I put my money on the powerlifter.

My theory: a single one repetition maximum strength lift also translates into long-term muscular endurance?

Also, if you could squat over 600 pounds, could you beat a long distance endurance athlete in a 100 meter short sprint?

Go rogue.

Chinese people as less fake, more honest what they want. No ideas of political correctness.

Also the Chinese are more friendly, honest, and upfront.

Not one or the other, but to make all of them interoperable.

In today’s safe society better to become more heretical.

Why do people love getting tattoos, ad infinitum?

My theory: perhaps people are addicted to the pain associated with getting a tattoo.

Then a more interesting theory; perhaps pain is an addictive behavior. This is why people strive to find the meaning in pain and suffering in life, because in some ways,

Pain is the feeling of pleasure.

One of my British acquaintances told me something interesting, that we are Americans love to use acronyms for everything, assuming as if everyone knows what they are. However, that is not the case. Perhaps for greater clarity, best for us to not use acronyms, or if you do decide to use acronyms, Also in line text spell it out in full as well.

What drives American consumerism? Simple; Americans are just bored.

If you don’t like me, just stop following me.

The hidden irony; perhaps you should judge your success based on how many people unsubscribe or Unfollow you, rather than the positive.

Then clout, impact and influence is via negativa; you become more influential as more people unfollow you.

The ethos of the vlogger. Just GoPro it.

Embodied reality, street life, the gym, iron, and music as stimulants?

Beautiful woman as also stimulants.

Why is the bias for street photography only surrealist images? This is because we are all the followers of Henri Cartier Bresson, who is himself a surrealist.

I like it how they call it “life photography“, or “street life photography“ in Vietnam. CHU VIET HA.

Cosmetic: from the Ancient Greek.

Real thoughts:

AUDIO

PODCAST

ALL

Part 1

PART 2

PART 3

How to Build More Clout

Clout â€” to ball up, amass. 

Perhaps clout is actually more important than money. 

1. Don’t be disingenuous

The first simple thought is this: don’t be disingenuous. Everyone is honest in different ways; just stick to your own gut in terms of what feels right, and don’t do what you feel is “wrong“.

The tricky thing is this; there will be certain times, when you speak what are you personally believe in, and, others will hate you for it. In other words:

There will be times, in which you say something honestly, and are not disingenuous, yet you will be hated for it. 

Why is this important? If you desire to build clout, you need to build deep trust with other person. The suspicion that everyone always has, especially when it comes to the Internet: 

Why should I trust you? 

I know for myself personally, when I hear somebody say something very very unpopular, or unorthodox, my ears perk up and I’m actually more prone to listen to the person. Why? A lot of people who are “nice“ are actually very disingenuous, and have hidden motives. Or in other words, put more trust in the asshole, than a nice guy. Why? It is impossible to fake being an asshole. It is very easy to fake being a nice guy. Similarly speaking, whenever you’re traveling, in the Middle East or in India, never trust anybody who says “my friend“. 

Also, with our own personal relationships, real friends don’t call each other their friends; we just consider them as an extension of ourselves. 

So, if someone tells you, “I am so happy that you’re my friend”, be very suspicious. They are more likely to use you as a dependency, rather than being a true friend. 

2. Think at the decade plus level

With Elon Musk, his success is at least 20 years plus. He has been building SpaceX and Tesla for a very very long time. It did not just happen overnight. 

I wonder if I actually agree with Peter Thiel; rather than “iterate “your way forward, better to set an interesting and audacious 10+ year goal, and pursue it with great vigor and tenacity. 

Why is it so difficult for people to think long-term? My theory is that it is just not that encouraged; also to think long-term is not natural. We see others right now with social media fame, and we want to emulate it. But if you think long-term, all social media platforms will soon die sooner or later.

Do you remember my space, Napster, Flickr, live journal? Blogger?

Even young kids, don’t use Facebook. 

Even in the world of photography, when I started off, it was all about Flickr. Now, nobody uses Flickr, and it is all about Instagram. But, sooner or later, people forget what Instagram is as well. 

3. Own your own platform

Whwb I was in middle school in high school, xanga was popular for blogging. But finally one day, they deceased their services, and all the content which was created on Xanga was deleted. 

I am very happy that about a decade ago, I created my own website. Erickimphotography.com, which was registered through 1and1.com, which is now rebranded as ionos.com

I am very happy that my website have us lasted until now. 

1. FLOOR BENCH PRESS ATTEMPTS

2. WEIGHTED CHINUPS

3. Farmer’s Carry Deadlift

Both for yourself and your kids.

The notion of tenacity, literally comes from tenere, which means hold onto. Therefore, it seems advantageous to improve your grip strength, both figuratively and literally.

