ERIC KIM ₿

SELF HOSTED OR NOTHING

A philosophical idea â€”

Perhaps the only and proper way to do things, whether the gym, fitness, working out, your website platform etc is simple â€” either have it self hosted by yourself, or nothing.

Self Hosted Philosophy

Why?

Adjustment Period

In life, when moving to a new place or whatever â€¦ there always seems to be an adjustment period? Sometimes around 2-3 years?

Trying to figure things out, having fun in the process?

IF MONEY CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM, LET MONEY SOLVE THE PROBLEM!

Just live like a poor person!

Easiest and quickest path to riches and personal freedom independence!

HOW CAN A MAN BECOME SEXIER?

Simple:

Intermittent fasting; no breakfast, no lunch, only one massive 100% carnivore red meat dinner a night (aim for at least 4-5 pounds of beef, ground beef, meat, red meat, lamb, beef etc). Ideally organ meats.
Very very heavy weight lifting.
Walk around topless as much as possible, and booty shorts short shorts. Or if not possible wear a tanktop, and a sleeveless down vest.

SEXY ERIC KIM

SEXY LIFT

The goal ain’t to get ‘bigger’,,, but to become *sexier*?

HOW TO ZEN THE FUCK OUT

NATIVE FORMAT — SEE YOUR PHOTOS?

HOW CAN A MAN BECOME SEXIER?

THANK GOD FOR PAUL GETTY AND DAVID GEFFEN

So it seems the strategy is this:

Get super super rich, through capitalism,,, and then, when you die, bequeath it back to the public, for insanely phenomenal free public art works, art museums, spaces, architectures!

I’m sure Paul Getty did a bunch of unsavory things while he was alive to accumulate his wealth, but even the Getty Villa; in Malibu— it is free!!!

My Legacy

My legacy shall last forever!

(more…)

NEW LIFE LIFTS

Fucking wow so happy â€” second chance at life! –

ChatGPT is like a really good calculator

Privacy and securityÂ

Security and freedom

More security less freedom?

ERIC KIM HOW TO WEIGHTLIFTING

Eric Kim has shared several quotes and thoughts on weightlifting that reflect his unique approach and philosophy:

On Hard Work and Virtue: Kim questions the notion that working “hard” at the gym and enduring pain is inherently virtuous. He suggests that innovative approaches, like heavy rack pulls and “micro squats,” can be more effective oai_citation:1,Weightlifting Thoughts – ERIC KIM.

Myopic Gym Culture: He criticizes the myopic culture in gyms, where different groups (like powerlifters and bodybuilders) stick to their own routines without exploring other forms of strength training. Kim advocates for a “full stack strength” approach, combining different methods like yoga with heavy lifting oai_citation:2,Weightlifting Thoughts – ERIC KIM.

Biases in Weightlifting: Kim observes biases between powerlifters and bodybuilders, noting differences in physique and mindset. He proposes a hybrid approach, lifting like a powerlifter while maintaining the aesthetics of a bodybuilder oai_citation:3,Weightlifting Thoughts – ERIC KIM.

Best Way to Lift Weights: His personal theory is to increase the weight while reducing the range of motion, which he finds more fun and less injury-prone compared to repetitive lifting oai_citation:4,Weightlifting Thoughts – ERIC KIM.

Philosophical Perspective on Lifting Weights: Kim views weightlifting as a fun, thrilling activity that augments muscle mass and positively shifts hormones, benefiting both men and women oai_citation:5,Weightlifting Thoughts – ERIC KIM.

Contemporary Attitudes Towards Muscle: He observes a trend where being muscular is less fashionable and speculates on modern aesthetics favoring a more androgynous look. Kim also comments on the contradiction in society’s celebration of material symbols of power while downplaying physical strength oai_citation:6,ERIC KIM WEIGHTLIFTER – ERIC KIM oai_citation:7,Quotes by Eric Kim on the Body – ERIC KIM.

Body as a Reflection of Lifestyle and Well-being: Kim believes that our bodies often reveal our eating habits, social class, and personal values. He strongly advocates for physical health as central to overall well-being oai_citation:8,ERIC KIM WEIGHTLIFTER – ERIC KIM oai_citation:9,Quotes by Eric Kim on the Body – ERIC KIM.

Unique Approach to Weightlifting: His regimen involves intermittent fasting, a carnivore diet, and lifting heavy weights without prior eating, focusing on pulling exercises and grip strength oai_citation:10,ERIC KIM WEIGHTLIFTER – ERIC KIM oai_citation:11,on Eric Kim weight lifting – ERIC KIM.

Bodybuilding Philosophy: Kim encourages bodybuilders to engage in philosophy, suggesting that a stronger body leads to better thinking. He emphasizes the honesty of physical strength oai_citation:12,ERIC KIM WEIGHTLIFTER – ERIC KIM.

These quotes encapsulate Kim’s holistic and philosophical approach to weightlifting and physical health, integrating strength training with broader life principles and personal values.

For more detailed insights into his philosophy and views, exploring his full range of work would be beneficial. You can find more of his thoughts on weightlifting and the body on his blog, Eric Kim Photography.

Eric Kim’s approach to weightlifting is quite distinctive and holistic, combining intense physical training with a specific dietary regimen. His workout plan is centered around single repetitions and one rep maxes, focusing on maximum strength building. He advocates for a fitness philosophy that includes intermittent fasting and a strict carnivore diet, consisting mainly of meats like beef and its organs. Kim also emphasizes the importance of using natural grip strength by avoiding straps and opting for chalk during lifts.

His routine involves heavy lifting without eating beforehand, reflecting his commitment to intermittent fasting, where he skips breakfast and lunch in favor of a large dinner. This approach is a part of his broader philosophy of treating the body as a work of art and a medium for personal expression. Kim’s fitness philosophy extends to considering weightlifting as a test of courage and an opportunity to push personal limits.

Additionally, Kim shares practical tips for weightlifting, like using a trap or open hex bar for deadlifts for better leverage and a more natural lift. He advises against the use of supplements, protein powders, and equipment like powerlifting belts or knee wraps, advocating for a more natural and raw form of strength training.

For more insights and detailed information on Eric Kim’s unique weightlifting philosophy and routines, you can explore his thoughts and methods on his blog and YouTube channel oai_citation:1,How to Start Weightlifting at the Gym – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM WORKOUT PLAN – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,How to Lift Weights – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM WEIGHT LIFTING – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,The Philosophy of Weightlifting – ERIC KIM.

Bitcoin ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is the Game Changer!

Time to start hoarding the Bitcoin again! Donâ€™t miss the boom twice!

Avoid death, donâ€™t do anything that might cause your traumatic death, whether it be sleeping with the gas heater on, dying in the middle of your sleep, going skydiving, regardless of how it is, zip lining whatever, roller coasters, amusement park rides, texting while driving or even driving and talking on the phone.

Also, not trying to feed your kid in the car while youâ€™re driving, even when stopped at a red light.

Also, disease. Anything like getting an STD, aids etc. Donâ€™t have coitus with anybody besides your wife. Also as a funny tip, if you ever plan on going to the strip club, or the club, or anywhere that you might get temptedâ€¦ just rub one out real quick in the bathroom before you go, to avoid doing anything dumb.

Also, to quote NASSIM TALEB; just avoid death, or irreversible permanent disfigurement. Donâ€™t do nothing that might cause you to become,

PHILOSOPHY BY KIM

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THE-PHILOSOPHY-OF-THINKING-7 Download

Thinking

Audio

Dominance of Thoughts: Thoughts influence everything, notably in technology innovations like Tesla’s models and the global economic focus on automobiles.

Significance of Design: The design of products, especially cars, plays a vital role in consumer appeal and market success.

Art as a Thought Stimulator: Exhibitions like LACMA’s ‘Metropolis II’ inspire futuristic and dystopian ideas, highlighting art’s impact on thought.

Sociological Insights: The author’s sociology education at UCLA provided a framework for understanding societal and economic phenomena.

Critique of Conspiracy Theories: Emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and reliable information, rejecting conspiracy theories and misinformation.

Physical Health and Sober Thinking: Stresses the importance of maintaining physical health and clear-mindedness for effective intellectual work.

Design in Consumer Products: Focuses on the importance of design in cars, particularly the steering wheel and interior, for consumer attraction.

Purpose of Philosophy and Thinking: Beyond wealth accumulation, philosophy and thinking aim for deeper understanding, wisdom, and happiness.

Minimalist Lifestyle Advocacy: Recommends a lifestyle with fewer obligations and distractions to enhance mental clarity.

Future Optimism with a Tech Focus: Optimistic about advancements in AI, crypto, and technology, while maintaining skepticism towards companies like Apple and Google.

“The Philosophy of Thinking” explores the idea that thought governs our world. It suggests that innovative thinking, like that behind Tesla’s redesigned Model 3 or the ambient lighting in cars, significantly influences our lives and perceptions. The article also delves into the pervasive influence of cars, suggesting that a significant portion of economic activity revolves around them, as seen in models like Hyundai’s Genesis Berlinetta and AZERA.

The role of art in stimulating thought is highlighted through examples like the LACMA’s ‘Metropolis II’ exhibit, which evokes visions of futuristic urban landscapes. The author reflects on his educational journey in sociology at UCLA, emphasizing how it provided a framework for understanding societal and economic phenomena.

The author criticizes the tendency to believe in conspiracy theories and encourages critical thinking through tools like ChatGPT. He advocates for independent, unsubsidized sources of information and warns against the biases inherent in ad-supported content.

The essay also touches on the importance of physical health for quality thinking, denouncing the use of drugs and alcohol. It promotes sober, clear-minded thinking for deeper insights and understanding.

The text further explores the significance of design in products like cars, emphasizing that design is a crucial factor in consumer appeal and market success.

Lastly, the author discusses the broader purpose of philosophy and thinking â€“ not just to accumulate wealth but to achieve a deeper understanding and happiness in life. He stresses the importance of mental and physical well-being and advocates for a minimalist, obligation-free lifestyle for better mental clarity. The future, according to the author, should be approached with optimism, focusing on advancements in AI, crypto, and technology.

Summarizing such a detailed and lengthy piece on the philosophy of thinking into 4000 words while maintaining the essence and key points of the original text is a challenging yet engaging task. The text presents a range of interconnected topics, exploring the significance of thought in shaping our world, the impact of design and aesthetics in everyday life, the role of cars and technology in modern society, and personal reflections on sociology, art, and entrepreneurship.

The Primacy of Thought: The text begins by emphasizing the central role of thoughts in governing our planet. It posits that thoughts are the foundation upon which all human endeavors are built, shaping our future and the world around us.
Innovation and Design: The author discusses the influence of design and aesthetics, using Teslaâ€™s redesign of the Model 3 as a prime example. The text highlights how thoughtful design can evoke emotional responses and how it’s interwoven into our daily lives, impacting everything from our mood to our choices.
Automobiles and Economy: A significant portion of the text is dedicated to discussing how cars dominate the global economy. The author examines various car models and brands, including Hyundai and Genesis, and their influence on economic activities.
Art and Experience: The discussion shifts to the realm of art, with a particular focus on an exhibition at the LACMA. This part of the text delves into how art stimulates the mind and offers unique insights into human life and society.
Sociology and Understanding Society: The author reflects on the role of sociology in understanding societal structures and behaviors. The text discusses the relevance of sociological principles in interpreting economic trends, market behaviors, and human interactions.
Personal Journey and Entrepreneurship: The writer interweaves personal anecdotes, including missed opportunities with Bitcoin, to illustrate lessons learned and the importance of not repeating mistakes. This section also touches upon the value of independent thought and skepticism towards mainstream media and popular opinions.
Health and Physiology: A significant emphasis is placed on the importance of physical health and its impact on the quality of thoughts. The author argues for a sober, drug-free lifestyle as essential for clear and independent thinking.
Philosophy and Practical Wisdom: The text explores the purpose of philosophy and thinking, suggesting that the aim is not merely to acquire wealth but to gain wisdom, critical understanding, and happiness.
Future Technologies and Predictions: The author speculates on future advancements, focusing on AI, cryptocurrency, and the potential decline of tech giants like Apple and Google. This reflects a belief in the transformative power of technology and innovation.
Simplification and Mental Clarity: The conclusion advocates for simplifying life by reducing obligations and distractions. This includes a critical stance on modern music, social media, and the pursuit of obligations for monetary gain, emphasizing the importance of mental clarity and peace.

Throughout the text, the author intertwines personal anecdotes, societal observations, and philosophical musings to provide a comprehensive overview of the philosophy of thinking. The narrative is punctuated with reflections on modern technology, entrepreneurship, and the quest for personal and societal improvement.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THINKING

First, start walking in order to think. ï¿¼

So something I have not really came across yet is the philosophy of thinking. Why think, what does it mean to think, why does it matter?

First and foremost, thoughts govern the planet. For example, almost everything in life and in the world, is predicated on notions of thought and thinking. No thoughts, no future. ï¿¼ï¿¼

For example, it looks like Tesla is about to conquer the planet. The new redesign Tesla model 3 is mind blowing. They made the steering wheel more beautiful, they made the interior design supply me beautiful; an integrated curve, Steve Jobs and Jony Ive would be proud!

Also I think that ambient lighting thing inside the car is super cool. Some people might think it is gimmicky, but I think it is awesome! I remember when I first saw the integrated lighting dash board thing in some Mercedes cars, and I think there is something to be said about light, light therapy; colors affect our mood. ï¿¼ï¿¼Is it James Turrel who does the light art stuff?

For example, anyone who says that colors donâ€™t matter is a fool. Would you want the interior of your house to have bright red walls? Probably not if you donâ€™t want to scream bloody murder inside your home.

Or, for people who say that color donâ€™t matter, would you want to wear an all green outfit, with bright pink fuchsia accents and shoes? Probably not.

Cars run the planet?

ï¿¼Still in 2024, I am still shocked; it looks like cars run the planet. What this means is that it seemed that maybe 60% of our economic activity is around producing cars, selling cars, buying cars, design cars etc.

For example I look at Hyundai, it is insaneâ€¦ also the new Genesis Berlinetta concept car — also, the new Hyundai Grandeur and AZERA— like a futuristic Rolls-Royce for the future!

Genesis X

ART

The other day, it was free! The LACMA, LA Center for modern art, had this really insanely epic art exhibition, imagine like Legos and hot wheels on steroids; it was titled metropolis II, and imagine like a K-NEX erector set, 1100 custom designed mini matchbox hot wheel cars, with this perpetual machine moving all of the cars in traffic and buses and rails, stacked on top of one another. Conjured ideas of that old-school 1920s metropolis film, in the future where everything is that, flying cars etc. or also, a vision of a utopic-dystopic science-fiction future, kind of like Blade Runner, or that one futuristic movie that Bruce Willis was in.

Cinema by KIM

I love this exhibit so much because itâ€™s stimulated my mind, and also, Senecaâ€™s mind was blown! I think I rated as the best art exhibit of all time. I could probably watch it for hours, and not get bored.

