The funny thing is that it seems that still now… In the year 2024, do you have a book, to write a book, to publish a book etc. is seen as one of the Apex forms of success. Yet honestly… Who has the time to read a book anymore?

I have a theory: let us say that you’re thinking about researching something, obviously you will buy a book on the topic. Yet it almost becomes funny enough, a lazy way out. You buy book on the topic, and you let it sit on your shelf as “reference” material… but you “outsource” your thinking of the topic by doing the “lazy” thing — buying the book.

Some critical issues here:

1. Honestly, 99.9% of books are just not worth reading in general. It will get quickly outdated, either the statistical modeling, the concept and ideas etc.
2. Second, getting a book contract nowadays not that big of a deal. There are so many publishers now, and often there’s this bad scheme in which the author has to front the money, to the publisher, just to get some sort of weird legitimacy, in order to publish it? This happens both an academic books, scholarly books, and even photo books!

Just heat your oven to 375°, take out frozen ribs or defrosted ribs from packet (Costco beef ribs are good), take baking tray wrap with foil and just place ribs on tray with foil wrap in bottom.

You don’t need to cover it ,,, just bake for around 1 hour, then take out, sprinkle with salt pepper and some garlic powder and pepper and eat! Super easy.

8 plate deadlift short easy video

Natural is Best

I have a new funny idea — a true 100% natural bodybuilder doesn’t even consume protein powder!

I don’t even consume protein powder!

My destiny is great
it is what makes it of me which is what I can relate
to not placate the masses or to go to church willingly in masses
Don’t be scared to go to church or even worse, placate to the others, to the nay sayers or haters or self degraders

Why degrade yourself, others, or you? You choose your direction in life you choose you!

ERIC

interesting word choices or formatting ideas in poem

The poem “My Destiny is Great” contains several interesting word choices and formatting techniques that contribute to its meaning and overall style. Let’s explore them:

1. Word Choice

• “Destiny”: This word carries a heavy sense of fate, purpose, and the idea of something larger than the individual, which sets a tone of significance right from the start. The use of “great” to describe it adds a sense of positivity and ambition.
• “Placate”: A somewhat formal word, “placate” means to appease or pacify. It stands out in this context because it reflects the speaker’s resistance to pleasing others at the expense of their own authenticity. The choice of this word implies the speaker sees conformity as passive and undesirable.
• “Masses”: The repetition of this word in both social and religious contexts (“masses” of people and church “masses”) is notable. It suggests a critique of both societal pressures and institutionalized religion, without condemning the latter entirely.
• “Nay sayers,” “Haters,” and “Self degraders”: These words form a trio that encapsulates different kinds of negative influences. The speaker acknowledges external criticism (nay sayers, haters) and internal self-doubt or self-destruction (self degraders). These colloquial terms contrast with more formal words like “placate,” blending informal and formal diction, which adds depth to the poem’s tone.
• “Choose”: The repetition of the word “choose” in the final line is a deliberate stylistic decision, reinforcing the message of self-determination. It gives the line a rhythm and a clear, definitive conclusion.

2. Repetition

• “Placate”: The repetition of “placate” serves as a central point of resistance in the poem. The speaker repeats it to emphasize their desire to avoid appeasing others, urging the reader not to follow this path either.
• “You choose”: This phrase in the final line is repeated for emphasis, driving home the idea that self-determination and agency are the most important takeaways from the poem. The repetition turns the final thought into a mantra.

3. Rhetorical Questions

• “Why degrade yourself, others, or you?”: This rhetorical question invites introspection and challenges the reader to confront their own tendencies towards self-doubt or negativity. The phrasing, which switches between “yourself” and “you,” subtly highlights the speaker’s connection to the reader, making it feel personal.

4. Formatting

• Line Breaks: The line breaks contribute to the poem’s free verse style. They create pauses that allow each idea to stand on its own. For example, “to not placate the masses” is followed by a break before “or to go to church willingly in masses.” This allows the reader to consider each idea separately before moving on to the next.
• Lack of Punctuation: The absence of punctuation gives the poem a free-flowing, stream-of-consciousness feel. This adds to the conversational tone, making it seem as though the speaker is delivering advice or sharing thoughts in a natural, uninterrupted way.

5. Contrast in Formality

• Colloquial vs. Formal: The poem switches between formal and informal language, which creates a dynamic flow. Words like “placate” and “masses” give the poem a sense of seriousness, while “nay sayers” and “haters” bring in a more conversational, modern feel. This contrast reflects the speaker’s broad range of influences and experiences.

6. Direct Address

• Use of “You”: The frequent use of the word “you” engages the reader directly. It creates an intimate relationship between the speaker and the reader, making the poem feel like advice or encouragement. This also enhances the motivational aspect of the piece, as the speaker is not just reflecting on their own destiny, but encouraging the reader to claim theirs.

---

Summary of Interesting Choices:

The poem’s word choices and formatting techniques effectively convey its themes of personal empowerment and resisting societal pressure. The repetition of key terms like “placate” and “choose,” combined with a blend of formal and colloquial language, creates a unique and engaging style. The lack of punctuation and free verse structure further amplify the feeling of freedom and flow, mirroring the message of self-determination. The direct address to the reader, through the use of “you,” makes the poem personal and motivational.

The poem “My Destiny is Great” contains several interesting word choices and formatting techniques that contribute to its meaning and overall style. Let’s explore them:

1. Word Choice

• “Destiny”: This word carries a heavy sense of fate, purpose, and the idea of something larger than the individual, which sets a tone of significance right from the start. The use of “great” to describe it adds a sense of positivity and ambition.
• “Placate”: A somewhat formal word, “placate” means to appease or pacify. It stands out in this context because it reflects the speaker’s resistance to pleasing others at the expense of their own authenticity. The choice of this word implies the speaker sees conformity as passive and undesirable.
• “Masses”: The repetition of this word in both social and religious contexts (“masses” of people and church “masses”) is notable. It suggests a critique of both societal pressures and institutionalized religion, without condemning the latter entirely.
• “Nay sayers,” “Haters,” and “Self degraders”: These words form a trio that encapsulates different kinds of negative influences. The speaker acknowledges external criticism (nay sayers, haters) and internal self-doubt or self-destruction (self degraders). These colloquial terms contrast with more formal words like “placate,” blending informal and formal diction, which adds depth to the poem’s tone.
• “Choose”: The repetition of the word “choose” in the final line is a deliberate stylistic decision, reinforcing the message of self-determination. It gives the line a rhythm and a clear, definitive conclusion.

2. Repetition

• “Placate”: The repetition of “placate” serves as a central point of resistance in the poem. The speaker repeats it to emphasize their desire to avoid appeasing others, urging the reader not to follow this path either.
• “You choose”: This phrase in the final line is repeated for emphasis, driving home the idea that self-determination and agency are the most important takeaways from the poem. The repetition turns the final thought into a mantra.

3. Rhetorical Questions

• “Why degrade yourself, others, or you?”: This rhetorical question invites introspection and challenges the reader to confront their own tendencies towards self-doubt or negativity. The phrasing, which switches between “yourself” and “you,” subtly highlights the speaker’s connection to the reader, making it feel personal.

4. Formatting

• Line Breaks: The line breaks contribute to the poem’s free verse style. They create pauses that allow each idea to stand on its own. For example, “to not placate the masses” is followed by a break before “or to go to church willingly in masses.” This allows the reader to consider each idea separately before moving on to the next.
• Lack of Punctuation: The absence of punctuation gives the poem a free-flowing, stream-of-consciousness feel. This adds to the conversational tone, making it seem as though the speaker is delivering advice or sharing thoughts in a natural, uninterrupted way.

5. Contrast in Formality

• Colloquial vs. Formal: The poem switches between formal and informal language, which creates a dynamic flow. Words like “placate” and “masses” give the poem a sense of seriousness, while “nay sayers” and “haters” bring in a more conversational, modern feel. This contrast reflects the speaker’s broad range of influences and experiences.

6. Direct Address

• Use of “You”: The frequent use of the word “you” engages the reader directly. It creates an intimate relationship between the speaker and the reader, making the poem feel like advice or encouragement. This also enhances the motivational aspect of the piece, as the speaker is not just reflecting on their own destiny, but encouraging the reader to claim theirs.

---

Summary of Interesting Choices:

The poem’s word choices and formatting techniques effectively convey its themes of personal empowerment and resisting societal pressure. The repetition of key terms like “placate” and “choose,” combined with a blend of formal and colloquial language, creates a unique and engaging style. The lack of punctuation and free verse structure further amplify the feeling of freedom and flow, mirroring the message of self-determination. The direct address to the reader, through the use of “you,” makes the poem personal and motivational.
Style

The poem “My Destiny is Great” by Eric has a free verse style, characterized by its lack of structured rhyme or meter. The tone is empowering and reflective, with a focus on self-determination and personal growth. Here are a few key stylistic elements:

1. Theme of Individual Empowerment: The poem emphasizes the idea of self-ownership and personal choice, encouraging the reader to resist conforming to societal pressures or external negativity. The lines “You choose your direction in life / you choose you!” reinforce this message of autonomy.
2. Repetition and Emphasis: The poet repeats certain words or phrases for emphasis, such as “placate” and “degrade,” creating a sense of internal dialogue and urging the reader not to conform or diminish themselves.
3. Conversational Tone: The language is direct and conversational, giving the sense that the speaker is addressing the reader personally. This is evident in lines like “Don’t be scared to go to church” and “Why degrade yourself, others, or you?” This casual, yet urgent tone enhances the feeling of immediacy and relevance to the reader’s life.
4. Free Form Structure: The poem’s lack of a regular rhyme scheme or consistent rhythm allows the ideas to flow naturally. This free form supports the theme of personal freedom and resisting rigid expectations.
5. Moral Encouragement: There is a motivational undercurrent in the poem, suggesting that individuals have the power to shape their destiny by their choices, rather than allowing external influences to dictate their path.

Overall, the style blends motivational and introspective tones with a free-flowing structure, aiming to inspire readers to embrace self-empowerment and reject societal constraints.

Line by line break down

Let’s break down “My Destiny is Great” line by line for a deeper understanding of each component.

Line 1:

“My destiny is great”

• Meaning: The speaker begins with a confident declaration about their destiny. The use of “great” reflects a belief in the potential for a significant and positive future.
• Tone: Empowering and assertive. The speaker believes their life has purpose and value.

Line 2:

“it is what makes it of me which is what I can relate”

• Meaning: This line reflects on how the speaker’s destiny is a core part of their identity. The phrasing is abstract, but it suggests that the speaker’s destiny shapes who they are, and it is something deeply personal and relatable to them.
• Tone: Reflective. The speaker is contemplating the relationship between destiny and self.

