Anti Reciprocity
Don’t treat others reciprocally, because they are not like you.
How to Shoot a Billion Photos
My insanely audacious goal is to shoot 1 billion photos before I die.
- Extra small Jpeg
- Maybe just shoot with your iPhone Pro?
Two column design is ugly
Apple.com should get rid of the two column design at the bottom of the website. Why? When you have a two column design, with each sale being 50%, you don’t really focus on anything. Just make everything 100% full width.
For example, the new iPhone 14 Pro should be a very big deal. By making it only 50% into a two column design, you diminish its power and significance. Instead, you equivalence it to the normal iPad which is next to it.
MacBook Air Marketing Suggestions
Currently reading the marketing copy for the new MacBook Air M2 chip, and the marketing language is insanely bizarre.
The Apple marketing team needs to double down on its marketing language. For example, words which are weak include “strikingly”, also notions of “exceptional“, and also notions of “durable.”
Nobody has any idea what “strikingly thin” means. Also, the word “exceptional” is very weak. Also, nobody cares about durability. What they do care about is notions of sexiness, lightness, and new.
Also, I believe the marketing language should revolve around the notion that it is a creativity device.
Also, don’t call it a laptop. Just call it a MacBook.
The Lightest is Best
For example, maybe the best Tesla car is just a super base model three, just single motor, because it is lighter.
The best laptop is the MacBook Air M2, because it is the lightest. .1 pounds lighter than the previous generation. MacBook Air and one was 2.8 pounds, and the MacBook Air M2 is only 2.7 pounds. .1 pounds makes a massive difference, especially in the context of your laptop, assuming you want to be more productive and carry it with you everywhere you go.
The best iPhone is the lightest. iPhone mini over iPhone SE: iPhone SE is 144 g, whereas iPhone 13 mini is only 141 g, in the context of a phone, I actually do think 3 grams makes a difference.
Others are Fragile
A thought on your duty as a man; don’t raise your voice, or yell at your wife. Better to be quadruple fooled stoic, and just swallow the glass and vermin.
Language is a Procrustean bed
For example, if you speak Korean, embedded in the language, you cannot talk back to an elder. This is bad.
Magnum Photographers are Bad
Something I’ve realized; Magnum photographers are bad. While they do make great photographs, I have never met a happy Magnum photographer.
It seems the bias in Magnum is everyone is seeking to become supreme, yet, petty rivalry and jealousy and envy detract everybody. Let us also consider, even though Henri Cartier Bresson was one of the founding members of Magnum, it seemed in his later years he kind of ditched it. And also distanced himself from it.
And the funny thing is that it seems nowadays, everyone wants to become a part of Magnum. That it is seen as having the most supreme prestige and rank. Yet, no. Any sort of collective is base and servile.
In fact, I do not wish Magnum membership upon even my worst enemy. Why? It seems that anyone who becomes a part of Magnum becomes more miserable, more unhappy, and less free.
What is the supreme? That you are a solo artist, a solo photographer. Eschew any desires for any collective anything, collective, the herd is bad. Imagine Magnum like a bunch of pretentious sheep with cameras. You don’t want to be the sheep, do you want to become the wolf.
Single Tasking
Just as you cannot penetrate two women at once, you also cannot do two things at once. I see the future as single tasking, and Apple designers should strive to make the iPad even more single task focused, multitasking on the iPad is a bad concept.
In fact, I have discovered my greatest productivity gains through the art of single tasking. That is, I just doing one thing at a time, I am more focused, I produce more, I make more, and I’m also happier.
Digital Master
A noble goal we can aim towards is becoming a digital master; a master, a lord, an owner, a guardian of our own digital domain.
On your own domain. I own this website and it is hosted by 1and1.com, and I installed wordpress.org. I truly believe that Matt, and WordPress is one of the most supreme gifts given to man.
What is Freedom?
Creative freedom?
What is it which we lack or seek or need in life? More freedom to create, make, our art.
The Philosophy of Risk
Greater risks, greater fates:
The risk is the reward
Upon much thinking and consideration, the interesting innovation that I have is that the risk is the reward. That is, you don’t risk in order to gain a greater reward, but instead, attempting to risk, the risk itself is the thrill, adventure, and the fun.
What is real life?
Real life is risk exposure. And this is where virtual reality is uninteresting; if in fact, all of life were in fact just a simulation, real life would have no savor.