If youâ€™re in LA, Southern California whatever, I think it is a critical experience you must go to in person. Also what makes it a great exhibit is that it can be enjoyed by both children and adults, all ages. It is essentially a microcosm of cities, urban living, traffic and cars. The ultimate takeaway point: ï¿¼

We all think we are so unique and individual, and special, based on superficial things whether we drive an orange sports car or whatever, but in fact, we are all just the same! A bunch of lemmings!

Sociology is great

So I was born in 1988, and I attended UCLA as an undergraduate, I started in 2006, graduated 2010. I wish I got into Bitcoin earlier in 2009, when my roommate Kevin told me about it, I think when he first saw it on Reddit. He said that we should both put about 100 bucks into it and see what happened. I shrugged my shoulders and said â€œMeh — nah, probably a scamâ€.ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ If I do the math, 100 bucks, I think at the time somebody spent 20,000 bitcoin to buy a pizza on Dominoâ€™s or whatever, the infamous $500 million pizza, basicallyâ€¦ What would 100 bucks times a penny be? How many Bitcoin could that have purchased me? And what would it be worth today?

In life it is fine to make a mistake, and make a regret. But not twice. This is why and why Iâ€™m going back into bitcoin.

No twice regrets.

Anyways back to sociology, I think the reason why I think it is such a phenomenal framework to understand the world and society is that I think all of this is just a sociological phenomenon. Society, capital, capitalism, living lifestyle whateverâ€¦ I think about 80% or 85% of it is based on certain sociological principles. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Also, to understand the market, economics, I think it is all sociology. To understand human fear, scams, fraud etc. ï¿¼

ï¿¼Also, I think studying sociology has made me unlearn a lot of the BS. To quote Karl Popper, ï¿¼via NASSIM TALEB– the idea of falsification, subtraction, or the general idea that in order to become more wise, you just gotta subtract delete or get rid of foolishness, nonsense.

For example, conspiracy theories. Only fools believe in them. Even if they are real, it doesnâ€™t even really matter.

Therefore a great advancement in ourselves our thinking etc. is subtracting deleting or getting rid of weird conspiracy theories from your brain and your mind. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Pro tip: kit ChatGPT app on your iPhone iPad, and donâ€™t be a cheapo; subscribe to the paid premium edition only 20 bucks a month, and start doing these type of searches:

Common misconceptions about XYZ

Or

Help me debunk some conspiracy theories about XYZ

For example, common misconceptions about Catholicism, Judaism, Islam etc. Or the Quran.

Or help me debunk theories that Jewish people run the world blah blah blah. Or that Hitler, according to operation paperclip, was in fact never killed or captured, but ended up being shipped to Antarctica to live in a bunker, where he really died.

My overall critique about Google the Internet YouTube, podcast, etc.â€¦ Essentially all these fools who think they are so wiseâ€¦ Strange fellows like Alex Jones, even people on the left or the right or the middle or the right, alt left, and anarchists all of themâ€¦ All of them are fools. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

My simple tip or heuristic is this: trust no man or women on YouTube, Google, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, podcast, etc. Especially if it is supported by advertising or them trying to sell their own products.ï¿¼

In fact, I think the interesting thing is when you actually make your money your fortune from some other random independent thing. For example now, Iâ€™m currently building my Empire Fortune and crypto, cryptocurrency. Therefore as a consequence, I have 100% free reign and freedom and independence to just talk about whatever is on my mind, irregardless of whatever. ï¿¼

***ï¿¼ï¿¼

Off the grid thinking

To me the grid is an interesting metaphor for a lot of things. The grid could be standard conventional thinking, â€œrulesâ€ and regulations, a lot of of the modern day BS.

I think primarily my superpower in life is my ability to disdain ignore and find ridiculous all of these â€œrulesâ€. In fact, at least in real life, I donâ€™t think Iâ€™ve ever met anybody as interesting as myself. The only other interesting people I think, or maybe Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Kanye West. To me actually they are very relatable.

The photographer philosopher

Come onâ€¦ It is 2024, youâ€™re still on Instagram? To me Instagram is like eating McDonaldâ€™s hamburgers. Not proper.

Also, Iâ€™m still a bit confusedâ€¦ why donâ€™t more people photographers just start their own private websites and blogs? And no no no, do not use squarespace it sucks. Also fun dirty secret, maybe about four or five years ago I got an email from Squarespace, saying that if I converted my whole website and blogging into Squarespace they would give me $15,000 or something. It was the easiest no I ever said in my life. Honestly speaking, I donâ€™t even think I do it for $1 million? Unless there is something the updated which is really good. Maybe I would do it for 100 million?

To somebody who says they cannot be bought out by money, youâ€™re just not offering them enough money (TALEB)ï¿¼

To me the reason why I find the photography so critical is that ultimately we are visual creatures. What sells cars? Design. Design marketing, the idealized concept of something.

Design is God.

Mind blown

Once again the new Tesla model 3, I think it actually looks 500 times cooler than any other Tesla car out there. And Iâ€™m glad that I am a late adopter, and I was not one of these unfortunates who bought an early model Tesla model model 3 or any other Tesla car. In fact, a lot of the Tesla cars are already starting to look dated. For example the original Tesla model S is outdated, even the slightly newer Tesla model S cars, that donâ€™t have the yoke steering look very outdated. I feel bad for those people who spent a lot of money on the infamous Tesla P 100 D, to only see it dated by the plaid. And now, Iâ€™m pretty certain that sooner or later the plate is going to be replaced and outdated by something else too.

Or even another basic thing; people who bought the Tesla model three in the early days, with the chrome trim.

Even the Tesla model X, the newer versions look far better. And have a unique color.

What design is truly critical in a car? ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

To me the most important thing in a car is the steering wheel, because you look at it all the time, then the interior and dashboard, and also the back of the car. And also specifically the door side driver side entrance, and also the rear left passenger side door, where I get in and out and load Seneca into his car seat and the car.

Technically the front of the car is not that important, because if you park in a spot like a normal person, you never look at the front of the car. You almost ever look at the back of it.

Also in terms of the car, the steering wheel is the most critical thing because he used it all the time. To me for a Tesla car, either yolk steering or nothing. Even the new Tesla model three the steering wheel looks really cool. Also the new cybertruck the new steering wheel looks very cool. ï¿¼ï¿¼

Also a subtle thing I learned when researching Ferrari, doing the 3-D modeling tours of inside the car, it is actually very interesting to me that the Ferrari logo is a bright yellow background with the prancing horse and black. Having that emblem on the steering wheel inspires confidence.

Maybe this is why Ferrari is superior to Lamborghini; technically if you think about it, the Lamborghini is just a very expensive Volkswagen Passat. The Lamborghini Urus is just an expensive Volkswagen Touareg.

The Ferrari is interesting because it is still to a certain extent, a purebred. Ferrari is Ferrari, owned by Ferrari, not some other weird parent company. And also I think it is good that Ferrari is its own stock ticker ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼- RACE. Typically I never trust a thing which is just a subsidiary of another thing. ï¿¼

Sharing your thoughts

A simple way to live life, and to make an impact or whatever is to just share your thoughts. It is funny because people say all this ridiculous things like â€œThat is just your opinion!â€ The best response: â€œOf course it is my opinion! Thatâ€™s why I said it!â€ Opinion, opine, just means to think.ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

This is where philosophy is very useful: people think that there are certain notions of â€œfactsâ€œ, especially in the realm of statistics, but probably the most useful thing of studying sociology, is understanding that statistics is just a scam. I learned from Cindy (cindyanguyen.com), in her book and dissertation, ï¿¼that the notion of statistics comes from the state. The general idea is that statistics was a measuring tool invented by the state in order to track measure progress, something that the French colonists and colonial administrators did when colonizing Vietnam and her other territories, and also, what the Chinese communists did under Mao Zedong, and also the Vietnamese communists also did. The general idea was this:

In order to track the legitimacy of something and the progress of something (let us not forget that the notion of â€œprogressâ€œ is a feeble modern day notion)– is that we gotta track the growth of something in numbers.

Do you remember in BRAVE NEW WORLD, when in the beginning of the book they talk about how they were able to distill human birth human children in test tubes then said — Progress.

So therefore let us not forget, the notion of â€œprogressâ€œ is not a distinct one. It is a modern one. ï¿¼ï¿¼

Numbers are boring

I donâ€™t trust nobody who either has some sort of loser Apple Watch, Fitbit tracker, has Instagram, or applies any metrics to their life. The only metric I find useful is maybe increasing your one repetition maximum in your weightlifting, simply as a measure to know that youâ€™re increasing the weight. But besides that, things which are bad include weighing yourself on the scale, because you donâ€™t know how much of that is body fat adipose tissue, how much of that is skeletal muscle mass, and even other things that people donâ€™t talk aboutâ€¦ how much of that weight is bones, sinews, blood and water? ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ ï¿¼ï¿¼

A simple New Yearâ€™s resolution is this year, throw your scale in the trash, donate it or whatever, and never weigh yourself.

Both men and women are foolish: they track weight as a measure of their self-worth. But, the goal is to increase skeletal muscle mass, and decrease body adipose fat tissue. This is something that scale cannot do, the closest thing is either a fat caliper, or just look at yourself in the mirror. Pinch your belly fat, or look at the fat in your face, or, you want to get rid of the infamous fat rolls in the back of your neck. Something that I see that Kanye West has.

â€œIt is simple: if it jiggles, it is fat.â€- Arnold Sï¿¼

Why are we no longer permitted to be independent interesting thinkers?

It is weird, in todayâ€™s world, in America at leastâ€¦ We truly do have the greatest system for independent thinking and thought. Here unlike other countries, you will not get jailed for sharing your opinion. Even the most politically liberal or advanced countries in the world pale in comparison to America.

The problem though here is that all sides, all parties, all individuals are â€œnudgedâ€œ either into the left or the right, even this notion of being a political or being an anarchist or whatever is also just another lemming sheep mentality.

Or another words, put zero faith in anybody who watches any news, doesnâ€™t matter if it is NPR, Fox News, Al Jazeera whatever. The simple heuristic is this: if it is being funded by advertising, google Adsense revenue, it is not to be consumed. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Only trust things that you are spending your real money on. This means, stop using Google. Google is a â€œfreeâ€ service, and the way they make money is by sensationalism and banner advertising. Even nowadays Iâ€™m stopping to use Google maps, having those annoying Square advertisements that pop up when Iâ€™m driving, I almost feel like that is borderline unethical. Why? It distracts me from driving, I wonder if it will lead me to getting into a car accident one day? Google, whoever did that I google, Google maps team whateverâ€¦ Shame on you.

Apple Maps is the inferior product, but at least it is not supported by advertising. Get rid of Google maps use Apple Maps instead. ï¿¼ï¿¼

First, focus on your health physiology exercise and physiological well-being and everything else will follow

The quality of your thoughts are simply an offshoot of the quality of your bodily physiological health.

For example just think; if you only sleep 30 minutes a night, four days or weeks on then, what do you think will be the quality of your thoughts? Optimistic joyful and happy? Or weird, morose, dark?

Or other thoughts, imagine like youâ€™re in heroin addict, or hooked on some sort of meth. What will be the quality of your thoughts?

This is why I trust no thinker or individual who partakes and drugs, alcohol and weed. Although both are quite mainstream now. Why?

A lot of people are alcoholics, and a lot of people also apparently do a lot of writing and production of music and artwork when theyâ€™re drunk, which is bad. Even Kanye West, his a low-key alcoholic on and off, I think he said all the anti-Jewish stuff when he was drunk. And on Twitter. Being drunk and on Twitter at the same time or Facebook, not a good idea.

Also weed, weed is so mainstream now, it is not really seen as a big deal. But I also think it is foolish that some people think that weed has no effect on your thinking. Even Kendrick Lamar, his only vice is maybe Froot Loops and Captain crunch cereal.

â€œYou let the meds talk I let my soul talk ayy!â€ – Kendrickï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

The reason why we should not trust any artists, rappers, musicians or whatever who are addicted to drugs any type of drugs, and yes, weed marijuana is drugâ€¦ Theyâ€™re thinking will not be pure. Theyâ€™re thinking will be too overly saturated with the weird effect of drugs, anti-depressants, uppers and downers whatever.

Even Elon Musk, I rate him highly, but if you read the Walter Isaacson biography on him, he will discover that he drinks too much alcohol late at night, and just drinks Red Bull to stay awake. Not good.

Sober thinkers?

Am I the only millennial I know who doesnâ€™t drink alcohol or smoke weed or take drugs? And have never been to a concert, EDM thing, etc.?

The only concert ever went to in my life was by myself, to a Yeezus ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ concert at the Oakland Coliseum, Kanye performing live. The coolest thing of all time.

How alcohol is strange

A very weird trend I have discovered is this weird trend: get a bunch of tattoos, drink a bunch of craft beer, wear sunglasses and some sort of trucker hat, wear flannel, drive some sort of big truck or whatever, and to make the purpose of your life to just drink exotic craft beer?

To quote Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon, did you go to his personal website and look at his new section, he said he was never into watching sports and drinking beer because it just made you stupid and fat and lazy.

Even the ancient Roman and Greek philosophers thought it was a bad idea to drink wine, too much wine. The Greek Dionysian
God baccaus was the God of wine drunkenness and the dark. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ he was the original Satyr; essentially imagine these weird goblins with goat horns. ï¿¼ or imagine the original â€œfurryâ€œï¿¼.

Thoughts and money?

Is the purpose or end goal is to increase the quality of your thoughts, the productivity of your thoughts in order to become richer, to earn more money? No.

I think the ultimate goal is to become wiser, more critical in order to become more powerful. Power is simple.

Some tools to get you thinking

I have an intervening thought: in order to stimulate your mind, you first got a stimulate your body. That means, extremely heavy weightlifting to get your blood and your mind flowing.

A very simple one is purchased weightlifting equipment on the Internet, just work out at home, in your backyard front lawn, even youâ€™re off the grid parking lot in the back of your apartment which I am doing right now.

The very very simple thoughts to exercise and fitness is do exercises and lifts which promote standing. Or walking. Upright exercises. This includes Farmerâ€™s carries, dead lift walk, squat walk, Atlas lift etc.

The big issue at hand is a lot of these exercises at the gym and in traditional mainstream media has to deal with some sort of sitting or pressing motion. For example bench press, floor press, dump press, decline, seated military press, seated dumbbell press etc. But the critical flaw of these exercises is that they are all done while sedentary or lying on your back. And the big downside of this is that it doesnâ€™t promote your walking or your posture, which might be the two most critical things.

I also thought to myself, what is it that causes the most amount of injuries? Any sort of pressing motion. Once again, bench press, shoulder press military press etc. There is almost virtually no injury that happens with any lifting motion, caring motion, or walking motion.

Also, using some sort of power rack, squat rack, or even getting some cinderblocks from Home Depot. Essentially if youâ€™re tall, elevating the barbell off the floor.

