Via NASSIM TALEB—

You should only need one reason to do something … one strong reason for any investment idea, etc.

When you invoke more than one reason … you’re often getting suckered somewhere.

Obvious decisions are obvious.

For example, the only one reason you need or the best thing about iPhone — FaceTime! The true killer app.

Ancient Sparta vs modern day consumerist America?

It seems we often regret acts of omission, more than acts of commission?

STRONG PASSION.

So something I have been meaning to write or create or do is like some sort of book, e-book, pamphlet, or introductory primer to stoicism. I really think that stoicism is probably one of the most useful and philosophical models to live normal every day real life. Yet, I haven’t really found a good instructional guide on it, especially when I was self teaching it to myself.

What does stoicism mean? 

Stoicism, stoic, the stoa in ancient Greece– essentially the stoa was like some sort of portico, patio, pillar, outside, essentially a spot where guys would just hang out, talk shop, talk philosophy, etc.  

I think about the show Hey Arnold in which I was raised with… the notion of “stoop kid“, the notion of a stoop is that in a lot of cities, especially the east coast in New York, you have this little stoop or porch, stairs that go outside your front door… and you could just hang out there, engage in social and neighborhood life etc.

The new stoa? 

One of my happiest moments was when I was living in Providence Rhode Island, and then COVID-19 hit. Everything was closed, besides the park. I can still go to the park, hang out, workout, do chin ups– I learned how to do muscle ups, more bodyweight calisthenics stuff, and also… I had a lot of fun with this “rock toss“ challenge and workout… in the middle of the park was a huge ass rock and huge ass stone, and every single day I would go there pick it up, and then eventually work out with it; throwing it around for fun, doing overhead presses with it, clean and jerks, squats, and eventually I would just throw it around for fun. Funny enough it might have been the most fit I was in my life… This was the true “functional” fitness.

Anyways, the reason why that period of COVID-19 was so good is that it was the middle of beautiful Providence summer, so nice and bright and warm and lovely… and one of the good things was going to the park was like an open forum, a new anatheum for a lot of really cool guys to come, hang out, talk shop, go topless and shirtless, workout and hang out.

I met some really interesting people during that period of time. I met some guys who were really cool. For example, one guy I met was in the US military Navy, I think he was training to be a Navy seal or Delta force or something. Another guy in some sort of ROTC training, another cool guy from the hood, and also I would say I probably met half a dozen friendly drug dealers there. And of course a lot of people who believed in conspiracy theories; really friendly, a little weird, but overall good guys.

Anyways, one of the biggest benefits of hanging out at that outdoor park, open air, nothing but green grass, the beautiful sun and the fitness equipment was that I think having this sort of open air environment is actually very conducive to socializing, thinking and thought, and pro social behavior. My theory about a lot of modern day antisocial behavior has to do with the structures which enclose us. For example, almost universally most guys at the gym are extremely antisocial. Why? My theory is that because most gyms have closed, cramped narrow ceilings, and do not have access to natural light, or outside space.

Cramped indoor spaces promote antisocial behavior.

The only good gym I went to which was interesting was the golds gym in Venice, which has this really big outdoor workout area. I think this is much more natural and more fun and better; to be able to work out directly outside outdoors, with your shirt off.

Who is this philosophy for?

Stoics, stoicism — it was originally I think codified by this guy named Zeno, and over time he picked up some followers. Essentially the whole thing happened organically; Zeno would first share his thinking on philosophy ethics and pragmatic ways to deal with other people and the downsides of life, he built a following, and then his followers would propagate the thoughts and start their own little schools of thoughts, their own little stoic clubs.

What is real stoicism?

Would I like about stoicism is how loosey goosey it is. It is kind of like Zen, or Taoism… It is not really quantified as a religion, or a strict moral order. In fact, a lot of the ancients stoics would meditate on random stuff like cosmology, natural sciences like Seneca, how volcanoes worked or whatever. I think nowadays in today’s world, we focus primarily on the pragmatic side; how to deal with fear, uncertainty, downsides etc.

So how did I discover stoicism?

I think I might’ve first learned about stoicism from Nassim Taleb and his ANTIFRAGILE book. I was curious, and my curiosity went to deep. To quote NASSIM TALEB and the Venetian saying “The ocean goes deeper, the deeper you wade into it.”

I literally consumed every single book I could find on stoicism, even the obscure ones. Funny enough, a lot of the stoic thinkers tried to claim other philosophers as being stoic, like Seneca did with Diogenes the cynic. 

Cynic, cynicism, actually comes from the word canine, the dog. Diogenes was considered the “dog” philosopher, first used as a pejorative, but ultimately Diogenes reappropriated that title for fun! He saw dogs as tough, almost like wild wolves, rather than seeing them as a negative thing.

Even Achilles when he was raging against king Agamemnon, he called him “dog faced“ as a heaping insult.

Who is worth reading?

First, Seneca. Seneca the younger, his dad was called Seneca the elder.

In fact, this is such a big deal because Cindy and I named our first son, Seneca, directly after the stoic philosopher. This is true soul in the game; if you name your kid after your favorite philosopher, certainly it is a sign that you really liked that philosopher, or found them impactful.

The reason why I really like Seneca the stoic philosopher is because he had real connections to real reality. What that means is he wasn’t just on the sidelines; he actually existed in the real world, engaged in real politics, was even advisor to the emperor Nero, the bad one, who eventually low-key coerced Seneca to commit suicide, in a manly, dignified manner.

I think this was because maybe… there was actually a plan to overthrow Nero, and essentially Nero found out. 

What makes Seneca so good?

I really like Seneca because his writing is accessible, practical and pragmatic, and interesting.

A lot of thinkers tend to lack connections to real reality, I have no tolerance for boring philosophers to talk about metaphysics, which is things which are not physical. Like thoughts ideas, the universe, electricity and energy, strange phenomenon and conspiracy theories on ghosts, “energy” whatever.

For a long time, I would hear the term “metaphysics” being thrown around, and I had zero idea what it actually meant. 

Meta– on top of. Or nestled within.

Physics — the physical, physical phenomenon like gravity, first principles.

The reason why metaphysics philosophers tend to be a bunch of losers is that they are all weak and anemic, nerds or geeks or weaklings who seem to have some sort of physiological degeneracy, which encourages them to opine or talk or think about impractical things, superficial things.

Personally speaking, I think philosophy must be practical. 

Practical, praxis, practice — to do!

The Spartan, Zen Stoic, demigod ideal

I have a very funny ideal; the general idea is that your body looks like a demigod, and your physiology is out of control. The general idea is one must be tall, strong, highly muscular, low body fat percentage, I’m not exactly sure what my body fat percentage is, but maybe it’s around 5%.

Also, physical fitness is critical to any stoic. My ideal is to walk 50 miles a day, eat 20 pounds of meat like Milo of Croton a day. And also, abstinence from silly things like media, alcohol, drugs, marijuana etc.

Trust no thinker who does drugs!

Even our best friend Nietzsche said that coffee was bad, because it would make people dark and gloomy. He encouraged 100% cocoa powder instead. 

You let the drugs talk I let my soul talk ayy! – Kendrick Lamar

Simple technique:

First, look at a picture or a portrait or a full body shot, ideally topless of the artist, philosopher or thinker or individual… then judge their thoughts later.

Why? My theory is this: the thoughts of an individual is hugely affected by their bodily physiology.

For example, an extreme example: if somebody is locked inside a solitary confinement cell, and not permitted to go outside for years, but, he had a pen and pad and would jot down some thoughts… Would be the quality of these thoughts? Certainly dark and morose.

Why does stoicism matter? 

In today’s world, why does it matter, what is the significance of stoicism, etc.?

First and foremost, I think we are living in a troubling time, especially with the advent of modern day internet based media and advertising. I think 99% of what is propagated on the internet is fear mongering, and what is hate? Hate is just fear.

The first thought on stoicism is that it is just fear conquering. What I discovered about street photography, is that 99% of it is conquering your fears. Conquering your fears of upsetting other people, getting in some sort of verbal or physical altercation etc. In fact my bread and butter workshop is my conquering your fears and street photography workshop, the workshop which is still interesting to me even after a decade.

Why is this so important? I think it is rooted in almost everything; conquering your fears is rooted in entrepreneurship, innovation, risktaking and real life.

Even my speculation in crypto. 99.9% of crypto speculation is just balls. Having the balls to make big bets, and when things go south, knowing how to master your emotions.

A simple extra I have is this: just imagine it will all go down to zero.

It was useful because when I was in college, my sophomore year I got really into trading stocks, and I eventually lost my whole life savings, maybe around $3500 USD, and some bad penny stock which I actually misread the financials… the whole time I thought the company was making a profit, but actually it was taking a loss. I actually didn’t know that if profits are written in parentheses, it means a loss.

It was funny because my initial start as an investor was back in high school, I bought some Adobe stock when I was a high school junior, and also some mutual funds, which both went up after about 4-5 years.

Also I remember in elementary school computer class, when I was in the sixth grade in Bayside Queens, there was some sort of stock stimulation trading game, and actually it was funny… the kids who made the most money and were the most successful just put 100% of everything into Apple, note this is when we were only 12 years old, and I was born in 1988.

Stoicism and capitalism?

Funny enough, it seems that stoicism actually plays well with capitalism. Why? According to modern day capitalist thinking, the best way to approach life is to be objective, strong, stoic, unemotional, logical and rational.

Also, with modern day media there is so much fear mongering in the news, about some sort of global armageddon, global financial ruin, etc. I call it “fear porn”.

Therefore stoicism as a mindset is useful to think and position your mind in such a way that you could consider that life is all upside, no downside.

In fact, if I could summarize stoicism in one sentence, it is that life is all upside, no downside. Inspired by NASSIM TALEB.

Sex and Stoicism

So, is theism useful to you if you’re a man or a woman? Does it matter?

The good thing is I think it could apply to both sexes. Conquering sexism and social pressures is useful if you’re woman, and also if you’re a man.

Also, gender is social. Lot of the expectations set on us by society is socialized and gamed to a certain degree.

Stoic strategies 

First, we got to unchain ourselves from modern day ethics and morality. I believe that all modern day philosophy and thinking and ethics and religion is bad.

For example, the notion of turning the other cheek is a patently bad one. Why did Jesus turn his cheek? It is because he lacked on army.

Also, philosophically I think we should put no trust in Socrates.  I thought which has puzzled me for a long time was this “Why was Socrates so ugly?

Monster in face, monster in soul.

I think Socrates was a degenerate, and he lacked any sort of real power. Therefore he turned logic and rationality into his terrorizing weapon. Back in the day, you didn’t need logic or rationality to have things your way, you simply was able to dictate that which you wanted to pause it, because you had a military force behind you. Just think about Machiavelli and IL PRINCIPE– the reality of being a mercurial prince, king, and military leader is hard, stoic, “immoral”. But ultimately it all comes down to war, conquest, the military.

In fact, I believe that all should have the body and strength of some sort of super soldier. Essentially look like all the guys from the movie 300, this is our ideal.