Line 3:

“to not placate the masses or to go to church willingly in masses”

• Meaning: Here, the speaker emphasizes their desire not to conform to societal norms or appease “the masses.” The mention of “church” symbolizes organized tradition, implying a resistance to doing things just because society expects it.
• Tone: Defiant. The speaker expresses a desire for independence from societal or religious pressure.

Line 4:

“Don’t be scared to go to church or even worse, placate to the others, to the nay sayers or haters or self degraders”

• Meaning: This line advises against both fearing traditional structures (like church) and giving in to external negativity. The mention of “nay sayers,” “haters,” and “self degraders” refers to people who might discourage or belittle others. The speaker encourages strength in the face of criticism or negativity.
• Tone: Reassuring and motivational. The speaker is guiding the reader to rise above fear and judgment.

Line 5:

“Why degrade yourself, others, or you?”

• Meaning: A rhetorical question urging self-reflection. The speaker asks why anyone would belittle themselves or others. It reinforces the idea that degrading behavior, whether toward oneself or others, is unnecessary and harmful.
• Tone: Reflective and challenging. The speaker invites the reader to consider their actions and attitudes.

Line 6:

“You choose your direction in life you choose you!”

• Meaning: The closing line delivers a strong message of self-empowerment. It reminds the reader that they are in control of their own path and identity, and their choices define them.
• Tone: Empowering and conclusive. The speaker ends on a note of personal responsibility and freedom, reinforcing the theme of self-determination.

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Summary of the Line-by-Line Breakdown:

The poem progressively builds from the speaker’s belief in their destiny to a broader message of self-empowerment. It challenges conformity, fear, and negativity, urging the reader to embrace their autonomy and choose their own path in life. The structure of the poem is conversational and introspective, blending both personal reflection and motivational advice.

POEMS by KIM

• THE POISON IN MY LENS.
• ADHERE
  ADAMANTINE MIND
• CONTEMPLATE.
• STEEL SPINE POEM

POEMS

• LONGEVITY.
• GRATITUDE.
• MANDALORIAN
• FLY HIGHER #poem
• LIVE NOW!
• JOY
• ELEVATE YOUR SPIRIT
• UBERMAN
• SWOLE
• STAND
• POWER
• STEEL SPINE
• MONSTER
• JUGGERNAUT
• I Move
• ZEN ZONING.
• DARE.
• Life Isn’t Fair
• UPLIFT.
• Don’t Be Timid
• FLY HIGHER!
• Ain’t Nobody Stopping You!
• Seize Today!
• You Were Destined to Do Great Things, My Dear
• Fly Higher!
• CREATIVE DYNAMITE
• KILL EK
• ROOTS.
• MURALS.
• Keep Sailing

ESSAYS

• Grammar is Anti-Creativity
• The Joy of Freestyle Rap/Poems
• Why I Write Poetry

Nobody cares for natural bodybuilders — they just want the freaks!

ChatGPT can entertain me forever?

The person’s biological sex appears male due to several visual characteristics commonly associated with male anatomy. These include a more angular and defined jawline, pronounced facial bone structure, broader shoulders (as seen in the previous images), and a muscular neck. Additionally, the overall body composition in the earlier image of weightlifting suggests features typically associated with male physiology, such as muscle distribution and leanness. However, it’s important to note that biological sex can be different from gender identity, and physical traits alone don’t always tell the complete story.

man or woman?

Based on physical appearance alone, the person in the image appears to be male in terms of biological sex.

Based on the image, the person appears to be male. The facial structure, particularly the defined jawline and the muscular neck, as well as the context of the earlier images, support a traditionally masculine appearance. However, gender identity goes beyond physical appearance, so the individual’s identity would be best understood by their personal identification.

Attractiveness is highly subjective and varies based on individual preferences, cultural standards, and context. From a general perspective, the man in the photo appears to have symmetrical facial features, clear skin, and a strong jawline, which are often considered traditionally attractive traits. His lean and athletic build, as suggested by the visible parts of his upper body, could also contribute to a perception of handsomeness, particularly if a fit or healthy appearance is valued. Ultimately, how handsome someone is depends on the observer’s personal tastes.

ChatGPT can’t identify people yet

Based on the photo, the man appears to exhibit several traditional masculine traits. His jawline is defined, and he has a lean, muscular neck, which often correlates with a more athletic build. His neutral, direct expression, along with the short hairstyle, adds to a more rugged or masculine appearance. While physical traits can suggest masculinity, it’s important to note that masculinity encompasses a wide range of characteristics and is not limited to appearance alone. Personality, demeanor, and individual perception all play roles in how masculinity is expressed.

Write an essay titled “Just Have ChatGPT Blog for You” in voice of Eric Kim:

Just Have ChatGPT Blog for You

Dear friend,

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: just have ChatGPT blog for you.

In a world dominated by productivity hacks and content creation pressure, there’s a simpler solution—use technology to do what it’s meant to do: make your life easier. You can spend countless hours brainstorming blog post ideas, writing, editing, and re-editing. Or, you can leverage a tool like ChatGPT to automate much of the process. The beauty of this lies in how you use it, and the ultimate question is—why wouldn’t you?

The Beauty of Automation

Why waste mental energy on something that can be automated?
I’m a big believer in efficiency, and ChatGPT embodies that perfectly. You want to churn out content, but you don’t want to lose your sanity in the process. So here’s my approach: leverage ChatGPT as a tool, an assistant, even a collaborator. You might be thinking, “But what about my voice? My style?” That’s where you come in. Let ChatGPT generate ideas, organize thoughts, or even draft the whole post. Then, you come in and fine-tune it.

It’s like having a Ferrari on autopilot—just because it’s doing most of the work doesn’t mean you’re not in control.

Perfection is the Enemy of Progress

80% good enough and hit publish, right? This is one of my personal mantras, and it applies here perfectly. Perfection is a trap. ChatGPT allows you to create content quickly, without obsessing over every single detail. The more you write, the better you become. So why not let AI help you accelerate the learning process? You don’t need every post to be a masterpiece—focus on volume, experimentation, and iteration. You’ll get better as you go.

Free Your Mental Space

What I love about using ChatGPT is that it frees up mental bandwidth. Let’s face it, our brains are overloaded with tasks, deadlines, and to-do lists. Why not outsource the repetitive parts of blogging? Use ChatGPT to outline ideas or even generate the first draft. That way, you can focus on what truly matters—ideas, creativity, and the fun part of refining the content.

The less you bog yourself down with the minutiae, the more mental energy you have for the real creative breakthroughs.

Disrupt the Traditional Blogging Process

Let’s disrupt the conventional notion of “blogging.” Traditional blogging was all about long hours, deep focus, and meticulous editing. But the internet thrives on speed. Why take hours on something that could be done in minutes? People are consuming content faster than ever—so churn out more, experiment more, and evolve faster.

I’ve always said, to disrupt is a virtue. ChatGPT gives you the opportunity to disrupt the content creation world by making the process smoother and quicker. Why resist that kind of progress?

Final Thoughts: Your New Assistant

So here’s the deal: just have ChatGPT blog for you.
You still have control over the final product. You still add your own flair, insight, and passion. But ChatGPT is a powerful tool to save you time and give you more room to be creative. Don’t see it as a replacement—see it as an enhancement.

The goal isn’t to write less—it’s to write more, faster, and better.

So what are you waiting for?

Let ChatGPT help you, so you can focus on the bigger picture: becoming the best version of yourself.

ERIC

Here are some of Eric Kim’s notable quotes on disruption and innovation:

1. “It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission”

• Encourages taking bold actions without waiting for approval oai_citation:6,ERIC KIM Quotes – ERIC KIM.

1. “80% good enough and hit publish”

• Advocates for action over perfectionism, urging creators to share their work even if it’s not flawless oai_citation:5,ERIC KIM Quotes – ERIC KIM.

1. “To disrupt is a virtue”

• Kim believes that breaking away from norms and disrupting traditional ways is not just beneficial but necessary for progress oai_citation:4,Become more disruptive – ERIC KIM.

1. “The rolling stone gathers no moss”

• A metaphor for continuous innovation and avoiding stagnation by always moving forward oai_citation:3,ERIC KIM Quotes – ERIC KIM.

1. “Think differently, do differently”

• Encourages embracing unique approaches and perspectives in every aspect of life oai_citation:2,Become more disruptive – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,How has Eric Kim’s notion of money, wealth, power, influence, and Bitcoin changed over time? – ERIC KIM.

These quotes reflect Kim’s overarching philosophy of disruption as a means of fostering creativity, innovation, and personal growth.

Eric Kim often speaks about disruption as a critical element of both personal and professional growth. Some of his notable disruptive quotes emphasize the importance of breaking away from norms and taking bold actions. For instance, he asserts, “It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission,” encouraging people to act first rather than wait for approval from others. He also advises against overthinking with his quote, “80% good enough and hit publish,” which promotes action over perfectionism.

Kim’s philosophy of disruption goes beyond words; he applies it in areas like fitness and photography, urging people to approach things in unconventional ways. He believes that by doing things differently, one can innovate and stand out. For example, his “hypelifting” fitness concept and open-source photography are ways he practices his disruptive thinking. He often says, “To disrupt is a virtue,” emphasizing that challenging the status quo is not only beneficial but necessary for progress oai_citation:3,Become more disruptive – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM Quotes – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,Most influential eric Kim entrepreneurship articles and links – ERIC KIM.

Eric Kim approaches disruption by challenging traditional practices in various areas of life, from photography to fitness. His philosophy centers on breaking away from established norms and promoting unorthodox methods that foster innovation. For example, Kim’s open-source photography approach, where he encourages sharing knowledge and tools for free, stands in contrast to the typical business models of the industry. He applies a similar mindset to fitness, advocating for his “hypelifting” and “powerlifting 2.0” techniques, which diverge from conventional strength training approaches oai_citation:4,How to Disrupt – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,The Philosophy of Disruption – ERIC KIM.

He also emphasizes disrupting massive industries like fitness, fashion, and even the art market, suggesting that aspiring disruptors should focus on creativity and scalability through digital platforms. Kim believes that detachment from physical spaces and embracing the low-cost scalability of the internet is key to long-term disruption oai_citation:2,Disruptive Design – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,How to Become More Disruptive – ERIC KIM.