Also one big thing that Iâ€™ve discovered, the great upside of not going to the gym anymore is that Iâ€™ve been exercising more in the authentic and honest way; Iâ€™m not lifting weights anymore to impress other people, Iâ€™m just there to use weightlifting as a philosophical tool to think better, to think stronger etc.

so what is the point of philosophy and thinking anyways?

The end goal of philosophy thinking etc. is not to make money, but rather, to excel and exceed in life. Also happiness. Everyone wants to become happy, or happier, even Aristotle says happiness is the only thing that men seek for the sake of itself.

People always think that having more money will make them more happy, but this is not true. Often having more money can make you more miserable, as often having more money causes more stress anxiety etc.

For example, let us say that you had $100 million in your Coinbase account, your bitcoin wallet whatever. You will probably end up using some sort of super secure password to lock and secure your assets. But the stress and the anxiety and the fear of having your phone stolen, your identity stolen etc. is even larger. And also the richer you get, the more you become a target to theft, identity theft, real life theft, even physical violence thread. Never forget the story of when Kim Kardashian tweeted where she was at, in Paris, and abruptly got held up at gunpoint from two mast robbers, demanding her jewelry and her pearl necklaces and diamonds, otherwise they would shoot her.

â€œWhat do you want me to do, drive around in a bulletproof car and with some tintsâ€?ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ – Kanye

Empty your mind

The best way to empty your mind is to delete Instagram, delete Twitter, even delete email in Gmail from your phone. Delete YouTube podcasts etc.

ï¿¼ even music, modern day music. Even in music somebody is trying to sell you something. Maybe we should go back to the ancients, the ancient music, the ancient arts. Listen to dead composers, Beethoven and Mozart etc. Why? Theyâ€™re not trying to sell you Lamborghinis or other nonsense.ï¿¼

Zen the fuck out (Big Sean)

Rather than adding obligations to your life, seem to remove or delete or subtract obligations from your life. This means, donâ€™t take on more work, more contracts, more obligations. Rather seek to subtract all obligations to close to zero, even with the promise of a lot of money.

In fact I almost feel that is easier and better and more straightforward to make the big bucks speculating in cryptocurrency, crypto, and the market rather than just seeking some sort of consulting gigs.

What am I betting on?

For me, the big advancements I perceive in the future include AI, crypto, chain-link, bitcoin, open AI and Microsoft, ChatGPT and beyond.

What am I anti-? I am short Apple, Google. If you look at Google Bart, Google ChatGPT competitor, it is at least 100,000x times worse than ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ chatGPT 4. ï¿¼For example I asked Google Bard who ERIC KIM was, and it said that I was a landscape and travel photographer? Terrible. ï¿¼

Why does the future matter?

to me, technology and the future is all about optimism, happiness and joy. If we want brighter more glorious future, we need optimism. The hope of a beautiful future, blue skies, clear skies, lots of sunshine, pure joy.

ERICï¿¼

Random thoughts

I just toured equinox, and was very unimpressed. It is like an LA fitness with a better conscience. Also you know it is not a good gym because the barbells suck. ï¿¼ï¿¼

As long as your kid didnâ€™t die in the middle of their sleep, and also your wife is alive, consider yourself bless

Think

Podcast

Audio

What NOT to do

Apple vision; could be the nail in the coffin for Apple?

Short Apple?

Why Buy Bitcoin?

Just go to the Apple App Store, and when you search for Coinbase or whateverâ€¦ Always the first thing will be mentioned is to buy bitcoin BTC

THE-PHILOSOPHY-OF-THINKING-7 Download

THINKING

Summarizing such a lengthy and diverse piece to 4000 words while capturing its essence and key themes is challenging, but I’ll aim to condense the main points effectively.

The Philosophy of Thinking

Introduction

Purpose of Thinking: Thinking shapes the world. It’s the foundation of progress and innovation.
Everyday Examples: Tesla’s success and design innovations are cited, demonstrating how thoughtful design impacts consumer appeal and market dominance.
Impact of Thought on Aesthetics: The importance of color and light in design, both in cars and in general aesthetics, is highlighted.

The Role of Cars and Technology

Economic Significance: Cars, as evidenced by companies like Hyundai and Genesis, significantly drive economic activities.
Art and Society: Art exhibits, like LACMA’s Metropolis II, are seen as reflections of society’s complexities, mirroring themes from science fiction and highlighting societal behaviors.

Sociological Perspectives

Personal Reflections: The author recounts missed opportunities like Bitcoin, emphasizing learning from past mistakes.
Sociology’s Importance: Sociology is presented as a key to understanding societal structures, economic systems, and human behavior.
Critical Thinking: The author encourages questioning established beliefs, including conspiracy theories, and advocates for independent thinking.

Thinking Off the Grid

Valuing Unconventional Thought: Emphasis is placed on the value of thinking outside mainstream norms.
Influential Figures: The author feels a connection with notable figures like Elon Musk and Kanye West, seeing them as fellow unconventional thinkers.

Photography and Philosophy

Critique of Mainstream Platforms: The limitations of platforms like Instagram for photographers are discussed.
Personal Integrity: The author stresses the importance of not compromising personal values for monetary gain.

Health and Thought

Physical Health as a Foundation: Good physical health is seen as a prerequisite for quality thinking.
Skepticism of Substance Use: The author questions the integrity of thoughts influenced by substances like alcohol and drugs.

The Role of Money and Power

Power Over Wealth: The author argues that the pursuit of wisdom and critical thinking is more about gaining power than accumulating wealth.
Tools for Thought: Physical activity, especially weightlifting, is recommended as a way to stimulate

Donâ€™t trust old shit

Fucking hallelujahâ€” I ainâ€™t deadâ€™ neither is Seneca nor Cindy!

Donâ€™t use an old school gas heater â€” you can fucking die carbon monoxide poisoning in your sleep!!!

Death regrets?

Fucking crazy, this morning at 3:30 AM, I was always suspicious of the old-school furnace gasoline gas natural gas house heater, but in order to save money Cindy and I turned on the pilot light last night, tested it, thought it worked OK, and then proceeded to light it. It seemed like it worked OK. But this morning at 3:30 AM, I turned on the gas heater to warm up the house, took a quick shower, and during my shower, the carbon monoxide poisoning alarm goes off!

Fortunately about a month ago, Cindy and I did the due diligence of replacing the battery for the carbon monoxide sensor. As a consequence it probably saved our life.

a potential alternate future:

Imagine if, we did not change the carbon monoxide heater smell detector thing, and I just let the gas run, in the middle of the night, or during the morning and I just left. I just went out for a walk, came back to find that Cindy and Seneca, Seneca at age 3, Cindy, both died in the sleep due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THINKING

First, start walking in order to think. ï¿¼

So something I have not really came across yet is the philosophy of thinking. Why think, what does it mean to think, why does it matter?

First and foremost, thoughts govern the planet. For example, almost everything in life and in the world, is predicated on notions of thought and thinking. No thoughts, no future. ï¿¼ï¿¼

For example, it looks like Tesla is about to conquer the planet. The new redesign Tesla model 3 is mind blowing. They made the steering wheel more beautiful, they made the interior design supply me beautiful; an integrated curve, Steve Jobs and Jony Ive would be proud!

Also I think that ambient lighting thing inside the car is super cool. Some people might think it is gimmicky, but I think it is awesome! I remember when I first saw the integrated lighting dash board thing in some Mercedes cars, and I think there is something to be said about light, light therapy; colors affect our mood. ï¿¼ï¿¼Is it James Turrel who does the light art stuff?

For example, anyone who says that colors donâ€™t matter is a fool. Would you want the interior of your house to have bright red walls? Probably not if you donâ€™t want to scream bloody murder inside your home.

Or, for people who say that color donâ€™t matter, would you want to wear an all green outfit, with bright pink fuchsia accents and shoes? Probably not.

Cars run the planet?

ï¿¼Still in 2024, I am still shocked; it looks like cars run the planet. What this means is that it seemed that maybe 60% of our economic activity is around producing cars, selling cars, buying cars, design cars etc.

For example I look at Hyundai, it is insaneâ€¦ also the new Genesis Berlinetta concept car — also, the new Hyundai Grandeur and AZERA— like a futuristic Rolls-Royce for the future!

Genesis X

ART

The other day, it was free! The LACMA, LA Center for modern art, had this really insanely epic art exhibition, imagine like Legos and hot wheels on steroids; it was titled metropolis II, and imagine like a K-NEX erector set, 1100 custom designed mini matchbox hot wheel cars, with this perpetual machine moving all of the cars in traffic and buses and rails, stacked on top of one another. Conjured ideas of that old-school 1920s metropolis film, in the future where everything is that, flying cars etc. or also, a vision of a utopic-dystopic science-fiction future, kind of like Blade Runner, or that one futuristic movie that Bruce Willis was in.

Cinema by KIM

I love this exhibit so much because itâ€™s stimulated my mind, and also, Senecaâ€™s mind was blown! I think I rated as the best art exhibit of all time. I could probably watch it for hours, and not get bored.

If youâ€™re in LA, Southern California whatever, I think it is a critical experience you must go to in person. Also what makes it a great exhibit is that it can be enjoyed by both children and adults, all ages. It is essentially a microcosm of cities, urban living, traffic and cars. The ultimate takeaway point: ï¿¼

We all think we are so unique and individual, and special, based on superficial things whether we drive an orange sports car or whatever, but in fact, we are all just the same! A bunch of lemmings!

Sociology is great

So I was born in 1988, and I attended UCLA as an undergraduate, I started in 2006, graduated 2010. I wish I got into Bitcoin earlier in 2009, when my roommate Kevin told me about it, I think when he first saw it on Reddit. He said that we should both put about 100 bucks into it and see what happened. I shrugged my shoulders and said â€œMeh — nah, probably a scamâ€.ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ If I do the math, 100 bucks, I think at the time somebody spent 20,000 bitcoin to buy a pizza on Dominoâ€™s or whatever, the infamous $500 million pizza, basicallyâ€¦ What would 100 bucks times a penny be? How many Bitcoin could that have purchased me? And what would it be worth today?

In life it is fine to make a mistake, and make a regret. But not twice. This is why and why Iâ€™m going back into bitcoin.

No twice regrets.

Anyways back to sociology, I think the reason why I think it is such a phenomenal framework to understand the world and society is that I think all of this is just a sociological phenomenon. Society, capital, capitalism, living lifestyle whateverâ€¦ I think about 80% or 85% of it is based on certain sociological principles. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Also, to understand the market, economics, I think it is all sociology. To understand human fear, scams, fraud etc. ï¿¼

ï¿¼Also, I think studying sociology has made me unlearn a lot of the BS. To quote Karl Popper, ï¿¼via NASSIM TALEB– the idea of falsification, subtraction, or the general idea that in order to become more wise, you just gotta subtract delete or get rid of foolishness, nonsense.

For example, conspiracy theories. Only fools believe in them. Even if they are real, it doesnâ€™t even really matter.

Therefore a great advancement in ourselves our thinking etc. is subtracting deleting or getting rid of weird conspiracy theories from your brain and your mind. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Pro tip: kit ChatGPT app on your iPhone iPad, and donâ€™t be a cheapo; subscribe to the paid premium edition only 20 bucks a month, and start doing these type of searches:

Common misconceptions about XYZ

Or

Help me debunk some conspiracy theories about XYZ

For example, common misconceptions about Catholicism, Judaism, Islam etc. Or the Quran.

Or help me debunk theories that Jewish people run the world blah blah blah. Or that Hitler, according to operation paperclip, was in fact never killed or captured, but ended up being shipped to Antarctica to live in a bunker, where he really died.

My overall critique about Google the Internet YouTube, podcast, etc.â€¦ Essentially all these fools who think they are so wiseâ€¦ Strange fellows like Alex Jones, even people on the left or the right or the middle or the right, alt left, and anarchists all of themâ€¦ All of them are fools. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

My simple tip or heuristic is this: trust no man or women on YouTube, Google, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, podcast, etc. Especially if it is supported by advertising or them trying to sell their own products.ï¿¼

In fact, I think the interesting thing is when you actually make your money your fortune from some other random independent thing. For example now, Iâ€™m currently building my Empire Fortune and crypto, cryptocurrency. Therefore as a consequence, I have 100% free reign and freedom and independence to just talk about whatever is on my mind, irregardless of whatever. ï¿¼

***ï¿¼ï¿¼

Off the grid thinking

To me the grid is an interesting metaphor for a lot of things. The grid could be standard conventional thinking, â€œrulesâ€ and regulations, a lot of of the modern day BS.

I think primarily my superpower in life is my ability to disdain ignore and find ridiculous all of these â€œrulesâ€. In fact, at least in real life, I donâ€™t think Iâ€™ve ever met anybody as interesting as myself. The only other interesting people I think, or maybe Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Kanye West. To me actually they are very relatable.

The photographer philosopher

Come onâ€¦ It is 2024, youâ€™re still on Instagram? To me Instagram is like eating McDonaldâ€™s hamburgers. Not proper.

Also, Iâ€™m still a bit confusedâ€¦ why donâ€™t more people photographers just start their own private websites and blogs? And no no no, do not use squarespace it sucks. Also fun dirty secret, maybe about four or five years ago I got an email from Squarespace, saying that if I converted my whole website and blogging into Squarespace they would give me $15,000 or something. It was the easiest no I ever said in my life. Honestly speaking, I donâ€™t even think I do it for $1 million? Unless there is something the updated which is really good. Maybe I would do it for 100 million?

To somebody who says they cannot be bought out by money, youâ€™re just not offering them enough money (TALEB)ï¿¼

To me the reason why I find the photography so critical is that ultimately we are visual creatures. What sells cars? Design. Design marketing, the idealized concept of something.

Design is God.

Mind blown

Once again the new Tesla model 3, I think it actually looks 500 times cooler than any other Tesla car out there. And Iâ€™m glad that I am a late adopter, and I was not one of these unfortunates who bought an early model Tesla model model 3 or any other Tesla car. In fact, a lot of the Tesla cars are already starting to look dated. For example the original Tesla model S is outdated, even the slightly newer Tesla model S cars, that donâ€™t have the yoke steering look very outdated. I feel bad for those people who spent a lot of money on the infamous Tesla P 100 D, to only see it dated by the plaid. And now, Iâ€™m pretty certain that sooner or later the plate is going to be replaced and outdated by something else too.

Or even another basic thing; people who bought the Tesla model three in the early days, with the chrome trim.

Even the Tesla model X, the newer versions look far better. And have a unique color.

What design is truly critical in a car? ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

To me the most important thing in a car is the steering wheel, because you look at it all the time, then the interior and dashboard, and also the back of the car. And also specifically the door side driver side entrance, and also the rear left passenger side door, where I get in and out and load Seneca into his car seat and the car.

Technically the front of the car is not that important, because if you park in a spot like a normal person, you never look at the front of the car. You almost ever look at the back of it.

