For example, transitions in your life, transitional websites, and also transitional training underwear for children.
Also, perhaps we could categorize hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles as transitional vehicles; not quite fully electric, not quite fully gasoline.
If we imagine real life like a Diablo II analogy; it seems that the apex pursuit is player versus player combat. PVP.
For example, when it comes down to it, only thing that people really care for is to get the best equipment, the most rare and legendary weapons and armor, an amulet, in order to maximize their player versus player come back abilities. For example, the barbarian and whirlwind in Diablo II seemed to be the best character.
In modern day times, we don’t really pit individuals against each other. Besides the UFC, boxing, there is no real big notion of a single player versus another single player. Instead, we moderns are all about fighting big concepts, but concepts are not real. People are.
Therefore, may be a better pursuit in life is to think of yourself as the primary character, and your interactions are just player versus player. For example, even social conversation; having the social courage to dominate a conversation. Or to charm or interest other person. This is where I think a lot of people are interested in the art of seduction; all the males identify the most beautiful and apex woman, and all the males strive to use their charming abilities in order to bed her.
Therefore, perhaps a better pursuit is for us to seek out more interesting solo individuals. For example, for myself, I could really care less about Tesla and SpaceX; I am more interested in Elon Musk as the individual. The same thing with Kanye West; I am not that interested in his clothing, I’m more interested in his personality.
Even with Apple; the only interesting people associated were Apple was Steve Jobs, and Jony Ive. But now that Steve Jobs is dead, and Jony Ive has left, Apple is no longer interesting.
The same thing with Google; Sergey Brin and Larry page were the only interesting people at Google. Now that they have left, Google has become a sort of strange Skynet; no true innovators or interesting individuals at the helm.
Where have all the interesting individuals gone?
Become the change which you desire to see manifested in the world!
Never stop innovating.
When it comes to matters of hygiene, or traveling light.
My theory on what steroids are; something that helps you recover quicker. Therefore, the obsession of bodybuilders on steroids, or powerlifters on steroids to frenetically go to the gym every single day, no matter what. For hours on end.
Also, apparently steroids are rampart in CrossFit as well. Whenever I look at people who are really into CrossFit, it seems the problem is that there is a glorification of pain, self suffering and overcoming, and having a work ethic to go to the gym every single day, at very very early hours.
What causes injury? Perhaps going to the gym too frequently, or working out too frequently. For example, maybe the negative biases that there’s so much injury in CrossFit is because they work out too frequently. Maybe people who go really really hard in CrossFit should just limit themselves to 1-3 times a week.
Even after doing my insanely epic 551 pound deadlift, actually, powing that high, perhaps my body needs at least a full two weeks to recover.Even after doing my insanely epic 551 pound deadlift, actually, powing that high, perhaps my body needs at least a full two weeks to recover.
The insanely great innovation of Elon musk and cyber truck is that it made trucks interesting to people who are in the tech industry, typically we think of people who like trucks as rednecks.
Lesson; no stereotypes.
This is the paradox of going to the gym; technically, when you’re actually working out, you’re actually becoming weaker. However, you must actually stress your muscles every once in a while, in order to get stronger in the long run.
Technically you’re getting stronger when you’re resting, sleeping more, napping, and eating more meat.
Therefore the ideal is actually to go to the gym as little as possible. Maybe once a week, or once every two weeks.
The notion of etiquette is actually very very interesting; it is typically a French word, which were little notes to keep people off the grass. Atachier (old French, “attachâ€) is the origin.
Typically speaking, etiquette is a form of social norms to keep society and people orderly. For example, if there was no etiquette of standing in line, there would be much more pandemonium and chaos, and people getting angry, thinking forms of justice.
In someways, etiquette is actually a form of showcasing your social privilege and rank. For example, the etiquette of where to place your forks and knives, is an offshoot of royalty. Then, the commoners who desire to feel more royal, adopt the social norms of the aristocracy, desiring to emulate them. And this is the thought:
If I follow the social norms of the elite, and royal aristocracy, perhaps I can also become elite and royalty.
But the question is this; does emulating the actions and behaviors of the elite, help aid you to become elite?
Two Asian countries in which etiquette are very very critical is Japan and South Korea. I will speak a little bit about the Japanese, and also the Korean, as I am Korean.
If you think about the history of Japan, it was all about piety towards the emperor. Also, social etiquette built order, ans this helped the Japanese build a very strong military.
For South Korea, which is heavily based on Confucianism, the notion of etiquette was towards building a harmonious social society structure. However, what was different in Confucian times, and now is that there were stronger forms of social stratification with Confucianism. In Confucianism, there was the king and royalty, the commoners, the workers, the peasants, and the slaves (serfs). South Korea today is kind of a strange mishmash of Christianity, Protestantism, evangelism, American western notions, and Confucianism. And, South Korea is now seen as a meritocracy:
The harder your kids study, the more intelligent they are, the higher grades they get, and the higher standardized test scores they get, they will ascend to the heights of society.
In South Korea the calculus is simple; the more book smart you are, the more elite you will become, the more wealth you will accumulate, and the more prestige and power you will have. And the interesting thing is actually in South Korea, it is not money for the sake of money; instead, money is simply seen as a form of success. And for Koreans, to become successful is the apex value. Money is simply a way to quantify your success.
In terms of social etiquette, I think commonly around the globe, people seem to disdain the rich mainland Chinese, who have “no classâ€, and don’t follow forms of social etiquette. For example, it is not really seen as a big deal to spit in public, yell and talk loudly, boss people around, not line up in queue, and take up space.
However, when I really really think about it, the rich noveau rich mainland Chinese are intelligent. They don’t have these western notions of “egalitarianismâ€â€” they see things more honestly. For example, in America, we put on the big show to treat service workers, waitresses in staffs with “respect.†However, for the rich mainland Chinese, they see social stratification clearly;
I am your superior, and you must serve me.
Therefore, they will keep abuse on service workers, shout at them, boss them around, demand much.
One of the greatest benefits of studying sociology, and thinking things more carte blanche is this:
Why is it that we follow these social norms, and how do these social norms restrict my own self?
For example, in America, shame culture is very strong. Also, there is a strange sense of fear of showing your genitalia to other people of the same sex; it is not a social norm for young boys to be naked around each other. However in South Korea, and Asia, it is not really a big deal. For example, in America, in locker rooms boys never get fully naked. And they also don’t take showers. In Asia, it is super common for guys to be naked around each other all the time, it is not a big deal.
Also, America has very strange notions when it comes to homophobia, and also norms when it comes to clothing. For example, why is it that women could wear tight leggings, and show off their boobs, but guys are not allowed to show their crotch or balls bulge? I have yet seen any guys wear only compression leggings tights or shorts at the gym, without any shorts or clothing to hide their junk.
In America, typically speaking, it is only homosexual men who are allowed to wear more “feminine“ clothing. The closest trend we had in the early 2000s was the notion of the “metrosexual“, now it seems like the trend is towards “trans-sexual, trans-genderâ€, or no gender — more towards a type of androgyny.
A simple life hack I have discovered when traveling, abroad or even in the states:
I always stand in the priority or first class line, even though I always fly economy.
Why is this? The life hack I discovered is that even though you may have an economy ticket, if you stand in the first class line, and you are able to finesse the attendant working there, typically they will turn a blind eye and just process you quickly. The only reason people don’t do this is the shame or the fear of being called out. However, the best way to become more successful is to become more shameless.
If you actually do get called out, you can just beg them to “help you this one time“, or make up some fake excuse. Or you could say it is because “your kid is crying and not doing wellâ€. This takes balls. But it is totally worth it, I think my hit rate is around 90%.
Then I have discovered that it is all about confidence, standing upright, and acting like the boss, and walking around like you’re super rich. Like Cindy said, rich people walk differently.
Even if you think about the Justin Timberlake film “in timeâ€, you can differentiate the rich people and the poor people by how quickly or slowly they walked. They’re really really rich people with all the time on their hands, walked very slowly. The poor were always running around, because they had no time.
It depends. I think if you want to win, and not be a sucker, you should disregard all social etiquette within the bounds of legality. Because there’s a difference between what is legal, and what is considered etiquette or “proper behavior“.
For example, if you’re a woman, it is illegal to walk around outdoors topless. However if your man, it is not illegal for you to walk around in public without a shirt on.
However there is funny nuances; as a woman, you could actually walk around with a sports bra, walk around with a bra, or walk around with a transparent shirt, showing off your nipples through your shirt.
Also, I believe it is illegal for a man to walk around in public without pants on. However, in theory you could walk around in public with a speedo, or even your boxers.
What is tricky is the difference between private places, and public places. Private places, the shopping mall, etc., can institute arbitrary rules for clothing. However if you’re in public, you have a lot more freedom.
I don’t think this: if your goal is to maximize your greatness in life, in your personal advancement, I say ignore all social etiquette within the bounds of legality, just don’t break the law, but become more socially reckless.
ERIC
Everybody seeks their own supremacy and their own elevation.
The first thought is this: optimize your health. You know your own health best. Without great health, there can be no greatness.
The goal isn’t to just live in some sort of pampered luxury, and comfort where you don’t have to do anything. We like to do things. Therefore, the goal is to try to figure out virtuous avenues for you to output your power.
For example, one rep max powerlifting at the gym. Or, publishing things, sharing things, and sending things which you think might make an earthquake in the souls of others.
Sample, one of the ways I am able to do this is via condensing lots of interesting thoughts and powerful ideas, into a text-based email newsletter.
To become supreme, doesn’t mean to sit on your laurels. Even if you’re on top, or on top of the mountain, you must seek to go further.
This is why you should never ever compare yourself with others, because when you compare yourself with others, it stunts your potentiality for your upwards growth. This is where framing yourself in the context of others is so detrimental to your growth, because, by pegging your self to another person or number, it prevents you from imagining even greater things.
For example, with physical strength. When you look at other guys at the gym, and how much they can lift, this is a bad comparison. Why? Even if they are a lot stronger than you, maybe it is a good idea to strive to become even quantum leaps stronger than them. You do not want to use other guys as a benchmark for yourself.
For example, you see somebody that deadlifts 650 pounds at the gym. Maybe it’s more interesting of a goal for you to strive to deadlift 750 pounds, 850 pounds, 950 pounds and beyond?
The only things which exist is courage and strength. Your appetite for risk. No need for reward.
For example, the lightest phone, the lightest laptop, the lightest clothes, the lightest shoes.
Vietnam is more dynamic, more street life. Cambodia is less populated, more Buddhist and Zen like.
For example, Uber.
Apparently, defense is permitted, however, offense is not. Why is this?
Self defense is a concept, but self-offense is not?
I desire to GET RID of more stuff and baggage from my life!
Also surprisingly a great place for kids to hang out. Seneca loves hanging out at the CrossFit gym.
This is what makes photography great to me— the details.
Macro mode, RICOH GR IIIX:
Why I love beta:
What does it mean to ‘live beta’? It means to prefer a life of instability and radical newness, even though it may be ‘worse’ and ‘instable’.
The reason why this is such a radical notion:
In modern day times, we all seek ‘stability’ for ourselves, our ‘families’, etc.
Much of buying a home– the notion of building ‘stability’ for your ‘growing family’.
But … what if IN-STABILITY were in fact the superior route? That in order to extract the maximum out of life and existence that you MUST seek MAXIMAL instability and dynamism in your life? What would this mean?
Also the fun idea–
Then, your art is never final or perfect. Rather, the ongoing ‘beta testing’ of your artwork is in fact the goal.
Also as a life thing:
Seek the life of maximal change and instability.
A ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle. Or a semi-nomadic one. A life full of travel, unexpectedness, foreign-ness, and learning new things, languages, peoples, cultures, etc.
Beta is often inferior to the more ‘stable’ release, or the public release. Yet, Beta is sexier, more interesting, more bleeding-edge. This is what we love as technologists. To always be on the bleeding-edge of things.
Also if we think about this as a lifestyle approach, it is fun:
Every day is a new fun exciting chance and opportunity for you to test out something new!
A new approach, a new thought, a new concept, etc/
One thing I also like about the beta mindset is this: there is no right or wrong, everything is just testing.
For example, when I observe Seneca engage with the world, he is just beta testing physics. He sees certain things and objects and interacts with it, and what he is trying to discover is how it reacts as response to him. There’s no right or wrong here; he is simply testing physics, action and reaction, Action and effect.
The problem with a lot of philosophers and thinkers is this: they seek a supreme final, immutable answer to everything. Even Stephen Hawking and his pursuit for “a theory of everything.â€
However, seeking an ultimate system, or being a systematizer is bad. Even our best friend Friedrich Nietzsche said “I distrust all systemizers.†Even one of his unfinished books, “The Will to Powerâ€, he ultimately scrapped it at the end because he realized he was making an ultimate system.
In some ways, Apple and technology is the ultimate optimistic system; there will always be something new and fresh. Even a funny thought:
One of the best reasons to keep living, is to simply be able to be alive and witness new innovations given birth.
Also, one of the great reasons to be a photographer is that we are the ultimate synthesis and hybrid of technology and art. Consider, the camera is one of the most technological apparatus for creating art. And yes, us as photographers are artists.
Therefore, as time goes on, new innovations will continue to be given birth which will make our lives as photographers happier, more productive, more creative, more artistic, more efficient, and lighter.
Even the other day when I was shooting some street photography at the mall here in Phnom Penh, I was thinking to myself; “Wow, I wish I had a Ricoh GR 3 or Ricoh GR 3X when I was starting off in street photography. How much I hated my old heavy DSLR canon 5D.â€
Even now, I am so grateful for the iPad. The iPad Pro is literally one of the best innovations and creations ever made, first conceived of by Steve Jobs and his crew, and perfected by more recent Apple engineers and artists.
Another good reason to live beta, and think beta is that it is optimistic. The notion of beta in first that things are always improving, piece meal by piece meal.
Also, there seems to be some sort of pride for people who are beta testers. That they are willing to sacrifice stability, and predictableness, in lieu of making things better. Even when I think about myself, and my experimental living philosophy, I am simply be the testing concepts for myself, in order to discover new things, and sharing them with others.
For example, transforming my passion for street photography into my living, intermittent fasting, intermittent fasting and powerlifting (I think I might have been the first person to have deadlifted 551 pounds, fasted, without the aid of a belt, straps, protein powder, creatine, etc.)
Also, my curiosity about composition in photography is this: I am simply curious about what makes an interesting and dynamic photo, and I am interested in making theories which could aid future photographers.
The first thought; never plan anything a day in advance. You have no idea what your tomorrow health will be, your tomorrow mood, how well or poorly slept night prior. Treat every day carte blanche, like a blank slate.
Another idea, install beta profiles for all of your Apple devices. Beta.Apple.com is the way (https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram) — you come a beta tester, and also send your feedback.
Upload your photos to arsbeta.com to learn how to improve your photos.
Also, prioritize your health and mood. Subtract things which make you feel unwell.
With photography, don’t think that you are striving to make a perfect photo, like Henri Cartier Bresson. instead, think about photography as beta testing with reality;
If I make a photo of this, how will it manifest as a photo?
SHOOT ON!
ERIC
Test reality:
What can you become as a photographer?
Why are you not allowed to stare at strangers in America, and the west?
If any ideas here sparked some beta ideas — feel free to forward to a friend!
