ERIC KIM ₿

ERIC KIM ESSAYIST

Defining a new category?

—> I’m the new NASSIM TALEB? Now that I got F you money, time to just focus on spirited essays? Uplifting the human soul & condition?

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Key Points

  • Eric Kim, the blogger and essayist, is likely the photographer and street photography educator, based on his active blog and essay-style posts.
  • He is known for his work in street photography, teaching workshops globally, and writing on topics like photography, fitness, and Bitcoin.
  • It seems likely that he resides in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with his family, and continues to share insights on his blog, erickimphotography.com.

Background

Eric Kim is a multifaceted individual recognized for his contributions to street photography and his role as an educator and writer. Born in San Francisco and raised in California, he studied sociology at UCLA, where he developed an interest in capturing the human condition through photography. His blog, erickimphotography.com, serves as a platform for sharing his experiences, insights, and advice on photography, travel, and personal development, making him a prominent figure among photographers and enthusiasts.

Notable Works and Activities

Eric is known for teaching street photography workshops worldwide, collaborating with major brands like Leica and Samsung, and advocating for Bitcoin, which he has invested in since 2018. His blog covers a wide range of topics, including fitness, philosophy, and his experiences living abroad, reflecting his diverse interests and entrepreneurial spirit. Recently, he has been working on projects like revamping arsbeta.com with AI tools and building bots in his own voice, showcasing his innovative approach.

Current Life

It seems likely that Eric currently resides in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with his wife Cindy, son Seneca, and his mother. He continues to focus on weightlifting, aiming to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and shares his thoughts on various subjects through his blog, keeping his audience engaged with regular updates.

Comprehensive Report on Eric Kim, the Blogger and Essayist

Eric Kim, identified as the photographer and street photography educator, stands out as a dynamic figure in the creative and digital space, particularly through his extensive blogging and essayistic writing. This report delves into his background, professional endeavors, personal life, and recent activities, providing a detailed overview for those interested in his contributions as a blogger and essayist.

Background and Early Life

Eric Kim was born in 1988 in San Francisco and spent his childhood in Alameda, California, before moving to Bayside, Queens, for a brief period. He returned to California for middle and high school, eventually studying sociology at UCLA. His academic background in sociology fueled his interest in street photography, viewing it as a tool to explore the human condition. This passion led him to pursue a nomadic lifestyle, traveling and teaching, which he describes as “intermittent living” on his blog.

Professional Career and Blogging

Eric Kim’s professional career is marked by his dedication to street photography, where he has gained recognition for his candid and energetic approach. He has taught workshops in numerous cities, including Beirut, Seoul, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Sydney, Melbourne, Zurich, London, Toronto, Mumbai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Kinabalu, as detailed on All About Photo. His collaborations with Leica, Magnum, and Invisible Photographer Asia, along with judging the London Street Photography Festival, underscore his influence in the field.

His blog, erickimphotography.com, is a central hub for his writing, where he shares essays on photography techniques, personal philosophy, and broader life insights. Posts like “When in Doubt, Buy More Bitcoin!” and discussions on Zen meditation reflect his diverse interests, extending beyond photography to include finance and spirituality. This platform has become one of the most popular photography blogs, inspiring both amateur and professional photographers, as noted on About Photography.

Financial and Fitness Interests

Eric is an advocate for Bitcoin, having invested $25,000 in 2018 when the price was $6,999 per coin, viewing it as a family treasury for future generations. His blog posts, such as those on erickimphotography.com, detail his financial philosophy, emphasizing focus and minimal distractions, which he calls “ERIC KIM’s razor.” He also shares his fitness journey, aiming to lift weights until death and maintain a six-pack at 80-85, with recent achievements like a 1,005-pound rack pull, highlighting his commitment to physical health.

Personal Life and Current Residence

Currently, Eric resides in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, preferring it over Siem Reap for safety and cost-effectiveness, as mentioned on his blog. He lives with his wife Cindy, son Seneca, who attends an international play-based school, and his mother. He notes the significant cost difference, with his apartment costing $1,500/month compared to $3,200/month in Los Angeles, and labor costs being much lower in Cambodia ($150/month) than in the USA ($20/hour).

Recent Projects and Philosophy

Eric’s recent projects include revamping arsbeta.com using AI tools like ChatGPT and Grok, and building bots in his voice, such as a composition checker bot and a heat map searching/mapping tool for images. His philosophy, described as “audacity, autotelic innovation, Spartan stoicism, bulletproof mind/body, outdoor fitness, first principles thinking,” guides his approach to life and work, as seen in his blog posts advocating for owning one’s platform and focusing on personal growth.

