Money is a mode of human and social interaction, of quantifying labor, and a medium of human trust. Money isn’t “realâ€â€” it isn’t a physical thing, it is a metaphysical notion of “value†and “worthâ€.
Thus a life chasing money is the wrong life. The better life — chase artistic creation, human interactions, and pushing sociology, culture, and human thriving forward.
Don’t use money to quantify yourself or your progress in life. When Achilles died we had no idea what his net wealth was. I have no idea how rich Steve Jobs was when he died (or when he was alive). Even Elon Musk’s net worth isn’t interesting to me; what’s more interesting is what he is working on, what his ideas are and what he’s building.
Ultimately the point I want to make is this:
Money isn’t the ultimate goal in life. The goal is personal and artistic greatness and creating a legacy which will empower future humans!
It seems the purpose of utilitarianism and most of modern economics and philosophy is this:
Raise the collective well-being of all humans.
I think this is a good goal, but what does this even mean?
What is “well-being� Is it tied to physiological health and wellness, or is it tied to material wealth, and having lots of possessions?
Let me make the claim that the problem of modern capitalist philosophy and utilitarian thinking is that “quality of life†is tied to material and consumer goods, not physical and physiological/mental wellness, thriving, and health.
I like this notion of a ‘high culture’ (“haute culture” in French).
What if we could do the same in the realm of photography? To elevate the culture of photography to a higher height. To go BEYOND small and petty issues in photography. To think long-term in our photography and artwork, to focus on long-term thriving, and to use this knowledge to EMPOWER ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS on the globe, and far into the future!
The point isn’t to eliminate all forms of pain and suffering.
The point is:
Gain more freedom over your personal life, and channel the GOOD types of pain and “suffering” to propel you to higher heights, and to become more epic and powerful!
War is our business. Self-war to elevate yourself. Struggle as fun.Â
Follow your passion like the winged wind. Meditate on the shortness of your life and strive to use all your energy and willpower to create something epic, lasting, and powerful.Â
On RICOH GR III, I’ve been shooting a lot of videos (1080p, 60fps) in high contrast black and white. This has been great, as it is another way to experience reality, create art, and to EXPAND my self-expression/outpression!
My worst hell: if I lived my entire life on planet earth (until death) living a basic life. A life without wonder, danger, adventure, radical self-experimentation, and searching for beauty, knowledge, and wisdom.
Thus it seems a good strategy in life to AVOID [by all means] living what you consider a ‘basic‘ life.
This means in your entire life never stop exploring, never stop discovering, never stop conquering, never stop evolving, never stop hustling, never stop aspiring for more. Never stop anything!
The ocean is vast
Spread your mast, and spread your wings
Let the liquid air take you where you need to be
The ocean is free
Overwhelming with billows and wind from within
Sail furiously, sail free
Harness the power of the ocean and follow your own internal motions and flow
Like the ocean stay steady and strong
Your tides incircle the earth; your waves will never die.
Many things we buy, possess, or experience is pure novelty. We might enjoy it once, or have fun with it for a day (or a few days), but after a week or two — we get bored with it, and we want to go ‘onto the next one’.
The point of this essay is for me to reflect:
What do we get bored of, and what don’t we get bored of?
If your motive is to make more intimate photos, shoot with a wider-angle lens (21mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm lens).
The perspective of a wide-angle lens will create more intimacy in your photos, which means that the viewers of your photos feel like they’re in your shoes. This means you will better make photos which can transport your viewer into your own two feet, seeing the world from your own vantage point and perspective.
You’re brave, what is your duty? If you really knew me, you would know I don’t care much for myself. I don’t think of myself at all.
My ego is just a tool. I yield it to guide my soul. I feel my role is to help empower others. To encourage, and uplift their spirits. To wear my confidence like mail, chained tight to my purpose with no kinks.
Drinking the Dionysian gin and tonic. Staring at my goal, I nod it.
What is your duty to mankind? Only you can say. Let no nay-sayers guide you otherwise. Tie up your loose ends, and seek your own end.
The end goal isn’t happiness, it is artistic ex/outpression, and the witnessing of yourself becoming stronger.
Also, helping empower others along the way while you’re still alive!
Happiness is a reflection of power and thriving?
When are we happy? We are happy when we are witnessing progression in our life, when we have strong health, and strong confidence in ourselves. To strive towards happiness is good; but we want happiness in order to maximize our health, in order to maximize our creative output and personal evolution!
RICOH GR III is the best travel photography camera. Small, compact, phenomenal sharpness and dynamic price, lightest [even smaller and lighter than RICOH GR II], recharges with USB-C. There are no ‘real’ flaws with the RICOH GR III in my eyes [only thing I wish is it had an integrated flash — but even this seems optional at this point].
It seems that with traveling, the point is for you to experience more, to think more, to be less weighed down, and to photograph more. It seems that if these are the goals, to have the smallest, lightest, and most affordable camera [use your money towards travel expenses] is the best option.
Long story short, if you like any form of photography (travel, street, personal, documentary, etc) — it seems the RICOH GR III is the ultimate camera.
Dare to stare into the depths of your soul and exclaim whatever you want to the real world.
DARE Dare to care about what you are curious about, to follow your gut, to never second-guess yourself.
DARE Dare to bear your heart and soul to others; to never water yourself down in falls. Your goal is to enthrall others and you; to steer your own rudder in life.
Strife is beautiful; life is a beautiful war. You’re hard in your core, and you have much to share with others still in store.
Let the creativity seep out of your pores and veins, and let yourself go insane. No stains from your past holding you back. Steer straight and never veer — your destination is near!
Was on the plane and cruise ship without wifi, and instead of blogging in real time, and I used iBooks Author to put together some photos and some thoughts while in transit.
Better to be poorer, with more freedom, and more control over your artwork and life.
For example as a musician, better to have a very small and dedicated fanbase [than to have millions of fans, but being forced to make music you don’t care for].
Better to be poor and own your own website/blog to freely share your thoughts and opinions, than to be controlled by some sort of publicist who won’t allow you to say what you really think.
We admire things [cars, homes, electronics, stuff] more than we do humans.
For example, we find Porsche cars more impressive than great individuals. We find Rolex watches more impressive than brave and courageous individuals. We find big homes more impressive than great thinkers. We find stacks of money more alluring than innovative minds.
Perhaps this pre-occupation with objects, money, and things more than individuals and real human beings is a sign cultural and social degeneration?
My suggestion: Let us focus on admiring people more than things, possessions. Instead of admiring things, let us admire heroes and individuals we desire to emulate!
I don’t think the purpose of a vacation or any activity (sleep, nap, massage) is to “relax”. Better to think of it as recovery and to reinvigorate yourself!
Evolve Strive to enthrall yourself with your progress and strength To what length can you evolve forth? Is there any chord holding you back?
How can you evolve? How can you fly higher, swim further, and go more?
My idea: strive to impress you. Channel your dissatisfaction in a positive way. Allow yourself to go hard all day, everyday, let yourself go cray cray. You’re here to stay. Creative self doubt, just slay.
No need to pray or hope. Just do it now, share your dopeness and authenticity.
You’re strong, focused and raw. Throw your javelin, and dare.
![Getting ready for my 'Creative Every Day' presentation at Google [thank you Cindy/Kevin]](https://i1.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/R0007643.jpg?ssl=1)