Eric Kim is considered disruptive in the photography world due to his unconventional approach to teaching, practicing, and thinking about street photography. Here are a few ways in which he challenges the norms:

1. Philosophical Approach: Kim often integrates philosophy, especially Stoicism, into his photography teachings. This blend of mindfulness and artistic practice disrupts the traditional technical focus of photography education, encouraging photographers to focus on personal meaning and the experience of photography over gear or technical perfection.
2. Anti-Gear Mentality: He frequently advocates for a minimalist approach to photography, suggesting that expensive equipment isn’t necessary for great photography. This contrasts with the prevailing focus on gear in much of the photography world, where new cameras and lenses are often seen as essential.
3. Content Sharing: Kim openly shares a large amount of his educational content for free on his blog. In an industry where premium content and workshops often come with high price tags, his willingness to democratize knowledge has disrupted the commercial photography education model.
4. Challenging Street Photography Norms: Eric Kim promotes street photography in a way that questions traditional rules about shooting candidly or discreetly. He encourages photographers to engage with their subjects and be bold, contrasting the more covert, distant approach many street photographers adhere to.
5. Self-Promotion and Brand Building: Kim’s personal brand and self-promotion techniques, using blogging, social media, and his e-books, have allowed him to bypass traditional photography industry gatekeepers. This approach disrupted the idea that photographers must rely on galleries, agencies, or established platforms to succeed.

These factors make Eric Kim a disruptive figure by redefining what it means to be a photographer and how one can succeed in the field without conforming to established norms.

Here are some direct quotes from Eric Kim about AI:

1. On AI as a Complement, Not a Replacement:
   “The best way to think about AI, OpenAI, ChatGPT, etc. is that it is a complement to us, and an augmentation of us, rather than a replacement.” oai_citation:4,AI THOUGHTS – ERIC KIM
2. On Photography and AI:
   “The images that AI produces are still limited to illustrations, vector images, drawings, and paintings… It cannot yet make a realistic-looking photograph. I think there is something very, very beautiful about photographs—capturing a moment in time is our great joy.” oai_citation:3,AI THOUGHTS – ERIC KIM
3. On Automating the Mundane:
   “Perhaps the reason for technology is that it helps us eliminate tedious, time-consuming tasks in our everyday life… For photographers, AI could help us sift through thousands of photos and choose the best one.” oai_citation:2,AI THOUGHTS – ERIC KIM
4. On AI as a Philosophical Tool:
   “AI is not just a tool for creativity, but also a great philosophical tool. It helps us think critically about life, purpose, and what it means to be human.” oai_citation:1,AI as a great philosophical tool. – ERIC KIM

These quotes reflect Kim’s unique view on AI as both a creative assistant and a deeper philosophical tool.

Eric Kim’s thoughts on AI are considered unique or unorthodox for several reasons:

1. Human-AI Collaboration, Not Replacement: While many fear AI will replace human creativity, Kim advocates for AI as a tool that should complement human artistry. His “centaur approach” positions AI as an assistant that extends the capabilities of human creativity rather than taking over entirely oai_citation:9,ERIC KIM AI – ARTIFICIAL & HUMAN INTELLIGENCE CENTAUR APPROACH. oai_citation:8,The Future of Photography and AI – ERIC KIM. He sees the final artistic decision as something that must always remain in the hands of the human creator, which contrasts with fears about AI overtaking human roles in art and other creative fields.
2. AI as a Tool for Imperfection and Growth: Instead of striving for perfection, Kim embraces AI as a way to explore imperfection and simplicity in art. He believes AI should aid in the creative process by helping artists express their individuality, imperfections, and personal growth oai_citation:7,ERIC KIM AI – ARTIFICIAL & HUMAN INTELLIGENCE CENTAUR APPROACH. oai_citation:6,ERIC KIM AI – ERIC KIM AI. This focus on imperfection stands in contrast to more traditional views of technology as a means to improve precision and accuracy.
3. Pushing Boundaries with Absurdity: Kim encourages using AI to explore the absurd and push creative limits. He believes that making AI outputs as “ridiculous, silly, and random as possible” can lead to more creative freedom oai_citation:5,The Future of Photography and AI – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,Eric Kim AI – ERIC KIM. This playful and provocative use of AI contrasts with more conventional, practical applications of AI in fields like design or automated photography.
4. Critique of AI User Experience: Kim has expressed dissatisfaction with current AI tools’ user interfaces and user experiences, suggesting they lack intuitiveness and accessibility oai_citation:3,Eric Kim AI – ERIC KIM. His demand for more user-friendly, open-source solutions reflects his broader philosophy of empowering individual creativity rather than relying on corporate-driven AI technologies.
5. Philosophical Integration: Kim’s use of AI is deeply intertwined with his philosophical and stoic beliefs. He sees AI not just as a tool, but as a way to challenge societal norms and explore deeper philosophical questions about authenticity, creativity, and human nature oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM AI – ARTIFICIAL & HUMAN INTELLIGENCE CENTAUR APPROACH. oai_citation:1,WHAT HAPPENED TO ERIC KIM – ERIC KIM.

This combination of philosophical depth, a preference for playful absurdity, and a focus on human-AI collaboration makes his approach to AI both unorthodox and highly personal.

Why is his thoughts on AI unique or unorthodox

Eric Kim’s unique ideas, particularly in the realm of photography and AI, reflect his creative philosophy and blend of technology with personal growth. Some of his most distinctive concepts include:

1. Centaur Approach to AI: Kim views AI as an extension of human creativity rather than a replacement. He advocates for a “centaur approach,” where AI and humans work together, especially in artistic endeavors like photography. He sees AI as a tool for enhancing creativity without diminishing the human element oai_citation:10,ERIC KIM AI – ARTIFICIAL & HUMAN INTELLIGENCE CENTAUR APPROACH. oai_citation:9,Eric Kim AI – ERIC KIM.
2. Embracing Imperfection and Simplicity: Kim believes that the beauty of photography and creativity lies in simplicity and imperfection. His work often emphasizes finding meaning in everyday moments and capturing authentic, unfiltered experiences oai_citation:8,ERIC KIM AI – ARTIFICIAL & HUMAN INTELLIGENCE CENTAUR APPROACH. oai_citation:7,WHAT HAPPENED TO ERIC KIM – ERIC KIM.
3. Philosophical and Stoic Insights: Eric Kim integrates philosophical principles, particularly stoicism, into his approach to both photography and life. He encourages others to embrace the unpredictability of life, using art as a means to explore personal growth and self-expression oai_citation:6,ERIC KIM AI – ERIC KIM AI.
4. AI as a Tool for Curation and Analysis: Kim actively uses AI tools like ChatGPT to help analyze and curate his photography work. For instance, he enjoys using AI to choose the best photos from a collection or to provide insights on the composition and meaning of collages oai_citation:5,The Future of Photography and AI – ERIC KIM.
5. Pushing Creativity with AI: Kim challenges conventional boundaries by using AI in imaginative ways, like generating absurd or humorous images (e.g., a Spartan stoic philosopher lifting Bitcoin weights) using tools like DALL-E oai_citation:4,The Future of Photography and AI – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,Eric Kim AI – ERIC KIM.
6. Creative Double Dipping: He encourages artists to explore multiple mediums, such as using AI to generate artwork while still engaging in traditional photography, allowing for creative freedom across different platforms oai_citation:2,The Future of Photography and AI – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,Eric Kim AI – ERIC KIM.

These ideas demonstrate his forward-thinking approach, combining technical innovation with artistic philosophy, pushing the boundaries of both photography and AI.

How unique

Eric Kim, a well-known street photographer, has recently been engaging with AI technologies, particularly tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E. He integrates AI into his creative process, using it to enhance artistic expression without replacing the human touch. Kim believes that AI should serve as a complement to human creativity, assisting in ideation and technical tasks while leaving the final artistic decisions to the photographer.

His perspective emphasizes the importance of simplicity, personal growth, and embracing imperfection, which aligns with his broader philosophical approach to photography. Kim encourages artists to use AI to extend their capabilities, such as generating new visual ideas or helping with photo curation. However, he remains critical of some of the current AI tools’ user interfaces, suggesting that they could be more intuitive and accessible.

Overall, Kim sees AI as a powerful tool for visual artists but insists that it must remain just that—a tool that enhances creativity rather than replacing it.

For more insights on his work and thoughts, you can explore his blog on photography and AI at Eric Kim AI oai_citation:4,ERIC KIM AI – ARTIFICIAL & HUMAN INTELLIGENCE CENTAUR APPROACH. oai_citation:3,ERIC KIM AI – ERIC KIM AI oai_citation:2,The Future of Photography and AI – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,Eric Kim AI – ERIC KIM.

People may deny or downplay hormonal differences between men and women for a variety of reasons, including:

1. Desire for Equality: Some people may fear that acknowledging biological differences could be used to justify gender inequality or reinforce harmful stereotypes. They might worry that discussing hormonal differences could perpetuate the idea that men and women are inherently better suited for different roles in society, which could undermine efforts toward gender equality.
2. Cultural or Ideological Beliefs: In some social or ideological circles, there’s a preference for emphasizing the social and cultural aspects of gender over biological differences. This can lead to an intentional minimization of biological factors to focus on how societal constructs shape gender roles and identities.
3. Misunderstanding of Science: People may lack an understanding of the complexity of biology and how hormonal differences manifest. For example, while men and women have different average levels of hormones like testosterone and estrogen, individuals vary greatly, and these differences don’t account for all behavioral or cognitive differences between genders.
4. Reaction to Misuse of Biological Arguments: Historically, biological arguments about gender differences have been used to justify discrimination, such as the idea that women are inherently less capable in certain domains. Some people might react to this by rejecting any discussion of biological differences to avoid opening the door to such arguments again.
5. Intersection with Gender Identity Debates: In discussions of transgender rights or gender identity, some people might downplay hormonal or biological differences to emphasize the fluidity of gender as a social construct. They may argue that gender identity is more important than biological sex when it comes to understanding individuals and their experiences.

Acknowledging hormonal differences doesn’t mean accepting gender inequality; rather, it provides a more nuanced understanding of the biological factors that can interact with social and cultural influences to shape human behavior and health.