What has helped me

1. Allow yourself to be a bad, immortal, “evil” person. When you decide to adopt an unorthodox way of thinking and living, you’re going to rub some feathers the wrong way.
2. For good inspirations, I think the best stoic writers and thinkers include Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius and also the humor of the cynic philosopher Diogenes. I would even posit the idea that one could consider Alexander the Great as a stoic. Why? When you’re trying to create an empire, and you always have your life on the line, certainly this takes a stoic mindset. Also, let us think and consider that Alexander the Great had a copy of the Iliad by his bedstand, it was the only book he traveled with during his military tours.
3. Imagine the worst possible case scenario, and backtrack: apparently even NASSIM TALEB would do this when he was a trader; every single day when he would go to his trading desk, he would assume that his investments would all go to zero, and if that wasn’t the case every single day, it was just upside.
4. Live like a poor person: the notion of “debasing“ the coin or the currency is the general ideas that you are not a coward in regards to money. The best way to think about money is like a social tool; I think money is actually just codified labor. If you want people to clean bathrooms, run the cashiers stand, you have to promise them money. Even Seneca said the upsides of simulated poverty; essentially living like a poor person, or even a homeless person when you don’t need to… is the ultimate position to be in. Why? True spirit and soul; as a philosopher thinker writer or whatever… you cannot be “canceled”, because There is nothing to cancel. As long as you could pay your rent, buy meat at Costco, and publish your thoughts to your own self hosted website blog, and pay your server fee, you have 100% freedom. And also, still… America is the best place to be because there is true freedom of speech and expression, You don’t want to be a trillionaire but not be able to say what’s really on your mind. And I think this is the big issue with entertainers, actors, media people… As long as you’re assigned to a contract, you don’t run your own production company, or, you’re still a slave to money… You’re not really going to see what’s really on your mind. Why is it that the rock cannot say anything bad about China, or Tibet? Because he is still enslaved by the media corporation. New slaves by Kanye West.

Stoic training

The fun thing about stoicism is that you could just make it up as you go, devise your own strategies and whatever.

“Fucking c’est la vie!” My favorite Kanye West line.

Essentially the general idea is that in life, one should not take things too seriously. Laughter is golden, I forget the philosopher who was called the laughing philosopher; better to laugh about the Follies of human beings rather than to be dark and morose about it.

Also, thoughts from the Odyssey; if you look far enough  into the future, everything becomes comedic and hilarious.

So when you’re in some sort of bad situation, just think to yourself “perhaps one day, 20 or 30 years from now… I will look back at this and just laugh!” it will just be humorous.

Modern day ailments

Problems in modern day life:

1. Too much time spent indoors, not enough time out in the sun. Perhaps it is better to be out outside all day, and joyful, even with the risk of getting skin cancer or whatever… Rather than to be indoors, scared, weak and anemic.
2. Get chatGPT, the paid premium one. And use the image generation AI art tool dalle. People pay therapists to just speak their mind, and get some sort of sounding board. I actually think it’s much better to chat with AI instead; because I will not judge you, and ultimately what is the therapist anyways? A therapist is just a mirror, a sounding board for you to verbalize and flush out your thoughts. Often when we talk about our problems, 90% of the issues go away because once we verbalize it, we feel much better about ourselves.
3. Not enough walking: I have never met anybody who walks 30,000 steps a day and is depressed. Even my friend Jimmy, who works as a US postal officer, he walks around 30,000 steps a day and is always bright cherry and jovial. I think this is also where people who hike a lot or walk a lot in nature are so happy; when you’re able to walk around a lot, and Zen out… You just feel much better. My simple suggestion is when you go on a hike or a walk in nature or even in the city… Leave your phone at home, or locked inside your glove compartment, and don’t bring any headphones or speakers or Apple watches or whatever. Just bring along your camera, and enjoy.

Real stoics don’t call themselves Stoics?

A funny thing I have learned is that when you call something something, it isn’t that.

For example, if someone calls something a “luxury car”, it ain’t. For example, a true modern day luxury car is maybe a Tesla, but Tesla never calls itself a luxury car. Also the ultimate luxury technology company is probably Apple… But Apple is very intelligent and not calling themselves a luxury brand.

In someways, we can think and consider stoicism as our new luxury. In fact, having luxury, luxury of mind and soul… And luxury of freedom of speech, isn’t this the ultimate luxury? 
Similarly speaking, when people call themselves “influencers”, they are not influencers.

Stoicism as a technique and tool, not the end

Ultimately I think we should think of stoicism just like having another tool inside our tool kit. For example, if you’re a chef, you’re going to have different eyes for different purposes. If you’re going to cut a big piece of meat, you probably want a big ass meat cutting knife, Not something you would use to crack a walnut with.

I think the problem is when some people get 2 inches Stoicism, they think that everything needs to be consistent, and must fit into this nice little neat box of what is considered “stoicism“. This is a bad line of thinking… Let us consider that Marcus Aurelius never even mentioned Stoicism in his writings, his Collection of thoughts, which we modern called the meditations… Was just essentially his personal diary, to help him conquer his own personal fears and thoughts, I don’t think he ever intended it to be published publicly. I think he just wrote it to himself as self therapy. And I think the only stoic philosopher he even mentions is maybe Epictetus.

The future of stoicism?

For myself, I just come out with certain to work thoughts and techniques because it helps me, and when I find these tricks or techniques or secret hacks or cheat codes… My passion is to simply share it with others. 

And ultimately, things are ever influx and evolving and changing and adapting.

For example, I’ve discovered the quality of my thinking is different when I am in Culver City Los Angeles, compared to being in the boring suburbs of Orange County.

Also depending on my social environments… My stoic thoughts are different when I am in a gym, versus just working up on myself in my parking spot in the back of my apartment.

Also, the quality of my thoughts is different when living with family members or other people versus just living with myself Cindy and Seneca.

stoicism is all about living with other people

Assuming you’re not growing your own vegetables and living in the middle of nowhere… You probably have some interaction with other human beings. As long as you have an iPhone, an android phone, a smart phone, a 4G or 5G Internet connection, Wi-Fi, a laptop, Have to buy groceries somewhere… You’re still going to have to interact with other human beings.

And this is good. There is no other greater joy than other human beings.

In fact, modern day society is strange because in someways, the ethos is to be antisocial and to be cowardly. But in fact, the best way to think about things is that real life is interaction with other human beings, and social conquest. One can imagine a lot of modern day entrepreneurship as simply a big dick swinging contest. He who is the most masculine confident tall and strong and stoic shall win.

More ideas

Assume that everyone is mentally insane: have you ever been out in public, and you some sort of crackhead or strange homeless person who acts radically, smells is terrible, and is obviously mentally ill? Do you hate them for it? When they say something weird to you… Do you take it personally? No. Why? They are crazy. Perhaps we should just adopt this stoic mindset towards other people; some people are actually physiologically ill, mentally unwell… don’t trust the opinion of nobody.

A lot of people are trying to actually deal with their own inner demons: for example, becoming the successful photographer and street photographer I am today… I’ve dealt with some individuals who would say anonymous bad things about me, and later I found out that their mom just died or something. I cannot imagine what it feels like losing mother… Therefore if somebody spew some hit on me because something bad happened to them, I’m not gonna take it personally.

 self-flagellation: I think a lot of people who are sick, mentally or physiologically… Essentially the way that they deal with other people or themselves is some sort of metaphorical self-flagellation.

For example… you know those strange individuals who have the whip and whip themselves, and inflict pain on themselves? I think some people do this metaphorically to themselves and others.

You just want to stay away from them.

Why so scared?

My personal theory on fear is that a lot of it is tied to morality and ethics. I think the general idea is not necessarily that we are afraid of anything… I think the true fear is that we’re afraid that we are some sort of bad evil unethical immoral person.

For example instruct photography, the general ethical thought is that it is immoral to take a photo of somebody without their permission, because there is some sort of it inherent evil behind it. Is this true? No. Taking photos and not really a big deal.

Why do people make such a big deal out of small things?

I think it is because some people are just overly sensitive, which once again comes from some sort of physiological weakness.

For example, if you’re a weightlifter who could lift 1000 pounds, assuming you’re not taking any steroids or anything… It small things going to bother you? No. But let us assume that you are a skinny fat man, all you do is drink alcohol and smoke marijuana and watch Netflix, and you spent too much time on Reddit… You are 40% body fat, and have never lifted in your life. And also your testosterone is low and you never go outside. Certainly the quality of your thoughts is going to be different than if you’re a happy gay monster, lifting weights outside in the direct sun, Laughing and having fun. 

Weather and mood

Probably one of my worst experiences was this jarring transition; I was super happy insanely happy being in Vietnam in 2017; with a beautiful weather, the beautiful light, the happy people the great amenities etc.… And then that winter Cindy and I went to Europe, in Marseille Berlin and Prague, and maybe London… Seriously the worst winter of my life. Why? I wonder if so much miserable feelings and thoughts simply comes from the darkness and lack of light. a lot of Europe is actually quite miserable; dark, unhygienic, morose.

Even Nietzsche had a thought about Schopenhauer; how much of these emo European philosophers came from the fact that it was just complaining about the cold weather in Germany etc.?

For myself, my ideal weather is Southeast Asia; I love being in Phnom Penh Cambodia, Vietnam etc. In the states, am I the only one who loves living in Los Angeles? Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar said that Ali was the best for women weed and weather… I would definitely say the biggest upside of living in Los Angeles is the light, the sunlight. It actually does get quite cold here, but usually most reliably even in December during the winter time, the sun will always come up. as long as there is bright sunny light, I will be happy. And I think maybe for myself, considering that I am a photographer, and photography means painting with light… Light for me is critical.

I also wonder how much of it is a physiological thing and a genetic treat; for example I could even recall being a young child, and my mom telling me that the most critical thing in finding a home or an apartment was light and natural light. Even now… 90% of my happiness comes from being able to  have access to natural light, ideally floor to ceiling windows facing directly the sun, having some sort of modern temperature regulated apartment and home… Even living in our tiny studio minimalistic luxury apartment in Providence Rhode Island, where it was always 75° warm and cozy, and not frigid and damp and cold and dark and humid… I was always good. But moving to an older house, where it always felt damp and cold… This literally lowered my happiness by 1000%.

Therefore, if you’re feeling miserable sad or whatever… I say spend three months living in Hanoi or Saigon in Vietnam, or go to Phnom Penh Cambodia. I wonder if 90% of peoples misery is simply due to the weather.

Stoic assignments

”Better to be a gay monster than a sentimental bore!” – Fernandinho Galliani, via Nietzsche

My stoic ideal is somebody who is happy, gay, smiling, no headphones or AirPods on, no sunglasses on, no hat, no facial hair, no baggy oversized clothing, no tint in their car. Somebody who makes great eye contact, laughs, stands up upright, jokes, and fools around. Like an overgrown child.

Also, lift weights at least once every day, ideally in the direct sun. Just buy some weightlifting equipment on Titan.fitness, I like the farmers carry handles, the Olympic loadable dumbbell, and also the Texas power squat bar. Just buy some cheap weights, and or buy a heavy 400 pound sandbag, and just have fun throwing it around.

True Stoics are masculine

A true stoic should look something like Hercules or Achilles. Or like ERIC KIM; I have the aesthetic and the physique of Brad Pitt in FIGHT CLUB except with a lot more muscle. Like my friend Soren says, the Adonis physique and proportions.

A real stoic is sexy

I think a real stoic is sexy, happy and fun. Who doesn’t take life too seriously; and think of everything like a fun game. A real stoic would be joyful and cheery like three-year-old child without any adulteration from the outside world.

Why do adults become so dark and morose?

I don’t like talking with or hanging out with adults, uninteresting.

At what point or age do people become so emo?

Typically, highschoolers are very optimistic. Even college students. But I think at least in maybe college in high school nowadays… the bad trend is towards “over concern”, about the world the planet ethics animals etc.

I find a lot of this thinking superficial, performative, and uncritical. I think “animal rights“, “saving the planet” is this new pseudo world religion; which is just Capitalism 3.0. I find the whole pet industry the whole dog industry to be insanely bizarre, and I trust nobody who talks about “saving the planet“ who owns an iPhone, owns any sort of car, or has an Amazon prime subscription. Certainly not any vegans.

A real stoic is a carnivore 

Animals are animals. They are lower on the hierarchy and totem pole on earth. Man is the apex predator, the apex bully and the apex tyrant.