First, you can use an aid, like chalk. I don’t actually recommend using straps, hand or wrist straps, as it is a crutch.

Also, one thing I’ve noticed is that you should consider using the most optimal equipment. For example, the big downside of doing deadlift with a straight bar, is that it rolls off and out of your hand. This is why powerlifters adopt a mixed grip, as the bar will not roll out of your hand. But the downside of using a mixed grip, is that it unevenly distributed the weight on your shoulders, pecs, biceps etc. This is simply wasted force. You do not want to waste any force, or waste any force transfer.

A better approach is to use a trap bar, or a hex bar, as the neutral grip doesn’t slip. And if your grip slips, it is just because you are not strong enough (yet).

Fun exercises at the gym

I really like doing very very heavy chin ups, elevated on the platform, with a neutral grip. Range of motion is not important here.

What is important is just strapping on a very very heavyweight (for example, three 25KG plates), using a chin up belt or a dip belt, a weight belt, and to just hold the grip as long as possible, until your grip gives out.

Back in the states, I would often do this in my apartment gym, doing heavy weighted chin ups, with four 45-pound plates.

Random thought; if you figuratively increase your hand grip strength, will this also increase your physiological, and self-motivated grip strength, your tenacity?

I once read that one of the best predictors of life, longevity, and one’s strength is testing your grip strength. That older folks, with stronger grips, live longer and healthier, and better.

How hard can you grip bro?

Very interesting, first time this is happened to me. I gripped so hard, during my workout today, that blood came out, under my middle finger calluses.

Only you train yourself, according to your own rules and personal interests.

Anti getting a personal trainer.

For example, why is everyone copying and trying to become Migos? Or trying to become Jay Z? Or trying to become Kanye? Or trying to become Elon Musk, or becoming Steve Jobs?

Why does everyone try to become Arnold, or Ronnie?

Why not just strive to become yourself?

Even Migos, why are they trying to become old Migos?

My interesting interventionalist thought: it is bad to even strive to become your past self. The best motivation, is to think about yourself right now, and the potential future you.

I LIKE THE NEW EK.

For example, bad for eric kim to try to become the old eric kim, back in downtown Los Angeles. Also, bad for eric kim trying to become the Berkeley Eric Kim. Also, bad for eric kim trying to become the Vietnam eric kim. The best Eric Kim is the Eric Kim right now, in Phnom Penh Cambodia.

The best you is you right now.

The best media is the newest media

Don’t listen to old music. Just listen to new music. Don’t watch old movies, watch new movies.

“It’s all about progression”— JAY Z

First, bowel movements. Second, water consumption. Third, sociability. Fourth, getting creative ideas. Fifth, a good change of scenery!

Becoming modern means becoming less friendly, being more standoffish, being more isolated, sticking to yourself. Less social, less loud, etc.

The more modern you become, the worse you become. Perhaps the more barbaric we become, the better.

The best way to become self motivated in working out and fitness is this; only do exercises which are genuinely fun for you.

For example, never do any exercises that you feel like you “must“ to do, or “should“ do, in order to become more “balanced“.

This is why I love powerlifting and hibernating so much, it is insanely fun for me an interesting. What I hated doing in the past was the silly programs, 24 sets of 10 repetitions, five sets of five repetitions, it’s a run

Or fun for the sake of fun?

As ineffectiveness efficiency thing, think about how your double dip. For example, I really like walking, and walking to the gym which takes me about 30 minutes. During that walk, I could use my GoPro and just Vlog some thoughts. This is good.

The best way to increase your clout and influence.

Show favoritism. Don’t hide it.

Make them work for it. Make them work harder for your affection.

Be selective.

What are humans for?

Give them bread and circuses, as the ancient Romans said. To distract the citizens from the more important issues at hand.

Similar to Americans; just give them Krispy Kreme and Netflix!

I’ve noticed that in the developing world, places like Phnom Penh, etc., it actually makes sense to have an SUV or a truck. Why? All of the crazy random rain, coughing uneven roads, or just being able to park on the curb or sidewalk.

However, assuming you’re in the states or in the west, having an SUV or a truck makes no sense. Why? The roads are already so nicely paved!

People with great health are friendlier?

People in poor health are standoffish, and cowardly?

Have the balls to be punished, reprimanded or disadvantaged in saying what you care for or believe in.

For example, it is my suspicion that whenever you say or blog about anything ANTI-GOOGLE (Google is Spam)— I am certain your website loses some SEO SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION, loses some Google Ranking.

Just install the Google official app for iPhone — see all those spammy “related stories, related content, things you might be interested” stuff. The ethical thing is turn this off by default, and ask the user — “Would you like to turn on suggested stories?”