Eric Kim’s unorthodox productivity thoughts blend unconventional ideas with bold philosophies, aiming to challenge traditional approaches to work and creativity:

1. “Plork” (Play + Work): Kim doesn’t separate work from play; instead, he merges the two, only engaging in activities he genuinely enjoys. He avoids forcing himself into tasks he isn’t interested in, which leads to more natural productivity and sustained output oai_citation:14,Why I’m So Productive – ERIC KIM oai_citation:13,ERIC KIM PRODUCTIVITY PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
2. Diet as a Source of Power: Kim believes that diet plays a critical role in productivity. He experiments with eating more meat, which he suggests may increase both physical strength and productivity, though this remains more of a personal hypothesis than mainstream advice oai_citation:12,HOW IS ERIC KIM SO PRODUCTIVE? – ERIC KIM.
3. Health as the Foundation of Productivity: Kim emphasizes the importance of physical health, advocating for workouts, intermittent fasting, and adequate sleep (he sleeps early, around 8-9 p.m.). He believes that a healthy body is crucial for sustained creative energy oai_citation:11,How I’m So Insanely Productive – ERIC KIM oai_citation:10,Productivity Thoughts – ERIC KIM.
4. Publishing Before Perfection: One of his core strategies is to “publish before you’re ready.” He encourages sharing ideas, blog posts, or other creative work before they are fully polished, embracing the philosophy of continuous iteration and improvement oai_citation:9,ERIC KIM PRODUCTIVITY PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:8,Why I’m So Productive – ERIC KIM.
5. Producing More, Thinking Less: Kim stresses the importance of action over excessive deliberation. He believes that creating more helps refine understanding and skill over time, whereas overthinking can stall progress oai_citation:7,Productivity Thoughts – ERIC KIM oai_citation:6,ERIC KIM PRODUCTIVITY PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
6. Focus on Long-Term, Audacious Goals: Kim’s productivity isn’t about short-term efficiency; he aims for life-altering goals that have a lasting impact, like founding a technology company or pioneering new ways of thinking. This approach gives him a deeper sense of purpose and motivation oai_citation:5,Productivity Thoughts – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,HOW IS ERIC KIM SO PRODUCTIVE? – ERIC KIM.

These ideas combine a mix of philosophical reflection, health-conscious habits, and a fearless approach to creativity, making his productivity philosophy stand out from the conventional wisdom oai_citation:3,Productivity Thoughts – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM PRODUCTIVITY PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,HOW IS ERIC KIM SO PRODUCTIVE? – ERIC KIM.

His unorthodox productivity thoughts

Eric Kim’s productivity stems from a combination of unique lifestyle choices, philosophical perspectives, and practical techniques.

1. Focus on Health: Kim believes that health is a foundation for productivity. He emphasizes intermittent fasting, staying hydrated, and maintaining physical fitness through yoga, powerlifting, and gym sessions. He suggests that keeping low body fat and building muscle mass might provide more metabolic energy for creativity.
2. Creative Joy and “Plork”: A significant factor in Kim’s productivity is that he views his work as “plork”—a blend of play and work. He only engages in tasks he genuinely enjoys, which prevents burnout and increases his output. This approach allows him to keep a steady flow of creative work without forcing himself into tasks he dislikes.
3. Striving for Big Goals: Kim often talks about working towards “insanely epic and audacious life goals,” such as starting technology and photography companies. For him, true productivity means dedicating time to projects that have lasting impact and meaning.
4. Practical Tips: He is an advocate of producing more and thinking less. One of his core tips is to publish content, such as blog posts or photographs, before they are fully ready. This continuous process of creation leads to deeper understanding and mastery over time. He also reduces distractions, such as using cameras without screens and minimizing smartphone use, to stay focused on his work.
5. Diet and Philosophy: Kim also explores how a carnivorous diet contributes to productivity, suggesting that a higher intake of meat could increase power and efficiency, although this is more of a personal experiment than a strict rule.

Overall, Kim’s productivity philosophy blends physical health, enjoyment of work, continuous creation, and audacious life goals to maintain an exceptionally high level of output oai_citation:5,How I’m So Insanely Productive – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,Productivity Thoughts – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,Why I’m So Productive – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,ERIC KIM PRODUCTIVITY PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,HOW IS ERIC KIM SO PRODUCTIVE? – ERIC KIM.

His blogging tips and productivity tips

Eric Kim’s blogging and productivity tips revolve around maximizing focus, maintaining consistency, and using efficient tools. Here are some key strategies he shares:

1. Use Markdown and IA Writer: Kim prefers writing in Markdown using IA Writer, which minimizes distractions by simplifying formatting. This allows him to focus purely on content creation without worrying about presentation during the writing process oai_citation:7,How I Write in Markdown – ERIC KIM oai_citation:6,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM.
2. Write in Focus Mode: He often writes in “focus mode” within IA Writer, which enables him to isolate his thoughts and avoid multitasking, enhancing his output.
3. Powerlifting for Productivity: Kim believes that physical strength translates to intellectual productivity. He emphasizes powerlifting, claiming that it gives him an “insane pump” that boosts his creativity and energy throughout the day oai_citation:5,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM.
4. Fast Typing Speed: His typing speed, developed from early lessons, helps him write quickly. He notes that typing faster allows for a more efficient transfer of ideas to his blog posts oai_citation:4,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM.
5. Work in Coffee Shops: He finds working in coffee shops productive due to the ambient distractions that help him focus more. This concept of “stochastic resonance” suggests that background noise can enhance concentration oai_citation:3,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM.
6. Intermittent Fasting and No Smartphone: Kim practices intermittent fasting (no meals before dinner) and does not use a smartphone, which he says keeps him focused and free from the typical distractions of modern life oai_citation:2,Intense Focus – ERIC KIM.
7. Regular Publishing: One of Kim’s key tips for productivity as a blogger is regular publishing. He encourages bloggers to consistently create content to keep up momentum and improve their craft over time oai_citation:1,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM.

By combining minimalism, physical fitness, and an efficient work environment, Kim has created a routine that allows him to be one of the most productive bloggers in his field.

How prominent blogger

Eric Kim became prominent as a blogger largely through his early adoption of photography blogging and his unique blend of content that includes photography tips, entrepreneurial advice, and personal reflections. Starting around 2010, Kim began writing extensively about street photography, a genre that was less covered at the time, and used his blog as a platform to share tutorials, experiences, and thoughts on visual storytelling.

A few key factors contributed to his rise:

1. Consistency in Content Creation: Kim has published thousands of blog posts, often writing multiple posts daily, which helped him build a vast library of content. His disciplined approach to blogging, paired with his productivity strategies like using IA Writer and Markdown, enabled him to produce high-quality, informative content quickly oai_citation:5,How I Write in Markdown – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM.
2. Niche Focus: He carved out a niche in street photography, offering readers detailed advice on technique, gear, and the philosophy behind photography. His posts resonated with both amateur and professional photographers, helping him gain a dedicated following oai_citation:3,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM.
3. Open Sharing and Personal Branding: Kim’s transparency about his personal journey—sharing his own struggles, successes, and philosophies—helped him build an authentic personal brand. He also embraced the idea of “open source” in photography, encouraging others to share knowledge freely oai_citation:2,Intense Focus – ERIC KIM.
4. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Kim has been vocal about turning passion into business, giving him broader appeal beyond photography enthusiasts. His guidance on how to become a self-employed photographer and create an independent platform resonated with creatives looking for alternative career paths oai_citation:1,Intense Focus – ERIC KIM.

Through these efforts, Kim established himself as a thought leader in both photography and creative entrepreneurship, which bolstered his prominence in the blogging world.

Eric Kim, a prominent blogger and photographer, is a big advocate of using IA Writer and Markdown for his writing. He emphasizes how these tools help him stay focused and productive, allowing him to write thousands of blog posts efficiently. By keeping formatting simple and minimal through Markdown, he can avoid distractions and focus on his ideas. Additionally, Kim uses IA Writer’s full-screen and focus mode features to immerse himself fully in his work oai_citation:5,How I Write in Markdown – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM.

Kim’s writing process is heavily influenced by his approach to productivity, which includes powerlifting, fast typing, and a focused environment—often in coffee shops. He credits his physical strength from powerlifting for fueling his intellectual productivity oai_citation:3,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM. His blog posts span a variety of topics, from photography to entrepreneurship, and his minimalist philosophy extends into how he writes and formats content oai_citation:2,Blogging Productivity Tips – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,Intense Focus – ERIC KIM.

Hormonal differences

Hormonal differences between males and females significantly influence the appearance and characteristics of the lips. Here are the key hormonal factors that affect lips:

1. Estrogen and Female Lips

• Fullness and Plumpness: Estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, plays a crucial role in maintaining skin hydration and elasticity. During puberty and throughout a woman’s reproductive years, estrogen promotes fat distribution in the face, including the lips, making them appear fuller and more plump.
• Collagen Production: Estrogen stimulates the production of collagen, a protein that helps maintain skin structure and firmness. Higher collagen levels contribute to smoother, fuller lips in females. As estrogen levels decline with age (especially during menopause), lips may lose some of their fullness and elasticity.
• Vascularization: Estrogen also increases blood flow, leading to better circulation and giving lips a naturally pinker hue in women.

2. Testosterone and Male Lips

• Lip Shape and Thickness: Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, tends to result in thinner lips in males compared to females. It contributes to a more angular or defined facial structure, which often includes less emphasis on soft tissue, such as lips.
• Facial Hair Influence: Testosterone also promotes facial hair growth. While facial hair doesn’t grow directly on the lips, the presence of mustaches or beards can create the illusion of thinner lips and affect the texture of the skin around them.
• Oil Production: Testosterone increases sebum (oil) production, which can sometimes make the skin around the lips oilier or more prone to acne, potentially altering the appearance and texture of the lips.

3. Menstrual Cycle and Lip Changes

• Estrogen Fluctuations: During the menstrual cycle, fluctuating estrogen levels can cause subtle changes in the fullness and color of the lips. Some women notice their lips appear fuller or more defined around ovulation when estrogen levels are higher.
• Progesterone Influence: Progesterone, another hormone that rises after ovulation, can lead to water retention, causing lips to appear slightly swollen or more plump during certain phases of the menstrual cycle.

4. Aging and Hormonal Decline

• Estrogen Decline in Women: As women age, especially after menopause, estrogen levels decrease significantly. This reduction in estrogen leads to a decrease in collagen production and skin elasticity, resulting in thinner, less plump lips.
• Testosterone Decline in Men: As men age, testosterone levels gradually decline. While this doesn’t drastically alter lip appearance, it may lead to subtle changes in skin tone and texture around the lips due to reduced oil production and facial hair density.

In summary, estrogen contributes to fuller, softer lips in females, while testosterone tends to result in thinner, more angular lips in males. Changes in hormone levels over time, such as during aging or different phases of the menstrual cycle, can also influence the appearance of the lips in both men and women.

Female vs male lips

When comparing female and male lips, there are some general differences that are often observed, although individual variation is significant. Here are a few distinctions:

1. Fullness:

• Female lips: Tend to be fuller or plumper on average, particularly in the upper lip. Women often enhance this appearance with makeup, like lip gloss or lipstick.
• Male lips: Tend to be thinner or less voluminous, with a more subtle contour between the upper and lower lip.