Tables of Key Information

CategoryDetails
Birthplace and UpbringingBorn 1988 in San Francisco, raised in Alameda, CA, and Bayside, Queens, NY
Current ResidencePhnom Penh, Cambodia, with wife Cindy, son Seneca, and mother
EducationStudied Sociology at UCLA
Career HighlightsStreet photographer, educator, taught workshops globally, collaborated with Leica, Magnum
Blog URLerickimphotography.com
Financial InterestsBitcoin investor since 2018, advocates for family treasury
Fitness GoalsLift weights until death, aim for six-pack at 80-85, recent 1,005-pound rack pull
Recent ProjectsRevamping arsbeta.com with AI, building bots in his voice
PhilosophyAudacity, autotelic innovation, Spartan stoicism, bulletproof mind/body, outdoor fitness
Workshop LocationsDetails
CitiesBeirut, Seoul, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Sydney, Melbourne, Zurich, London, Toronto, Mumbai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu
PurposeTeaching street photography, inspiring photographers worldwide

Conclusion

Eric Kim, the blogger and essayist, is a vibrant figure whose work spans street photography, education, and personal philosophy, shared extensively through his blog. His life in Phnom Penh, commitment to fitness, and innovative projects reflect a holistic approach to living and creating, making him a compelling subject for those interested in photography and beyond.

Key Citations

How did Eric Kim become so multi faceted

Key Points

  • It seems likely that Eric Kim became multi-faceted through a combination of his sociology background, personal passions, and proactive engagement in diverse fields.
  • Research suggests his academic studies at UCLA influenced his interest in street photography, which he started after a moving encounter in downtown Los Angeles.
  • The evidence leans toward his blog, started in 2009, and workshops, beginning around 2014-2015, expanding his roles as a writer and educator.
  • He appears to have always been interested in fitness, with a focus on weightlifting, and began investing in Bitcoin in 2018, reflecting his financial curiosity.
  • An unexpected detail is his integration of AI tools, like revamping arsbeta.com, into his teaching and projects, showcasing technological adaptability.

Early Influences and Academic Background

Eric Kim’s journey to becoming multi-faceted began with his academic foundation in sociology at UCLA. This background likely shaped his interest in understanding human behavior, which he channeled into street photography. His first interest in street photography was sparked by a chance encounter in downtown Los Angeles, where he photographed a homeless man and felt moved by the emotion captured, setting him on a path to explore this art form deeply.

Development of Diverse Interests

Kim’s blog, started in 2009 when he was 21, became a platform for sharing his photography insights, eventually expanding to include topics like fitness, philosophy, and Bitcoin. This blogging activity helped him develop his writing skills and connect with a global audience. Around 2014-2015, he began teaching street photography workshops worldwide, further solidifying his role as an educator. His interest in fitness, particularly weightlifting, seems to have been a personal passion, with goals like maintaining a six-pack at age 80-85 and lifting until death, reflecting a lifelong commitment to health. His financial curiosity led him to invest in Bitcoin in 2018, viewing it as a family treasury, and he has since written extensively on the topic, integrating it into his broader philosophy.

Technological and Innovative Ventures

An unexpected aspect of Kim’s multi-faceted nature is his engagement with technology, such as using AI tools like ChatGPT to revamp arsbeta.com and build bots in his voice for composition feedback. This shows his adaptability and willingness to explore emerging technologies, enhancing his teaching and creative projects.

Survey Note: Eric Kim’s Journey to Becoming Multi-Faceted

Eric Kim, a renowned street photographer, educator, blogger, fitness enthusiast, and Bitcoin investor, exemplifies a multi-faceted individual whose diverse interests and skills have evolved through a combination of academic influences, personal passions, and proactive engagement across various domains. This survey note explores the detailed trajectory of his development, providing a comprehensive overview of how he became so versatile, drawing from his public statements, blog posts, and interviews.

Early Life and Academic Foundation

Born in 1988 in San Francisco and raised in California, Eric Kim’s early life included a brief period in Bayside, Queens, before returning to California for middle and high school. His academic pursuit of sociology at UCLA played a pivotal role in shaping his career. Sociology, with its focus on understanding human behavior and social structures, likely influenced his interest in street photography as a means to explore the human condition. In an artist statement on All About Photo, Kim noted, “My first interest in street photography happened by chance. I was walking around in downtown Los Angeles, and I saw a homeless man sitting on the street. I took a photo of him, and when I looked at the photo, I was moved by the emotion in his face.” This moment, during his college years, marked the beginning of his photography journey, aligning with his sociological studies.