Also in terms of the car, the steering wheel is the most critical thing because he used it all the time. To me for a Tesla car, either yolk steering or nothing. Even the new Tesla model three the steering wheel looks really cool. Also the new cybertruck the new steering wheel looks very cool. ï¿¼ï¿¼

Also a subtle thing I learned when researching Ferrari, doing the 3-D modeling tours of inside the car, it is actually very interesting to me that the Ferrari logo is a bright yellow background with the prancing horse and black. Having that emblem on the steering wheel inspires confidence.

Maybe this is why Ferrari is superior to Lamborghini; technically if you think about it, the Lamborghini is just a very expensive Volkswagen Passat. The Lamborghini Urus is just an expensive Volkswagen Touareg.

The Ferrari is interesting because it is still to a certain extent, a purebred. Ferrari is Ferrari, owned by Ferrari, not some other weird parent company. And also I think it is good that Ferrari is its own stock ticker ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼- RACE. Typically I never trust a thing which is just a subsidiary of another thing. ï¿¼

Sharing your thoughts

A simple way to live life, and to make an impact or whatever is to just share your thoughts. It is funny because people say all this ridiculous things like â€œThat is just your opinion!â€ The best response: â€œOf course it is my opinion! Thatâ€™s why I said it!â€ Opinion, opine, just means to think.ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

This is where philosophy is very useful: people think that there are certain notions of â€œfactsâ€œ, especially in the realm of statistics, but probably the most useful thing of studying sociology, is understanding that statistics is just a scam. I learned from Cindy (cindyanguyen.com), in her book and dissertation, ï¿¼that the notion of statistics comes from the state. The general idea is that statistics was a measuring tool invented by the state in order to track measure progress, something that the French colonists and colonial administrators did when colonizing Vietnam and her other territories, and also, what the Chinese communists did under Mao Zedong, and also the Vietnamese communists also did. The general idea was this:

In order to track the legitimacy of something and the progress of something (let us not forget that the notion of â€œprogressâ€œ is a feeble modern day notion)– is that we gotta track the growth of something in numbers.

Do you remember in BRAVE NEW WORLD, when in the beginning of the book they talk about how they were able to distill human birth human children in test tubes then said — Progress.

So therefore let us not forget, the notion of â€œprogressâ€œ is not a distinct one. It is a modern one. ï¿¼ï¿¼

Numbers are boring

I donâ€™t trust nobody who either has some sort of loser Apple Watch, Fitbit tracker, has Instagram, or applies any metrics to their life. The only metric I find useful is maybe increasing your one repetition maximum in your weightlifting, simply as a measure to know that youâ€™re increasing the weight. But besides that, things which are bad include weighing yourself on the scale, because you donâ€™t know how much of that is body fat adipose tissue, how much of that is skeletal muscle mass, and even other things that people donâ€™t talk aboutâ€¦ how much of that weight is bones, sinews, blood and water? ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ ï¿¼ï¿¼

A simple New Yearâ€™s resolution is this year, throw your scale in the trash, donate it or whatever, and never weigh yourself.

Both men and women are foolish: they track weight as a measure of their self-worth. But, the goal is to increase skeletal muscle mass, and decrease body adipose fat tissue. This is something that scale cannot do, the closest thing is either a fat caliper, or just look at yourself in the mirror. Pinch your belly fat, or look at the fat in your face, or, you want to get rid of the infamous fat rolls in the back of your neck. Something that I see that Kanye West has.

â€œIt is simple: if it jiggles, it is fat.â€- Arnold Sï¿¼

Why are we no longer permitted to be independent interesting thinkers?

It is weird, in todayâ€™s world, in America at leastâ€¦ We truly do have the greatest system for independent thinking and thought. Here unlike other countries, you will not get jailed for sharing your opinion. Even the most politically liberal or advanced countries in the world pale in comparison to America.

The problem though here is that all sides, all parties, all individuals are â€œnudgedâ€œ either into the left or the right, even this notion of being a political or being an anarchist or whatever is also just another lemming sheep mentality.

Or another words, put zero faith in anybody who watches any news, doesnâ€™t matter if it is NPR, Fox News, Al Jazeera whatever. The simple heuristic is this: if it is being funded by advertising, google Adsense revenue, it is not to be consumed. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Only trust things that you are spending your real money on. This means, stop using Google. Google is a â€œfreeâ€ service, and the way they make money is by sensationalism and banner advertising. Even nowadays Iâ€™m stopping to use Google maps, having those annoying Square advertisements that pop up when Iâ€™m driving, I almost feel like that is borderline unethical. Why? It distracts me from driving, I wonder if it will lead me to getting into a car accident one day? Google, whoever did that I google, Google maps team whateverâ€¦ Shame on you.

Apple Maps is the inferior product, but at least it is not supported by advertising. Get rid of Google maps use Apple Maps instead. ï¿¼ï¿¼

First, focus on your health physiology exercise and physiological well-being and everything else will follow

The quality of your thoughts are simply an offshoot of the quality of your bodily physiological health.

For example just think; if you only sleep 30 minutes a night, four days or weeks on then, what do you think will be the quality of your thoughts? Optimistic joyful and happy? Or weird, morose, dark?

Or other thoughts, imagine like youâ€™re in heroin addict, or hooked on some sort of meth. What will be the quality of your thoughts?

This is why I trust no thinker or individual who partakes and drugs, alcohol and weed. Although both are quite mainstream now. Why?

A lot of people are alcoholics, and a lot of people also apparently do a lot of writing and production of music and artwork when theyâ€™re drunk, which is bad. Even Kanye West, his a low-key alcoholic on and off, I think he said all the anti-Jewish stuff when he was drunk. And on Twitter. Being drunk and on Twitter at the same time or Facebook, not a good idea.

Also weed, weed is so mainstream now, it is not really seen as a big deal. But I also think it is foolish that some people think that weed has no effect on your thinking. Even Kendrick Lamar, his only vice is maybe Froot Loops and Captain crunch cereal.

â€œYou let the meds talk I let my soul talk ayy!â€ – Kendrickï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

The reason why we should not trust any artists, rappers, musicians or whatever who are addicted to drugs any type of drugs, and yes, weed marijuana is drugâ€¦ Theyâ€™re thinking will not be pure. Theyâ€™re thinking will be too overly saturated with the weird effect of drugs, anti-depressants, uppers and downers whatever.

Even Elon Musk, I rate him highly, but if you read the Walter Isaacson biography on him, he will discover that he drinks too much alcohol late at night, and just drinks Red Bull to stay awake. Not good.

Sober thinkers?

Am I the only millennial I know who doesnâ€™t drink alcohol or smoke weed or take drugs? And have never been to a concert, EDM thing, etc.?

The only concert ever went to in my life was by myself, to a Yeezus ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ concert at the Oakland Coliseum, Kanye performing live. The coolest thing of all time.

How alcohol is strange

A very weird trend I have discovered is this weird trend: get a bunch of tattoos, drink a bunch of craft beer, wear sunglasses and some sort of trucker hat, wear flannel, drive some sort of big truck or whatever, and to make the purpose of your life to just drink exotic craft beer?

To quote Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon, did you go to his personal website and look at his new section, he said he was never into watching sports and drinking beer because it just made you stupid and fat and lazy.

Even the ancient Roman and Greek philosophers thought it was a bad idea to drink wine, too much wine. The Greek Dionysian
God baccaus was the God of wine drunkenness and the dark. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ he was the original Satyr; essentially imagine these weird goblins with goat horns. ï¿¼ or imagine the original â€œfurryâ€œï¿¼.

Thoughts and money?

Is the purpose or end goal is to increase the quality of your thoughts, the productivity of your thoughts in order to become richer, to earn more money? No.

I think the ultimate goal is to become wiser, more critical in order to become more powerful. Power is simple.

Some tools to get you thinking

I have an intervening thought: in order to stimulate your mind, you first got a stimulate your body. That means, extremely heavy weightlifting to get your blood and your mind flowing.

A very simple one is purchased weightlifting equipment on the Internet, just work out at home, in your backyard front lawn, even youâ€™re off the grid parking lot in the back of your apartment which I am doing right now.

The very very simple thoughts to exercise and fitness is do exercises and lifts which promote standing. Or walking. Upright exercises. This includes Farmerâ€™s carries, dead lift walk, squat walk, Atlas lift etc.

The big issue at hand is a lot of these exercises at the gym and in traditional mainstream media has to deal with some sort of sitting or pressing motion. For example bench press, floor press, dump press, decline, seated military press, seated dumbbell press etc. But the critical flaw of these exercises is that they are all done while sedentary or lying on your back. And the big downside of this is that it doesnâ€™t promote your walking or your posture, which might be the two most critical things.

I also thought to myself, what is it that causes the most amount of injuries? Any sort of pressing motion. Once again, bench press, shoulder press military press etc. There is almost virtually no injury that happens with any lifting motion, caring motion, or walking motion.

Also, using some sort of power rack, squat rack, or even getting some cinderblocks from Home Depot. Essentially if youâ€™re tall, elevating the barbell off the floor.

Also one big thing that Iâ€™ve discovered, the great upside of not going to the gym anymore is that Iâ€™ve been exercising more in the authentic and honest way; Iâ€™m not lifting weights anymore to impress other people, Iâ€™m just there to use weightlifting as a philosophical tool to think better, to think stronger etc.

so what is the point of philosophy and thinking anyways?

The end goal of philosophy thinking etc. is not to make money, but rather, to excel and exceed in life. Also happiness. Everyone wants to become happy, or happier, even Aristotle says happiness is the only thing that men seek for the sake of itself.

People always think that having more money will make them more happy, but this is not true. Often having more money can make you more miserable, as often having more money causes more stress anxiety etc.

For example, let us say that you had $100 million in your Coinbase account, your bitcoin wallet whatever. You will probably end up using some sort of super secure password to lock and secure your assets. But the stress and the anxiety and the fear of having your phone stolen, your identity stolen etc. is even larger. And also the richer you get, the more you become a target to theft, identity theft, real life theft, even physical violence thread. Never forget the story of when Kim Kardashian tweeted where she was at, in Paris, and abruptly got held up at gunpoint from two mast robbers, demanding her jewelry and her pearl necklaces and diamonds, otherwise they would shoot her.

â€œWhat do you want me to do, drive around in a bulletproof car and with some tintsâ€?ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ – Kanye

Empty your mind

The best way to empty your mind is to delete Instagram, delete Twitter, even delete email in Gmail from your phone. Delete YouTube podcasts etc.

ï¿¼ even music, modern day music. Even in music somebody is trying to sell you something. Maybe we should go back to the ancients, the ancient music, the ancient arts. Listen to dead composers, Beethoven and Mozart etc. Why? Theyâ€™re not trying to sell you Lamborghinis or other nonsense.ï¿¼

Zen the fuck out (Big Sean)

Rather than adding obligations to your life, seem to remove or delete or subtract obligations from your life. This means, donâ€™t take on more work, more contracts, more obligations. Rather seek to subtract all obligations to close to zero, even with the promise of a lot of money.

In fact I almost feel that is easier and better and more straightforward to make the big bucks speculating in cryptocurrency, crypto, and the market rather than just seeking some sort of consulting gigs.

What am I betting on?

For me, the big advancements I perceive in the future include AI, crypto, chain-link, bitcoin, open AI and Microsoft, ChatGPT and beyond.

What am I anti-? I am short Apple, Google. If you look at Google Bart, Google ChatGPT competitor, it is at least 100,000x times worse than ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ chatGPT 4. ï¿¼For example I asked Google Bard who ERIC KIM was, and it said that I was a landscape and travel photographer? Terrible. ï¿¼

Why does the future matter?

to me, technology and the future is all about optimism, happiness and joy. If we want brighter more glorious future, we need optimism. The hope of a beautiful future, blue skies, clear skies, lots of sunshine, pure joy.

ERICï¿¼

Random thoughts

I just toured equinox, and was very unimpressed. It is like an LA fitness with a better conscience. Also you know it is not a good gym because the barbells suck. ï¿¼ï¿¼

One man, one jacket, one coat?

$5,000 USD Military GoreTex jacket â€” digital camo.

Why Think?

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THINKING

First, start walking in order to think. ï¿¼

So something I have not really came across yet is the philosophy of thinking. Why think, what does it mean to think, why does it matter?

First and foremost, thoughts govern the planet. For example, almost everything in life and in the world, is predicated on notions of thought and thinking. No thoughts, no future. ï¿¼ï¿¼

For example, it looks like Tesla is about to conquer the planet. The new redesign Tesla model 3 is mind blowing. They made the steering wheel more beautiful, they made the interior design supply me beautiful; an integrated curve, Steve Jobs and Jony Ive would be proud!

Also I think that ambient lighting thing inside the car is super cool. Some people might think it is gimmicky, but I think it is awesome! I remember when I first saw the integrated lighting dash board thing in some Mercedes cars, and I think there is something to be said about light, light therapy; colors affect our mood. ï¿¼ï¿¼Is it James Turrel who does the light art stuff?

For example, anyone who says that colors donâ€™t matter is a fool. Would you want the interior of your house to have bright red walls? Probably not if you donâ€™t want to scream bloody murder inside your home.

Or, for people who say that color donâ€™t matter, would you want to wear an all green outfit, with bright pink fuchsia accents and shoes? Probably not.

Cars run the planet?

ï¿¼Still in 2024, I am still shocked; it looks like cars run the planet. What this means is that it seemed that maybe 60% of our economic activity is around producing cars, selling cars, buying cars, design cars etc.

For example I look at Hyundai, it is insaneâ€¦ also the new Genesis Berlinetta concept car — also, the new Hyundai Grandeur and AZERA— like a futuristic Rolls-Royce for the future!

Genesis X

ART

The other day, it was free! The LACMA, LA Center for modern art, had this really insanely epic art exhibition, imagine like Legos and hot wheels on steroids; it was titled metropolis II, and imagine like a K-NEX erector set, 1100 custom designed mini matchbox hot wheel cars, with this perpetual machine moving all of the cars in traffic and buses and rails, stacked on top of one another. Conjured ideas of that old-school 1920s metropolis film, in the future where everything is that, flying cars etc. or also, a vision of a utopic-dystopic science-fiction future, kind of like Blade Runner, or that one futuristic movie that Bruce Willis was in.

Cinema by KIM

I love this exhibit so much because itâ€™s stimulated my mind, and also, Senecaâ€™s mind was blown! I think I rated as the best art exhibit of all time. I could probably watch it for hours, and not get bored.

If youâ€™re in LA, Southern California whatever, I think it is a critical experience you must go to in person. Also what makes it a great exhibit is that it can be enjoyed by both children and adults, all ages. It is essentially a microcosm of cities, urban living, traffic and cars. The ultimate takeaway point: ï¿¼

We all think we are so unique and individual, and special, based on superficial things whether we drive an orange sports car or whatever, but in fact, we are all just the same! A bunch of lemmings!

Sociology is great

So I was born in 1988, and I attended UCLA as an undergraduate, I started in 2006, graduated 2010. I wish I got into bitcoin earlier in 2009, when my roommate Kevin told me about it, I think when he first saw it on Reddit. He said that we should both put about 100 bucks into it and see what happened. I shrugged my shoulders and said â€œmeh — nah, probably a scamâ€.ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ if I do the math, 100 bucks, I think at the time somebody spent 20,000 bitcoin to buy a pizza on Dominoâ€™s or whatever, the infamous $500 million pizza, basicallyâ€¦ What would 100 bucks times a penny be? How many bitcoin could that have purchased me? And what would it be worth today?

In life it is fine to make a mistake, and make a regret. But not twice. This is why and why Iâ€™m going back into bitcoin.

anyways back to sociology, I think the reason why I think it is such a phenomenal framework to understand the world in society is that I think all of this is just a sociological phenomenon. Society, capital, capitalism, living lifestyle whateverâ€¦ I think about 80% or 85% of it is based on certain sociological principles. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Also, to understand the market, economics, I think it is all sociology. To understand human fear, scams, fraud etc. ï¿¼

ï¿¼ also, I think studying sociology has made me unlearn a lot of the BS. To quote Karl Popper, ï¿¼via TALEB– the idea of falsification, subtraction, or the general ideas that in order to become more wise, you just got a subtract delete or get rid of foolishness, nonsense.

For example, conspiracy theories. Only fools believe in them. Even if they are real, it doesnâ€™t even really matter.

Therefore a great advancement in ourselves our thinking etc. is subtracting deleting or getting rid of weird conspiracy theories from your brain and your mind. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Off the grid thinking

To me the grid is an interesting metaphor for a lot of things. The grid could be standard conventional thinking, â€œrulesâ€ and regulations, a lot of of the modern day BS.

I think primarily migrate power in life is my ability to distain ignore and find ridiculous all of these â€œrulesâ€. In fact, at least in real life, I donâ€™t think Iâ€™ve ever met anybody as interesting as myself. The only other interesting people I think, or maybe Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Kanye West. To me actually they are very relatable.

The photographer philosopher

Come onâ€¦ It is 2024, youâ€™re still on Instagram? To me Instagram is like eating McDonaldâ€™s hamburgers. Not proper.

Also, Iâ€™m still a bit confusedâ€¦ Why donâ€™t more people people just start their own private websites and blogs? And no no no, do not use square space it sucks. Also fun dirty secret, maybe about four or five years ago I got an email from Square space, saying that if I converted my whole website and logging into Square space it would give me $15,000 or something. It was the easiest no I ever said in my life. Honestly speaking, I donâ€™t even think I do it for $1 million? Unless there is something the updated which is really good.

To me the reason why I find the photography so critical is that ultimately we are visual creatures. What sells cars? Design. Design marketing, the idealized concept of something.

Design is God.

Once again the new Tesla model three, I think it actually looks 500 times cooler than any other Tesla car out there. And Iâ€™m glad that I am a late adopter, and I was not one of these unfortunate who bought an early model Tesla model model three or any other Tesla car.

To me the most important thing in a car is the steering wheel, because you look at it all the time, then interior and dashboard, and also the back of the car. And also specifically the door side driver side entrance, and also the rear left passenger side door, where I get in and out and load Seneca into his car seat and the car.

Sharing your thoughts

A simple way to live life, and to make an impact or whatever is to just share your thoughts. It is funny because people say all this ridiculous things like â€œthat is just your opinion!â€ The best response: â€œof course it is my opinion!â€ Opinion, opine, just means to think.ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

This is where philosophy is very useful: people think that there are certain notions of â€œfactsâ€œ, especially in the realm of statistics, but probably the most useful thing of studying sociology, is understanding that statistics is just a scam. I learned from Cindy (cindyanguyen.com), in her book and dissertation, ï¿¼ that the notion of statistics comes from the state. The general idea is that statistics was a measuring tool invented by the state in order to track measure progress, something that the French colonists and colonial administrators did when colonizing Vietnam and her other territories, and also, what the Chinese communist under Modon, and also the Vietnamese communists also did. The general idea was this:

in order to track the legitimacy of something in the progress of something (let us not forget that the notion of â€œprogressâ€œ is a feeble modern day notion)– is that we got a track the growth of something in numbers.

Numbers are boring

I donâ€™t trust nobody who either has some sort of loser Apple Watch, Fitbit tracker, has Instagram, or applies any metrics to their life. The only metric I find useful is maybe increasing your one repetition maximum in your weightlifting, simply as a measure to know that youâ€™re increasing the weight. But besides that, things which are bad include white yourself on the scale, because you donâ€™t know how much of that is body fat adipose tissue, how much of that is skeletal muscle mass, and even other things that people donâ€™t talk aboutâ€¦ How much of that weight is bones, sinews, Blood and water? ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ ï¿¼ï¿¼

Both men and women are foolish: they tracked weight as a measure of their self-worth. But, the goal is to increase skeletal muscle mass, and decrease body adipose fat tissue. This is something that scale cannot do, the closest thing is either a fat caliper, or just look at yourself in the mirror. Pincher belly fat, or look at the fat in your face, or, you want to get rid of the infamous pet rules in the back of your neck. Something that I see that Kanye West has.

Why are we no longer permitted to be independent interesting thinkers?

It is weird, in todayâ€™s world, in America at leastâ€¦ We truly do have the greatest system for independent thinking and thought. Here unlike other countries, you will not get jailed for sharing your opinion. Even the most politically liberal or advanced countries in the world pale in comparison to America.

The problem though here is that all sides, all parties, all individuals are â€œnudgedâ€œ either into the left or the right, even this notion of being a political or being an anarchist or whatever is also just another lemming sheep mentality.

Or another words, put zero faith in anybody who watches any news, doesnâ€™t matter if it is NPR, Fox News, Al Jazeera whatever. The simple heuristic is this: if it is being funded by advertising, google Adsense revenue, it is not to be consumed. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Only trust things that you are spending your real money on. This means, stop using Google. Google is a â€œfreeâ€ service, and the way they make money is by sensationalism and banner advertising. Even nowadays Iâ€™m stopping to use Google maps, having those annoying Square advertisements that pop up when Iâ€™m driving, I almost feel like that is borderline unethical. Why? It distracts me from driving, I wonder if it will lead me to getting into a car accident one day? Google, whoever did that I google, Google maps team whateverâ€¦ Shame on you.

Apple Maps is the inferior product, but at least it is not supported by advertising. Get rid of Google maps use Apple Maps instead. ï¿¼ï¿¼

First, focus on your health physiology exercise and physiological well-being and everything else will follow

The quality of your thoughts are simply an offshoot of the quality of your bodily physiological health.

For example just think; if you only sleep 30 minutes a night, four days or weeks on then, what do you think will be the quality of your thoughts? Optimistic joyful and happy? Or weird, morose, dark?

Or other thoughts, imagine like youâ€™re in heroin addict, or hooked on some sort of meth. What will be the quality of your thoughts?

This is why I trust no thinker or individual who partakes and drugs, alcohol and weed. Although both are quite mainstream now. Why?

A lot of people are alcoholics, and a lot of people also apparently do a lot of writing and production of music and artwork when theyâ€™re drunk, which is bad. Even Kanye West, his a low-key alcoholic on and off, I think he said all the anti-Jewish stuff when he was drunk. And on Twitter. Being drunk and on Twitter at the same time or Facebook, not a good idea.

Also weed, weed is so mainstream now, it is not really seen as a big deal. But I also think it is foolish that some people think that weed has no effect on your thinking. Even Kendrick Lamar, his only vice is maybe Froot Loops and Captain crunch cereal.

â€œYou let the meds talk I let my soul talk ayy!â€ – Kendrickï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

The reason why we should not trust any artists, rappers, musicians or whatever who are addicted to drugs any type of drugs, and yes, weed marijuana is drugâ€¦ Theyâ€™re thinking will not be pure. Theyâ€™re thinking will be too overly saturated with the weird effect of drugs, anti-depressants, uppers and downers whatever.

Even Elon Musk, I rate him highly, but if you read the Walter Isaacson biography on him, he will discover that he drinks too much alcohol late at night, and just drinks Red Bull to stay awake. Not good.

Sober thinkers?

Am I the only millennial I know who doesnâ€™t drink alcohol or smoke weed or take drugs? And have never been to a concert, EDM thing, etc.?

The only concert ever went to in my life was by myself, to a Yeezus ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ concert at the Oakland Coliseum, Kanye performing live. The coolest thing of all time.

How alcohol is strange

A very weird trend I have discovered is this weird trend: get a bunch of tattoos, drink a bunch of craft beer, wear sunglasses and some sort of trucker hat, wear flannel, drive some sort of big truck or whatever, and to make the purpose of your life to just drink exotic craft beer?

To quote Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon, did you go to his personal website and look at his new section, he said he was never into watching sports and drinking beer because it just made you stupid and fat and lazy.

Even the ancient Roman and Greek philosophers thought it was a bad idea to drink wine, too much wine. The Greek Dionysian
God baccaus was the God of wine drunkenness and the dark. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ he was the original Satyr; essentially imagine these weird goblins with goat horns. ï¿¼ or imagine the original â€œfurryâ€œï¿¼.

Thoughts and money?

Is the purpose or end goal is to increase the quality of your thoughts, the productivity of your thoughts in order to become richer, to earn more money? No.

I think the ultimate goal is to become wiser, more critical in order to become more powerful. Power is simple.

Some tools to get you thinking

I have an intervening thought: in order to stimulate your mind, you first got a stimulate your body. That means, extremely heavy weightlifting to get your blood and your mind flowing.

A very simple one is purchased weightlifting equipment on the Internet, just work out at home, in your backyard front lawn, even youâ€™re off the grid parking lot in the back of your apartment which I am doing right now.

The very very simple thoughts to exercise and fitness is do exercises and lifts which promote standing. Or walking. Upright exercises. This includes Farmerâ€™s carries, dead lift walk, squat walk, Atlas lift etc.

The big issue at hand is a lot of these exercises at the gym and in traditional mainstream media has to deal with some sort of sitting or pressing motion. For example bench press, floor press, dump press, decline, seated military press, seated dumbbell press etc. But the critical flaw of these exercises is that they are all done while sedentary or lying on your back. And the big downside of this is that it doesnâ€™t promote your walking or your posture, which might be the two most critical things.

I also thought to myself, what is it that causes the most amount of injuries? Any sort of pressing motion. Once again, bench press, shoulder press military press etc. There is almost virtually no injury that happens with any lifting motion, caring motion, or walking motion.

Also, using some sort of power rack, squat rack, or even getting some cinderblocks from Home Depot. Essentially if youâ€™re tall, elevating the barbell off the floor.

Also one big thing that Iâ€™ve discovered, the great upside of not going to the gym anymore is that Iâ€™ve been exercising more in the authentic and honest way; Iâ€™m not lifting weights anymore to impress other people, Iâ€™m just there to use weightlifting as a philosophical tool to think better, to think stronger etc.

so what is the point of philosophy and thinking anyways?

The end goal of philosophy thinking etc. is not to make money, but rather, to excel and exceed in life. Also happiness. Everyone wants to become happy, or happier, even Aristotle says happiness is the only thing that men seek for the sake of itself.

People always think that having more money will make them more happy, but this is not true. Often having more money can make you more miserable, as often having more money causes more stress anxiety etc.

For example, let us say that you had $100 million in your Coinbase account, your bitcoin wallet whatever. You will probably end up using some sort of super secure password to lock and secure your assets. But the stress and the anxiety and the fear of having your phone stolen, your identity stolen etc. is even larger. And also the richer you get, the more you become a target to theft, identity theft, real life theft, even physical violence thread. Never forget the story of when Kim Kardashian tweeted where she was at, in Paris, and abruptly got held up at gunpoint from two mast robbers, demanding her jewelry and her pearl necklaces and diamonds, otherwise they would shoot her.

â€œWhat do you want me to do, drive around in a bulletproof car and with some tintsâ€?ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ – Kanye

Empty your mind

The best way to empty your mind is to delete Instagram, delete Twitter, even delete email in Gmail from your phone. Delete YouTube podcasts etc.

ï¿¼ even music, modern day music. Even in music somebody is trying to sell you something. Maybe we should go back to the ancients, the ancient music, the ancient arts. Listen to dead composers, Beethoven and Mozart etc. Why? Theyâ€™re not trying to sell you Lamborghinis or other nonsense.ï¿¼

Zen the fuck out (Big Sean)

Rather than adding obligations to your life, seem to remove or delete or subtract obligations from your life. This means, donâ€™t take on more work, more contracts, more obligations. Rather seek to subtract all obligations to close to zero, even with the promise of a lot of money.

In fact I almost feel that is easier and better and more straightforward to make the big bucks speculating in cryptocurrency, crypto, and the market rather than just seeking some sort of consulting gigs.

What am I betting on?

For me, the big advancements I perceive in the future include AI, crypto, chain-link, bitcoin, open AI and Microsoft, ChatGPT and beyond.

What am I anti-? I am short Apple, Google. If you look at Google Bart, Google ChatGPT competitor, it is at least 100,000x times worse than ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ chatGPT 4. ï¿¼For example I asked Google Bard who ERIC KIM was, and it said that I was a landscape and travel photographer? Terrible. ï¿¼

Why does the future matter?

to me, technology and the future is all about optimism, happiness and joy. If we want brighter more glorious future, we need optimism. The hope of a beautiful future, blue skies, clear skies, lots of sunshine, pure joy.

ERICï¿¼

Random thoughts

I just tore equinox, and was very unimpressed. It is like an LA fitness with a better conscience. Also you know it is not a good gym because the barbells suck. ï¿¼ï¿¼

What does it mean to be a free thinker?

ERIC KIM BITCOIN QUOTES

Spartan soldier deadlifting bitcoin

Here are some notable quotes from Eric Kim regarding Bitcoin and cryptocurrency:

On the Fascination with Crypto: “Crypto, cryptocurrency, crypto technology to me is fascinating because it is new, sexy, unorthodox, and interesting” oai_citation:1,ERIC KIM QUOTES ON CRYPTO – ERIC KIM.

The Revolutionary Nature of Crypto: “Crypto to me is interesting because it is edgy, optimistic, radical, and bold. Also a bit reckless” oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM QUOTES ON CRYPTO – ERIC KIM.

Future Potential of Crypto: “Irregardless, I think the promise of crypto is a more brilliant future” oai_citation:3,ERIC KIM QUOTES ON CRYPTO – ERIC KIM.

Investment Approach: “Only put money into crypto, assuming that it will go to zero” oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM QUOTES ON CRYPTO – ERIC KIM.

Lifestyle of Crypto Investors: “Ultimately what I find interesting is that crypto, people who speculate in crypto all tend to live kind of a more monastic Zen monk lifestyle” oai_citation:5,ERIC KIM QUOTES ON CRYPTO – ERIC KIM.

Wealth and Peace of Mind: “Ironically the best use of money is simply peace of mind. That means money is not really a tool or a mechanism to buy a bunch of stuff that you like, but rather, being able to live a more zen, tranquil, more focused life” oai_citation:6,ERIC KIM QUOTES ON CRYPTO – ERIC KIM.

