sake of Virtue
221. NO DISDAIN.
222. INTELLIGENT IGNORANCE
223. A LIFE WITHOUT PAIN, DIFFICULTY OR TRAGEDY ISN’T A LIFE WORTH LIVING
224. BITTER IS BETTER.
225. EXPLOIT THE BEST FROM TRAGEDY AND LIFE 
226. DISREGARD FOR SELF-PRESERVATION
227. PAIN.
228. WHAT IF EVERYTHING IS NOT GONNA BE ALRIGHT?
229. Tomorrow is Never
230. Life is the Ultimate Creative Constraint
231. EMBODIED REALITY
232. BLACK SWAN
233. THINGS WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THE WAY THEY USED TO BE
234. What are you *really* afraid of?
235. HAPPINESS ISN’T THE GOAL
236. Philosophy is King
237. Why is Selfish Evil?
238. YOU’RE CONSTANTLY IN A STATE OF BECOMING
239. ENTITLEMENT A SIN?
240. NARCISSISM
241. BE BRUTALLY HONEST WITH YOURSELF
242. WHY FREE WILL?
243. OBEY YOUR OPINION
244. EGO IS GOOD.
245. WHY IT IS GOOD TO BE INTO YOURSELF
246. Seek the Good Pain
247. Anti-Perfection in Photography, Art, and Life
248. Can You Become an End into Yourself?
249. WHY I LIVE
250. Why I Hate Decline
251. Why I Eat
252. Why am I So Positive and Optimistic?
253. EFFORT IS ENJOYMENT
254. Never Stop Gaining
255. TRUST YOURSELF
256. A Life of Maximal Personal Independence
257. What Do You Desire to Become?
258. What Do I Want from Technology?
259. Stratified Society
260. Do You Love or Hate Reality?
261. On the Brian, Body and Mind
262. I’m Maximally Happy, Now What?
263. Care over Fame
264. ACTIVE NIHILISM
265. Never Stop Subtracting
266. How to Live a Happier and More Epic Life
267. A Risker Life is a Better Life
268. Only Work on Things You Can Imagine Doing for Eternity
269. How to Maximize Your Happiness
270. Influence
271. The Gladiator Makes His Plans once He Enters the Ring
272. Meditations on Meaning in Life
273. There is Nothing More Interesting than Human Beings
274. Is Hope a Vice?
275. EGO
276. Why Be Unique?
277. Happiness is Metabolism Health and Strength
278. You’re the Hero
279. Is Productivity a Virtue or Vice?
280. Why Do We Prize the Rare?
281. The Joy of Uncertainty
282. How Should I Best Use My Time and Life?
283. A Life Without Pain or Suffering Isn’t a Life Worth Living
284. Free or Unfree?
285. What Do You Really Care For in Life?
286. Anti-Satisfaction in Life
287. Why Think?
288. The Eternal Return
289. Only Do What is Best for You!
290. Truthiness
291. Why Be Happy?
292. Permissionless Living
293. In Praise of Unconventional Wisdom
294. Become the Change Which You Wish to See in the World
295. Happiness
296. Beyond Freedom
297. Idolize People, Not Stuff
298. What Makes You Stronger? What Makes You Weaker?
299. Why Hate?
300. The Secret of Happiness
301. You’re Constantly in a State of Becoming
302. Life is about Choices, Not Obligations
303. Anti-Nihilism
304. First, Do What is Best for You.
305. Live Dynamic
306. How to Prosper
307. Is the Point of Life to Be Satisfied?
308. SUPREME EFFORT OF WILL.
309. How to Become more Idealistic
310. Thrivival 101
311. Create Yourself
312. Non-Small
313. Inspiration
314. How to Live a Heroic Life: Dare the Heights!
315. Human Augmentation
316. Prune
317. Happiness: Do What You Want to Do (And Don’t Do What You Don’t Want to Do)
318. Avoid Vain (Empty) Pursuits in Life
319. Modern Slavery
320. Kill the Leeches
321. Wisdom Augmentation
322. Why We Need Friction in Life
323. Straight Line Philosophy
324. What’s Your End-Game in Life?
325. Create Your Own Happiness Today
326. Desire Both Pain and Pleasure in Life
327. Try the Impossible
328. SELF-RESPECT
329. Anti-Social Extrovert
330. Never Blame Anybody But Yourself
331. Human Flourishing
332. Simpler, Not Better.
333. How to be Free
334. Embrace the Extremes
335. Cultivate Your Own Culture
336. COURAGE.
337. Thrivival
338. Inner Power
339. How to Live a Purposeful Life
340. My Definition of Happiness
341. Why Change is Good
342. Why Work?
343. How to Live the Happiest Possible Life
344. The Two-Pronged Approach to Maximize Joy in Your Life
345. You Always Have Another Option!
346. INFINITISM
347. Never Stop!
348. What is Your Self-Directed Purpose in Life?
349. Live Today Like it Were Your Last
350. Do You Photograph to Live, or Live to Photograph?
351. ARTIST-PHILOSOPHER
352. Live Life to the Fullest!
353. In Praise of Selfishness
354. Why You Must Be a YAY-SAYER to Succeed in Entrepreneurship and Life
355. Why I Love Walking
356. Live Life Like a Video Game!
357. Simple Luxuries in Life
358. Treat Your Life Like a Fun Experiment!
359. Only Prove it to Yourself
360. You Don’t Always Need to Feel Joyful to Live a Fulfilling and Meaningful Life
361. Life is Too Short to Be Bored!
362. Money Cannot Destroy Boredom
363. How to Find Inspiration in Life
364. Why You Must Ignore Haters to Succeed and Win in Life
365. An Active Life is a Happy Life
366. My Simple Joys in Life
367. Never Stop Striving
368. How to Motivate Yourself in Life
369. How to Be Optimistic in Life
370. How to Dictate Your Purpose in Life
371. In Praise of a Dynamic Life
372. PURPOSE.
373. How to Enjoy Life
374. Photography Therapy
375. How to Conquer Regret
376. Take Your Play Very Seriously.
377. How to Prosper
378. Memento Vivere
379. Destroy in Order to CREATE
380. Trust Your Body More Than Your Mind
381. Make Photos to Make Meaning in Your Life
382. Seek Knowledge, Not Information
383. The Purpose of Human Life
384. How to Overcome Impedence
385. Why I Love Death
386. How to Be Centered in the Eternal Now
387. How to Be Happy
388. Why Do You Care What Others Think of You?
389. Why I’m Happy
390. Why?
391. Why I’m So Prolific
392. How to Reduce LAG in Life

Masters of Philosophy Â»

• Seneca
• Marcus Aurelius
• Publilius Syrus

Personal Philosophy Â»

• You Are the Light of the World
• Your Soul is a Diamond in the Rough
• Why Live?

Stoicism Â»

• How to Be a Stoic Street Photographer
• How to Use Photography as Self-Therapy
• How to Free Your Soul From Disturbance

Zen Philosophy »

• How to Be a Zen Street Photographer
• Zen in the Art of Street Photography
• How to Find Tranquility in Your Photography

Life Lessons Â»

• How to Conquer Your Fears in Life
• Conquer Yourself
• How to Focus

Learn more: Start Here >

Many more opportunities to be had in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea etc.

Anti-homeownership and also anti-car ownership in America.

Don’t invest in America, invest in yourself, and be portable.

Also I suppose what that means for myself in America, not to build any brick and mortar places. I want to be maximally mobile, able to hit the road whenever.