ERIC KIM

Something I’ve learned about lifting, it ain’t really about whether you can successfully lift it or not, but rather, the strength and intensity in which you pull it.

Or “credentials“?

For example, the quality of your thoughts and thinking will be different if you’re in a space with 100 foot ceilings versus 5 foot ceilings.

Also, your thoughts and feelings are different when you’re in a space with floor to ceiling windows, with insane amounts of natural light versus being in a dark dungeon, with ugly green fluorescent lighting.

For a long time, I was very curious why there was a certain “look“, to weight lifters, bodybuilders, or powerlifters; it seems that the trend is if one wants to be perceived as a “serious“ weightlifter, one must use the wraps, a weightlifting belt, wrist wraps, and other paraphernalia.

Perhaps the reason why people are so confused by me, and how insanely strong I am is because I do not look the part.

Nassim Taleb said something very very funny in antifragile; better to trust the surgeon who looks like a butcher, rather than the surgeon in the lab coat. Peter Thiel said something similar; better to trust a businessman entrepreneur who wears a T-shirt and jeans, rather than the empty suit who wears a full on suit and tie.

Why? The individual with real potency, capability and skills who doesn’t look the part, but can still do the thing is probably more effective and shows some sort of deep mastery.

For example, it seems that at least for women who want to be perceived as “serious and committed“ yogis, they must wear Lululemon — the legging tights etc.

Or also how people are insanely confused seeing me doing such epic yoga poses, and then proceeding to lift over nine plates on the squat rack!

Also, maybe this is why there is a trend in rap and rap music to “look“ like a rapper, which means having lots of tattoos, fancy chains and jewelry, etc. It is difficult to imagine a rapper who doesn’t look like a rapper.

A lot of exercises in the realm of fitness; it looks flashy, and looks good, but it isn’t effective? For example, battle ropes.

Fit? Fitness? Possibly from “an adversary of equal power”.

Then the question; what is it that we seek out of fitness? Assuming that the notion of fitness comes from fit, and assuming that fit means an adversary of equal power, are we simply training ourselves in order to fight and combat our “adversaries”?

What if you do not see anyone else as your adversary, and also, you don’t see anyone else as having equal power to you?

Then, is the goal to go out and seek ever more powerful adversaries? Maybe.

Take your sweet f’ing time!

The greatest leisure in life is being unrushed, unhurried, taking your sweet sweet time!

The ironic lesson; trying to force yourself to be productive, you are actually less productive.

Going to the gym to think.

One of the greatest benefits to going to the gym, the public gym, is that I think the space is very conducive to thinking, and fleshing out your thoughts.

For example, when women show off their body parts publicly at the gym, why do they do it?

There tends to be this antagonism against women, but I believe this antagonism should be towards both men and woman!

Never seek to impress her. Also should men seek to impress other men? No.

Rather, just seek to impress yourself! Amaze yourself!

For example, never purchase or keep things that she may like, as a means of impressing her?

Self pride is the best pride. The only pride?

Better to have pride in yourself, your own self innovations, rather than purchasing external innovation!

It isn’t about men needing his “own space”, but rather … avenues for domination?

Never blame or even mention your wife, your kid, etc. Also never even blame yourself. You just do as you do!

For example, non-manlike to say — I didn’t do or purchase X because she said she didn’t like it!

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How insanely much do you care?

The real man as unable to be obedient.

The passion of the innovator:

The insane desire to create it!

Not for the sake of becoming rich, but instead … the sublime self curiosity that the innovator has, and the desire to see it manifested in the world?

Even to sell and market the product is an offshoot of the innovator who thinks:

Wow, this thing I created is so great and sublime, I *MUST* share it with others and the world!

It takes too long to walk around!

Better instead … smaller, but more luxury!

We don’t care for the price, we care for the thing.

Consumers have no taste. The creators and innovators must be the taste makers!

The genesis of philosophy and virtue.

What does it feel like the day after I atlas lifted 940 pounds on my shoulders successfully?

Interestingly enough, I don’t really feel it at all in my back, not even my legs or hips. Instead, I felt it a lot in my triceps? Not even my shoulders or neck?

For example feminism seems like to be a marketed and consumerist notion to get women to stay single, to stay consumers longer.

Also for men, “manliness” and notions of masculinity… also marketed notions? Note all these muscle cars and sports cars marketed to men to become more tough, rugged. Same goes for these trucks and SUV’s.

1. Your personal health (you, yourself, you as the individual) is the most supreme and critical. Never go a single day without working out. The night before, I skipped going to the gym, but as a consequence, it took me around 2 hours to fall asleep. Ironically enough then, going to the gym may seem like a ‘waste of time’, but if it helps you sleep, and *stay* asleep, it is critical.
2. Never do anything to make other people ‘happy’. Typically it will lead to your own personal dishappiness. Also, other people tend to be implacable anyways (yourself included). So seeking ‘happiness’ for all parties seems like a foolish path.

Man is befuddled why woman doesn’t act and think like him. Women, the same.

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THE FUTURE OR NOTHING:

My goal.

Better for our thought, thinking, ambitions?