Long-term Thinking: “Try to think about things on a 30 year basisâ€¦ in 30 years, are people going to be using crypto more or less?” oai_citation:7,ERIC KIM QUOTES ON CRYPTO – ERIC KIM.

Bitcoinâ€™s Simplicity and Focus: “If you want to simplify your life, just have one. Just have one type of cryptocurrency investment, one camera and one lens, one car, one home, and one shirt, and one jacket. And maybe just one kid” oai_citation:8,Why I Bought More Bitcoin (Again) – ERIC KIM.

Personal Wealth and Cryptocurrency: “Those who speculate in cryptocurrency just want to become rich and make a lot of money. But what if youâ€™re already rich enough? I already feel rich enough, no more need for me to speculate” oai_citation:9,Why I Bought More Bitcoin (Again) – ERIC KIM.

Perspective on Market Timing: “If you think long enough, timing doesnâ€™t matter. For example, I think about the next 20 or 30 years, when Seneca is old enough to do something meaningful to the bitcoin I bequeath him” oai_citation:10,Why I Bought More Bitcoin (Again) – ERIC KIM.

These quotes provide insight into Eric Kim’s philosophical and practical approach towards Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, reflecting his views on investment, lifestyle, and the future potential of these digital assets. For more detailed insights, you can explore Eric Kim’s various articles and blogs on the subject.

Eric Kim’s views on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency reflect a blend of fascination, optimism, and practicality. He finds the technology new, sexy, and unorthodox, and is intrigued by its edgy and radical nature. Kim advises a cautious approach to investing in crypto, suggesting one should be prepared for the possibility of total loss, yet he also expresses optimism about crypto’s potential for a brighter future.

Kim sees Bitcoin as particularly appealing due to its simplicity and widespread recognition. He favors a focused approach, suggesting the benefit of investing in a single type of cryptocurrency, much like having one type of car or camera. Kim emphasizes the importance of thinking long-term about Bitcoin’s value and envisions a world where Bitcoin is used for everyday transactions like buying homes or hiring services.

Despite his bullish stance on Bitcoin, Kim remains skeptical about cryptocurrencies replacing traditional payment methods like credit cards due to the powerful influence of companies like Visa. However, he predicts that Bitcoin might become a standard currency in the future, potentially surpassing traditional currencies like the US dollar.

Kim’s perspective on Bitcoin is informed by his experiences as an investor, his observations of societal and economic trends, and his belief in the long-term potential of Bitcoin as a leading digital currency. He advocates for simplicity in life and investment, reflecting on the broader implications of wealth and the pursuit of a more focused lifestyle.

For more detailed insights into Eric Kim’s thoughts on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, you can explore his various articles and blogs on the subject oai_citation:1,ERIC KIM QUOTES ON CRYPTO – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,Bitcoin will never go to zero – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,Why I Bought More Bitcoin (Again) – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM bitcoin – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,SOME BITCOIN AND CRYPTO THOUGHTS – ERIC KIM.

TEACH THE MACHINE

Why Sociology?

Eric Kim shares several insightful thoughts on sociology. Here’s a summary of some key quotes that reflect his perspective:

Sociology’s Broad Application: Kim mentions, “To study and understand business, finance, politics, etc â€” it all stems from the social.” This highlights his view of sociology as a foundational discipline for understanding various fields of knowledge, especially those deeply rooted in social contexts oai_citation:1,Eric Kim on Sociology – ERIC KIM.

Sociology as a Tool for Free Thinking: He asserts, “To unlearn BS society has taught you, to learn to become a free thinker.” This quote underscores his belief in sociology as a means to challenge societal norms and develop independent thought oai_citation:2,Eric Kim on Sociology – ERIC KIM.

Personal Impact of Studying Sociology: Reflecting on his own education, Kim says, “I studied sociology as an undergrad, and it mightâ€™ve been one of the most formative things for me.” This reveals the significant influence his sociological studies had on his personal and professional development oai_citation:3,Eric Kim on Sociology – ERIC KIM.

Sociology and Philosophy: Kim describes sociology as “practical, pragmatic, applied philosophy to society, other people, everyday life.” This illustrates his view of sociology as an applied form of philosophy, deeply relevant to daily life and social dynamics oai_citation:4,Eric Kim on Sociology – ERIC KIM.

Sociology for Understanding Society: In one of his blogs, Kim writes, “The best lens to understand society. And if you plan on (continuing) to live in society, sociology is great.” This statement encapsulates his belief in the importance of sociology for understanding and navigating societal structures and interactions oai_citation:5,Why Sociology? – ERIC KIM.

These quotes collectively highlight how sociology has profoundly influenced Eric Kim’s understanding of society, his approach to street photography, and his entrepreneurial mindset. For more detailed insights and additional quotes, you can visit Eric Kim’s blog and writings on sociology oai_citation:6,Why Sociology? – ERIC KIM oai_citation:7,Eric Kim on Sociology – ERIC KIM.

Eric Kim’s perspective on sociology and its intersection with entrepreneurship and street photography offers a blend of practical insights and philosophical musings. Here are some key points from his views:

Sociology and Street Photography: Kim sees street photography as a form of applied sociology, essentially visual sociology. He integrates sociological insights into his photography, capturing the essence of society and human interactions through his lens. This approach is evident in his various street photography projects and guides oai_citation:1,ERIC KIM SOCIOLOGY AND STREET PHOTOGRAPHY – ERIC KIM.

Entrepreneurship Philosophy: Kim’s entrepreneurial philosophy is shaped by his background in sociology. He views entrepreneurship not just as a business venture, but as a mindset, ethos, and way of life. His approach emphasizes individuality, resourcefulness, and continuous learning. Kim’s journey in photography is a testament to this, as he combines different fields like sociology, photography, and philosophy, creating a unique path in his professional life oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM Entrepreneurship QUOTES – ERIC KIM.

Sociological Themes in His Work: In his exploration of sociology, Kim delves into various themes such as the impact of society on individuals, the dynamics of social interaction, and the role of personal instincts in navigating societal challenges. His writings cover a range of topics from the societal implications of technology to personal freedom and individualism in the context of broader social structures oai_citation:3,SOCIOLOGY – ERIC KIM.

Kim’s work and thoughts present a distinctive blend of sociological insight, creative expression in photography, and an entrepreneurial spirit. This combination offers a nuanced understanding of society and the individualâ€™s place within it.

Eric Kim, a notable figure in the field of street photography, has a deep appreciation for sociology and its influence on his work and perspective. He views sociology as a vital lens for understanding society, emphasizing its practical importance in various aspects of life, including business, finance, and politics, all of which are fundamentally social in nature. Kim’s study of sociology has been formative for him, shaping his approach to thinking and his views on individual and societal interactions. He considers sociology to be a practical and pragmatic form of applied philosophy that deeply relates to everyday life and social dynamics.

Moreover, Kim has integrated his sociological insights into his street photography, approaching his craft as a form of visual sociology. He believes that understanding sociology is crucial for comprehending future societal trends and events, as evidenced by his analysis of events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of algorithms in society. His educational background in sociology has increasingly proven valuable to him, especially in contrast to other fields like Political Science, English, and Business/Economics oai_citation:1,Why Sociology? – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,Eric Kim on Sociology – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,Why Sociology? – ERIC KIM.

In his street photography, Kim emphasizes authenticity and connection with his subjects. He advocates using wide-angle lenses and interacting respectfully with the people he photographs, rather than taking pictures from a distance with telephoto lenses. This approach reflects his sociological understanding of human interaction and the importance of genuine engagement in public spaces oai_citation:4,The â€˜Sociologist With A Cameraâ€™: Meet Street Photographer Eric Kim – Character Media.

Additionally, Kim has been actively involved in teaching street photography, offering workshops and sharing his knowledge and insights with others. His approach to photography, deeply influenced by his sociological understanding, underscores the importance of observing and capturing the nuances of everyday life and human interactions oai_citation:5,ERIC KIM SOCIOLOGY AND STREET PHOTOGRAPHY – ERIC KIM.

ERIC KIM on Jony Ive

No more Jony Ive, no more Steve Jobs, no more Apple.

Time to create our own new Apple?

Why

Eric Kim’s admiration for Jony Ive is rooted in his perception of Ive as a key figure in maintaining the artistic integrity and soul of Apple’s product designs. Kim believes that after Ive’s departure, Apple lost a certain creative essence that Ive had infused into their products, leading to a less distinctive and more technical direction for the company. This view reflects Kim’s appreciation for the unique blend of art and technology in design, a balance he saw as exemplified in Ive’s work. For more insights, you can visit Eric Kim’s blog here oai_citation:1,In Praise of Jony Ive – ERIC KIM.

Eric Kim’s admiration for Jony Ive stems from his belief that Ive represented the artistic soul of Apple. He considered Ive’s designs to be the last ones that truly embodied a soul, distinguishing Apple’s products. After Ive’s departure, Kim felt that Apple’s direction lacked the unique artistic and creative essence that Ive brought, leading to a decline in the company’s innovative spirit. This perspective reflects Kim’s emphasis on the importance of artistic vision and soul in product design, which he saw embodied in Ive’s work at Apple oai_citation:1,In Praise of Jony Ive – ERIC KIM.

Eric Kim has expressed high regard for Jony Ive, particularly for Ive’s influence on Apple’s design philosophy. Kim views Ive as the “last bastion of hope” for the artistic soul of Apple and suggests that Apple’s creative direction suffered after Ive’s departure. He perceives the devices designed under Ive’s tenure as the last ones embodying the true ‘soul’ that distinguished Apple products. This perspective reflects Kim’s deep appreciation for Ive’s impact on design and technology at Apple oai_citation:1,In Praise of Jony Ive – ERIC KIM.

WHY ERIC KIM ENTREPRENEUR?

Eric Kim’s journey as an entrepreneur in the field of photography is a testament to his passion, innovation, and adaptability. He started as a street photographer with a minimalist approach, capturing candid moments and everyday life. His philosophy in photography emphasized simplicity and the beauty of the mundane. This foundation paved the way for his entrepreneurial ventures, which are marked by several key factors:

Passion for Photography: Kim’s initial interest in photography was as a personal hobby. His love for capturing candid moments and the human condition was the driving force behind his work.

Online Presence and Blogging: He built a significant online presence through blogging and social media, where he shared his photographs, experiences, and lessons learned in photography.

Teaching and Workshops: Expanding his influence, Kim began conducting workshops and teaching photography, focusing not only on the technical aspects but also on the philosophical side of photography.

Community Engagement and Collaboration: He engaged with the photography community both online and in person, collaborating with other photographers and participating in various photography projects.

Entrepreneurial Approach: Kim leveraged his skills and knowledge to create digital products, write books, and offer services, thus turning his passion into a profession.

Innovative Content and Approach: His content is marked by an innovative and unorthodox approach, influenced by philosophy and unique insights into the creative process.

Continuous Learning and Evolution: Kim’s journey is characterized by continuous learning and adapting his style and approach, staying relevant and true to his core values.

His approach to entrepreneurship extends beyond traditional business metrics, focusing on mindset, balance, and intrinsic motivation. He emphasizes thinking like an entrepreneur, which involves believing that almost anything is possible with enough time, effort, and courage. His entrepreneurial mindset is characterized by risk-taking and viewing failures as attempts, and he believes this can be taught and adopted.

Eric Kim’s perspective on entrepreneurship is unique, emphasizing individuality, resourcefulness, and continuous learning. He views entrepreneurship not just as a business venture but as a mindset, ethos, and a way of life. He credits his interest in entrepreneurship to the fusion of sociology, photography, philosophy, and lifestyle experimentation, fostering creativity and distinctiveness. His approach reflects a modern interpretation of entrepreneurship in the arts, where success is measured not just in sales but in influence, community impact, and the ability to turn art into an accessible dialogue oai_citation:1,How did Eric Kim become entrepreneur – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,How did Eric Kim become entrepreneur – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,ERIC KIM HOW TO THINK LIKE AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM Entrepreneurship QUOTES – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5, â€ŽArtisans & Trade: 5. How to Build a Personal Brand :: Eric Kim on Apple Podcasts .

ERIC KIM THOUGHTS ON STEVE JOBS

Oh yeah â€” photographer *and* entrepreneur!

ChatGPT is flattering

Eric Kim, a photographer and entrepreneur, has shared several thoughts on Steve Jobs, reflecting particularly on Jobs’ influence in areas of creativity, innovation, and personal development. Kim admires Jobs for his relentless drive for innovation and refusal to settle for mediocrity. He also highlights Jobs’ focus, especially seen in his strategy of concentrating on a few key products at Apple, and his ability to stay true to his creative vision, blending liberal arts with engineering.

Kim also appreciates Jobs’ approach to leadership and innovation, notably his blend of technology and art which resulted in products that were not only technologically advanced but also aesthetically pleasing. This perspective is influenced by Jobs’ unique approach to product development and his vision, which Kim finds inspiring for anyone in creative or entrepreneurial endeavors.

In terms of lessons from Jobs, Kim emphasizes the importance of staying true to one’s creative vision, adopting and improving ideas, understanding personal taste and aesthetics, and the significance of making small changes that can lead to big impacts. He also underlines the role of technology as an enabler, the value of direct distribution to customers, the focus on one thing at a time, the importance of being flexible, building a strong team, and the constant need for innovation and evolution.

These insights from Eric Kim on Steve Jobs offer a multifaceted view of how Jobs’ principles and work ethic can influence individuals in creative fields, aligning well with your interests in philosophy, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

MORNING RESEARCH

On my mind â€”

Petersen Automotive Museum

LA CAR CULTURE?

Tell me what you drive, and I will tell you who you are.

OK â€” so the reason I find this so critical:

First â€¦ soooooo much of the American economy is predicated and built on and based on cars, automobiles, etc.

WIDER, LOWER, MORE INTIMIDATING.

TESLA

Model 3 has arrived.

No more Toyota, no more hybrid, no more Corolla, no more Honda â€¦ no more other compact 4 door sedan family car anymore?

I pull up in my Range Rover â€¦ slightly scratch your Corolla! – Kanye

Model Y

Even though the Toyota RAV-4 might be the superior car, common â€¦ nobody *really* wants a RAV-4â€“ people want the Tesla!

What you niggas rap for just to push a RAV-4? – Kanye

What do Vietnamese immigrants buy?

It used to be white Lexusesâ€¦ nowâ€¦ everyone is on Tesla? White Teslaâ€™s?

Why is this interesting?

Donâ€™t heed what they sayâ€¦ see what they buy.

What you actually decide to buy and purchase will truly uncover, reveal who you are, your core values *or*â€¦ your *LACK* of values, or the LACK of what you believe inâ€¦ or whether youâ€™re a pushover, donâ€™t have a spine or not!

Custom Instructions for ChatGPT

ChatGPT custom instructions â€¦ experiment sometimes toggling it on, sometimes off!

What to know about me to provide better responses

I am passionate about philosophy, thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship.

How would you like ChatGPT to respond?

