Below is an essay titled “Autotelic Bitcoin†written in the voice of Eric Kim, channeling his energetic, raw, and philosophical style. It blends his love for Bitcoin, self-reliance, and living life on his own terms with the concept of “autotelicâ€â€”something intrinsically rewarding, done for its own sake. Here we go!
Autotelic Bitcoin
By ERIC KIM
Yo, fam—what’s good? Let’s dive into something real, something that’s been buzzing in my brain like a caffeine high after a 1,000-pound deadlift: Autotelic Bitcoin. Yeah, you heard me right. Bitcoin ain’t just money, bro—it’s a vibe, a lifestyle, a freaking philosophy. It’s autotelic—done for its own sake, no external carrot dangling in front of you. It’s me, shirtless in the sun, stacking sats while flexing my bronze demigod bod—not for clout, not for some suit in a bank, but because it feels right. Let’s break this down, ERIC KIM style—unfiltered, jacked, and ready to roll.
What’s Autotelic Mean, Anyway?
First off, “autotelicâ€â€”fancy word, simple truth. It’s from the Greek: auto (self) and telos (goal). Something autotelic doesn’t need a paycheck, a trophy, or a pat on the back—it’s its own reward. Think of me crushing a rack pull PR, sweat dripping, muscles screaming—not for Instagram likes, but because the grind itself is the juice. That’s autotelic. Now slap that onto Bitcoin, and you’ve got a revolution in your pocket. I don’t stack sats to impress my neighbor or buy a Lambo (though I wouldn’t say no to one). I stack because the act of owning my wealth, controlling my keys, and flipping off the system is the dopest high there is.
Back in the day, I’d hustle photography gigs, chasing checks, stressing over clients. Now? I’d rather stack Bitcoin and shoot street pics for the love of it. That’s autotelic living—doing it for me, not the middleman.
Bitcoin: The Ultimate Self-Game
Bitcoin’s autotelic as hell because it’s yours—100%. No bank breathing down your neck, no government printing more to water it down. It’s just you, your wallet, and the blockchain—pure, raw, untouchable. I’m out here, hiking with my 60-pound weight vest, kid Seneca on my shoulders, and my private keys in my head. That’s sovereignty, bro. I don’t need permission to HODL, to send, to stack. It’s like lifting weights: nobody’s spotting me but me. The reward? Freedom. Not some future payout—freedom right now.
Satoshi Nakamoto, that ghost genius, didn’t drop Bitcoin so we’d all get rich quick (though I’m not mad at the idea). He gave us a tool to play our own game. I see it like Zen archery: you don’t shoot for the bullseye—you shoot to shoot. I stack sats not for a $50 million price tag in 2040 (again, I’d take it), but because every sat stacked is a middle finger to the old world. That’s the juice. That’s autotelic.
No Endgame, Just the Ride
Here’s where it gets wild: autotelic stuff doesn’t have an “end.†Buddhism’s got this vibe—life’s a flow, not a finish line. Bitcoin’s the same. People ask me, “Eric, when you gonna cash out?†Cash out? Bro, I’m not in it to exit—I’m in it to live it. It’s like asking why I keep hitting the gym. I don’t stop when I hit a PR; I chase the next one. Bitcoin’s my financial deadlift—every sat I stack makes me stronger, leaner, freer. The process is the prize.
I remember 2017, Bitcoin spiking to $20K, then crashing. People panicked, sold, cried. Me? I shrugged, kept stacking. Why? Because the dips, the pumps, the HODLing—it’s all part of the game. I don’t need Wall Street’s approval or a fat bank account to feel the rush. The blockchain’s humming, my keys are secure, and I’m out here living like a king. That’s autotelic Bitcoin—self-sustaining, self-rewarding, self-everything.
Stacking Sats, Stacking Life
Bitcoin’s autotelic because it’s a mirror of how I roll. I’m lifting, writing, shooting pics, raising my kid—all for the love of it. Add Bitcoin to the mix, and it’s like rocket fuel. I’m not hoarding for some rainy day; I’m stacking because it’s power in my hands. It’s me saying, “I don’t need your fiat, your rules, your noise.†It’s minimalism with muscle—own less, control more. My black hat, my weight vest, my Bitcoin wallet—everything I need fits in my life like a perfect Tetris block.
Think about it: the system wants you chasing—chasing raises, chasing status, chasing stuff that rusts. Bitcoin flips that. It’s like, “Nah, I’m good.†I stack a few sats, check my node, then go squat 500 pounds. No boss, no debt, no drama—just me and my flow. That’s the autotelic life, and Bitcoin’s the key (pun intended).
The Demigod Stack
So here’s the ERIC KIM gospel: Bitcoin’s autotelic because it’s a rebellion you live every day. It’s not about the moon—it’s about the grind. I’m out here, bronze tan glowing, muscles popping, kid laughing, and sats piling up—not for some distant dream, but because this moment, right now, is the win. Satoshi gave us the code; I’m giving you the vibe. Stack your sats, lift your weights, own your soul. That’s autotelic Bitcoin—self-made, self-driven, self-dope.
In 30 years, maybe Bitcoin’s king, maybe it’s dust. I don’t care. I’m not here for the “what ifâ€â€”I’m here for the “what is.†And what is? Me, my keys, my life, my rules. Autotelic as hell. Now go stack some sats and live like a demigod. Peace.
This essay embodies Eric Kim’s voice—brash, motivational, and packed with his signature mix of philosophy, fitness, and Bitcoin evangelism—while tying it to the autotelic concept. Let me know if you want any adjustments!