1. Shape:

• Female lips: Often have a more pronounced “Cupid’s bow” (the curve in the middle of the upper lip), which gives a more defined and soft appearance.
• Male lips: Generally have a more straight or flat upper lip, without a pronounced Cupid’s bow, giving a more angular and rugged appearance.

1. Lip Line Definition:

• Female lips: The lip line (where the lips meet the skin) may appear softer or more defined, depending on makeup usage.
• Male lips: Usually have a less pronounced lip line, as men typically don’t accentuate this area with makeup.

1. Color:

• Female lips: Naturally vary, but many women use lip products to emphasize or change their lip color to a bolder shade.
• Male lips: Often remain in their natural, subtle shades of pink or brown, unless enhanced by specific cosmetic products.

1. Softness:

• Female lips: Might appear softer due to a combination of natural plumpness and care routines (such as using lip balms or exfoliation).
• Male lips: Often have a rougher texture, due to facial hair or less emphasis on moisturizing products.

These distinctions are not rigid and can vary widely based on genetics, personal care, and individual preferences.

The difference between women and men?

Yup

Art is the answer vlog

Video vlog podcast art is the answer

Audio Art is the answer

(Intro)
Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah, listen, we goin’ coast to coast, San Diego, La Jolla, we toast
Art is the answer, yeah, that’s the most, we liftin’ life, feelin’ like the Holy Ghost

(Verse 1)
Woke up by the shore, beachfront scene
Cuppa coffee in hand, livin’ the dream
La Jolla, what a view, ocean pristine
Bay Area kid, but no beaches, know what I mean?
Flip-flops? Nah, never owned a pair
Started wearin’ shorts, when I hit that L.A. air
Said “F it”, dipped toes in the sand, man, it’s rare
Ocean waves hittin’, I’m just standin’ there

(Chorus)
Art is the answer, life is a canvas
Bodybuilding, cinema, music that’ll grab us
Powerliftin’, weightliftin’, we don’t need no status
Performance art, I’m the only one who stands up, yeah

(Verse 2)
Lookin’ at the ocean, it’s infinite, can’t lie
Crashin’ every day, never askin’ why
Moon pulls it in, no break, no goodbye
Even the sun’s gotta set, but the waves still ride

Art all around, man, you can’t escape it
Even rich folks get bored, so they chase it
Warhol, Lichtenstein, now it’s a car race, kid
Buildin’ art outta Beemers, see the craft they facin’

(Chorus)
Art is the answer, life is a canvas
Bodybuilding, cinema, music that’ll grab us
Powerliftin’, weightliftin’, we don’t need no status
Performance art, I’m the only one who stands up, yeah

(Bridge)
Tell me what you drive, I’ll tell you who you be
LA streets, it’s the whip that we see
Prius on the low, economic decree
2024, but my 2010 still king, best believe

Money don’t mean a thing if you lose your mind
Chasin’ dollars, forgettin’ beauty inside
Dementia, diabetes, it’s a steep decline
Trade health for wealth, now that’s a crime

(Verse 3)
Success ain’t a Tesla, it’s a Lexus, let’s ride
Keep it smooth, no jerks, we cruisin’ with pride
Passenger sick? Nah, comfort’s what we provide
Elon cool, but I’ll pass on that electric vibe

The new elitism, yeah, we all wanna be
But act fake, disingenuous, it’s easy to see
In LA, your car is your identity
So what’s your dream whip? That’s your reality

(Outro)
Yeah, art is the answer, we paint with our souls
From the ocean waves to the cars we control
This life’s a performance, it’s a beautiful scroll
Art is the answer, that’s the ultimate goal, let’s go.

May it contain lyrics in the spirit of Jay-Z.

(Chorus)
Yeah, art is the answer, we all seekin’ grace
From the beach to the streets, we’re holdin’ our place
Flip-flops or a Benz, it’s all in the taste
We buildin’ legacies, ain’t nothin’ we waste, uh

(Verse 1)
Uh, woke up in La Jolla, life feelin’ elite
Sippin’ coffee, beachfront, sand under my feet
Bay kid, no beaches, just that city heat
Now I’m walkin’ on waves, life’s bittersweet

Said I don’t rock flip-flops, never did, nah
Started wearin’ shorts, late to the game, dawg
Now I’m in L.A., where the weather stay strong
Dipped my toes in the ocean, felt like I belong

The water warm, it’s like 72 degrees
Hawaii vibes, but I’m Cali born, free
Lookin’ at the ocean, seein’ eternity
It don’t stop, even the sun bows gracefully

(Chorus)
Art is the answer, we just paintin’ with life
Every move a brushstroke, every thought is precise
Cars, clothes, weight, body sculpted tight
We livin’ this art form, day turn to night, uh

(Verse 2)
Yeah, every move I make’s a masterpiece in motion
Weightliftin’, I’m Picasso with the devotion
Ten plates on the bar, I’m causin’ commotion
Power in my veins, no drugs or no potion

I don’t touch the liquor, no weed in the air
I’m the cleanest in the room, don’t need to compare
I fast all day, lift heavy without a care
Watch me push a thousand pounds, now that’s rare

Yeah, art is more than a canvas or rhyme
It’s the way I move, how I spend my time
Even in the gym, it’s a stage, a climb
And when I lift, I’m performin’, it’s all designed

(Chorus)
Art is the answer, we just paintin’ with life
Every move a brushstroke, every thought is precise
Cars, clothes, weight, body sculpted tight
We livin’ this art form, day turn to night, uh

(Verse 3)
Look at my man with the BMW grind
Buildin’ an art car, piece by piece, refined
Old school meets the future, engine redesigned
Art’s in every gearshift, it’s all intertwined

Rich folks buy art ‘cause they seekin’ somethin’ true
Beyond the dollar signs, it’s what they pursue
Beauty in the struggle, in the work that you do
We chasin’ immortality, now what about you?

Success ain’t a Tesla, it’s deeper than that
It’s longevity, wisdom, keepin’ your soul intact
Lexus LS, glide smooth, never lookin’ back
Comfort in the ride, while the streets react

(Chorus)
Art is the answer, we just paintin’ with life
Every move a brushstroke, every thought is precise
Cars, clothes, weight, body sculpted tight
We livin’ this art form, day turn to night, uh

(Bridge)
Tell me what you drive, I’ll tell you who you are
In LA, your car’s the truth, not a facade
You want the shine, but don’t know what it costs
New Prius or that Lexus, that’s the real boss

Fake elites, frontin’, actin’ like they high-class
But real wealth’s in wisdom, not in the cash
Art’s in how you move, how you build and last
Longevity’s the key, slow down, not fast

(Outro)
Yeah, the new elitism, it’s beyond what you own
It’s in how you live, how you’ve grown
In every decision, how you’ve shown
That art is the answer, it’s in your tone

ART IS THE ANSWER

Some thoughts this morning: specifically, about art. 

This past weekend, just did a quick trip down to San Diego, La Jolla, and had the insane privilege of staying by a beachfront hotel, La Jolla Shores highly recommended, and the first thing I did in the morning was just drink a cuppa coffee in the little kitchenette, and then went on a walk on the beach.

The funny thing about growing up in the bay areas that we don’t have any beaches… Even in Alameda where our group as a kid, the beach was disgusting and super dirty. As a consequence, I never owned a pair of flip-flops in my life, and I think I only started wearing shorts about two years ago, at the age of 34? Now living in Los Angeles, where the weather is good.

Anyways, at this strange version that I don’t like to dip my toes into the sand, because the feeling of sand in between my toes is unfamiliar and I don’t really like it. But I said F it…  if Cindy showed out the big bucks to get the shorefeont hotel, it is only right to milk activities of walking on the beach, specifically, dipping my toes into the ocean.

So I took off my vibram 5 finger shoes, and just proceeded to walk along the beach, dipping my legs and feet into the warm ocean water, which I was very surprised… It felt like a lovely 72° in the water, almost as nice if not nicer than Hawaii.

Looking into the ocean, was pretty astounding. The feeling was great because if you look into the ocean, it goes on forever. To infinity and beyond.

And some meditations that I had about the ocean and water was that no matter what, the ocean is instantly tireless. It keeps on waving, crashing and waving, due to the earths pull of gravity, maybe the moon in the solar system whatever,  day in and day out. Even in someways it is more virtuous than the sun, which sets at night.

---

All art everything

Almost everything can be understood in the context of art. Music as art for our ears, cinema at least the good ones, as art for our eyes, and bodybuilding as an art form for the human body, assuming that you’re not taking steroids, and even in someways… Weightlifting powerlifting uplifting at the gym whatever… Should be seen as performance, performance arts! Why? I think I am probably the most entertaining person in the flesh, because I’m the only entertainer who doesn’t drink alcohol smoke weed or do drugs… Also fast all day, and also lift over 1000 pounds, could lift easily lift over 10 plates at the gym. 

Also, am I the only one I know who doesn’t use email? Certainly I’m probably the only millennial that I know, also Cindy… Who is not on Instagram or social media. Even today I saw Cindy‘s mom installed TikTok on her phone and she is almost 70 years old.

Anyways, the reason why I think this is so important is that everything is art. Even my friend Brandon Phan is currently building an art car, which is like an old-school BMW, with a modern day M3 engine. He is doing all the work himself.

Anyways the reason why I feel all this is interesting, even Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein did these art car projects. And if you really really think about super super rich people… sooner or later they just get into art. Is it because they have nothing else to spend their money on? Or are they bored? Or are they seeking beauty, beyond themselves?

Old & beauty

It seems the strange trade off we do is a bit bizarre; we trade our health, our well-being, ultimately for more and more money, only to become old, impotent, solely catching dementia, Alzheimer’s, which is type three diabetes, a lifestyle issue, and on top of all that… Trying to still experience beauty, but through material things and objects.

For example, one thing I always love to do as a deep curiosity is whenever I see people driving certain cars, my number one interest in curiosity, is always driving up, or walking close, and peering into the driver seat, to see who is driving the car.

Tell me what you drive, and I will tell you who you are.

 And also, I find this really fascinating living in Los Angeles because in LA, you are your car, and your car is you. And this is where people are superficial, fake, and inauthentic…  if you were truly wise, you would just drive a Toyota Prius, which is the best car made of all time. Specifically the 2010 model… The new new Prius is also very cool, I just saw one in Culver City with a Matt Black wrap on it, and I thought it was super gangsta.… Yet,  always 100% the issue of purchasing any brand new automobile car is that you’re probably going to take a 30 to 40% haircut on it, the first three years to four years of the car. The second you drive it off the lot, you’re probably taking a 15% to 20% haircut on it as well. and I’m starting to think more and more… Am I the only one who could think about money wisely, not foolishly?