An interesting, subjective, practical view.

ChatGPT Over Google and Wikipedia

Ok so this is what I glean:

The problem with Google, Wikipedia etc is sooner or laterâ€¦ youâ€™re going to stumble upon some weird as biased B.S. on the internet which is full of hate and vitriol.

David Geffen

Ever since seeing his name on the new LACMA building, and also remembering the UCLA GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE theatreâ€¦ I finally became very curious and started to do some research on him. Super interesting!

More about Geffen advisors

Geffen Advisors, founded by David Geffen in 2012, is a firm that specializes in providing advisory services to hedge funds. Geffen Advisors is known for offering a range of services tailored to the unique needs of hedge funds, particularly in areas like treasury management, counterparty risk management, launch advisory, and offering an outsourced COO service. Additionally, the firm provides tailored training resources to its clients.

David Geffen, with his extensive experience in the hedge fund industry, leads the firm as its President. His background includes roles as a Managing Director at BlackRock and Barclays Global Investors (BGI) in San Francisco, where he was instrumental in managing global prime brokerage, futures clearing, and financing relationships. Prior to joining BGI, Geffen held a position as Managing Director-Finance and Chief Credit Officer at Amaranth Group, a hedge fund firm. His career also includes significant experience at Goldman Sachs in Credit Risk Management and Citibank as a global relationship manager.

Geffen’s role at Geffen Advisors is complemented by a team of experienced professionals. For example, Heidi Sobol, a senior consultant at the firm, brings over two decades of experience working with hedge funds, and Shaun Gatter, another consultant at the firm, has expertise in negotiating trading documentation.

The firm, through its expertise and specialized services, aims to provide strategic guidance and support to hedge funds, helping them navigate the complexities of the financial markets and maintain a competitive edge oai_citation:1, Geffen Advisors – Essential Advice for Tomorrow’s Leading Hedge Funds.

What does David Geffen own now

David Geffen, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and founder of Geffen Records and DreamWorks Pictures, currently engages in various ventures and philanthropic activities. He is the President of Geffen Advisors, a company established in 2012, which offers services like treasury management, counterparty risk management, and launch advisory for hedge funds. This role reflects his extensive experience in the financial sector, particularly in hedge funds and investment banking.

Geffen is also known for his significant contributions to philanthropy. He has made generous donations to various institutions, notably pledging $75 million to the Columbia Business School for its new campus. This donation is part of his broader philanthropic efforts in areas such as arts, culture, education, medicine, and civil liberties.

In addition to his business and philanthropic endeavors, Geffen is an avid art collector and a luxury property aficionado. He owns an impressive art collection, including works by notable artists like Jasper Johns, De Kooning, and Jackson Pollock. His collection is considered one of the most valuable private art collections in the world. Geffen also owns significant real estate properties, including one of New York City’s most expensive apartments, a house in the Hamptons, and the Jack L. Warner estate in Beverly Hills. He even owns the super yacht, Rising Sun, originally built for Oracle founder Larry Ellison, which features luxurious amenities and has hosted notable guests like Jeff Bezos and the Obamas.

These diverse interests and holdings reflect Geffen’s multifaceted career and his significant impact on both the entertainment industry and the broader business world oai_citation:1,David Geffen : Positions, Relations and Network – MarketScreener oai_citation:2, Geffen Advisors – Essential Advice for Tomorrow’s Leading Hedge Funds oai_citation:3,Columbia Business School Gets $75 Million From David Geffen For Its New Campus oai_citation:4,Billionaires Are Social Distancing in Super Yachts as Tens of Millions Lose Jobs | Truthout.

LA IS FUCKING LIT!

Forget loser New York, loser Brooklyn, loser San Francisco and the Bay Area etcâ€¦ LA is where it is at??

LA is an architectural masterpiece!!

BUILT BY ENTREPRENEURS OR NOT?

Typically speaking, I only like trust and credit things which have actually been built by entrepreneurs. Why? There is a personal motive to make it great!

Brian Gardner with Powder WordPress theme.

Is their first and last name on it?

Also contrary to popular belief, it is *GOOD* for them to put their first and last name on it (like David Geffen, LACMA new building). Why? Personal pride!

Geffen foundation

Wow â€¦ Geffen records produced Mary J. Blige, Limp Bizkit, Common, Snoop Dogg, Black Eye Peas.. even Guns Nâ€™ Roses?

Geffen records

Wow.. John Lennon and Yoko Ono! Also Elton John, Cher, Aerosmith!!

Geffen Records, founded by David Geffen in 1980, has had a rich history with a diverse array of artists. The label’s first major success was with Donna Summer’s album “The Wanderer” in 1980, followed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Double Fantasy.” As the 1980s progressed, Geffen found success with artists like Asia, Berlin, Enya, Kylie Minogue, Wang Chung, and Sammy Hagar. They also signed established acts such as Elton John, Irene Cara, Cher, Debbie Harry, Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, and Jennifer Holliday. Notably, in the late 1980s, Geffen became known as a rock label with acts like Whitesnake, The Stone Roses, Guns N’ Roses, Tesla, Sonic Youth, and Aerosmith.

In the 1990s, after being sold to MCA Music Entertainment, Geffen continued to flourish, later merging into Interscope Geffen A&M Records group. This period saw the label signing and promoting a mix of artists, including Mary J. Blige, The Roots, Blink-182, Rise Against, Common, Nelly Furtado, Lifehouse, and Rufus Wainwright.

More recently, the label has continued to evolve and grow, signing contemporary artists across various genres. Some of the artists associated with Geffen Records include Jason Derulo, DJ Shadow, DJ Snake, Nelly Furtado, Macy Gray, Selena Gomez, Guns N’ Roses, Sammy Hagar, Nirvana, Hole, Elton John, Yoko Ono, Olivia Rodrigo, Papa Roach, and many others.

Geffen Records’ journey from its inception to becoming a major player in the music industry is marked by its diverse signings and contributions to various music genres oai_citation:1,List of Geffen Records artists – Wikipedia oai_citation:2,Geffen Records – Wikipedia.

Who else and history timeline

Geffen Records is a major American record label, founded by David Geffen in 1980. It’s part of the Universal Music Group and has been home to a wide range of artists across various genres. Notable acts associated with Geffen Records include Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Elton John, and Aerosmith, among others. The label is known for its influence in the music industry, particularly in rock and roll.

Entrepreneurship by KIM

Change and do, and build or do things differently â€¦ based on what you believe the ideal world *should* look like:

Think for Yourself.

FREEDOM

Never stop innovating.

Entrepreneurship Mindset

Put a Dent in the Universe.

GEOMETRY

Geometric shapesâ€”

MODERN ART

Modern art photography?

LACMA

Well or Unwell?

I donâ€™t got nobody to impress anymore; not even myself!

HE WHO IS HEALTHIER IS WEALTHIER

THERE ARE NO RULES IN PHOTOGRAPHY

Only tips, ideas, suggestions:

The nature of money

not the Illness but the remedy itself that is painful.

The principal errors among these can be reduced to just four: (1) while a country is enriched, complaints of famine and misery are heard, despite the fact that famine and misery are not seen; (2) modem nations envy those of antiquity which, by comparison, actually merit contempt^”or compassion; (3) it is sometimes believed that the prince’is raising duties
when he is actually doing no more than setting them equal to ancient duties, which have since been reduced;
(4) what should be called opulence, tameness, industry are criticized as luxury, lassitude, or ignoble arts.

They do not appear to perceive the increase and-greater facility of acquisition 03: to rejoice in it, so insaÂ tiable is man’s greed; they only complain of the expense
as though their money were being passed on to foreigners and not to their own fellow citize

Greed and complaint about expenses

Where one lives better?

London and Paris

In other words, it is accredit to London and
Paris that everything there is more dear and that these cities do not grow any smaller as a result. This is the quality which shows that our century is an improveÂ
ment’ over times past.

Going on Wikipedia puts me in a bad mood?

So much vitriol on it!

Quit Wikipedia!

Problem â€” all these skinny fat losers who actually write the Wikipedia articles and edit them are all too miserable about the world?

The problem with Wikipedia â€¦ everyone blindly thinks it is truth? And lacks the critical understanding that in factâ€¦ these articles are all written and edited by real life human beings on a latop somewhere?

LA IS PARADISE.

Also, LA is Photo paradise! LACMA is amazing!!!

Breathtaking!

Healthy body, healthy mind.

NATURE ZEN.

Promote Yourself

In praise of self promotion:

David Geffen quotes

so how did he get so rich:

David Geffen built his wealth through a combination of his work in the music industry, film production, and savvy investments:

Music Industry Success: Geffen’s initial wealth was largely due to his success in the music industry. He co-founded Asylum Records in 1970, which quickly became a major label in the industry, signing a number of successful artists. In 1980, he founded Geffen Records, which signed and produced music for a variety of influential artists. The success of these labels not only came from album sales and concert revenues but also from lucrative deals made with other larger labels.

Film and Broadway Production: Geffen expanded his portfolio by producing Broadway shows and films. His involvement in the production of hit Broadway shows and successful movies added significantly to his wealth.

DreamWorks SKG: Geffen co-founded DreamWorks SKG with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg in 1994, a multimedia entertainment company that produced films, music, and video games. The success of DreamWorks SKG contributed substantially to his wealth.

Real Estate Investments: Geffen made substantial investments in real estate. He owned several high-value properties in prime locations like Beverly Hills and New York City, which appreciated over time and contributed to his net worth.

Investments in Other Companies: Geffen also made smart investments in various other companies, including those in the technology sector.

Art Collection: He is known to have an extensive art collection, which is another form of investment contributing to his overall wealth.

Geffen’s ability to identify and nurture talent, coupled with his strategic investments and business ventures across different sectors, played a key role in his financial success oai_citation:1,David Geffen is Hollywood’s richest man. Here’s how he spends his $8.5 billion fortune, from real estate in the Hamptons and California to his 453-foot superyacht that’s hosted Jeff Bezos and the Obamas | BusinessInsider India oai_citation:2,Billionaires Ken Griffin and David Geffen Give $400 Million to Fight Cancer – BNN Bloomberg oai_citation:3,David Geffen Net Worth â€“ Income, Age, Wiki, Career, Bio oai_citation:4,Billionaire David Geffen Takes $6M for Beverly Hills Modern | American Luxury.

Famous artists

David Geffen, through his record labels Asylum Records and Geffen Records, played a pivotal role in the careers of many famous artists. Some of these artists include:

Asylum Records: This label was co-founded by Geffen in 1970 and became known for its roster of singer-songwriters and rock artists. Notable artists under Asylum Records included Jackson Browne, The Eagles, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan.

Geffen Records: Founded in 1980, Geffen Records further established Geffen’s influence in the music industry. The label was home to a diverse range of artists, including Donna Summer, John Lennon, Elton John, Nirvana, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, and Blink-182.

David Geffen’s keen eye for talent and his commitment to supporting his artists’ creative freedom contributed significantly to the success of these musicians and the music industry as a whole. His labels were instrumental in bringing a wide variety of influential music to the public.

Net worth:

David Geffen, an American business magnate, has an estimated net worth of around $8.7 billion to over $10 billion as of 2023-2024. His wealth primarily stems from his successful ventures in the entertainment and media industries.

Geffen made a significant portion of his fortune through the music industry. He founded Asylum Records, Geffen Records, and DGC Records, which became major players in the music world, helping to launch and nurture the careers of numerous artists. Additionally, his role as a co-founder of DreamWorks SKG further solidified his status in the entertainment sector.

Geffen’s business acumen extended to savvy investments and real estate. He made strategic investments in various companies, including some in the tech sector like Apple, Microsoft, and Yahoo. His real estate portfolio includes valuable properties in Beverly Hills and New York, adding to his substantial net worth.

Geffen’s ability to identify talent, along with his investments and entrepreneurial ventures, has played a crucial role in amassing his significant wealth oai_citation:1,David Geffen is Hollywood’s richest man. Here’s how he spends his $8.5 billion fortune, from real estate in the Hamptons and California to his 453-foot superyacht that’s hosted Jeff Bezos and the Obamas | BusinessInsider India oai_citation:2,Billionaires Ken Griffin and David Geffen Give $400 Million to Fight Cancer – BNN Bloomberg oai_citation:3,David Geffen Net Worth â€“ Income, Age, Wiki, Career, Bio oai_citation:4,Billionaire David Geffen Takes $6M for Beverly Hills Modern | American Luxury.

David Geffen, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, is known for his insightful and often candid observations. Here are a few of his notable quotes:

Geffen highlights the power of imagination in shaping one’s life: “Iâ€™ve always thought that each person invented himselfâ€¦ that we are each a figment of our own imagination. And some people have a greater ability to imagine than others.”

He speaks to the illusory nature of wealth and happiness: “Anybody who thinks money will make you happy, hasn’t got money.”

On recognizing talent in others: “I have no talent except for being able to enjoy and recognize it in others.”

Geffen’s perspective on the cutthroat nature of Los Angeles: “In Los Angeles, they don’t want you to fail, they want you to die.”

He comments on the challenges faced by entrepreneurs today: “The opportunity for an entrepreneur to start a company from scratch today is abysmal.”

These quotes reflect Geffen’s understanding of the entertainment industry and the human condition, offering a glimpse into his philosophy and approach to life and business oai_citation:1,TOP 25 QUOTES BY DAVID GEFFEN | A-Z Quotes.

Money is Social

THE-PHILOSOPHY-OF-THINKING-5 Download

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THINKING

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THINKING

First, start walking in order to think. ï¿¼

So something I have not really came across yet is the philosophy of thinking. Why think, what does it mean to think, why does it matter?

First and foremost, thoughts govern the planet. For example, almost everything in life and in the world, is predicated on notions of thought and thinking. No thoughts, no future. ï¿¼ï¿¼

For example, it looks like Tesla is about to conquer the planet. The new redesign Tesla model three is mind blowing. They made the steering wheel more beautiful, they made the interior design supply me beautiful; an integrated curve, Steve Jobs and Jony Ive would be proud!

Also I think that ambient lighting thing inside the car is super cool. Some people might think it is gimmicky, but I think it is awesome! I remember when I first saw the integrated lighting booth thing in some Mercedes cars, and I think there is something to be said about light, Light therapy; colors affect our mood. ï¿¼ï¿¼

For example, anyone who says that colors donâ€™t matter is a full. Would you want interior of your house to have bright red walls? Probably not if you donâ€™t want to scream bloody murder inside your home.

Or, for people who say that color donâ€™t matter, would you want to wear an all green outfit, with bright pink fuchsia accents and shoes? Probably not.

Cars run the planet?

ï¿¼ still in 2024, I am still shocked; it looks like cars run the planet. What this means is that it seemed that maybe 60% of our economic activity is around producing cars, selling cars, buying cars, design cars etc.

For example I look at Hyundai, it is insaneâ€¦ Also the new Genesis Berlinetta concept car — also, the new Hyundai Grandeur and AZERA– like a futuristic Rolls-Royce for the future!