For example, in a video game, there is really no downside. At worst you lose, but then you could just click a button and just start again. Maybe what is interesting is at least when your playing time crisis as a kid, and each game cost a dollar, losing your money and dying actually is a downside as a kid. But still, at worst you lose a dollar, you are not physically harmed.
Conquering the fear of shame of failure
Something that also holds people back is fearing this abstract notion of “failure“. For example, a lot of people who are interested in starting their own business don’t because they’re afraid of being labeled as a “failure“. However, this is nonsensical because failing just means to fall. As long as you’re not physically falling down, you are not failing.
Success is not the goal
Some thing that I’ve learned from weightlifting is that ultimately, it almost doesn’t really matter whether you succeed or fail, what is more interesting is the attempt. The grandeurity of the attempt and weight or is the only thing which is interesting. This means, how much personal courage did you have to put out, and overcome?
For example, the other day I attempted a squat rack hold of six plates, a 35, and a five on each side (665 pounds in total). You know things are getting interesting once you see the bar bending. Like Hugh Jackman a.k.a. the Wolverine said, “If the bar ain’t bendin, you pretending.”
Ultimately I was able to get the weight up, being able to push my legs up, and actually being able to successfully unrack it from the rack, hold onto the weight on my shoulders and spine and then place it down. The interesting thing is after being successful at it, I almost didn’t really care so much that I was successful. What I was more proud about was having the strength, courage and the chutzpah to even attempt it in the first place. Also the great joy that after doing it, I was fine.
Seeking risk in everyday life
Then it seems that the path to the greatest life existence is the life with the maximum amount of risk exposure. For example,
- Social risk-taking: having the courage to approach strangers, and interact with them in such a way which is unique. Talking differently, and interacting differently.
- Entrepreneurial ventures; becoming self-employed, a solo entrepreneur, a sole proprietor. Refusing to work for someone else or a corporation, even if it is Apple, Amazon or Google, and even if you are being paid $1.5 million a year.
- Weightlifting risk-taking; the type of weightlifting is only interesting if you’re not 100% sure what the outcome will be.
You are the risk-bearer
Self pride means to know that you are the risk bearer that means, you take the epic risk, you put yourself on the front lines, this is the heroic way.
For example, just think of yourself like king Leonidas. You have your spartan 300s behind you. By being in the front lines, you display your courage, and you actually motivate your troops. This is the only real way to be authentic, to be a leader, to lead in the front lines.
For example, the one Korean General who invented the armored turtle boat. He himself was always on the front lines, and put his own life at risk. And in one battle, he actually got killed. In order to continue motivating the troops, they pretended that he was still alive, putting in a dummy guide to keep motivating the troops. And now Koreans glorify him Centuries later.
What is the greatest good?
For us men, the greatest good is to seek immortal fame amongst mortals.
For example, Elon Musk will definitely be a name remembered at least 300 years from now. The same thing goes with Kanye West.
A simple thing; seek to be remembered 300 years from now.
Who do we forget?
We forget or never remember people who have never done interesting things in their life. For example, nobody will ever remember the name of any tech CEO. For example even right now, nobody has any idea who Larry Page or Sergey Brin is. Even one of the greatest founders of all time, Steve Jobs, young kids really don’t know who he is.
Or even consider the genius of a Howard Hughes, nobody really knows who he is anymore.
Or Edwin Land who invented the Polaroid camera, very few people know who he is.
And then seems that the simple formula is to live a long time, and to keep innovating. Persistence and longevity is key.
Don’t die, don’t sell your company
Some simple things include first of all not dying. For example, any rapper who is addicted to drugs is bad. It seems that the only good sober rappers include Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, and Jay Z.
Also, under no circumstances should you ever sell your company. Like Jeff Bezos says, are you a missionary or are you a mercenary? A missionary is so into their vision, under no regard what they ever sell their company, even for $1 trillion dollars.
A mercenary is somebody who just wants to flip a company, make a public an IPO, make a bunch of money, and then peace out.
Employment is base
What holds back human potential? Employment. As long as you obtain some sort of salary from somebody or somewhere, you are not free.
For example, even though Jony Ive was the mastermind designer at Apple, as long as he still got a salary from Apple, he was not free. Props to him for leaving Apple, and becoming self owned.
Even Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, is not free.
Any CEO, irregardless of how rich they are, are not free.
No impressment with any foreign company employment.
More risk in photography
Street photography is all about loving risk in the realm of photography. Street photography is king because it is the ultimate risky photo endeavor.
Then, in order to enjoy photography more, or street photography more, add more risk.