Economic wisdom

Once again, don’t trust any economist who doesn’t drive a Toyota Prius.  

The virtues of the Toyota Prius–

First, longevity. The 2010 model, I am still so shocked… It is the year 2024, and the car has held up so insanely well! Both in terms of style, design, and the overall ethos of it.

Even a critique on the new 2023 Prius model — the new new Prius, the one that looks like a Porsche 911 from behind, the primary issue here is the rear doorhandles, which is integrated into the rearview mirror, is unpainted, this really really ugly black plastic, insanely cheap looking… And even it is so bad that Prius drivers have to put sticker in the back tell me Uber customers where to pull the doorhandle, because the average human being has no idea how to open up the rear doorhandles. Very very bad design choice from Toyota, because they should have not compromised here: why would they shave off the doorhandles on the back, but keep them on the front? They should have gotten all or nothing; keep all the doorhandles normal, which might have been the better idea for a Prius because most Prius drivers are also Uber drivers, or they should’ve just went full tilt  and shaved off all of the doorhandles, to make it super super flush, like the Tesla cars.

In fact, I think cyber truck is a good example of the most modern advanced futuristic design. My short term prediction is you’ll see the next generation of Tesla cars looking more like a mini cyber truck ; assuming that most people always have their phone in the front pocket, the ideal is as you approach your car, the driver side door, or even the rear passenger door or even the rear trunk, you should be able to program your Tesla that is automatically open the door, without having to be like a soccer mom who kicks underneath the Toyota sienna minivan to have the automatic liftgate open from behind.

I even saw this one Baris thing, this one mom with a new Mercedes electric SUV car, trying to open up her kids rear passenger door, by kicking underneath the door, trying at three or five times and eventually giving up.

Also I suppose the upside is that maybe I am the only millennial I know who hates the phone.  to me, iPhone is only good for FaceTime and GPS driving directions. Maybe also good for two factor authentication, but besides this, iPhone sucks. This is where I still think it is a wise idea to just buy the cheapest iPhone, and I also suppose the upside of having a removable Sim card tray, because when you’re in Southeast Asia Vietnam etc.… It is so much easier to just buy a cheap $10 Sim card, and pop it in, rather than having to fudge around with all that eSIM nonsense.

Also, one of the insane great things about the 2010 Prius is that I could just turn off my iPhone, put it into the glove compartment, close it, and then just keep my Prius key fob in my front pocket, zip it up, And go 100% phone free when I’m playing with Seneca at the park, in order not to get distracted. Whereas I think if you have a Tesla car, you always have to have your phone with you, or else your car will perpetually stay unlocked, if you just keep your iPhone in the glove compartment? I suppose you could just do the Tesla valet key thing in your front pocket, but that just seems like too much work.

Also, Tesla auto pilot, the technology works very well but after testing the issue is especially if you have sensitive passengers in the car , it kind of makes you carsick.  Test driving a Tesla model Y and just using the basic cruise control, where it automatically keeps the distance in between you and the car in front of you… Was far too jerky, giving Cindy car sickness.  and I always remind myself, if I ever ever ever get a new car for any reason, it might be some sort of used Lexus hybrid LS car, the maximum not carsick car, for the sake of Cindy. 

Real successful people or smart People Just drive a Lexus LS? 

If you’re going to blow close to $100,000 on a car… The only logical strategy is to buy a Lexus LS,  ideally I used one, two or three years old, in all white, and ideally a hybrid… So you don’t have to fill up the gas as often.

Why a Lexus LS car,? The supreme comfort, once again… Not making your passengers carsick, and also one of the big issues about being in a car for a long period of time is that it gives your passengers a lot of fatigue, you as a driver, and also the shotgun passenger. And also maybe your kids?

Even though I love Elon Musk and Tesla to death… I don’t really personally would ever want one. The first thought is you could support somebody without purchasing the thing. For example, you could be up Elon Musk fanboy, and just drive a Toyota Prius. Even Elon Musk, famous Saturday Night Live sketch, he started off by joking that high my name is Elon and I drive a Toyota Prius. If anything, if anything, I have a funny idea about icebreakers for adults, especially people from LA… Tell them to introduce themselves, and tell them to share with everyone what car they drive, or what their dream car is . The truth is in LA, your car is everything. Maybe even more important than your home? 

---

The new elitism

Another weird thing about America, in America… Everyone wants to be elite, yet, we obfuscate it where are these fake façades? Long story short, people are very disingenuous.

For example, it is considered bad manners to ask people what they drive because it puts them in a certain social class, for example if you drive an old Mitsubishi Lancer, you’re probably going to be seen as more poor than somebody who’s driving the brand new AMG G wagon. 

---

ART IS THE ANSWER

Some thoughts this morning: specifically, about art. 

This past weekend, just did a quick trip down to San Diego, La Jolla, and had the insane privilege of staying by a beachfront hotel, La Jolla Shores highly recommended, and the first thing I did in the morning was just drink a cuppa coffee in the little kitchenette, and then went on a walk on the beach.

The funny thing about growing up in the bay areas that we don’t have any beaches… Even in Alameda where our group as a kid, the beach was disgusting and super dirty. As a consequence, I never owned a pair of flip-flops in my life, and I think I only started wearing shorts about two years ago, at the age of 34? Now living in Los Angeles, where the weather is good.

Anyways, at this strange version that I don’t like to dip my toes into the sand, because the feeling of sand in between my toes is unfamiliar and I don’t really like it. But I said F it…  if Cindy showed out the big bucks to get the shorefeont hotel, it is only right to milk activities of walking on the beach, specifically, dipping my toes into the ocean.

So I took off my vibram 5 finger shoes, and just proceeded to walk along the beach, dipping my legs and feet into the warm ocean water, which I was very surprised… It felt like a lovely 72° in the water, almost as nice if not nicer than Hawaii.

Looking into the ocean, was pretty astounding. The feeling was great because if you look into the ocean, it goes on forever. To infinity and beyond.

And some meditations that I had about the ocean and water was that no matter what, the ocean is instantly tireless. It keeps on waving, crashing and waving, due to the earths pull of gravity, maybe the moon in the solar system whatever,  day in and day out. Even in someways it is more virtuous than the sun, which sets at night.

---

All art everything

Almost everything can be understood in the context of art. Music as art for our ears, cinema at least the good ones, as art for our eyes, and bodybuilding as an art form for the human body, assuming that you’re not taking steroids, and even in someways… Weightlifting powerlifting uplifting at the gym whatever… Should be seen as performance, performance arts! Why? I think I am probably the most entertaining person in the flesh, because I’m the only entertainer who doesn’t drink alcohol smoke weed or do drugs… Also fast all day, and also lift over 1000 pounds, could lift easily lift over 10 plates at the gym. 

Also, am I the only one I know who doesn’t use email? Certainly I’m probably the only millennial that I know, also Cindy… Who is not on Instagram or social media. Even today I saw Cindy‘s mom installed TikTok on her phone and she is almost 70 years old.

Anyways, the reason why I think this is so important is that everything is art. Even my friend Brandon Phan is currently building an art car, which is like an old-school BMW, with a modern day M3 engine. He is doing all the work himself.

Anyways the reason why I feel all this is interesting, even Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein did these art car projects. And if you really really think about super super rich people… sooner or later they just get into art. Is it because they have nothing else to spend their money on? Or are they bored? Or are they seeking beauty, beyond themselves?

Old & beauty

It seems the strange trade off we do is a bit bizarre; we trade our health, our well-being, ultimately for more and more money, only to become old, impotent, solely catching dementia, Alzheimer’s, which is type three diabetes, a lifestyle issue, and on top of all that… Trying to still experience beauty, but through material things and objects.

For example, one thing I always love to do as a deep curiosity is whenever I see people driving certain cars, my number one interest in curiosity, is always driving up, or walking close, and peering into the driver seat, to see who is driving the car.

Tell me what you drive, and I will tell you who you are.

 And also, I find this really fascinating living in Los Angeles because in LA, you are your car, and your car is you. And this is where people are superficial, fake, and inauthentic…  if you were truly wise, you would just drive a Toyota Prius, which is the best car made of all time. Specifically the 2010 model… The new new Prius is also very cool, I just saw one in Culver City with a Matt Black wrap on it, and I thought it was super gangsta.… Yet,  always 100% the issue of purchasing any brand new automobile car is that you’re probably going to take a 30 to 40% haircut on it, the first three years to four years of the car. The second you drive it off the lot, you’re probably taking a 15% to 20% haircut on it as well. and I’m starting to think more and more… Am I the only one who could think about money wisely, not foolishly?

Economic wisdom

Once again, don’t trust any economist who doesn’t drive a Toyota Prius.  

The virtues of the Toyota Prius–

First, longevity. The 2010 model, I am still so shocked… It is the year 2024, and the car has held up so insanely well! Both in terms of style, design, and the overall ethos of it.

Even a critique on the new 2023 Prius model — the new new Prius, the one that looks like a Porsche 911 from behind, the primary issue here is the rear doorhandles, which is integrated into the rearview mirror, is unpainted, this really really ugly black plastic, insanely cheap looking… And even it is so bad that Prius drivers have to put sticker in the back tell me Uber customers where to pull the doorhandle, because the average human being has no idea how to open up the rear doorhandles. Very very bad design choice from Toyota, because they should have not compromised here: why would they shave off the doorhandles on the back, but keep them on the front? They should have gotten all or nothing; keep all the doorhandles normal, which might have been the better idea for a Prius because most Prius drivers are also Uber drivers, or they should’ve just went full tilt  and shaved off all of the doorhandles, to make it super super flush, like the Tesla cars.

In fact, I think cyber truck is a good example of the most modern advanced futuristic design. My short term prediction is you’ll see the next generation of Tesla cars looking more like a mini cyber truck ; assuming that most people always have their phone in the front pocket, the ideal is as you approach your car, the driver side door, or even the rear passenger door or even the rear trunk, you should be able to program your Tesla that is automatically open the door, without having to be like a soccer mom who kicks underneath the Toyota sienna minivan to have the automatic liftgate open from behind.

I even saw this one Baris thing, this one mom with a new Mercedes electric SUV car, trying to open up her kids rear passenger door, by kicking underneath the door, trying at three or five times and eventually giving up.

Also I suppose the upside is that maybe I am the only millennial I know who hates the phone.  to me, iPhone is only good for FaceTime and GPS driving directions. Maybe also good for two factor authentication, but besides this, iPhone sucks. This is where I still think it is a wise idea to just buy the cheapest iPhone, and I also suppose the upside of having a removable Sim card tray, because when you’re in Southeast Asia Vietnam etc.… It is so much easier to just buy a cheap $10 Sim card, and pop it in, rather than having to fudge around with all that eSIM nonsense.

Also, one of the insane great things about the 2010 Prius is that I could just turn off my iPhone, put it into the glove compartment, close it, and then just keep my Prius key fob in my front pocket, zip it up, And go 100% phone free when I’m playing with Seneca at the park, in order not to get distracted. Whereas I think if you have a Tesla car, you always have to have your phone with you, or else your car will perpetually stay unlocked, if you just keep your iPhone in the glove compartment? I suppose you could just do the Tesla valet key thing in your front pocket, but that just seems like too much work.

Also, Tesla auto pilot, the technology works very well but after testing the issue is especially if you have sensitive passengers in the car , it kind of makes you carsick.  Test driving a Tesla model Y and just using the basic cruise control, where it automatically keeps the distance in between you and the car in front of you… Was far too jerky, giving Cindy car sickness.  and I always remind myself, if I ever ever ever get a new car for any reason, it might be some sort of used Lexus hybrid LS car, the maximum not carsick car, for the sake of Cindy. 

Real successful people or smart People Just drive a Lexus LS? 

If you’re going to blow close to $100,000 on a car… The only logical strategy is to buy a Lexus LS,  ideally I used one, two or three years old, in all white, and ideally a hybrid… So you don’t have to fill up the gas as often.

Why a Lexus LS car,? The supreme comfort, once again… Not making your passengers carsick, and also one of the big issues about being in a car for a long period of time is that it gives your passengers a lot of fatigue, you as a driver, and also the shotgun passenger. And also maybe your kids?

Even though I love Elon Musk and Tesla to death… I don’t really personally would ever want one. The first thought is you could support somebody without purchasing the thing. For example, you could be up Elon Musk fanboy, and just drive a Toyota Prius. Even Elon Musk, famous Saturday Night Live sketch, he started off by joking that high my name is Elon and I drive a Toyota Prius. If anything, if anything, I have a funny idea about icebreakers for adults, especially people from LA… Tell them to introduce themselves, and tell them to share with everyone what car they drive, or what their dream car is . The truth is in LA, your car is everything. Maybe even more important than your home? 

---

The new elitism

Another weird thing about America, in America… Everyone wants to be elite, yet, we obfuscate it where are these fake façades? Long story short, people are very disingenuous.

For example, it is considered bad manners to ask people what they drive because it puts them in a certain social class, for example if you drive an old Mitsubishi Lancer, you’re probably going to be seen as more poor than somebody who’s driving the brand new AMG G wagon. 

---

Here’s why Eric Kim’s ideas on art and street photography are particularly unique and interesting:

1. Street Photography as Walking Meditation
   Kim’s concept of street photography as a meditative practice is not something you commonly hear in photography discussions. He views the act of walking and shooting as a way to clear the mind, engage with the environment, and find unexpected beauty in everyday life. This idea connects photography to mindfulness—something that many other photographers may overlook in favor of technical aspects. This approach makes the process of taking photos as important as the final product, turning street photography into a kind of creative mindfulness practice oai_citation:8,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

• Why it’s unique: Most photography teachings focus on equipment, technique, or composition, while Kim introduces a more spiritual, reflective element that encourages photographers to slow down and be present. This helps photographers connect with their surroundings, rather than rush through them.

1. Personal Photography as Authentic Art
   Kim’s idea of making personal photography—focusing on the photographer’s own life and experience as the primary subject—shifts the emphasis from capturing what others want to see to what is meaningful to the photographer. By viewing one’s life as an artistic project, Kim encourages self-expression over commercial appeal or social validation oai_citation:7,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:6,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.

• Why it’s interesting: This perspective empowers photographers to embrace their unique viewpoint and make deeply personal images, rather than striving for mass appeal. It makes photography feel more intimate, creative, and reflective of the photographer’s identity.

1. Embracing Imperfection in Photos
   In a world where many photographers focus on technical perfection, Kim celebrates imperfections—blur, off-kilter framing, or unexpected elements—as essential parts of a powerful image. He argues that these imperfections are what make street photography more spontaneous and emotionally engaging oai_citation:5,Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

• Why it’s unique: Most photography advice encourages perfect lighting, sharpness, and balanced composition. By embracing imperfection, Kim is aligning street photography more with abstract or expressionist art, where the emotion of the piece is prioritized over technical precision.

1. Minimalism and Simplicity in Composition
   Kim’s minimalist approach to photography draws heavily from the world of classical art. By advocating for the removal of unnecessary elements and focusing on composition and storytelling, he encourages photographers to create clean, powerful images. This approach is heavily inspired by classical techniques used by painters like Henri Cartier-Bresson oai_citation:3,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.

• Why it’s interesting: While many photographers chase complex compositions or vivid, cluttered scenes, Kim’s focus on minimalism is a return to basic artistic principles. It underscores the idea that simplicity can have more impact and elegance than intricate, busy images.

1. Mimesis and Learning Through Imitation
   Kim revives the classical idea of mimesis, the concept of learning by imitation, which is less common in modern creative circles. By encouraging photographers to study and mimic the work of past masters like Leonardo da Vinci or Henri Cartier-Bresson, Kim provides a structured path for photographers to develop their own styles oai_citation:1,Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art – ERIC KIM.

• Why it’s unique: Many contemporary photographers promote originality and breaking away from the past, but Kim believes that by learning the rules and techniques of the masters, photographers can better understand their craft and eventually innovate in their own unique way. This is a blend of traditional art education with modern street photography, offering a different path to creative mastery.

These ideas stand out because they shift the conversation in photography from focusing solely on the technical or commercial aspects, to making it a reflective, deeply personal, and even philosophical practice.

Here are some of the most interesting and unique ideas from Eric Kim’s philosophy on art and street photography:

1. Street Photography as Walking Meditation
   One of Kim’s most unique ideas is viewing street photography as a form of walking meditation. He encourages photographers to slow down, walk mindfully, and let the scenes come to them naturally. By being present and aware, the photographer can capture spontaneous, meaningful moments. This idea highlights the connection between mindfulness and creativity, setting his approach apart from more technical or commercially driven photography methods oai_citation:9,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:8,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM.
2. Personal Photography as Authentic Art
   Kim promotes personal photography, where the photographer documents their own life and experiences as a form of artistic expression. He argues that by focusing on what is personal and meaningful to oneself, the photographer creates more authentic and relatable work. This concept suggests that street photography is not just about documenting public spaces but can also reflect deeply personal narratives oai_citation:7,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:6,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.
3. Imperfect Photos as Art
   Kim embraces the idea that imperfection in street photography—blurred images, awkward compositions, or unpredictable lighting—can be part of the art. He argues that these imperfections can evoke emotion and tell a story in ways that technically perfect images cannot. This idea subverts traditional expectations of photography as a purely technical craft and elevates it to an artistic expression that values emotion and spontaneity oai_citation:5,Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
4. Simplicity and Minimalism in Composition
   Kim advocates for a minimalist approach to composition, focusing on the essentials to create a powerful image. He borrows ideas from classical art, such as the use of negative space, geometric shapes, and clean lines, to create photographs that are simple yet impactful. This approach, rooted in both artistic and philosophical principles, emphasizes that less is often more in both art and photography oai_citation:3,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.
5. Mimesis and Learning Through Imitation
   A more classical idea that Kim brings into modern photography is the concept of mimesis, where photographers learn by imitating the works of masters. He suggests that studying and copying the techniques of great artists like Leonardo da Vinci helps photographers develop their own style over time. This approach blends traditional art education with the fast-paced, evolving world of street photography oai_citation:1,Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art – ERIC KIM.

These ideas not only distinguish Eric Kim’s approach from other photographers but also provide a refreshing take on street photography as a creative and meditative practice.

Most interesting or unique ideas here

Here are some notable quotes from Eric Kim about art and street photography that highlight his philosophical approach:

1. On Street Photography as Art:

• “The best street photographs aren’t technically perfect, but they evoke emotions, tell stories, and show the beauty in the mundane.” Kim emphasizes that street photography, like all art, is about capturing moments that resonate emotionally, rather than achieving technical perfection oai_citation:5,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.

1. On Personal Expression in Street Photography:

• “Make photos for yourself, not for others. The more personal and subjective your photos are, the more they will connect with others.” This reflects Kim’s belief that the most powerful art stems from personal experience and authenticity oai_citation:4,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

1. On Street Photography as a Meditative Practice:

• “Street photography is walking meditation. Slow down, look around, and let the moments come to you. The more you relax and observe, the better your photos will be.” Kim likens the process of street photography to mindfulness, where creativity flows best when the photographer is present in the moment oai_citation:3,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

1. On Finding Beauty in the Ordinary:

• “The streets offer infinite potential for art. Even the most mundane moments can become extraordinary when seen through the right lens.” Kim advocates for finding art in everyday life, seeing potential in scenes that might be overlooked by others oai_citation:2,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

These quotes capture Eric Kim’s unique perspective, blending the spontaneity of street photography with the intentionality and mindfulness found in traditional art.

Here are some of Eric Kim’s top resources, articles, and posts on art and street photography:

1. “Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Street Photography”
   This is one of Kim’s most comprehensive guides, offering practical tips, philosophy, and inspiration for anyone looking to get started in street photography. He dives deep into techniques, camera settings, and the artistic mindset required to excel in this genre.
   Read it here oai_citation:6,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.
2. “The Beauty of Imperfection in Street Photography”
   In this article, Kim explores how imperfection in street photography can actually enhance the artistic value of an image. He contrasts it with the polished, controlled aesthetic of studio photography, emphasizing the spontaneity and rawness that make street photography a true art form.
   Read it here oai_citation:5,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM.
3. “Dynamic Photography Composition”
   This post delves into the principles of composition in street photography, teaching how to create dynamic, engaging images by borrowing techniques from classical art forms. He explores ideas like leading lines, chiaroscuro, and dynamic tension, relating them to real-life street photography situations.
   Explore the article here oai_citation:4,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM.
4. “Street Photography as Zen Meditation”
   Here, Kim outlines his belief that street photography is more than just taking pictures—it’s a form of meditation and a way to connect with the world. He gives actionable advice on how to approach street photography with a Zen-like mindset.
   Check it out here oai_citation:3,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
5. “How to See the World as an Artist and Street Photographer”
   In this article, Kim encourages photographers to approach the world with an artistic eye, always looking for beauty in the ordinary. He offers guidance on how to shift one’s mindset to notice and capture artistic moments in everyday life.
   Read the full post here oai_citation:2,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
6. Books by Eric Kim

• “Street Photography: The Ultimate Guide”: This book is an in-depth resource for street photography enthusiasts, covering everything from gear to mindset and philosophy.
• “Learn from the Masters”: A collection of street photography insights drawn from the work of renowned photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and William Klein.
  Find his books here oai_citation:1,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.