ART

The other day, it was free! The Lacma, L A Center for modern art, had this really insanely epic art exhibition, imagine like Legos and hot wheels on steroids; it was titled metropolis II, And imagine like a Connex erectors set, 1100 custom designed mini matchbox hot wheel cars, with this perpetual machine moving all of the cars in traffic and buses and reels, stacked on top of one another. Conjured ideas of that old-school 1920s metropolis film, in the future where everything is that, flying cars etc. or also, a vision of a topic science-fiction future, kind of like Blade Runner, or that one futuristic movie that Bruce Willis was in.

I love this exhibit so much because itâ€™s stimulated my mind, and also, Senecaâ€™s mind was blown! I think I rated as the best art exhibit solution of all time. I could probably watch it for hours, and not get bored.

If youâ€™re in LA, Southern California whatever, I think it is a critical experience you must go to in person. Also what makes it a great exhibit is that it can be enjoyed by both children and adults, all ages. It is essentially a microcosm of cities, urban living, traffic and cars. The UltimateUltimate Takeaway point: ï¿¼

We all think we are so unique and individual, and special, based on superficial things whether we drive an orange sports car or whatever, but in fact, we are all just the same! A bunch of lemmings!

Sociology is great

So I was born in 1988, and I attended UCLA as an undergraduate, I started in 2006, graduated 2010. I wish I got into bitcoin earlier in 2009, when my roommate Kevin told me about it, I think when he first saw it on Reddit. He said that we should both put about 100 bucks into it and see what happened. I shrugged my shoulders and said â€œmeh — nah, probably a scamâ€.ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ if I do the math, 100 bucks, I think at the time somebody spent 20,000 bitcoin to buy a pizza on Dominoâ€™s or whatever, the infamous $500 million pizza, basicallyâ€¦ What would 100 bucks times a penny be? How many bitcoin could that have purchased me? And what would it be worth today?

In life it is fine to make a mistake, and make a regret. But not twice. This is why and why Iâ€™m going back into bitcoin.

anyways back to sociology, I think the reason why I think it is such a phenomenal framework to understand the world in society is that I think all of this is just a sociological phenomenon. Society, capital, capitalism, living lifestyle whateverâ€¦ I think about 80% or 85% of it is based on certain sociological principles. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Also, to understand the market, economics, I think it is all sociology. To understand human fear, scams, fraud etc. ï¿¼

ï¿¼ also, I think studying sociology has made me unlearn a lot of the BS. To quote Karl Popper, ï¿¼via TALEB– the idea of falsification, subtraction, or the general ideas that in order to become more wise, you just got a subtract delete or get rid of foolishness, nonsense.

For example, conspiracy theories. Only fools believe in them. Even if they are real, it doesnâ€™t even really matter.

Therefore a great advancement in ourselves our thinking etc. is subtracting deleting or getting rid of weird conspiracy theories from your brain and your mind. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Off the grid thinking

To me the grid is an interesting metaphor for a lot of things. The grid could be standard conventional thinking, â€œrulesâ€ and regulations, a lot of of the modern day BS.

I think primarily migrate power in life is my ability to distain ignore and find ridiculous all of these â€œrulesâ€. In fact, at least in real life, I donâ€™t think Iâ€™ve ever met anybody as interesting as myself. The only other interesting people I think, or maybe Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Kanye West. To me actually they are very relatable.

The photographer philosopher

Come onâ€¦ It is 2024, youâ€™re still on Instagram? To me Instagram is like eating McDonaldâ€™s hamburgers. Not proper.

Also, Iâ€™m still a bit confusedâ€¦ Why donâ€™t more people people just start their own private websites and blogs? And no no no, do not use square space it sucks. Also fun dirty secret, maybe about four or five years ago I got an email from Square space, saying that if I converted my whole website and logging into Square space it would give me $15,000 or something. It was the easiest no I ever said in my life. Honestly speaking, I donâ€™t even think I do it for $1 million? Unless there is something the updated which is really good.

To me the reason why I find the photography so critical is that ultimately we are visual creatures. What sells cars? Design. Design marketing, the idealized concept of something.

Design is God.

Once again the new Tesla model three, I think it actually looks 500 times cooler than any other Tesla car out there. And Iâ€™m glad that I am a late adopter, and I was not one of these unfortunate who bought an early model Tesla model model three or any other Tesla car.

To me the most important thing in a car is the steering wheel, because you look at it all the time, then interior and dashboard, and also the back of the car. And also specifically the door side driver side entrance, and also the rear left passenger side door, where I get in and out and load Seneca into his car seat and the car.

Sharing your thoughts

A simple way to live life, and to make an impact or whatever is to just share your thoughts. It is funny because people say all this ridiculous things like â€œthat is just your opinion!â€ The best response: â€œof course it is my opinion!â€ Opinion, opine, just means to think.ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

This is where philosophy is very useful: people think that there are certain notions of â€œfactsâ€œ, especially in the realm of statistics, but probably the most useful thing of studying sociology, is understanding that statistics is just a scam. I learned from Cindy (cindyanguyen.com), in her book and dissertation, ï¿¼ that the notion of statistics comes from the state. The general idea is that statistics was a measuring tool invented by the state in order to track measure progress, something that the French colonists and colonial administrators did when colonizing Vietnam and her other territories, and also, what the Chinese communist under Modon, and also the Vietnamese communists also did. The general idea was this:

in order to track the legitimacy of something in the progress of something (let us not forget that the notion of â€œprogressâ€œ is a feeble modern day notion)– is that we got a track the growth of something in numbers.

Numbers are boring

I donâ€™t trust nobody who either has some sort of loser Apple Watch, Fitbit tracker, has Instagram, or applies any metrics to their life. The only metric I find useful is maybe increasing your one repetition maximum in your weightlifting, simply as a measure to know that youâ€™re increasing the weight. But besides that, things which are bad include white yourself on the scale, because you donâ€™t know how much of that is body fat adipose tissue, how much of that is skeletal muscle mass, and even other things that people donâ€™t talk aboutâ€¦ How much of that weight is bones, sinews, Blood and water? ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ ï¿¼ï¿¼

Both men and women are foolish: they tracked weight as a measure of their self-worth. But, the goal is to increase skeletal muscle mass, and decrease body adipose fat tissue. This is something that scale cannot do, the closest thing is either a fat caliper, or just look at yourself in the mirror. Pincher belly fat, or look at the fat in your face, or, you want to get rid of the infamous pet rules in the back of your neck. Something that I see that Kanye West has.

Why are we no longer permitted to be independent interesting thinkers?

It is weird, in todayâ€™s world, in America at leastâ€¦ We truly do have the greatest system for independent thinking and thought. Here unlike other countries, you will not get jailed for sharing your opinion. Even the most politically liberal or advanced countries in the world pale in comparison to America.

The problem though here is that all sides, all parties, all individuals are â€œnudgedâ€œ either into the left or the right, even this notion of being a political or being an anarchist or whatever is also just another lemming sheep mentality.

Or another words, put zero faith in anybody who watches any news, doesnâ€™t matter if it is NPR, Fox News, Al Jazeera whatever. The simple heuristic is this: if it is being funded by advertising, google Adsense revenue, it is not to be consumed. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

Only trust things that you are spending your real money on. This means, stop using Google. Google is a â€œfreeâ€ service, and the way they make money is by sensationalism and banner advertising. Even nowadays Iâ€™m stopping to use Google maps, having those annoying Square advertisements that pop up when Iâ€™m driving, I almost feel like that is borderline unethical. Why? It distracts me from driving, I wonder if it will lead me to getting into a car accident one day? Google, whoever did that I google, Google maps team whateverâ€¦ Shame on you.

Apple Maps is the inferior product, but at least it is not supported by advertising. Get rid of Google maps use Apple Maps instead. ï¿¼ï¿¼

First, focus on your health physiology exercise and physiological well-being and everything else will follow

The quality of your thoughts are simply an offshoot of the quality of your bodily physiological health.

For example just think; if you only sleep 30 minutes a night, four days or weeks on then, what do you think will be the quality of your thoughts? Optimistic joyful and happy? Or weird, morose, dark?

Or other thoughts, imagine like youâ€™re in heroin addict, or hooked on some sort of meth. What will be the quality of your thoughts?

This is why I trust no thinker or individual who partakes and drugs, alcohol and weed. Although both are quite mainstream now. Why?

A lot of people are alcoholics, and a lot of people also apparently do a lot of writing and production of music and artwork when theyâ€™re drunk, which is bad. Even Kanye West, his a low-key alcoholic on and off, I think he said all the anti-Jewish stuff when he was drunk. And on Twitter. Being drunk and on Twitter at the same time or Facebook, not a good idea.

Also weed, weed is so mainstream now, it is not really seen as a big deal. But I also think it is foolish that some people think that weed has no effect on your thinking. Even Kendrick Lamar, his only vice is maybe Froot Loops and Captain crunch cereal.

â€œYou let the meds talk I let my soul talk ayy!â€ – Kendrickï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼

The reason why we should not trust any artists, rappers, musicians or whatever who are addicted to drugs any type of drugs, and yes, weed marijuana is drugâ€¦ Theyâ€™re thinking will not be pure. Theyâ€™re thinking will be too overly saturated with the weird effect of drugs, anti-depressants, uppers and downers whatever.

Even Elon Musk, I rate him highly, but if you read the Walter Isaacson biography on him, he will discover that he drinks too much alcohol late at night, and just drinks Red Bull to stay awake. Not good.

Sober thinkers?

Am I the only millennial I know who doesnâ€™t drink alcohol or smoke weed or take drugs? And have never been to a concert, EDM thing, etc.?

The only concert ever went to in my life was by myself, to a Yeezus ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ concert at the Oakland Coliseum, Kanye performing live. The coolest thing of all time.

How alcohol is strange

A very weird trend I have discovered is this weird trend: get a bunch of tattoos, drink a bunch of craft beer, wear sunglasses and some sort of trucker hat, wear flannel, drive some sort of big truck or whatever, and to make the purpose of your life to just drink exotic craft beer?

To quote Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon, did you go to his personal website and look at his new section, he said he was never into watching sports and drinking beer because it just made you stupid and fat and lazy.

Even the ancient Roman and Greek philosophers thought it was a bad idea to drink wine, too much wine. The Greek Dionysian
God baccaus was the God of wine drunkenness and the dark. ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ he was the original Satyr; essentially imagine these weird goblins with goat horns. ï¿¼ or imagine the original â€œfurryâ€œï¿¼.

Thoughts and money?

Is the purpose or end goal is to increase the quality of your thoughts, the productivity of your thoughts in order to become richer, to earn more money? No.

I think the ultimate goal is to become wiser, more critical in order to become more powerful. Power is simple.

Some tools to get you thinking

I have an intervening thought: in order to stimulate your mind, you first got a stimulate your body. That means, extremely heavy weightlifting to get your blood and your mind flowing.

A very simple one is purchased weightlifting equipment on the Internet, just work out at home, in your backyard front lawn, even youâ€™re off the grid parking lot in the back of your apartment which I am doing right now.

The very very simple thoughts to exercise and fitness is do exercises and lifts which promote standing. Or walking. Upright exercises. This includes Farmerâ€™s carries, dead lift walk, squat walk, Atlas lift etc.

The big issue at hand is a lot of these exercises at the gym and in traditional mainstream media has to deal with some sort of sitting or pressing motion. For example bench press, floor press, dump press, decline, seated military press, seated dumbbell press etc. But the critical flaw of these exercises is that they are all done while sedentary or lying on your back. And the big downside of this is that it doesnâ€™t promote your walking or your posture, which might be the two most critical things.

I also thought to myself, what is it that causes the most amount of injuries? Any sort of pressing motion. Once again, bench press, shoulder press military press etc. There is almost virtually no injury that happens with any lifting motion, caring motion, or walking motion.

Also, using some sort of power rack, squat rack, or even getting some cinderblocks from Home Depot. Essentially if youâ€™re tall, elevating the barbell off the floor.

Also one big thing that Iâ€™ve discovered, the great upside of not going to the gym anymore is that Iâ€™ve been exercising more in the authentic and honest way; Iâ€™m not lifting weights anymore to impress other people, Iâ€™m just there to use weightlifting as a philosophical tool to think better, to think stronger etc.

so what is the point of philosophy and thinking anyways?

The end goal of philosophy thinking etc. is not to make money, but rather, to excel and exceed in life. Also happiness. Everyone wants to become happy, or happier, even Aristotle says happiness is the only thing that men seek for the sake of itself.

People always think that having more money will make them more happy, but this is not true. Often having more money can make you more miserable, as often having more money causes more stress anxiety etc.

For example, let us say that you had $100 million in your Coinbase account, your bitcoin wallet whatever. You will probably end up using some sort of super secure password to lock and secure your assets. But the stress and the anxiety and the fear of having your phone stolen, your identity stolen etc. is even larger. And also the richer you get, the more you become a target to theft, identity theft, real life theft, even physical violence thread. Never forget the story of when Kim Kardashian tweeted where she was at, in Paris, and abruptly got held up at gunpoint from two mast robbers, demanding her jewelry and her pearl necklaces and diamonds, otherwise they would shoot her.

â€œWhat do you want me to do, drive around in a bulletproof car and with some tintsâ€?ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ – Kanye

Empty your mind

The best way to empty your mind is to delete Instagram, delete Twitter, even delete email in Gmail from your phone. Delete YouTube podcasts etc.

ï¿¼ even music, modern day music. Even in music somebody is trying to sell you something. Maybe we should go back to the ancients, the ancient music, the ancient arts. Listen to dead composers, Beethoven and Mozart etc. Why? Theyâ€™re not trying to sell you Lamborghinis or other nonsense.ï¿¼

Zen the fuck out (Big Sean)

Rather than adding obligations to your life, seem to remove or delete or subtract obligations from your life. This means, donâ€™t take on more work, more contracts, more obligations. Rather seek to subtract all obligations to close to zero, even with the promise of a lot of money.

In fact I almost feel that is easier and better and more straightforward to make the big bucks speculating in cryptocurrency, crypto, and the market rather than just seeking some sort of consulting gigs.

What am I betting on?

For me, the big advancements I perceive in the future include AI, crypto, chain-link, bitcoin, open AI and Microsoft, ChatGPT and beyond.

What am I anti-? I am short Apple, Google. If you look at Google Bart, Google ChatGPT competitor, it is at least 100,000x times worse than ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ï¿¼ chatGPT 4. ï¿¼For example I asked Google Bard who ERIC KIM was, and it said that I was a landscape and travel photographer? Terrible. ï¿¼

Why does the future matter?

to me, technology and the future is all about optimism, happiness and joy. If we want brighter more glorious future, we need optimism. The hope of a beautiful future, blue skies, clear skies, lots of sunshine, pure joy.

ERICï¿¼

Random thoughts

I just tore equinox, and was very unimpressed. It is like an LA fitness with a better conscience. Also you know it is not a good gym because the barbells suck. ï¿¼ï¿¼

Wage Slave?