Eric Kim often explores the concept of “autotelic” in his work, emphasizing the importance of doing things for their own sake rather than for external rewards or recognition. He believes that living an autotelic life means engaging in activities purely out of genuine curiosity and self-driven passion. This approach can lead to greater creativity, productivity, and overall fulfillment.
For example, in photography, Eric Kim suggests that shooting photos should be motivated by personal interest and joy rather than the pursuit of likes, followers, or external validation. He argues that true creativity flourishes when we stop worrying about how our work is perceived by others and instead focus on our own intrinsic motivations oai_citation:1,Autotelic Photography – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,AUTOTELIC – ERIC KIM.
This philosophy can be applied broadly to other areas of life, where the key to a fulfilling existence is discovering and following your “true preferences”—those activities and goals that resonate deeply with you on a personal level, rather than those imposed by societal expectations or marketing oai_citation:3,True Preferences – ERIC KIM.
For more insights, you can explore Eric Kim’s thoughts on autotelic living here and here.