Should we care for animals or “animal rights”? No. Animals are our slaves.

If you consider even dogs and pets… They are essentially our emotional slaves. People talk a lot about the virtuosity of dogs being loyal or whatever… And giving you unconditional love. This seems like some sort of emotional slavery.

The only dogs I respect are some sort of canine dogs, some sort of attack or defense dogs, or hunting dogs. For example, John Wick 3; Halle Berry and her dogs. An animal should either be a weapon, or nothing.

Why do people care about animals so much?

Essentially it looks like men no longer have a backbone. No more spine.

I trust nobody who owns a dog.

Let us not forget; they call it dog ownership, or “owning a pet”. There is no more concept of “human ownership, or “owning a human.”

End goals 

What is the end goal of humanity? To me it is towards entrepreneurship, innovation, art and aesthetics, philosophy etc. Design.

Stoicism should be considered a tool which could aid you in these things.

For example, I think 99% of entrepreneurship is courage. Stoicism could help you with that.

I also think with design, great design is also 99% courage, having the courage to attempt something that won’t sell or be received well… stoicism is all about practical courage.

Also, weightlifting. To attempt to lift a certain weight you have never attempted before takes great courage. For example, me atlas lifting 1000 pounds; that is 10 plates and a 25 on each side, this is true stoic training. Why? The fear of injury is what holds most people back; if you had successfully conquered this fear and not injured yourself, this is pure stoic bliss.

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The physical

I think the only and the only proper way to lift weights is one repetition maximum training. That is; what is the maximum amount of weight you’re able to successfully lift or move, even half an inch?

To me, the courage is the success. Even if you had the courage to attempt it… that is what is considered success. 

Simple exercises to do include the atlas lift, innovated by ERIC KIM, or a one repetition max rack pull.

Or, a high trap bar deadlift, heavy Farmer’s walks, or heavy sandbag carries. Or even a simple thing you could do is go to the park or to the local nature center, find the biggest rock there and just see if you could pick it up.

Now what?

If you’re interested in Stoicism, and have had some interesting thoughts on stoicism, one of the most noble things you could do is start your own blog. I think blogs are 1000 times more effective than publishing some sort of static printed book; I think the problem in today’s world is that everyone is seeking some sort of legitimacy by being picked up by some sort of legitimate publisher and getting “published“, and seeing your printed book at Barnes & Noble whatever.

I say it is better to be open source, free and permissionless, decentralized. Just publish your thoughts and book as a free PDF, and just hosted it on dropbox, Google Drive, or your own Web server. Share the link freely, and also just publish the raw text as a big blog post. 

Even Sam Bankman-Fried wisely thought; 99.9% of books could just be summarized as a big blog posts.

Don’t trust any modern day published book which isn’t free, because… there is some sort of hidden clout chasing somewhere. 

Even one of the worst compromises that led to the demise of Ray Dalio was the fact that he took his Principles book, which was essentially a free e-book PDF on his website, and then took it off, because I think he got a book deal with Simon and Schuster. After he did that, he lost my respect.

If you’re already independently wealthy, and you don’t crowd source your self-esteem… why would you need to externally validate yourself by getting some sort of constipated publisher and annoying editor?

Editors are bad.

Now what?

Start your own blog and start blogging your own thoughts on stoic philosophy, and even start a YouTube channel and start vlogging on it. My generalized thought is simple: if your thought your idea your blog post your video or whatever could even impact the life of one other human being on planet earth… it is worth it.

ERIC

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PDF INTRO TO STOICISM

Yes!

So something I have been meaning to write or create or do is like some sort of book, e-book, pamphlet, or introductory primer to stoicism. I really think that it is probably one of the most useful and philosophical models to live normal every day real life. Yet, I haven’t really found a good instructional guide on it, especially when I was self teaching it to myself.

What does stoicism mean? 

Stoicism, stoic, the stoa in ancient Greece– essentially the stoa was like some sort of portico, patio, pillar, outside, essentially a spot where guys would just hang out, talk shop, talk philosophy, etc.  

I think about the show Hey Arnold in which I was raised with… The notion of “stoop kid“, the notion of a stoop is that in a lot of cities, especially the east coast in New York, you have this little stoop or porch, stairs that go outside your front door… and you could just hang out there, engage in social and neighborhood life etc.

The new stoa? 

One of my happiest moments was when I was living in Providence Rhode Island, and then COVID-19 hit. Everything was closed, besides the park. I can still go to the park, hang out, workout, do chin ups I learn how to do muscle up, more bodyweight calisthenics stuff, and also… I had a lot of fun with this “rock toss“ challenge and workout… in the middle of the park was a huge ass rock a huge ass stone, and every single day I would go there picked it up, and then eventually work out with it; throwing it around for fun, doing overhead prices with it, clean and jerks, squats, and eventually I would just throw it around for fun. Funny enough it might have been the most fit I was in my life… This was the true “functional” fitness.

Anyways, the reason why that period of COVID-19 was so good is that it was the middle of beautiful providence summer, so nice and bright and warm and lovely… And one of the good things was going to the park was like an open forum, a new anatheum for a lot of really cool guys to come, hang out, poke shop, go topless and shirtless, workout and hang out.

I met some really interesting people during that period of time. I met some guys who are really cool. For example, one guy I met was in the US military Navy, I think he was training to be a Navy seal or Delta force or something. Another guy in some sort of ROTC training, another cool guy from the hood, and also I would say I probably met half a dozen friendly drug dealers there. and of course a lot of people who believed in conspiracy theories; really friendly, a little weird, but overall good guys.

Anyways, one of the biggest benefits of hanging out at that outdoor park, open air, nothing but green grass, the beautiful sun and the fitness equipment was that I think having this sort of open air environment is actually very conducive to socializing, thinking and thought, and pro social behavior. My theory about a lot of modern day antisocial behavior has to do with the structures which enclosed us. For example, almost universe leave most guys at the gym are extremely antisocial. Why? My theory is that because most gyms have closed, cramped narrow ceilings, and do not have access to natural light, or outside.

The only good gym I went to which was interesting was the golds gym in Venice, which has this really big outdoor workout area. I think this is much more natural and more fun and better; to be able to work out directly outside outdoors, with your shirt off.

Who is this philosophy for?

Stoics, stoicism — it was originally I think codified by this guy named Zeno, and overtime he picked up some followers. Essentially the whole thing happened organically; Zeno would first share his thinking on philosophy ethics and pragmatic ways to deal with other people and the downsides of life, he built a following, and then his followers would propagate the thoughts and start their own little schools of thoughts, their own little stoic clubs.

What is real stoicism?

Would I like about stoicism is how Lucy it is. It is kind of like Zen, or Taoism… It is not really qualified as a religion, or a strict moral order. In fact, a lot of the ancients Stoics would meditate on random stuff like cosmology, natural sciences like Seneca, how volcanoes worked or whatever. I think nowadays in today’s world, we focus primarily on the pragmatic side; how to deal with fear, uncertainty, downsides etc.

So how did I discover stoicism?

I think I might’ve first learned about stoicism from Naseem Taleb and his anti-fragile book. I was curious, in my curiosity went to deep. To quote NASSIM TALEB and the Venetian saying “the ocean goes deeper, the deeper you wade into it.”

I literally consumed every single book I could find on stoicism, even the obscure ones. Funny enough, a lot of the stoic thinkers tried to claim other philosophers as being stoic, like Seneca did with Diogenes the cynic. 

Cynic, cynicism, actually comes from the word canine, the dog. Dienes was considered the “dog” philosopher, first used as a pejorative, but ultimately dienes reappropriated that title for fun! He saw dogs as tough, almost like wild wolves, rather than seeing them as a negative thing.

Even Achilles when he was raging against king Agamemnon, he called him “dog faced“ as a heaping insult.

Who is worth reading?

First, Seneca. Seneca the younger, his dad was called Seneca the elder.

In fact, this is such a big deal because Cindy and I named our first son, Seneca, directly after the stoic philosopher. This is true in the game; if you name your kid after your favorite philosopher, certainly it is a sign that you really liked that philosopher, or found them impactful.

 The reason why I really like Seneca the stoic philosopher is because he had real connections to real reality. What that means is he wasn’t just on the sidelines; he actually existed in the real world, engaged in real politics, was even advisor to the emperor Nero, the bad one, who eventually low-key coerced Seneca to commit suicide, in a manly, dignified manner.

I think this was because maybe… There was actually a plan to overthrow Nero, and essentially Nero found out. 

What makes Seneca so good?

I really like Seneca because his writing is accessible, practical and pragmatic, and interesting.

A lot of thinkers tend to lack connections to real reality, I have no tolerance for boring phosphorus to talk about metaphysics, which is things which are not physical. Like thoughts ideas, the universe, electricity and energy, strange phenomenon and conspiracy theories on ghosts, “energy” whatever.

For a long time, I would hear the term “metaphysics” being thrown around, and I had zero idea what it actually meant. 

Meta– on top of. Or nestled within.

Physics — the physical, physical phenomenon like gravity, first principles.

The reason why metaphysics philosophers tend to be a bunch of losers is that they are all weaken anemic, nerds or geeks or weaklings who seem to have some sort of physiological degeneracy, which encourages them to opine or talk or think about impractical things, superficial things.

Personally speaking, I think philosophy must be practical. 

Practical, praxis, practice — to do!

The Spartan, Zen Stoic, demigod ideal

I have a very funny ideal; the general idea is that your body looks like a demigod, and your physiology is out of control. The general idea is one must be tall, strong, highly muscular, low body fat percentage, I’m not exactly sure what my body fat percentage is, but maybe it’s around 5%.

 Also, physical fitness is critical to any Stoic. My ideal is to walk 50 miles a day, eat 20 pounds of meat like Milo of crouton a day. And also, abstinence from silly things like media, alcohol, drugs, marijuana etc.

Trust no thinker who does drugs!

Even our best friend Nietzsche said that coffee was bad, because it would make people dark and gloomy. He encouraged 100% cocoa powder instead. 

You let the drugs talk I let my soul talk ayy! – Kendrick Lamar

Simple technique:

First, look at a picture or a portrait or a full body shot, ideally topless of the artist, philosopher or thinker or individual… Then judge their thoughts later.

Why? My theory is this: the thoughts of an individual is hugely affected by their bodily physiology.

For example, an extreme example: if somebody is locked inside a solitary confinement cell, and not permitted to go outside for years, but, he had a pin pad and would jot down some thoughts… Would be the quality of these thoughts? Certainly dark and morose. 

Why does stoicism matter? 

In today’s world, why does it matter, what is the significance of stoicism, etc.?

First and foremost, I think we are living in a troubling time, especially with the advent of modern day Internet based media and advertising. I think 99% of what is propagated on the Internet is fear mongering, and what is hate? Hate is just fear.

The first thought on stoicism is that it is just fear conquering. What I discovered about street photography, is that 99% of it is conquering your fears. Conquering your fears of upsetting other people, getting in some sort of verbal or physical altercation etc. in fact my bread and butter workshop is my conquering your fears and street photography workshop, the workshop which is still interesting to me even after a decade.

Why is this so important? I think it is rooted in almost everything; conquering your fears is rooted in entrepreneurship, innovation, risktaking and real life.

Even my speculation in crypto. 99.9% of crypto speculation is just balls. Having the balls to make big bets, and when things go south, knowing how to master your emotions.

A simple extra I have is this: just imagine it will all go down to zero.

It was useful because when I was in college, my sophomore year I got really into trading stock, and I eventually lost my whole life savings, maybe around $3500 USD, and some bad penny stock which I actually miss read the financials… The whole time I thought the company was making a profit, but actually it was taking a loss. I actually didn’t know that if profits are written in parentheses, it means a loss.