How Apple is very respectful — asks whether you want to turn on personalized advertisements or not.

The genius of the original MacBook Pro Touch Bar, getting rid of all the standard USB outlets, and replacing them with only four USB-C outlets; insanely for thinking, great longevity.

PODCAST

AUDIO

My thoughts:

ESSAY:

A CRITIQUE OF LIFE IN AMERICA

My personal critique of living and life in America:

Too many distractions

I feel like when it comes to life in America, 99.9% of the time we are thinking about buying a new car, getting that dream car, upgrading your car, upgrading your Apple devices, or iPhone, getting the new Tesla, or other random consumerist things. 

Why is this? My theory is that consumerism, capitalism, marketing, and advertising is so advanced in America, and we have access to too many choices and options. For example, toothpaste. As a kid growing up, I just knew one. Now as adult, I’m learning about all these new strange hippie toothpastes, without fluoride, as fluoride is supposed to somehow control your brain or whatever. Having to decide what type of toothpaste to buy is another distraction in my life. 

What do I desire?

For myself, the thing I desire, the most, is philosophical introspection, focus on building my physical and muscular strength, my photography and art, writing, blogging and thinking. And also my health. 

The difficult thing is that in America, it is very difficult to be healthy. Why is this? There is no really good city which allows you to walk around a lot, and live without a car. Even San Francisco is not really that walkable. Even in New York City, you’re stuck in the subway 90% of time. And no, I don’t like Brooklyn. It is essentially a suburb, and you have to still take the subway to get into the city. My thought is either you live on the island or off.

I don’t like being stuck a car

Europeans love to comment, and critique Americans for being so fat, lazy, and just driving their car everywhere. But have you ever tried to live in Orange County, Southern California, where there are literally no sidewalks? 

My thought is this: if I had the option of having the worlds most expensive hyper sports car, the most exotic Lamborghini or McLaren, or a Tesla model S plaid, or having the freedom to just walk around everywhere, I would choose the latter. 

Why? Even if you’re in a Rolls-Royce, Bentley or a Hyundai genesis, etc., you’re just sitting on your butt all the time. No matter how comfortable the seat is or the car is, it is not good for your back or your health. Cars weaken you. And anything which weakens you is bad.

How have I been able to be so much more powerful in Phnom Penh Cambodia?

For me, the only real power is physiological power, physiological strength, and physiological well-being. For me power and strength is for the sake of lofty thoughts, thoughts, and a zest for a living, walking, playing with your kid, shooting photography and street photography, and attempting your one rep max in your deadlift and squat. 

For me, power is not money, power is not territory, power is not political, power is not economic, nor social. For me, pure power is freedom to do what you want, when you want, and how you want. 

Think about your digestion

A funny thing is that in traditional Korean, you don’t ask people just “how are you“. You ask them how their digestion is. This might sound very strange to an American or westerner but Asians are all about digestion. In fact, health is to abstract of a notion. Digestion is concrete. in Asia and in the east, traditionally, digestion is health. 

Something I’ve noticed is that whenever I eat something country to my digestion, whether pork, Indian food, dairy products, coconut products, etc., it negatively affects my sleep, and my mood and well-being for the next day. When I have poor digestion, and I don’t sleep well, I feel a lot more weak the next day, with less power and physiological zest. 

I have a theory: poor digestion, poor mood.

Therefore health should be this: simply get rid of things in your diet which runs contrary to your own personal digestion. 

And this is different for everybody, depending on your genetics or personal ancestry. For example, I’m Korean, and being of east Asian descent, historically there has not really been much dairy products, or wheat products in our diet. Even all of the alcohol is fermented from rice. And all of the Korean sweets are rice-based, no bread, gluten, wheat, etc.

For cooking, it seems that sesame oil is preferred. I wonder even if east Asians shouldn’t be consuming so much olive oil, which is more hereditary to Mediterranean areas. 

Also, a random suspicion; Asians haven’t been drinking coffee for a very long, however we have been drinking tea, and green tea forever. One of the theories is that the synergy between the L THEANINE and caffeine present in green tea is superior to that of coffee alone.

So essentially what I say is this: 

> be very very strict about what you consume, whether drinks or food, and consider your personal ancestry. 

Also, what others may digest well, may not digest well with you. We all agree that “everyone is different“, yet we seem to try to prescribe the same rules for everybody? 

For example, the Vietnamese notion that this is difficult to digest. For me it is not. My suspicion is that Vietnamese people only say that, because traditionally Vietnamese peasants have been too poor to afford beef, and thus, instead of just indulging on delicious beef belly, poor peasants will say rice is better for you.