How to add more risk to your photography or your street photography
Some basic ideas involve going to where the people are, and shooting more people photos, either with permission or without. There is always a risk, or it feels risky to shoot photos without permission. Therefore try to expose yourself to more situations in which you desire to make a photo, but feel a little bit of fear.
Another thought includes when you find somebody that you really want to make a portrait of, have the courage to ask them for a street portrait. Often times asking people for permission to make a photo of them actually takes more courage than shooting without permission.
Think risk.
In life, seek more risk. Seek more risk when it comes to social situations, living life situations, entrepreneur ideas etc. Love risk.
ERIC
EK EXPERIENCES
Risk a new experience:
- BOSTON March 25th
- Berkeley April 15th
- June 19-23rd: HADONG SOUTH KOREA
Risk taking in the streets
Risky thoughts
When you talk to other people, choose the more risky option in ways of interacting with them, which may go south.
Or, write about things what you consider risky, but interesting to you.
Or when it comes to investing and speculation, invest in speculate on what is interesting to you.
Also when it comes to purchasing decisions, is there any real risk involved with a certain purchasing decision? Typically not. For example, it doesn’t really take any risk to buy a Lamborghini, nor does it take any risk to buy a Tesla.
Or, does it take any risk to buy a new iPhone? No.
The life with the most maximal risk is the most beautiful life.
ERIC
“Better to risk boldness than triviality.” – Peter Thiel
Share your love of risk!
Feeling risky? Feel free to forward this to a friend!
Risky Design
A simple way to add more risk to your life is when it comes to design matters, take the more risky option. For example, like Peter Thiel says, better to risk boldness than triviality.
Or with life or job options, etc., do what is more risky and interesting.
Squat Hold, Rack Hold (665 POUNDS)
Even inspecting the video, I’m very interested on even when I do the full extension of my legs, and hold the weight on my shoulders, my thighs were still quivering. This means that it was actually a very very heavy weight, and it actually exercised my muscles quite well.
How heavy can you go?
How to build a steel spine:
665 SQUAT HOLD UNRACK RACK MUTE ERIC KIM HYPELIFTING
Hypelifting by KIM
The art of the hype:
How to Become a Better Photographer
Towards becoming a better photographer:
0. What does it mean to be a “better” photographer?
1. God is in the details
2. Evolution
3. Shoot it all
How to Approach Strangers
A great way to build more courage in ever day life is approaching strangers, and attempting to talk and interact with them.
For example, at the gym. If there are actually people you would like to talk to, whether it be a pretty girl, a pretty boy, or a buff guy, etc.,
First and foremost, don’t use headphones, AirPods, anything in your ears. Or anything covering your ears. This is the biggest detriment to interacting and engaging with others.
Meta Quest Pro Marketing Suggestions
Meta Quest Pro — this could be the next great big thing. However some problems:
First of all, the marketing material is just not that interesting. To talk about comfort and optics is uninteresting. Rather, more excitement should be built in on the possibility of a new human experience. For example, the concepts should be to immerse the user into some sort of ready player one reality.
Secondly, I think this is an interesting idea; considering it costs $1500 USD, there should be some sort of anchoring concept that it is still cheaper than a MacBook Pro laptop, or even buying a Lamborghini. That, in virtual reality, you can buy own and drive your own Lamborghini, for only $1500 USD. Or, $1500 USD is still cheaper than buying a $1.5 million home. There was a little bit marketing material that talks about being able to design a living room, wouldn’t it be a beautiful idea to think that virtual reality could uplift your real reality, by making your real life and surroundings more beautiful?
Third, I personally think that the future virtual reality isn’t about virtual collaboration. Instead, for the individual user to become some sort of digital demigod; being able to create a brand new world by him or herself.
The Philosophy of Risk
Greater risks, greater fates:
The risk is the reward
Upon much thinking and consideration, the interesting innovation that I have is that the risk is the reward. That is, you don’t risk in order to gain a greater reward, but instead, attempting to risk, the risk itself is the thrill, adventure, and the fun.
665 POUND RACK HOLD SQUAT CONCEPT // ERIC KIM ZEN HYPELIFTING
Towards a new concept of a rack hold; the concept is basically you just try to get under the barbell, lift the barbell a little bit off the rack, and then hold it on your shoulders, full extension with your legs thighs, bear the weight on your shoulders, and then place back the weight.
Benefits: monster demigod thighs, adamantine back and spine, shoulders, increase testosterone, mood, zen zone hype mode.
Just risk it. Zen god mode:
The fun and joy of risk:
