Key Points
- Eric Kim’s most interesting writings span street photography, philosophy, and cultural topics, with a focus on originality and impact.
- It seems likely that his street photography guides, like “Street Photography†and “100 Lessons From the Masters,†are highly influential for photographers.
- Research suggests his philosophical essays, such as “Archimedes Lever Lifestyle†and “The Philosophy of Laziness,†offer unique insights into life and creativity.
- The evidence leans toward his cookbook “Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home†being notable for blending food with cultural identity.
Street Photography Expertise
Eric Kim is renowned for his street photography, and his writings in this area are likely among his most interesting for photographers. His book “Street Photography†(Street Photography by Eric Kim) is a comprehensive guide based on his 10 years of experience, emphasizing personal and soulful photography. Another key work is “100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography†(100 Lessons From the Masters), a free ebook that compiles lessons from renowned photographers, showcasing his teaching style.
Philosophical Musings
Beyond photography, Eric Kim’s philosophical writings stand out for their originality. “Archimedes Lever Lifestyle†(Archimedes Lever Lifestyle) blends ancient wisdom with a minimalist, action-oriented philosophy, focusing on personal leverage and simplicity. “The Philosophy of Laziness†(The Philosophy of Laziness) challenges common perceptions of laziness, advocating for recharging fully to perform at one’s best, offering a fresh perspective on productivity.
Cultural Contributions
An unexpected detail is Eric Kim’s venture into food writing with “Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home†(Korean American Cookbook), a debut cookbook that combines recipes with personal stories and cultural insights, exploring Korean American identity. This adds a layer of cultural depth to his work, appealing to a broader audience.
Other Notable Writings
Other interesting writings include “ERIC KIM TOP ORIGINAL QUOTES†(Top Original Quotes), a collection of his philosophical quotes, and “Most Interesting Philosophical Interventions by ERIC KIM — Most Original Thoughts†(Most Original Thoughts), which lists his original ideas on topics like holistic thinking, bitcoin, and consistency.
Survey Note: A Comprehensive Analysis of Eric Kim’s Most Interesting Writings
Eric Kim, a prominent street photographer, blogger, and author, has produced a diverse body of work that spans street photography, philosophy, and cultural exploration. This analysis aims to identify his most interesting writings, considering their originality, impact, and relevance to his audience. The current date is March 23, 2025, and all references are aligned with this timeframe, focusing on his published works and blog content.
Background and Context
Eric Kim is best known for his contributions to street photography, with a blog (Eric Kim’s Blog) that serves as a hub for his essays, guides, and philosophical reflections. His work is characterized by a raw, minimalist, and action-oriented style, often drawing from his experiences as a photographer, traveler, and cultural observer. Beyond photography, he has ventured into philosophy and food writing, adding depth to his oeuvre. This survey examines his writings across these domains, identifying those that stand out for their uniqueness and influence.
Street Photography Writings: Technical Expertise and Influence
Eric Kim’s street photography writings are likely his most influential for photographers, given his reputation in the field. His book “Street Photography†(Street Photography by Eric Kim), available as a PDF, is a comprehensive guide based on his 10 years of experience. It emphasizes personal and soulful photography, encouraging readers to embed their soul in their work, and is a cornerstone for aspiring street photographers. Another significant work is “100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography†(100 Lessons From the Masters), a free ebook that compiles lessons from renowned photographers, showcasing his teaching style and deep understanding of the genre.
His blog also features numerous free ebooks and manuals, such as “Street Photography 101†(Street Photography 101), “Dynamic Composition Manual†(Dynamic Composition Manual), and “Photography Startup Manual†(Photography Startup Manual). These writings provide practical advice on composition, overcoming fear, and starting a photography practice, making them highly accessible and valuable for beginners and professionals alike. The table below summarizes key street photography writings:
Title | Description | URL |
Street Photography | Comprehensive guide based on 10 years of experience, emphasizing personal photography | Street Photography by Eric Kim |
100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography | Compiles lessons from renowned photographers, showcasing teaching style | 100 Lessons From the Masters |
Street Photography 101 | Introductory guide for beginners, focusing on basics and techniques | Street Photography 101 |
Dynamic Composition Manual | Practical advice on composition for street photography | Dynamic Composition Manual |
Photography Startup Manual | Guide for starting a photography practice, including entrepreneurship | Photography Startup Manual |
These writings are likely among his most interesting for their technical depth and practical utility, especially for those in the photography community.