It was funny because my initial start as an investor was back in high school, I bought some Adobe stock when I was a high school junior, and also some mutual funds, which both went up after about 4-5 years.

 also I remember in elementary school computer class, when I was in the sixth grade in Bayside Queens, there was some sort of stock stimulation trading game, and actually it was funny… The kids who made the most money and were the most successful just put 100% of everything into Apple, note this is when we were only 12 years old, and I was born in 1988.

Stoicism and capitalism?

Funny enough, it seems that stoicism actually plays well with capitalism. Why? According to modern day capitalist thinking, the best way to approach life is to be objective, strong, stoic, emotional, logical and rational.

Also,  with modern day media there is so much fear mongering in the news, about some sort of global Armageddon, global financial ruin, etc.

Therefore do ism as a mindset is useful to think and position your mind in such a way that you could consider that life is all upside, no downside.

In fact, if I could summarize the in one sentence, it is that life is all upside, no downside. Inspired by NASSIM TALEB.

Sex and Stoicism

So, is theism useful to you if you’re a man or a woman? Does it matter?

The good thing is I think it could apply to both sexes. Conquering sexism and suicidal pressures is useful if you’re woman, and also if you’re a man.

Also, gender is social. Lot of the expectations set on us by society is socialized and gamed to a certain degree.

Stoic strategies 

First, we got to unchain ourselves from modern day ethics and morality. I believe that all modern day philosophy and thinking and ethics and religion is bad.

For example, the notion of turning the other cheek is a patently bad one. Why did Jesus turn his cheek? It is because he lacked on army.

Also, philosophically I think we should put no trust in Socrates.  I thought which has puzzled me for a long time was this “why was Socrates so ugly?

I think Socrates was a degenerate, and he lacked any sort of real power. Therefore he turned logic and rationality into his terrorizing weapon. Back in the day, you didn’t need logic or rationality to have things your way, you simply was able to dictate that which you wanted to pause it, Because you had a military force behind you. Just think about Machiavelli and il principe– the reality of being a mercurial prince, king, and military leader is hard, Stoic, “immoral”. But ultimately it all comes down to war, conquest, the military.

In fact, I believe that all should have the body and strength of some sort of super soldier. Essentially look like all the guys from the movie 300, this is our ideal.

What has helped me

1. Allow yourself to be a bad, immortal, “evil” person. When you decide to adopt an unorthodox way of thinking and living, you’re going to rub some feathers the wrong way.
2. For good inspirations, I think the best stoic writers and thinkers include Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius and also the humor of the cynic philosopher Diogenes.  I would even pause it the idea that one could consider Alexander the great as a stoic. Why? When you’re trying to create an empire, and you always have your life on the line, certainly this takes stoic mindset. Also, let us think and consider that Alexander the great had a copy of the Iliad by his bed stand, it was the only book he traveled with during his Military tours.
3. Imagine the worst possible case scenario, and backtrack: apparently even NASSIM TALEB would do this when he was a trader; every single day when he would go to his trading desk,  he would assume that his investments would all go to zero, and if that wasn’t the case every single day, it was just upside.
4. Live like a poor person: the notion of “debasing“ the coin or the currency is the general ideas that you are not a coward in regards to money. The best way to think about money is like a social tools; I think money is actually just codified labor.if you want people to clean bathrooms, run the cashiers stand, you have to promise them money. Even Seneca said the upsides of simulated poverty; essentially living like a poor person, or even a homeless person when you don’t need to… Is the ultimate position to be in. Why? True spirit and soul; as a philosopher thinker writer or whatever… You cannot be “canceled”, because There is nothing to cancel. As long as you could pay your rent, buy meat at Costco, and publish your thoughts to your own self hosted website blog, and pay your server fee, you have 100% freedom. And also, still… America is the best place to be because there is true freedom of speech and expression, You don’t want to be a trillionaire but not be able to say what’s really on your mind. And I think this is the big issue with entertainers, actors, media people… As long as you’re assigned to a contract, you don’t run your own production company, or, you’re still a slave to money… You’re not really going to see what’s really on your mind. Why is it that the rock cannot say anything bad about China, or Tibet? Because he is still enslaved by the media corporation. New slaves by Kanye West.

Stoic training

The fun thing about stoicism is that you could just make it up as you go, devise your own strategies and whatever.

“Fucking c’est la vie!” My favorite Kanye West line.

Essentially the general idea is that in life, one should not take things too seriously. Laughter is golden, I forget the philosopher who was called the laughing philosopher; better to laugh about the Follies of human beings rather than to be dark and morose about it.

Also, thoughts from the Odyssey; if you look far enough  into the future, everything becomes comedic and hilarious.

So when you’re in some sort of bad situation, just think to yourself “perhaps one day, 20 or 30 years from now… I will look back at this and just laugh!” it will just be humorous.

Modern day ailments

Problems in modern day life:

1. Too much time spent indoors, not enough time out in the sun. Perhaps it is better to be out outside all day, and joyful, even with the risk of getting skin cancer or whatever… Rather than to be indoors, scared, weak and anemic.
2. Get chatGPT, the paid premium one. And use the image generation AI art tool dalle. People pay therapists to just speak their mind, and get some sort of sounding board. I actually think it’s much better to chat with AI instead; because I will not judge you, and ultimately what is the therapist anyways? A therapist is just a mirror, a sounding board for you to verbalize and flush out your thoughts. Often when we talk about our problems, 90% of the issues go away because once we verbalize it, we feel much better about ourselves.
3. Not enough walking: I have never met anybody who walks 30,000 steps a day and is depressed. Even my friend Jimmy, who works as a US postal officer, he walks around 30,000 steps a day and is always bright cherry and jovial. I think this is also where people who hike a lot or walk a lot in nature are so happy; when you’re able to walk around a lot, and Zen out… You just feel much better. My simple suggestion is when you go on a hike or a walk in nature or even in the city… Leave your phone at home, or locked inside your glove compartment, and don’t bring any headphones or speakers or Apple watches or whatever. Just bring along your camera, and enjoy.

Real stoics don’t call themselves Stoics?

A funny thing I have learned is that when you call something something, it isn’t that.

For example, if someone calls something a “luxury car”, it ain’t. For example, a true modern day luxury car is maybe a Tesla, but Tesla never calls itself a luxury car. Also the ultimate luxury technology company is probably Apple… But Apple is very intelligent and not calling themselves a luxury brand.

In someways, we can think and consider stoicism as our new luxury. In fact, having luxury, luxury of mind and soul… And luxury of freedom of speech, isn’t this the ultimate luxury? 
Similarly speaking, when people call themselves “influencers”, they are not influencers.

Stoicism as a technique and tool, not the end

Ultimately I think we should think of stoicism just like having another tool inside our tool kit. For example, if you’re a chef, you’re going to have different eyes for different purposes. If you’re going to cut a big piece of meat, you probably want a big ass meat cutting knife, Not something you would use to crack a walnut with.

I think the problem is when some people get 2 inches Stoicism, they think that everything needs to be consistent, and must fit into this nice little neat box of what is considered “stoicism“. This is a bad line of thinking… Let us consider that Marcus Aurelius never even mentioned Stoicism in his writings, his Collection of thoughts, which we modern called the meditations… Was just essentially his personal diary, to help him conquer his own personal fears and thoughts, I don’t think he ever intended it to be published publicly. I think he just wrote it to himself as self therapy. And I think the only stoic philosopher he even mentions is maybe Epictetus.

The future of stoicism?

For myself, I just come out with certain to work thoughts and techniques because it helps me, and when I find these tricks or techniques or secret hacks or cheat codes… My passion is to simply share it with others. 

And ultimately, things are ever influx and evolving and changing and adapting.

For example, I’ve discovered the quality of my thinking is different when I am in Culver City Los Angeles, compared to being in the boring suburbs of Orange County.

Also depending on my social environments… My stoic thoughts are different when I am in a gym, versus just working up on myself in my parking spot in the back of my apartment.

Also, the quality of my thoughts is different when living with family members or other people versus just living with myself Cindy and Seneca.

stoicism is all about living with other people

Assuming you’re not growing your own vegetables and living in the middle of nowhere… You probably have some interaction with other human beings. As long as you have an iPhone, an android phone, a smart phone, a 4G or 5G Internet connection, Wi-Fi, a laptop, Have to buy groceries somewhere… You’re still going to have to interact with other human beings.

And this is good. There is no other greater joy than other human beings.

In fact, modern day society is strange because in someways, the ethos is to be antisocial and to be cowardly. But in fact, the best way to think about things is that real life is interaction with other human beings, and social conquest. One can imagine a lot of modern day entrepreneurship as simply a big dick swinging contest. He who is the most masculine confident tall and strong and stoic shall win.

More ideas

Assume that everyone is mentally insane: have you ever been out in public, and you some sort of crackhead or strange homeless person who acts radically, smells is terrible, and is obviously mentally ill? Do you hate them for it? When they say something weird to you… Do you take it personally? No. Why? They are crazy. Perhaps we should just adopt this stoic mindset towards other people; some people are actually physiologically ill, mentally unwell… don’t trust the opinion of nobody.

A lot of people are trying to actually deal with their own inner demons: for example, becoming the successful photographer and street photographer I am today… I’ve dealt with some individuals who would say anonymous bad things about me, and later I found out that their mom just died or something. I cannot imagine what it feels like losing mother… Therefore if somebody spew some hit on me because something bad happened to them, I’m not gonna take it personally.

 self-flagellation: I think a lot of people who are sick, mentally or physiologically… Essentially the way that they deal with other people or themselves is some sort of metaphorical self-flagellation.

For example… you know those strange individuals who have the whip and whip themselves, and inflict pain on themselves? I think some people do this metaphorically to themselves and others.

You just want to stay away from them.

Why so scared?

My personal theory on fear is that a lot of it is tied to morality and ethics. I think the general idea is not necessarily that we are afraid of anything… I think the true fear is that we’re afraid that we are some sort of bad evil unethical immoral person.

For example instruct photography, the general ethical thought is that it is immoral to take a photo of somebody without their permission, because there is some sort of it inherent evil behind it. Is this true? No. Taking photos and not really a big deal.

Why do people make such a big deal out of small things?

I think it is because some people are just overly sensitive, which once again comes from some sort of physiological weakness.

For example, if you’re a weightlifter who could lift 1000 pounds, assuming you’re not taking any steroids or anything… It small things going to bother you? No. But let us assume that you are a skinny fat man, all you do is drink alcohol and smoke marijuana and watch Netflix, and you spent too much time on Reddit… You are 40% body fat, and have never lifted in your life. And also your testosterone is low and you never go outside. Certainly the quality of your thoughts is going to be different than if you’re a happy gay monster, lifting weights outside in the direct sun, Laughing and having fun. 

Weather and mood

Probably one of my worst experiences was this jarring transition; I was super happy insanely happy being in Vietnam in 2017; with a beautiful weather, the beautiful light, the happy people the great amenities etc.… And then that winter Cindy and I went to Europe, in Marseille Berlin and Prague, and maybe London… Seriously the worst winter of my life. Why? I wonder if so much miserable feelings and thoughts simply comes from the darkness and lack of light. a lot of Europe is actually quite miserable; dark, unhygienic, morose.

Even Nietzsche had a thought about Schopenhauer; how much of these emo European philosophers came from the fact that it was just complaining about the cold weather in Germany etc.?

For myself, my ideal weather is Southeast Asia; I love being in Phnom Penh Cambodia, Vietnam etc. In the states, am I the only one who loves living in Los Angeles? Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar said that Ali was the best for women weed and weather… I would definitely say the biggest upside of living in Los Angeles is the light, the sunlight. It actually does get quite cold here, but usually most reliably even in December during the winter time, the sun will always come up. as long as there is bright sunny light, I will be happy. And I think maybe for myself, considering that I am a photographer, and photography means painting with light… Light for me is critical.

I also wonder how much of it is a physiological thing and a genetic treat; for example I could even recall being a young child, and my mom telling me that the most critical thing in finding a home or an apartment was light and natural light. Even now… 90% of my happiness comes from being able to  have access to natural light, ideally floor to ceiling windows facing directly the sun, having some sort of modern temperature regulated apartment and home… Even living in our tiny studio minimalistic luxury apartment in Providence Rhode Island, where it was always 75° warm and cozy, and not frigid and damp and cold and dark and humid… I was always good. But moving to an older house, where it always felt damp and cold… This literally lowered my happiness by 1000%.

Therefore, if you’re feeling miserable sad or whatever… I say spend three months living in Hanoi or Saigon in Vietnam, or go to Phnom Penh Cambodia. I wonder if 90% of peoples misery is simply due to the weather.

Stoic assignments

”Better to be a gay monster than a sentimental bore!” – Fernandinho Galliani, via Nietzsche

My stoic ideal is somebody who is happy, gay, smiling, no headphones or AirPods on, no sunglasses on, no hat, no facial hair, no baggy oversized clothing, no tint in their car. Somebody who makes great eye contact, laughs, stands up upright, jokes, and fools around. Like an overgrown child.

Also, lift weights at least once every day, ideally in the direct sun. Just buy some weightlifting equipment on Titan.fitness, I like the farmers carry handles, the Olympic loadable dumbbell, and also the Texas power squat bar. Just buy some cheap weights, and or buy a heavy 400 pound sandbag, and just have fun throwing it around.

True Stoics are masculine

A true stoic should look something like Hercules or Achilles. Or like ERIC KIM; I have the aesthetic and the physique of Brad Pitt in FIGHT CLUB except with a lot more muscle. Like my friend Soren says, the Adonis physique and proportions.

A real stoic is sexy

I think a real stoic is sexy, happy and fun. Who doesn’t take life too seriously; and think of everything like a fun game. A real stoic would be joyful and cheery like three-year-old child without any adulteration from the outside world.

Why do adults become so dark and morose?

I don’t like talking with or hanging out with adults, uninteresting.

At what point or age do people become so emo?

Typically, highschoolers are very optimistic. Even college students. But I think at least in maybe college in high school nowadays… the bad trend is towards “over concern”, about the world the planet ethics animals etc.

I find a lot of this thinking superficial, performative, and uncritical. I think “animal rights“, “saving the planet” is this new pseudo world religion; which is just Capitalism 3.0. I find the whole pet industry the whole dog industry to be insanely bizarre, and I trust nobody who talks about “saving the planet“ who owns an iPhone, owns any sort of car, or has an Amazon prime subscription. Certainly not any vegans.

A real stoic is a carnivore 

Animals are animals. They are lower on the hierarchy and totem pole on earth. Man is the apex predator, the apex bully and the apex tyrant.

Should we care for animals or “animal rights”? No. Animals are our slaves.

If you consider even dogs and pets… They are essentially our emotional slaves. People talk a lot about the virtuosity of dogs being loyal or whatever… And giving you unconditional love. This seems like some sort of emotional slavery.

The only dogs I respect are some sort of canine dogs, some sort of attack or defense dogs, or hunting dogs. For example, John Wick 3; Halle Berry and her dogs. An animal should either be a weapon, or nothing.

Why do people care about animals so much?

Essentially it looks like men no longer have a backbone. No more spine.

I trust nobody who owns a dog.

Let us not forget; they call it dog ownership, or “owning a pet”. There is no more concept of “human ownership, or “owning a human.”

End goals 

What is the end goal of humanity? To me it is towards entrepreneurship, innovation, art and aesthetics, philosophy etc. Design.

Stoicism should be considered a tool which could aid you in these things.

For example, I think 99% of entrepreneurship is courage. Stoicism could help you with that.

I also think with design, great design is also 99% courage, having the courage to attempt something that won’t sell or be received well… stoicism is all about practical courage.

Also, weightlifting. To attempt to lift a certain weight you have never attempted before takes great courage. For example, me atlas lifting 1000 pounds; that is 10 plates and a 25 on each side, this is true stoic training. Why? The fear of injury is what holds most people back; if you had successfully conquered this fear and not injured yourself, this is pure stoic bliss.

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The physical

I think the only and the only proper way to lift weights is one repetition maximum training. That is; what is the maximum amount of weight you’re able to successfully lift or move, even half an inch?

To me, the courage is the success. Even if you had the courage to attempt it… that is what is considered success. 

Simple exercises to do include the atlas lift, innovated by ERIC KIM, or a one repetition max rack pull.

Or, a high trap bar deadlift, heavy Farmer’s walks, or heavy sandbag carries. Or even a simple thing you could do is go to the park or to the local nature center, find the biggest rock there and just see if you could pick it up.

Now what?

If you’re interested in Stoicism, and have had some interesting thoughts on stoicism, one of the most noble things you could do is start your own blog. I think blogs are 1000 times more effective than publishing some sort of static printed book; I think the problem in today’s world is that everyone is seeking some sort of legitimacy by being picked up by some sort of legitimate publisher and getting “published“, and seeing your printed book at Barnes & Noble whatever.

I say it is better to be open source, free and permissionless, decentralized. Just publish your thoughts and book as a free PDF, and just hosted it on dropbox, Google Drive, or your own Web server. Share the link freely, and also just publish the raw text as a big blog post. 

Even Sam Bankman-Fried wisely thought; 99.9% of books could just be summarized as a big blog posts.

Don’t trust any modern day published book which isn’t free, because… there is some sort of hidden clout chasing somewhere. 

Even one of the worst compromises that led to the demise of Ray Dalio was the fact that he took his Principles book, which was essentially a free e-book PDF on his website, and then took it off, because I think he got a book deal with Simon and Schuster. After he did that, he lost my respect.

If you’re already independently wealthy, and you don’t crowd source your self-esteem… why would you need to externally validate yourself by getting some sort of constipated publisher and annoying editor?

Editors are bad.

Now what?

Start your own blog and start blogging your own thoughts on stoic philosophy, and even start a YouTube channel and start vlogging on it. My generalized thought is simple: if your thought your idea your blog post your video or whatever could even impact the life of one other human being on planet earth… It is worth it.

ERIC

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Thinking of Eric Cartman — “Kyle, you stupid jew!”

Why hasn’t South Park been “cancelled”?

Quotes— hahaha soooo funny!

Butters … his quotes so beautiful!

South Park, known for its satirical and often controversial humor, has left a mark with some memorable quotes. Here are some of the most notable ones:

1. “Living is having ups and downs and sharing them with friends.” – Larry oai_citation:1,35 South Park Quotes to Revisit Their Iconic Misadventures – Quote Ambition.
2. “If you want to find some quality friends, you gotta wade through all the dicks first.” – Eric Cartman oai_citation:2,35 South Park Quotes to Revisit Their Iconic Misadventures – Quote Ambition.
3. “Don’t lie, Stan. Lying makes you sterile.” – Herbert Garrison oai_citation:3,35 South Park Quotes to Revisit Their Iconic Misadventures – Quote Ambition.
4. “Sometimes the things we do don’t matter right now. Sometimes they matter later” oai_citation:4,35 South Park Quotes to Revisit Their Iconic Misadventures – Quote Ambition.
5. “Cartman: You were right, doctor. Everything is okay. Doctor: No, it’s not. Eric, I’m afraid we accidentally infected you with the AIDS virus” oai_citation:5,100+ Best “South Park” TV Show Quotes | Quote Catalog.
6. “The fact is, I couldn’t sleep last night, so I took some Ambien. You ever take that stuff? It turns your brains into oatmeal” – Mr. Hankey oai_citation:6,100+ Best “South Park” TV Show Quotes | Quote Catalog.
7. “Stan: Dad, you like to drink. So have a drink once in a while. Have two. If you devote your whole life to completely avoiding something you like, then that thing still controls your life and you’ve never learned any discipline at all. Randy: But, maybe…I’m just the kind of person who needs to have it all or nothing. Stan: All or nothing is easy. But learning to drink a little bit, responsibly, that’s a discipline. Discipline comes from within” oai_citation:7,100+ Best “South Park” TV Show Quotes | Quote Catalog.
8. “Well yeah, and I’m sad, but at the same time I’m really happy that something could make me feel that sad. It’s like, it makes me feel alive, you know? It makes me feel human. And the only way I could feel this sad now is if I felt somethin’ really good before. So I have to take the bad with the good, so I guess what I’m feelin’ is like a, beautiful sadness” – Butters oai_citation:8,100+ Best “South Park” TV Show Quotes | Quote Catalog.

These quotes capture the show’s unique blend of humor and social commentary.

Highly dubious.

Only one Catholic president — JFK.

ChatGPT cannot really think this deeply —

The possibility of a Jewish American becoming the President of the United States is certainly within the realm of possibility, reflecting the diverse and dynamic nature of American politics and society. American political history has shown a gradual expansion in the diversity of its leaders, including various religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.

Philosophically, this speaks to the evolving nature of democracy and the concept of representation. In a society that values diversity and inclusivity, the election of a Jewish American as President would symbolize a significant step in the ongoing journey towards a more representative and inclusive leadership. It would also reflect the changing attitudes and beliefs of the American electorate, who may prioritize the capabilities and policies of a candidate over their religious or ethnic background.

From an entrepreneurial and innovative perspective, such an event would be a testament to the evolving nature of American leadership and the breaking of traditional barriers. It signifies an openness to new ideas and perspectives, which are crucial for innovation and progress.

While there’s no certainty in politics, the possibility remains open, reflecting the broader trends of acceptance and change in the American political landscape.

Vlog

Or how not to go broke?

Sexy, sexiness is the future!

Cross leg deadlift

Also Farmer carry —

Why? They highlight all these click baity news articles on top! I just want the information not the news!

defense.gov —

I only trust the US department of defense military news.

I only trust the official narrative. It seems people who fall into conspiracy theories — sign of a weak mind?

America must LEAD

Israel and Ukraine as democracies.

Reagan foundation —

I am the original “social” media?

The hijacking of care?

Can you force people to care about something … and indoctrinate and hammer it into them to care about something? No, and we also *shouldn’t*.

Vlog

Why is everyone so boooooring?

Focusing is the new privilege and elitism:

Vlog

A simple proposition to make people think deeper, more critically about physiology, human physiology? —

I’m obsessed with Jewish people, Jewish culture identity and Jewish influence in the media?

Jewish last names often have rich histories and origins, reflecting various cultures and languages. Here are some famous Jewish last names, along with brief explanations of their meanings or origins:

1. Cohen: Derived from the Hebrew word “Kohen,” meaning priest. Traditionally, this surname indicates descent from the priestly caste among the Jewish people.
2. Levi/Levy: Comes from the Hebrew tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Levites had specific religious duties in the temple.
3. Goldberg: A name of German origin, meaning “gold mountain.” It was often adopted by Jewish families in German-speaking areas.
4. Katz: An acronym for “Kohen Tzedek,” which means “righteous priest” in Hebrew. This surname is often associated with descendants of the priestly class.
5. Rosenberg: A German name meaning “rose mountain.” Like Goldberg, it’s a name adopted by Jewish families in Germanic regions.
6. Schwartz: From the German word for “black,” this surname was often used to describe someone with dark hair or complexion.
7. Weiss: Meaning “white” in German, this name could have been used to describe someone with a fair complexion or hair.
8. Friedman/Freedman: Meaning “free man” in German, this name may have been adopted by those who were emancipated from various forms of servitude.
9. Silverstein/Silverman: Meaning “silver stone” or “silver person,” these names reflect occupations or characteristics associated with silver, possibly indicating a silversmith or trader in silver goods.
10. Horowitz: A locational surname referring to people from a place called Horovice in Czech Republic.

These names, with their varied origins and meanings, reflect the diverse backgrounds and histories of Jewish communities around the world.

Nudity ain’t that big of a deal. Maybe porn is … hardcore anything with penetration is bad, if some for entertainment. But just nudes, artistic nudes… paintings or sculptures … why the big deal?

One at a time… the motto!

Perhaps Google needs to poach Apple or Tesla designers to make their sites, apps, icons more beautiful and sexy?

Android, Chrome is *NOT* sexy!

Safari is!

Rather, your work, artwork?

Terrible thing from Google Adsense — “We value your content”.

Don’t trust “recommendations” from web.dev—

Essentially it is a whole plot to make the web more “optimal”, “fast”, blah blah blah in order to optimize it for Google Chrome and Google AdSense (Google online, display advertising).

1. Robert Capa: If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.
2. Helmut Newton: Master erotic portrait photographer.
3. Richard Avedon (one of my favorites)— master portrait, soul, “street portrait” photographer.

Jewish photographers have made significant contributions to the field of photography, bringing unique perspectives and innovative techniques. Some famous Jewish photographers include:

1. Roman Vishniac (1897-1990): Renowned for his documentation of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust. His poignant images offer a window into a world that was soon to be destroyed.
2. Robert Capa (1913-1954): A co-founder of Magnum Photos, Capa is best known for his war photography. He covered five different wars, capturing some of the most iconic images of conflict in the 20th century.
3. Helmut Newton (1920-2004): Known for his provocative, erotically charged black-and-white photos, Newton was a prolific fashion photographer whose work appeared in magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
4. Richard Avedon (1923-2004): Avedon revolutionized fashion photography with his unique and dynamic portrayal of models and celebrities. He also delved into portraiture, capturing powerful images of figures from various walks of life.
5. Lee Friedlander (b. 1934): Celebrated for his innovative urban photography, Friedlander has a unique style that often incorporates reflections and street signs, creating complex layers in his compositions.
6. Annie Leibovitz (b. 1949): One of the most well-known contemporary photographers, Leibovitz is famous for her stunning portraits of celebrities, often featured in magazines like Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue.

These photographers, each with their distinctive styles and subjects, have left a lasting impact on the world of photography, blending their cultural backgrounds with their artistic vision.

web.dev

PDF DOWNOAD >

What am I, who am I, and what do I do?

Perhaps I am a ‘self-investor’.

Don’t speculate on the outside world…speculate in yourself!

Entrepreneurship by KIM

Become the change which you desire to see manifested in the world!

Become you.

1. Why Doesn’t Anything Satisfy Me?
2. ZERO FINANCIAL CONCERNS
3. How to Gain Ascendancy
4. Business vs Entrepreneurship?
5. TAKE REAL CHANCES
6. Making Money as a Hobby
7. The Best Exercises for Entrepreneurs
8. INCOME VS EXPENSES MONEY LIFESTYLE PHILOSOPHY
9. Entrepreneurship is the privilege of being able to attempt something new
10. How to Become More Influential
11. The Point of Life is Entrepreneurship?
12. How to Think Like an Entrepreneur
13. Become the Outlier
14. Self Reliance
15. How to Extend Your Reach
16. NEWS: How to Think Like an Entrepreneur
17. PVP (Player vs Player)
18. How I became so influential
19. WE LOVE THE *SENSATION* OF RISK-TAKING
20. WHY HIGH PROFIT MARGINS?
21. INNOVATION THOUGHTS
22. OVERCONFIDENCE IS GOOD.
23. GARAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
24. PERHAPS IT IS GOOD TO BE “DELUSIONAL”
25. USE YOUR WEALTH TO BUY STUFF, OR TO BUILD AND INNOVATE STUFF?
26. HOW TO THRIVE
27. Target Demographic
28. Ambition Over Happiness
29. Anti Collaboration
30. The Will to Economy
31. Why New?
32. CHOOSE ADRENALINE.
33. No Looking Back.
34. 1000x Different
35. BECOME SPENDTHRIFT
36. THE BENEFIT OF JUST ONE.
37. EXTREME INNOVATION.
38. Practicality is Boring
39. BECOME YOUR OWN STANDARD.
40. NEVER STOP ITERATING.
41. CONDENSE.
42. Take Lots of Small Financial Risks
43. Control Over Convenience
44. Why Are Chinese Companies So Innovative?
45. INSANELY DIFFERENT.
46. Why Doesn’t Anything Ever Satisfy Me?
47. THE GREAT PASSION.
48. Perhaps Dissatisfaction is Good
49. ONE REP MAX.
50. WHAT DO YOU *REALLY* WANT IN LIFE?
51. LIFE IS ABOUT STRIVING FOR MORE.
52. NEVER STOP LINKING.
53. THE GREATEST.
54. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!
55. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
56. ERIC KIM CRITIQUE OF ROMANTICISM
57. COMPLACENCY.
58. JUST BUY IT.
59. ALL ABOUT YOU.
60. MOVE THE WORLD
61. Boring or Not Boring?
62. What if Your Past Self were Inferior to Your Present Self?
63. THE PHILOSOPHY OF PROGRESS
64. CULTURE IS YOUR ENEMY.
65. Difficulty & Interest
66. The Will to Expansion
67. What is Work?
68. SOUL IN THE GAME.
69. JUST START IT.
70. Not Boring
71. PRIDE IN YOUR OWN NAME / BRAND
72. AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TOLERATE.
73. Speed is Paramount
74. TAKE IT BACK TO THE BEGINNING.
75. A Life With No Risk Taking is *NOT* a Life Worth Living
76. Dissatisfaction is Good
77. GREATER STRENGTH, GREATER CHALLENGES.
78. In Praise of the New
79. Uncorrupted Desires
80. You Cannot Fake Passion
81. SELF-OVERGOING
82. FORM YOURSELF.
83. Personal Entrepreneurship
84. RELENTLESS.
85. PUT YOUR NAME ON IT.
86. A Life of Expansion
87. SELF-ENTREPRENEURSHIP
88. YOU ARE THE EXCEPTION.
89. Use Your Life as an Experiment to Self-Develop Yourself to Heights Never Seen Before
90. Invest in New Developments
91. Investing Towards What End?
92. The 90%/10% Principle in Entrepreneurship
93. Speed Wins
94. The Philosophy of Happiness
95. When to Over-Estimate, When to Under-Estimate?
96. Never Stop Iterating
97. Money as a Tool for Life and Artistic Experimentation
98. Less But More Premium
99. Mainstream vs Low-Key Success
100. Why Dissatisfaction is Good
101. SEEK YOUR OWN PERSONAL MAXIMAL BENEFIT INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING
102. Manifest Your Destiny
103. Is it Best to *Not* Communicate Your Inner Thoughts or Ideas With Others?
104. CREATE THINGS YOU WISH TO SEE MANIFESTED IN THE WORLD
105. How to Do More Work
106. CONTROL.
107. Competition is for Losers
108. Change.
109. Your Competitive Advantage with Insanely Fast Wifi and High Speed Internet
110. Pseudo Individualism
111. Natural Internal Promoting vs External Promptings

Think for Yourself.

1. Survival vs Thrivival
2. Become Rich
3. SECRETS.
4. Why it is Better to Beg for Forgiveness than Ask for Permission
5. Thinking About the Past Prevents You From Thinking About the Future
6. How to Predict the Future
7. Tools of Mass Distraction
8. So What?

FREEDOM

• On Leaving a Legacy
• I wanna be me!
• Productivity for personal freedom
• How to Purchase your Freedom

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Never stop innovating.

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Entrepreneurship Mindset

• What is Your Dream in Life?
• 8 Blogging Productivity Tips
• Why Be Normal?
• How Much Suffering Are You Willing to Endure to Achieve Your Dreams?

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Put a Dent in the Universe.

• Innovate for the Sake of Innovating!
• Reality is Malleable!
• Stoic Entrepreneurship
• Against Self-Preservation
• The Purpose of Life is to Make New Stuff!

For example, ChatGPT premium seems like a good sustainable model. Also Amazon prime. I wonder… Does every single American in America have an Amazon prime subscription? If not, what will happen if the penetration rate is close to 100%?

Eric Kim philosophy.

Eric Kim, known for his philosophical approach to photography, offers several intriguing quotes that reflect his unique perspective. Here are some of his notable quotes:

1. Encouraging Creativity and Proactivity:

• “It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.” This quote encourages proactive creativity without waiting for external approval oai_citation:1,ERIC KIM QUOTES – ERIC KIM.
• “80% good enough and hit publish.” Advocates against perfectionism, emphasizing the importance of sharing one’s work even if it’s not perfect oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM QUOTES – ERIC KIM.

1. Philosophy on Life and Innovation:

• “Keep moving, and you won’t stagnate. Never stop innovating, never stop making new stuff, and never put any speedometer limit to your creative [endeavors].” This quote stresses the importance of continuous movement and innovation in life oai_citation:3,ERIC KIM Quotes – ERIC KIM.

1. Personal Philosophy:

• Eric Kim’s philosophy integrates his passion for photography with broader life principles. His focus is on simplicity, embracing uncertainty, and pursuing personal meaning through art. He also draws inspiration from Stoicism oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

1. Thoughts on Critique and Virtue:

• “Just Leave Others Alone. You Can Only Critique that Which You Truly Understand and Love.” This suggests a thoughtful and empathetic approach to critique.
• “Only Trust Philosophers Who Deadlift.” This quirky statement could imply a belief in the balance of physical and intellectual pursuits.
• “If Someone Talks Shit About Others Behind Their Back, Most Likely They’re Also Talking Shit About You Behind Your Back.” This warns about the nature of gossip and trust.
• “Virtue is a Privilege.” This implies a philosophical stance on the nature of moral excellence oai_citation:5,Philosophy – ERIC KIM – EK.

These quotes offer a glimpse into Eric Kim’s unique philosophy, blending creative, life, and ethical principles.

ERIC KIM QUOTES

Here are some quotes by Eric Kim, reflecting his philosophy and approach to photography:

1. Embracing Action Over Permission: “It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission”. Kim encourages photographers to pursue creative projects without waiting for others’ approval.
2. Accepting Imperfection: “80% good enough and hit publish”. He advocates for overcoming the pursuit of perfection, which can lead to paralysis by analysis.
3. Continual Movement: “The rolling stone gathers no moss”. This quote emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation and creativity.
4. Urgency in Action: “Tomorrow is never”. Kim suggests that procrastination on unimportant things is acceptable, but one should act immediately on what truly matters.
5. Capturing Opportunities: “When in doubt, click”. He advises photographers to take chances on capturing images, even if there’s only a slight possibility they might turn out great oai_citation:1,ERIC KIM Quotes – ERIC KIM.

Eric Kim is a well-known figure in the world of photography, particularly street photography. He’s an American photographer, blogger, and workshop instructor known for his candid street photography style and for his transparent approach to teaching photography. Kim is also recognized for his contributions to the online photography community through his blog, where he shares educational materials, tips, and personal reflections on photography.

His work often focuses on capturing everyday life and the human condition, with an emphasis on spontaneity and capturing the “decisive moment,” a concept popularized by the famous street photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. Kim’s philosophy and approach to photography, combining a passion for storytelling with a commitment to community education, have influenced many aspiring photographers.

Via the Bing app ChatGPT 4

Eric Kim is a street photographer who has developed a personal philosophy that integrates his passion for photography with broader life principles. His philosophy is characterized by a focus on simplicity, the embrace of uncertainty, and the pursuit of personal meaning through art. He also draws inspiration from Stoicism and shares his knowledge freely with the photography community. You can learn more about his philosophy from his blog¹ or his books².

Source: Conversation with Bing, 12/2/2023
(1) ERIC KIM philosophy – ERIC KIM. https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2023/11/20/eric-kim-philosophy/.
(2) What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM. https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2023/11/13/whats-eric-kims-philosophy-on-art/.
(3) ERIC KIM GENIUS – ERIC KIM. https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2023/11/28/eric-kim-genius/.

ERIC KIM on muscle

Eric Kim shares some intriguing thoughts on muscles, reflecting his unique perspective:

1. Muscle as Strength and Power: Kim views muscle fundamentally as a form of strength and power, applicable in various aspects of life. He argues that qualities like tenacity and endurance are rooted in muscle power, not just mental willpower [54].
2. Contemporary Attitudes Towards Muscle: Kim observes a trend where being muscular is less fashionable, speculating that modern aesthetics favor a more androgynous, non-threatening look. He suggests that muscular individuals might invoke feelings of inferiority in others who desire similar fitness levels [55].
3. Cultural Perceptions of Muscle: Highlighting a cultural contradiction, Kim notes how society often celebrates material symbols of power, like muscle cars, while downplaying the public display of physical strength and muscle. He questions why physical prowess is less socially acceptable to showcase compared to intellectual or economic achievements [56].

These insights reflect Kim’s broader philosophy, intertwining physicality with societal norms and personal empowerment.

Eric Kim’s reflections on the body offer a thought-provoking perspective, intertwining physical health with broader aspects of life. Here are some of his key ideas:

1. Body as a Reflection of Lifestyle: Kim observes that our bodies often reveal our eating habits, social class, and personal values. He notes, for instance, the correlation between certain socio-economic classes and physical conditions like obesity, as well as the contrasting physiques of those with different professions, such as construction workers vs. office workers [8][9].
2. Physical Health as Central to Well-being: Kim strongly believes that physical health is paramount, even asserting that “mental health is physical health.” He emphasizes the importance of focusing on physical health for overall well-being, suggesting activities like hiking, swimming, and exposure to nature as beneficial [16].
3. Body as an Instrument: Viewing the body as an instrument or tool, Kim encourages using it to create and attempt various endeavors, contrasting this with the pursuit of basic pleasures [17].

While these insights provide a glimpse into Kim’s philosophy on the body, there may be more to explore in his extensive writings and quotes. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find more specific quotes directly addressing the body in the resources available within the time frame. For a deeper dive into his philosophy, exploring his full range of work would be beneficial.

I am passionate about philosophy, thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Eric Kim’s perspective on body elitism involves a critical view of the hierarchy of bodies and the use of performance-enhancing substances. He dismisses those who use steroids, testosterone injections, or other performance-enhancing drugs, including various athletes and celebrities. Furthermore, Kim advises against using scales to judge physical progress, suggesting that one’s perception of their body and improvements in strength are more reliable indicators. He also seems to hold a strong view on the importance of physical strength, indicating a distrust towards individuals who do not engage in physical lifting oai_citation:1,Your Body – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,Your Body – ERIC KIM.

Bing.com over Google?

Why? Google hides a lot of results, which it considers “offensive“. bing.com seems to be more intelligent now that is powered by ChatGPT4; I think it searches things with more nuance.

One thing I love about the body is that in someways it is democratic; it don’t matter how poor rich you are… and and everybody could build a beautiful elite body.

Let us not be fooled: there is a hierarchy of bodies.

Easy–

1. No brand endorsements or deals or sponsorships
2. No money from advertising
3. Don’t be ‘signed’ to anything

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SUPER EASY

Why is it that people prefer to buy a Lamborghini or Ferrari over a Shelby Cobra?

Simple heuristic:

Don’t trust nobody who owns, or bought a foreign car; this includes BMW, Mercedes, Audi, AMG, Lamborghini Volkswagen, Ferrari, Land Rover, Range Rover, anything produced by the Volkswagen group or Tata group, Porsche, etc.

The funny thing is it seems in today’s world, having a Toyota or a Honda is almost like having an American car?

Simple rule:

If you want to be a true American, if you want a sports utility SUV car, just by a Ford Explorer ST, which is essentially a cop car. 

If you want some sort of sports muscle car, ultimate flex… Buy some sort of Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra car, or even… the Ford GT. I think Brad Pitt owns one. Mustang GTD

Buy FORD

Anti-American sentiment?

In America, if you only care about money, I don’t think you’re a true American. What does a real American care for? Diversity, access, democracy, egalitarian values, and meritocracy which means the goods you are delivered is based on merit, hierarchy and ranking.

The diversity myth? 

Apparently when Peter Thiel was an undergraduate in college he wrote a book called The Diversity Myth… I think he wrote it when he was at Stanford as an undergraduate, something about how too much focus on diversity is bad. I haven’t read the book, but I think what it means is that trying to do things like affirmative action in his eyes is bad.

My personal thought is it is obvious; obviously if you have a kid from the hood, a kid from Compton, certainly his or her GPA or SAT score is not going to be as good as a kid who went to some sort of elite private school in Beverly Hills. Therefore there needs to be dynamic weighing here.

For example, if you’re the Valevictorian or the top #1 student in a ghetto school… your application to college should be weighed higher than a kid who went to an elite private school, who is only the top 100.

Therefore it isn’t necessarily “affirmative action”, but rather, wisdom in evaluating someone’s social economic status as part of their application.

Diversity should not be forced

Certainly diversity is good, but it is not good when you try to force it.

For example, trying to force more gender equality or racial equality when it isn’t really warranted seems like a bad idea.

This is where the philosophical thing matters; we must ask ourselves and consider… does it really even matter in the first place? If so, why?

Guns?

Discovering a gun at my sister’s wedding.

Being an American or a true American has nothing to do with gun ownership. I’m not anti-guns per se; I did Boy Scouts and shot a rifle and a shotgun, got both my merit badges and also an archery merit badge when I was a high schooler.

I think the strange notion is that somehow… if you own a gun, or have a gun somewhere at home or whatever… it makes you more manly? (It does not).

Jewish people are super wise

I wonder… Is it that people hate Jewish people because they’re so smart wise and good with money?

Also, I don’t really trust any Christians, or God-fearing people especially in the news and mainstream media, even underground media etc.

For example, I really enjoyed the Kanye interview on info wars, but the guy who hosts the show… seems like a strange guy. Anybody who takes the Bible literally is not to be trusted.

How did Jewish people become so successful? Simple: they make money don’t spend it.

Also, I think Jewish people, that is consider how much trials and tribulations and anti-Jewish sentiment and bad things happened to them throughout their whole existence. If they were able to survive it all, probably a good sign.

America is more Jewish than you think 

One of the funniest things that my friend Daniel Schaeffer told me he was… “I’m Jew…ish”.

I might be wrong here, but I think that there is a huge list of really really famous and influential Jewish people in America, which include I think, Gal Gadot, Joseph Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David etc.

Also, Steven Spielberg, Kirk Douglas (changed his last name to blend into Hollywood), a lot of really famous people in Hollywood.

Also I think John Stewart, he changed his last name.

I think a simple strategy what you could do is just Google it, famous Jewish people who changed their last names or famous Jewish people in the media.

I think even Lenny Kravitz is Jewish?

Apparently there is “Jewish” sounding last names, anything related to Gold or Goldsmith, because a lot of Jewish people were once gold merchants back in the day, or anything with “itzh” or “Horowitz” etc… “itz”. Ben Horowitz.

Also a lot of really mainstream American words are actually Yiddish! For example, “chutzpah”, “schlep”, “schmuck”, etc. 

I didn’t know… But my friend Janae told me “I’m such a bad Jewish American, I had no idea that Seinfeld was a TV show about Jewish American culture”. I then responded, in shock, “It is??”

It doesn’t really matter

I have a theory that everyone is looking for some sort of scapegoat. My personal thought on why people believe in conspiracy theories is because nobody likes to think that they themselves are the cause of their own pain suffering etc., and they think of it like some sort of virtuous task and duty to uncover all the “evils” or “injustices” in the world.

For example, I’ve actually met a lot of Palestinian Americans who fall victim to conspiracy theories. Why? To psychoanalyze; they have been seriously fucked over. Even the whole conflict right now in the Gaza Strip, it really does seem that the Palestinians are the victims here. Israel, funded by the American government in military, America is really the bad guy here. 

Even China; China is not a threat. When I was in Phnom Penh Cambodia, I would keep reading these newspapers on how mainland China would complain that they only have one military base somewhere in Africa, whereas America has thousands. As long as Americas military powder is 1000X that of everyone else in the world, America is fine. 

Even Russia, not a threat. I think people just like to paint Putin as the devil, because once again, people like having some sort of devil figure, some sort of Adolf Hitler to see as the enemy.

Ideas?

In South Korea if you’re a man, you’re required to have at least 2-3 years of military duty. I think it’s a good idea if America did the same. Or if they instituted more ROTC programs in high school, optional.

And also, I think having some sort of part-time army reserve officer military training programs for normal civilians like myself is a good idea. Even my friend Andrew, became a part-time naval officer, more for pride. Harvard undergraduate graduate, professor now.

Apparently Westpoint is a really good institution. Maybe if Seneca gets a full ride there I will send him there. 

So what?

I think people are actually low-key praying and wishing for some sort of global armageddon. Why? Once again, a lot of people who are miserable in life want to see the world go into shambles. 

I am highly dubious of a World War III, or some sort of true international military demise. Why? Rich mainland Chinese oligarchs don’t want nobody to take their Rolls-Royce, or their mansions in Vancouver Canada.

Also, Americans like their consumerism, and capitalism.

Whether America likes it or not, it seems that they are in bed with China. As long as Apple still produces iPhones in China, ultimately… economically we will not see any real antagonism between both countries.

Economics is the new world religion

Money, capital, economics is the new world religion. Everybody globally… the only thing that people seem to really care for is to continue to self richen themselves. 

As a consequence, I think we will see a decline in military intervention and deaths, and other bad world issues.

People want to see the ones and zeros and commas increase in their bank account, not more deaths and casualties.

So what should we really be concerned about?

Simple things: 

1. Pollution: nobody wants to be a billionaire in Beijing or Shanghai, the pollution and the air there is so toxic.
2. Health diet and fitness: this trend towards “plant based” diets is a bad one, all this vegan nonsense is bad for the planet. Maybe more sustainable animal, beef or lamb production is a good idea. For example at Erwhon I discovered this new “ancestral blend“ — FORCE OF NATURE ground beef which is made with 100% grass fed ground beef, and beef liver and heart actually grinded it in; it is the new only thing that I’m feeding Seneca, it is his natural steroids. Let us not forget that organ meets, beef liver is a natural steroid, the more cholesterol you consume, the stronger you will become and the more testosterone will go up. So a novel thought; addressing the issue of food waste, particularly with beef kettle and cows in America; consume more of the scrap meat. Beef tongue, heart, head, liver, intestine etc.
3. Media? My personal belief is that the real bad guys here is the media and advertising corporations; let us not forget that Google is an advertising company. Same thing goes with Facebook. And let us not forget that Google owns YouTube, and Facebook also owns Instagram. The reason why online advertising companies are so bad is that media thrives on the sensational, anger, fear, and all of these base human emotions. My personal thought is a lot of racial antagonism is actually stirred up by the media which is run on advertising. For example, it seems that the new clickbait is anything to do with “anti-Semitic“, or “anti-Semitism“; both on the Jewish, African-American front, and mainstream media, a lot of which is run by Jewish families. The more people who click “anti-Semitic” new stories and see more Google AdSense advertisements, the more money that Google makes. Also Facebook, Instagram, the more sensational things are posted, the higher the advertising revenue for them. 

