I love the way I look, my strength, my abilities, thoughts, and uniqueness.
I’m taller than Kanye, I’m stronger than Elon (I can deadlift waaaay more than him). More handsome than Jeff Bezos.
Even for the guys who can deadlift or squat more than me at the gym, I have zero desire to look the way they do.
Think at the week, not the day level.
More signal at the week level, too much noise on the daily level.
Once a week — one rep max attempt for deadlift, squat, floor bench press.
Perhaps better just once a week, for a 2 hour session than everyday for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Better way to maximize and leverage your time!
Also after one rep max deadlift attempt, your adrenaline and testosterone should be very high— then utilize that hyper energy towards all your other lifts!
The body as the apex thing.
Anything which strengthens your body is good, anything which weakens your body is bad.
Gain more control in your photography, your blog and website, and your life, less influence and power and impact.
Bitcoin as less convenient, but more control.
Tesla is very cool, but you also have less control.
Deunification.
Perhaps everything in sync, and having everything part of a unified ecosystem is bad. Less control for you, even though it may be a better “user experienceâ€.
Capital, growth, power ascending is good!
Perhaps, for my next phone I’ll just switch back to android or Google pixel.
Why? Too expensive, too buggy. Microphone not great.
However, I really like the iPad. Especially the iPad Pro!
I want more control! Control over power?
How to build willpower.
Life update from Phnom Penh >>
Very impressed with the city!
Just had a nice chat with my friend Jeffrey Lam. Thinking about the connection between capitalism, happiness and productivity. These are a few my thoughts:
The first thought is that perhaps the end goal isn’t happiness or productivity, but to maximize your impact on the world (move the world— Archimedes lever). Leverage.
Based on what I see, and what I observe, it is that capitalism and globalism which binds the world together. For example, I am very doubtful that there will ever be a World War III between China, and America, because the two economies are so intertwined. For example, even here in Cambodia Phnom Penh, which has a very strong Chinese influence, all of the luxury brands and text is still in English.
Also consider, an elite rich Chinese would still prefer to have Balenciaga sneakers, and an iPhone. Also Yeezy sneakers.
Russia is not even part of the equation.
Also being here in Phnom Penh Cambodia, a thought is that everyone in the world desires to improve their mode of existence. Everyone wants to live a happier, more beautiful life.
Thus, the thought is that if one is more productive (something that we have control over) greater personal productivity will lead to greater money accumulation. And the general thought is at least in America, if you are rich enough, you could buy your personal independence. And then what Americans desire to do is use their money to buy a house, security, property, and then accumulate all these luxury goods, unto no end. However, for individuals who actually do make it this far, the biggest thing they deal with is ennui and boredom. They keep buying luxury goods and going to the mall, simply because they are bored. Then the goal becomes to buy more expensive watches, more luxury cars, more Lamborghinis, thinking that this will augment their happiness.
My simple thought is that actually, happiness is a physiological thing, something that has to do more about your muscular health and strength, not your mind. Therefore, the simplest road towards personal happiness then is actually more physical; powerlifting is the simplest way to become happy.
For example, the peak of my personal happiness is when I achieve a new personal record in powerlifting. For example, I just deadlifted five plates with a trap bar, and it is one of the most satisfying things in my life.
It is impossible to be happy without great sleep, at least eight hours a night, and without sun, walking around, and good food.
I just deadlifted five plates for the first time in my life. With a trap bar. I love it!
Why? Superior leverage. Also, no need for a mixed grip. Having the neutral grip on both sides of the trap are on your left, and right hand is more optimal.
Also, being able to put your body in the center of the trap bar makes more sense, instead of having the barbell in front of your shins.
Therefore, the greatest upside is that you could lift more. Better force transfer.
Achieving the 5 plate deadlift — now I can die happy!! Perhaps one of the most personally meaningful achievements of my life.
My personal thought is, I am not at all concerned about some sort of World War III between China and America, Russia. Instead, based on my own personal observations, it’s more about relentless capital and growth. For example, every individual just seeking a better mode of existence, building new condos, buildings, and creating new luxury malls.
Being here in Phnom Penh Cambodia, seems that all these new buildings are from foreign Chinese companies. And I don’t think it is a form of new, cultural imperialism, it is just a bunch of individuals trying to get richer, and have a more beautiful mode of life.
For example, I don’t think that rich Chinese people would prefer to have a Chinese phone over an iPhone. Also, rich Chinese and rich people like their luxury goods, luxury brands.
Therefore, my theory is that into the future, it will not be about countries versus other countries, would rather, rich oligarchs from all around the world, collaborating, to continue, promoting their own personal luxuries.
You’re very curious about something, you must witness it first by yourself.
Hey what’s up streettogs this is ERIC KIM from the ERIC KIM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG — here are some life updates of mine currently reporting live from Phnom Penh Cambodia:
I really love Phnom Penh Cambodia. It is the first time I ever been here, and it might be my new favorite city. Why?