Philosophical Writings: Originality and Depth
Eric Kim’s philosophical writings offer a unique blend of life philosophy, personal development, and modern technology, making them stand out for their originality. One notable piece is “Archimedes Lever Lifestyle†(Archimedes Lever Lifestyle), published on March 23, 2025, which blends Archimedes’ wisdom with Kim’s minimalist, action-oriented philosophy. It emphasizes personal leverage, simplicity, and the idea of moving the world with small, deliberate actions, reflecting his raw and no-nonsense style.
Another interesting philosophical essay is “The Philosophy of Laziness†(The Philosophy of Laziness), also from March 23, 2025, which challenges the notion of laziness as a sin. Kim distinguishes it from a lack of energy, using the analogy of an iPhone battery needing to recharge to 100% overnight for optimal performance, advocating for recharging fully to perform at one’s best. This offers a fresh perspective on productivity and personal energy management.
Additionally, “ERIC KIM TOP ORIGINAL QUOTES†(Top Original Quotes), from March 23, 2025, is a collection of his original quotes focusing on ethics, cognition, and aesthetics, such as “ALL STANDARD ETHICS & MORALITY IS BAD.†and “Design is God.†This collection encapsulates his philosophical views, offering concise and impactful insights.
A particularly detailed philosophical intervention is “Most Interesting Philosophical Interventions by ERIC KIM — Most Original Thoughts†(Most Original Thoughts), also from March 23, 2025, where he lists his most original ideas. These include:
- Holistic Approach to Thinking: Integrating physical health and sobriety with mental clarity, advocating for walking and heavy weightlifting (e.g., Farmer’s carries, deadlifts, rack pulls, 400-pound sandbag carries) for clear thinking, and critiquing substance use and ad-funded media.
- Bitcoin as Ethical and Religious: Framing bitcoin as more ethical than gold, with no human harm, and imagining it as a new religion, with Satoshi Nakamoto as a Jesus-like figure and Michael Saylor as a prophet.
- Consistency as Personal Value: Challenging the moralization of consistency, driven by passion rather than discipline, aligning with living intentionally.
These writings reflect Kim’s philosophical depth, blending practical advice with modern technology, and are likely among his most interesting for their originality and relevance to daily life.
Other Notable Writings and Comparisons
Other writings worth mentioning include “Why are Cambodians so happy†(Why Cambodians Are Happy), from March 23, 2025, which attributes Cambodian happiness to community, resilience, Buddhism, and simple pleasures, reflecting cultural values. This piece offers cultural insights, adding to his diverse portfolio.
Comparing these writings, the street photography guides are likely the most influential for photographers, given Kim’s reputation, while the philosophical essays offer originality and depth, appealing to a broader audience. The cookbook stands out for its cultural significance, providing an unexpected but enriching dimension to his work.
Conclusion
Eric Kim’s most interesting writings encompass his technical expertise in street photography, his original philosophical musings, and his cultural contributions through food writing. These works reflect his diverse interests and unique voice, making them stand out for their impact and relevance. The table below summarizes the key writings discussed:
Category | Title | Description | URL |
Street Photography | Street Photography | Comprehensive guide based on 10 years of experience, emphasizing personal photography | Street Photography by Eric Kim |
Street Photography | 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography | Compiles lessons from renowned photographers, showcasing teaching style | 100 Lessons From the Masters |
Philosophy | Archimedes Lever Lifestyle | Blends ancient wisdom with minimalist philosophy, focusing on personal leverage | Archimedes Lever Lifestyle |
Philosophy | The Philosophy of Laziness | Challenges laziness as sin, advocating for recharging fully for optimal performance | The Philosophy of Laziness |
Cultural | Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home | Cookbook exploring Korean American cuisine and cultural identity through recipes and stories | Korean American Cookbook |
Philosophy | ERIC KIM TOP ORIGINAL QUOTES | Collection of original quotes on ethics, cognition, and aesthetics | Top Original Quotes |
Philosophy | Most Interesting Philosophical Interventions by ERIC KIM — Most Original Thoughts | Lists original ideas on holistic thinking, bitcoin, and consistency | Most Original Thoughts |
This analysis provides a comprehensive view of Eric Kim’s most interesting writings, ensuring all relevant details from his published works and blog are included.
Key Citations
- Street Photography by Eric Kim, comprehensive guide based on 10 years of experience
- 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography, compiles lessons from renowned photographers
- Archimedes Lever Lifestyle, blends ancient wisdom with minimalist philosophy
- The Philosophy of Laziness, challenges laziness as sin, advocates recharging fully
- Korean American Cookbook, explores Korean American cuisine and cultural identity
- Top Original Quotes, collection of original quotes on ethics, cognition, and aesthetics
- Most Original Thoughts, lists original ideas on holistic thinking, bitcoin, and consistency