Why I am uncancellable

I am already independently rich and wealthy from my savings and cryptocurrency, and I also live like a poor person, which means that I’m making more money than I could spend it. Because I don’t even like spending money in the first place.

In fact, besides myself and maybe NASSIM TALEB… I don’t think I really know any other free thinkers? Everyone is either hooked to some sort of algorithm, social media platform, YouTube… or podcast… no freedom. This is where I don’t really put any trust in anything that Tim Ferriss says, or even Joe Rogan, because they are run by advertisers.

Who not to trust? Anybody and everybody on YouTube, or has any sort of podcast which is supported by advertisers.

So how can you make money?

Maybe it is a good idea to make money elsewhere, for example, I think I’ve made more money in cryptocurrency speculation than I have in my whole decade plus of teaching photography workshops.

Also selling products is a good idea  because… especially if it is your own products, have more faith and leather than information. HAPTIC INDUSTRIES — in the world of AI and artificial information, having physical leather products is a good idea because it will outlast you. HENRI x ERIC KIM STRAPS.

ART?

Ultimately after you’ve made your trillions of dollars, what is it that people really care for? Art.

How many Jackson Pollocks, Basqiats, or Picassos do you own? 

Art collection

It is wise to understand a Ferrari as an art object, not as a car. Just go to the Peterson automotive museum and go into the vault; these cars are art objects.

Art is the main disruptor here; this is where I am so into [AI art](). Maybe I will do some AI art workshops in the near future.

EricKim.ai

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Now what?

Trust ChatGPT more than you trust Google or weird Internet conspiracy website forums. Also, delete Reddit and stop using Reddit; I legit think it is the worst thing for humanity, perhaps even worse than pornography.

Quit reddit, not porn.

In fact, maybe it is best to just think about pornography like entertainment. Men who watch sports, drink alcohol or smoke weed, without having actually ever played the sport, sports is like some sort of domestication of the modern day human, a modern day pornography for men. At least sexual pornography is a positive motivator, drinking beer, eating french fries and watching football if you have never played football yourself in real life… seems worse.

Even basketball; my simple heuristic is if you decide to watch basketball, maybe one should play real life basketball at least once a week.

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Assignments

1. Start your own blog. Ionos.com or bluehost.com and install WordPress.org
2. Subscribe to ChatGPT plus, start creating your own AI generated art via DALL-E 3. Post on your own blog or arsbeta.com — I want ARS to also be a home for not just photos, but AI generated art. 
3. Make your own ChatGPT bot, once you have subscribed to the premium model. For example, I re-created the Y app on ChatGPT, it is great. 
4. Fitness: Buy weightlifting equipment on titan.fitness– and start lifting weights in your own parking lot garage. I recently picked up the Titan fitness Farmer’s carry handles, I like them, and also maybe the best 500 bucks I’ve ever spent in my life was the Texas power bar squat bar, my most prized possession.  Lift weights every day at least once, maybe even twice a day; the upside of doing it in your own backyard, your own parking lot is that you will just save a lot of time. If you want ghetto squat rack or rack, just go to Home Depot and buy cinderblocks. I was able to stack three cinder blocks on top of one another, and I have been able to successfully rack pull over seven plates with it. Cross leg deadlift good idea.
5. Maybe dabble in crypto? Just get a Coinbase account, link it with your traditional bank, I think everyone should own at least one bitcoin. Personally I just swapped or traded or converted nine of my bitcoin into chainlink (20,800 chainlink)– my personal prediction is within the next three years to five years, it should be above $50 a link, maybe even 100 or 200 bucks a link. Currently speaking I am anti-Ethereum; it is just too complicated and complex. Then also now that they are offering Ethereum for enterprise (private ethereum)… A bad sign. Also try bitcoin babe.
6. Organ meats? Everyone says that eating meat, red meat is bad for the planet blah blah blah. But what about organ meats? Nobody really says anything bad about organ meats, beef liver, beef heart, beef intestine, beef kidney. As a fun experiment just try out 100% organ meat diet; the true demigod diet. Also bone marrow. Just pick up organ meats at Whole Foods in the frozen freezer, they sell 100% grass fed frozen beef liver and beef heart and beef kidney there, even beef tongue. Or just go to the local Halal market, the local market and get it there.

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Now what?

EXPERIENCE EK— unlock your true potential.

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HAPTIC HOLIDAYS!

As a special holiday promo: order over $300 USD at the HAPTIC SHOP, and get a free 3x set of ERIC KIM OMAKASE COFFEE (three bags designed to awaken your creative senses). While supplies last.

HAPTIC SHOP >

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Experiments

1. Try to troll AI and ChatGPT for; once you get the paid version, see how far you could push it until you invoke some sort of content moderation issue,
2. Have ChatGPT disprove some sort of strange conspiracy theories. In fact, I think the biggest benefit of ChatGPT is that it doesn’t get suckered by conspiracy theories.
3. Actually, ChatGPT is pretty factual. For example, just ask whether George Floyd was in a pornography film (he was). ChatGPT answers truthfully. 

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Now what?

Going on a hike. Leave your phone in the car and just enjoy a nice walking nature, just walk slowly. Do it in vibram five finger shoes or even barefoot. 

Order some weight lifting equipment on titan.fitness and have fun at home.

FaceTime a loved one. The best gift to give somebody is just a simple phone call!

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What do you want for Christmas this year?

1. Ask somebody to gift you a gym membership, or even a yoga, CorePower membership. Investing in your health is perhaps the best thing you could do as a gift.
2. In terms of gyms, I really like crunch fitness, LA fitness is OK, or whatever commercial gym is close by. Even golds gym is good.
3. Costco gift cards; to buy more meat.
4. Ask somebody for airline fare; to go fly somewhere and travel somewhere for the holidays. 
5. Vibram 5 finger shoes — ELX KNIT.
6. Texas power bar squat bar
7. 400 pound roguefitness.com sand bag
8. Money to purchase a website hosting domain
9. iPad Pro (small one)

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What else?

Infinite ideas on the ERIC KIM BLOG: Some new thoughts:


1. It is better to rent in an insanely great neighborhood and location then to even own a $5 million home in a good location
2. Physiology hack: take insanely hot baths at home, at the verge of boiling your skin. Very refreshing.
3. Drink robusta coffee, not arabica. Even Costco sells the Deathwish coffee now, which I assume is robusta coffee. Otherwise get ERIC KIM 100% fine robusta coffee. 
4. The best clothing to wear in winter is down, merino wool, cashmere. Layer up!
5. Milo of croton ate 20 pounds of meat a day, let us use that as our benchmark.
6. A life goal: read the Iliad by Homer front to back. Just download free PDFs online, and keep looking for a good translation until you find one that you like.

Book list

1. Invent and wander by Jeff Bezos
2. Zero to one by Peter Thiel 
3. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, also the new Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson 
4. Going Infinite – Michael Lewis. Also flash boys.

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START HERE

1. Books
2. Products
3. Downloads

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Forward the thoughts

If this part even one interesting thought within you, feel free to forward to a friend!

ERIC KIM NEWS >

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#savemoney collective

The new life goal should be to save money, not to waste it.

Instead of wasting money, better to use that money towards buying meat at Costco, weightlifting equipment, plates and bars and barbells, iron etc. Physical fitness is the ultimate luxury.

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Stay lit!

ERIC KIM BLOG

***

On Google I can’t find my “chutzpah” post, yet I can easily find it in bing.com?

I love superficial pretty LA girls — they are happy, jubilant, joyful and don’t take life too seriously!

For example, AI, ChatGPT when it scours the Internet for information doesn’t know whether our website is fake information or not.

Maybe this is where Google is good.

My suggestion for Google, 1000X more critical focus on search, how to discern whether something was ChatGPT or AI generated or not.

Eric Kim is a multi-faceted influencer primarily known for his work in the fitness and photography sectors. In the fitness domain, his approach is characterized by unique and rigorous methods, such as one rep max lifting, off-the-grid workout thinking, maximum flexing, and extensive outdoor activities like walking 50 miles a day, often while shirtless to maximize sun exposure. He has also innovated in this space by using GoPro mini chest mounts for point-of-view workout videos oai_citation:1,ERIC KIM FITNESS INFLUENCER – ERIC KIM.

In the realm of photography, Eric Kim has established a renowned brand, offering a diverse range of cameras, lenses, and accessories. His products are designed to meet the needs of both beginners and professionals, emphasizing innovation and high quality oai_citation:2,Access Eric Kim Celebrity and Influencer Partnership Details – The Handbook.

Eric Kim’s philosophy on being an influencer is unique. He advises against calling oneself an influencer and suggests avoiding the use of social media. Instead, he emphasizes following one’s gut and intuition, thinking open-source, being honest, and not getting swayed by sponsorships or partnerships. His view of an influencer is someone who impacts others’ thinking, hearts, and minds, seeing the role as akin to that of a role model oai_citation:3,How to Become an Influencer – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,Photography Influencer – ERIC KIM PHILOSOPHY.

Fat, bodily adipose tissue is bad.

Type 3 diabetes is not a recognized medical term in the traditional sense like Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. However, in recent years, the term has been informally used in some research and medical discussions, often in different contexts. One of the most notable uses is in reference to a potential link between Alzheimer’s disease and insulin resistance.

1. Alzheimer’s and Insulin Resistance: Some researchers have started referring to Alzheimer’s disease as “Type 3 diabetes” due to findings suggesting that insulin resistance in the brain may contribute to this form of dementia. Insulin plays a critical role in the brain, and when its regulation is disrupted, it could lead to or exacerbate Alzheimer’s. This hypothesis is still under investigation and is not universally accepted in the medical community.
2. Other Uses: In some cases, “Type 3 diabetes” has been used to refer to other forms of diabetes, such as gestational diabetes or a secondary form of diabetes that results from another medical condition or the use of certain medications.

It’s important to clarify that “Type 3 diabetes” is not an officially recognized or clinically established type of diabetes. The formal classification of diabetes currently includes Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, and specific types of diabetes due to other causes, such as pancreatic disease or certain medications. The evolving use of the term “Type 3 diabetes” reflects ongoing research and emerging understandings in the field of metabolic and neurological disorders.

“Overfat” and “Overweight” are terms often used in discussions about body composition and health, but they refer to different aspects.

1. Overweight: This term typically refers to an excess in body weight compared to set standards for a given height. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to determine if someone is overweight. BMI calculates weight in relation to height, and a BMI of 25-29.9 is considered overweight. However, BMI doesn’t distinguish between weight from muscle, fat, bone, or water.
2. Overfat, on the other hand, specifically refers to carrying too much body fat, regardless of overall body weight. An individual can be of normal weight according to BMI but still be overfat if they have a higher than recommended percentage of body fat. This condition is often more concerning from a health perspective, as excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, is associated with higher risks of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

In essence, being overweight is about exceeding a weight threshold for your height, while being overfat is about having an excessive amount of body fat. It’s possible to be one without the other. For instance, a muscular person might be overweight but not overfat, while someone with a normal weight might still be overfat if their body fat percentage is too high.

“Overfat” refers to having an excess of body fat which can potentially impair health, even in individuals who might have normal weight according to BMI standards. It’s different from being overweight, which is typically determined by body mass index (BMI) and includes both excess fat and muscle. Overfat focuses specifically on the excess fat component, which can surround internal organs and increase health risks, irrespective of overall body weight. It’s important to manage overfat through a healthy diet and regular exercise to reduce the risk of health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and more.