First of all, the city is up-and-coming. Why do I love this? It is very optimistic. It is a city ripe for development and becoming.
There are great indoor malls, like the Aeon supermarket mall, which I believe is a Japanese development. The other night we had all you could eat Japanese barbecue for only $13 a person.
Also, I forgot how much I love full body massages, Cindy and I were able to splurge and get a 90 minute full body traditional Khmer massage for only $30 USD!
It seems that all humans strive to improve their mode of existence, and their mode of living. Therefore, I truly do believe that as an American, or perhaps as a Westerner, you can actually live a superior mode of existence and living in southeast Asia, Phnom Penh, or any other up-and-coming developing economy.
I was surprised, even one of my passions which is powerlifting, they even have lots of powerlifting gyms here! Inside the AEON Japanese mall, or standalone gyms, complete with power racks for squats, and deadlifting platforms. It doesn’t seem that there is anything here which you cannot access. Also because it is not a Muslim country, you can get real American bacon here!
Also the Wi-Fi here is pretty good. You can pretty much get free and fast Wi-Fi anywhere. Which will make it ideal for tech workers, or if you could work remotely, or if you’re self-employed.
So then the simple thought is this: if you have the option, why live in America? Doesn’t it make more sense to live here?
Because the flight here was so arduous, Cindy and I plan on spending some time here. For example, my upcoming Seoul Street Photography Workshop in South Korea, and we may or may or may not bounce to Vietnam before heading back to the states. It does seem that if you have a long flight to Asia or Southeast Asia, to extend your stay here makes sense.
Another thing I have observed while being here is that Phnom Penh is really great for photography! Great for street photography, you have lots of monks walking around with umbrellas which is very picturesque, and also great for street photography, and the people are insanely friendly.
Also learning a few phrases and Khmer goes along way, to just say hello or thank you. Even Seneca is trying to learn how to say hello to strangers, and the locals love it!
Also the city architecture is very rich. Lots of great frescoes and decorations on the walls, lots of trees and plant life, and lots of urban things and development. Makes it for a very dynamic city.
Also a nice thing about Phnom Penh is that it is a proper busy city, kind of like the New York City for Cambodia. Which means you could live a pretty low-key like here, not many people hustling you for tuk-tuks or other touristy things, as I recall when I went to Angkor Wat almost a decade ago.
While here, maybe see if I can hit up the gym a few times, spend most of my time exploring the city with Seneca, thinking, writing and blogging, and making photos.
If you desire to go on the experience of a lifetime, come join me in Seoul South Korea, at my upcoming Discover Your Soul Photography Workshop >>>
Also, check out my upcoming workshops both in Downtown LA and Vancouver >>
All upcoming ERIC KIM EXPERIENCES >
See some of my Cambodia photos here, and also stay updated on the blog for upcoming photos and vlogs
When a Korean asks me — “Are you a Korean individual?†are they asking me “Is your DNA Korean?†or “Are you a citizen of the ROK?â€
Nor is “black†or “yellowâ€.
Your legs and thighs as the biggest body part of yours.
If it is 85%, good enough, it is good enough.
Conventions hold you back. Always think carte blanche.
Don’t drink coffee when you’re tired. Only when you’re awake.
Does “free will†even matter?
Treat them like if they’re a genius.
Tesla Model 3, uber-base model, no frills or additions. White, no tint, black interior, aero rims, no autopilot. Single motor — fewer components is superior. Fewer components means less chance of things breaking or needing maintenance or fixing.
iPad Pro.
Deadlift.
Perhaps the road to the greatest productivity is to just switch it up between your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook laptop.
Every new iteration, model and generation should have fewer and less options.
For example, every new operating system should have FEWER options. not more. Fewer options to customize, not more. Even advanced weight lifters — the more experiences you become, do fewer types of exercises.
With menus, always attempt to prune and reduce it to the insane bare minimum.
Apple should be REDUCING their product lineup, instead of bloating it with too many options.
TESLA — every new car and model should have LESS options (the great innovation of the YOKE steering without stalks on the Model S and Model X).
Cars — no stalks. Automatic without the ugly unaesthetic shifter.
New cameras should have FEWER buttons, dials and options.
In life, do less. But with more focus and force! For example, it seems that the minimum viable lift is the deadlift. If there is only one workout, or lift you could do for the rest your life, it is the deadlift. Why? It activates almost all of your muscles, and also it is the highest number weight, which is best to show off or augment your pride. I love squats, but they are supplemental. Same with floor bench press.
Get the best of both worlds.
Another reason why TESLA is the future — incredible over the air updates. Wished this were the same for camera firmware updates.
Optimize it for yourself, not for your end users.
Share your own personal insider information.
One of the great things about being abroad, especially in developing economies as this; nothing feels off-limits. You can afford anything and everything!