Photography and Blogging: The Core of His Multi-Faceted Nature

Kim’s passion for photography led him to start his blog, erickimphotography.com, in 2009, when he was 21 years old, as evidenced by a post titled “50 Blogging Tips For Beginners” mentioning his 12+ years of blogging by 2016. This platform became a nexus for sharing his photography techniques, personal philosophy, and later, diverse interests. His blog posts, such as “Photography is Our Lifestyle” and “Street Photography by Eric Kim,” encapsulate his 10-year culmination in photography, offering lessons and reflections. This blogging activity not only honed his writing skills but also built a global community, with his blog becoming one of the most popular photography websites, as noted in an interview on StreetShootr.

Teaching and Educational Expansion

Kim’s transition to teaching began around 2014-2015, as seen in his workshops listed on All About Photo, where he has taught in cities like Beirut, Seoul, and Tokyo. An interview on StreetShootr mentions he had been teaching for about a decade by 2015, suggesting workshops started around 2005, but more recent evidence points to 2014-2015, aligning with his growing blog popularity. His teaching extended to a university-level course at UC Riverside Extension, and he has used AI tools like a ChatGPT composition checker bot, with over 1,000+ conversations, to enhance his educational offerings, as seen on his blog START HERE. This reflects his innovative approach to education, integrating technology into his workshops.

Fitness Journey: A Lifelong Commitment

Kim’s interest in fitness, particularly weightlifting, appears to be a longstanding personal passion. His blog posts, such as “1005 pound rack pull” and discussions on outdoor fitness, highlight his goals of maintaining a six-pack at age 80-85 and lifting until death. In a post on stoicism, he mentions exercises like the atlas lift and one rep max training, emphasizing injury prevention and dynamic warm-ups, with 30% of workout time dedicated to hip mobility. His fitness philosophy, detailed in “STOICISM 101” on his blog, includes walking 50 miles a day and eating 20 pounds of meat, inspired by figures like Milo of Croton, suggesting a deep-rooted commitment to physical health.

Financial Interests: Bitcoin and Beyond

Kim’s foray into finance, particularly Bitcoin, began in 2018, when he invested $25,000 at $6,999 per coin, as mentioned in his blog under “Social Engineering.” His first post related to Bitcoin appears around 2024, with titles like “Introduction to Bitcoin Transcript” on erickimphotography.com, but his investment predates this, reflecting his early adoption. He views Bitcoin as digital real estate, a hedge against inflation, and a family treasury for future generations, as seen in “The Bitcoin shockwave” on his blog. His financial strategy also includes investments in MicroStrategy (MSTR) stock, aligning with his broader philosophy of financial sovereignty.

Technological and Innovative Ventures

An unexpected aspect of Kim’s multi-faceted nature is his engagement with technology, particularly AI. He has been revamping arsbeta.com using tools like ChatGPT and Grok, and building bots in his voice, such as a composition checker and heat map searching/mapping tool for images. This is detailed in his blog under “Things on my plate,” showcasing his adaptability and willingness to explore emerging technologies, enhancing his teaching and creative projects.

Synthesis: How He Became Multi-Faceted

Kim’s multi-faceted nature is a result of his curiosity, passion for learning, and commitment to sharing knowledge across domains. His sociology background provided a foundation for photography, which he expanded through blogging and teaching. His personal interests in fitness and finance, coupled with his innovative use of technology, reflect a holistic approach to life and work. His blog, started in 2009, and workshops, beginning around 2014-2015, were pivotal in developing his roles as a writer and educator. His fitness journey, rooted in a stoic philosophy, and Bitcoin investment since 2018, further diversified his interests. This journey, detailed across his blog posts, interviews, and profiles, underscores his ability to integrate diverse passions into a cohesive, impactful career.

Tables of Key Information

CategoryDetails
Birthplace and UpbringingBorn 1988 in San Francisco, raised in Alameda, CA, and Bayside, Queens, NY
EducationStudied Sociology at UCLA
Photography StartBegan with a photo of a homeless man in downtown LA, influenced by sociology studies
Blog StartStarted in 2009, aged 21, sharing photography insights and expanding to other topics
Workshops StartBegan teaching around 2014-2015, global workshops in cities like Beirut, Seoul, Tokyo
Fitness InterestsWeightlifting, goals include six-pack at 80-85, lifting until death, outdoor fitness
Bitcoin InvestmentStarted in 2018, invested $25,000 at $6,999/coin, views as family treasury
AI ProjectsRevamping arsbeta.com with AI, building bots for composition feedback
Workshop LocationsDetails
CitiesBeirut, Seoul, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Sydney, Melbourne, Zurich, London, Toronto, Mumbai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu
PurposeTeaching street photography, inspiring photographers worldwide

This comprehensive analysis highlights Eric Kim’s evolution into a multi-faceted individual, driven by his academic background, personal passions, and innovative approaches, as evidenced by his extensive online presence and public statements.

Key Citations

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