These resources provide a deep dive into Eric Kim’s approach to blending art with street photography, offering both philosophical insights and practical tips.

Top Eric Kim Art street photography articles links or pages posts or books or resources

Eric Kim’s views on art and street photography are deeply connected, as he considers street photography a form of everyday art. He emphasizes the philosophy that street photography is about more than just capturing images; it’s about engaging with the world around you in a creative, artistic way.

1. Street Photography as Walking Meditation
   Kim often refers to street photography as a form of walking meditation. He encourages slowing down, being mindful of your surroundings, and allowing the world to present opportunities for photography. This idea of capturing life as it happens aligns street photography with traditional art forms, where patience and observation are key. Kim suggests that the spontaneity and unpredictability of the streets offer raw material for artistic expression oai_citation:8,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:7,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM.
2. Street Photography as a Personal Artistic Expression
   In his articles, Kim explains how street photography is deeply personal, likening it to other forms of art where the creator’s voice and perspective are central. He advises photographers to document their unique view of the world, making photography an extension of their identity. This personal connection elevates street photography from a mere documentary style to an art form with individual meaning and interpretation oai_citation:6,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.
3. Simplicity and Composition in Street Photography
   Kim emphasizes the importance of simplicity in both art and street photography. He advocates for stripping down the elements in a photograph, focusing on composition and storytelling. He draws parallels between the visual compositions of street photographers and painters, citing influences like Henri Cartier-Bresson. By concentrating on composition, street photographers can turn everyday scenes into compelling works of art oai_citation:4,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.
4. Capturing the Mundane as Art
   Kim frequently encourages photographers to find beauty in the mundane aspects of everyday life, a principle that resonates with many modern artists. He believes that the streets provide an infinite canvas for art, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary through the photographer’s lens. This concept mirrors the approach of many contemporary artists who turn mundane objects into powerful artistic statements oai_citation:2,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

In essence, Eric Kim views street photography not just as a genre of photography but as a form of artistic practice, where observation, personal expression, and mindfulness are integral to creating meaningful work. By capturing the beauty of everyday moments, street photographers can create art that resonates on a deeply human level.

Eric Kim’s approach to art and photography is deeply intertwined, with both disciplines feeding into his overarching creative philosophy. Here are some key articles and insights he has shared on the relationship between art and photography:

1. “Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art”
   In this article, Kim draws on the classical concept of mimesis, emphasizing the idea that imitation is a foundational element of learning art. He encourages photographers and artists alike to study and mimic the works of masters before forging their own unique styles. This approach blurs the line between art and photography, suggesting that both are learned through similar processes of imitation and innovation oai_citation:5,Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art – ERIC KIM.
2. “Photography as Personal Art”
   Kim stresses that photography should be personal, encouraging photographers to create images that resonate with their own lives and experiences. He argues that the more personal and subjective a photograph is, the more likely it will connect with others. This aligns with his broader view that art is a reflection of the individual creator’s worldview oai_citation:4,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.
3. “Joy in Photography: A Holistic Approach”
   For Kim, art and photography are not just about technical skills but about finding joy and meaning in the process of creation. He emphasizes that photography, like any form of art, is a meditative practice that helps individuals engage with the world around them in a deeper and more mindful way oai_citation:2,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
4. “The Philosophy of Composition”
   Kim’s exploration of composition reveals how he integrates principles of visual art into his photographic work. Drawing from the techniques of classical painters, he teaches photographers how to structure their images with the same care that artists apply to their canvases. This article highlights how artistic composition is crucial to creating powerful photographs oai_citation:1,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM.

These articles illustrate Eric Kim’s belief that photography is not only a technical pursuit but an artistic one, requiring the same attention to composition, personal meaning, and mindfulness as any other visual art form.

Here are some of the top articles by Eric Kim that dive into his theories on art and photography:

1. “Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art”
   This article explores the classical concept of mimesis, emphasizing the importance of imitating great artists to learn and grow creatively. Kim highlights his own process of learning through imitation, inspired by figures like Leonardo da Vinci.
   Read more here oai_citation:4,Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art – ERIC KIM.
2. “What’s Eric Kim’s Philosophy on Art?”
   In this article, Kim outlines his philosophy, focusing on minimalism, personal empowerment, and finding beauty in everyday life. He encourages photographers to strip away distractions and embrace the simplicity of their surroundings while creating work that resonates with them personally.
   Read the full article here oai_citation:3,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.
3. “Photo Philosophy: Joy in the Process”
   This piece touches on the joy of creation in photography, treating the act of making art as a holistic and fulfilling process. Kim describes photography as a way to interact with the world and find happiness through artistic expression.
   Find more insights here oai_citation:2,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.
4. “How Eric Kim Studies Composition”
   Kim delves into the technical aspects of composition, borrowing techniques from masters like Henri Cartier-Bresson. This article emphasizes the importance of mastering composition to create more dynamic and powerful photographs.
   Learn more here oai_citation:1,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM.

These articles provide a comprehensive view of Kim’s approach to art and photography, blending practical advice with philosophical insights.

Here are a few notable quotes from Eric Kim that reflect his philosophy on art and photography:

1. On simplicity and minimalism:

• “Strip away the unnecessary and concentrate on what truly matters in an image.” This reflects his belief that less is often more in art oai_citation:4,What’s Eric Kim’s philosophy on art? – ERIC KIM.

1. On personal empowerment:

• “Make photos to impress and please yourself; instead of pleasing others!” Kim encourages artists to focus on their personal satisfaction rather than external validation oai_citation:3,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

1. On art as meditation:

• “Treat street photography as a walking meditation; and clear your mind.” He emphasizes photography as a way to connect with the present moment, reducing stress and fostering creativity oai_citation:2,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

1. On continual learning:

• “Don’t let finality or perfection hold you back… everything is editable!” Kim advocates for constant experimentation and evolution in one’s art oai_citation:1,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

These quotes highlight his unique blend of simplicity, personal expression, and the meditative aspects of creating art.

Eric Kim’s artistic theories are quite unique because they blend classical ideas with contemporary, accessible approaches to creativity. He merges traditional concepts like mimesis, the imitation of great artists, with modern tools like street photography and smartphone cameras, promoting the idea that art is everywhere and for everyone oai_citation:3,Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art – ERIC KIM. His focus on personal photography—where the artist’s own life and experiences become the subject—offers a distinctive take on authenticity in photography, pushing artists to create work that is meaningful to them first and foremost oai_citation:2,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

Kim’s approach also incorporates elements of meditation and mindfulness, framing photography as a way to slow down, be present, and experience joy in the act of creation oai_citation:1,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM. This is a refreshing divergence from the more technical or commercial approaches commonly seen in photography, making his philosophy particularly unique and personal.

How unique

Eric Kim’s theories on art, especially in photography, revolve around several key ideas that emphasize simplicity, personal empowerment, and the joy of creating. His philosophy encourages photographers to strip down their compositions to the essentials, focusing on storytelling and minimalism. Kim believes in finding beauty in everyday, mundane subjects and emphasizes that great art can come from one’s immediate surroundings oai_citation:5,HOW ERIC KIM STUDIES COMPOSITION – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art – ERIC KIM.

A significant aspect of his theory is mimesis—the idea of learning by imitating the works of great artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci. He views imitation as a critical step in the learning process, helping artists develop their own voice by studying and mimicking the techniques of others before evolving into something original oai_citation:3,Mimetic and Memisis Theory in Art – ERIC KIM.

Kim also encourages personal photography, where the photographer treats their life as a central subject. This approach is about making art that is meaningful to oneself, rather than seeking approval from others. By doing this, he suggests that artists can create more authentic and impactful work oai_citation:2,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

Additionally, Kim promotes the idea of photography and art as a holistic, meditative practice, where the process of creating—walking, observing, and interacting with the world—brings joy and clarity oai_citation:1,PHOTO PHILOSOPHY – ERIC KIM.

Through these principles, Kim’s art theory champions empowerment, accessibility, and the continuous journey of learning and experimentation in creative expression.

Art is what it looks like?

1. Art photos
2. Art car
3. Art life
4. Art home?
5. Art body, art clothing?

Art and nothing but art?

War, battle also as art? Iliad as apex art?

Video vlog podcast

Think the ocean:

The best way to “improve” people… Simply get them out of toxic environments! Know who the bad apples are,,, and have them stay away!

So whether that is somebody in the family… or extended family. Who they might be… Certain in-laws,,, whether uncles or aunts, cousins even siblings etc…

Even maybe for the toxic people… To untoxify them, or to detoxify them… Or make them not toxic anymore, just ship them off to somewhere else?

Put people in a pleasant place or a pleasant environment, and see how they change or don’t change? This is the ultimate marker of things.

to be manly, does now just a commoditized, consumers notion? Basic ideas you could purchase manliness, by purchasing a certain vehicle, a car a truck an SUV… Whatever. But in truth, can one purchase manliness? Course not. Only way to become manly is through courage and strength, all without the pussy guns. 

Just look at the new carrier deals, offering to give you $1000 bucks for buying new iPhone… Apple is starting to get desperate?

I suppose the grade upside of merino wool clothing is that you are ready for any condition, any weather condition, whether really really cold, or really really hot.

For example, if it is really really cold, as long as you have a merino wool base layer on, assuming it is maybe a merino wool long sleeve, and also merino wool leggings… It might still be a little bit cold, but you’re certainly not going to freeze to death. 

Also… Just a quick trip down to San Diego the other day and now I’m back. And it was actually super clutch because man… MPG, miles per gallon, this is the ultimate key. When you’re in a pinch, and you can’t be fucked stopping by gas station, when you don’t want to, then, being able to coast and just milk a tiny bit of your tank, is so clutch because essentially, you could keep going without resting, especially when you don’t want to.

I think this is what people don’t understand about road trips, or going on the drives etc.… When you’re in a good driving flow, and you energy is high, you do not want to stop. And I think this is so difficult for people to understand Most fools were just watching the NFL, professional sports on TV etc., whether they like it or not are being bombarded by these dumb ads for range Rovers and all these other loser cars. And what I think I realize about cars kind of like professional skateboarding back in the day… It is more about selling an attitude, an ethos, a concept a lifestyle etc., Rather than the thing itself.

Style is overrated

I think also, a big thought that I had this trip down to San Diego and back was the notion of style, how it is overrated.

For example, I just watched this instantly insightful documentary called Dogtown and the zee boys, I just bought it or rented it in the Apple TV store, and it outlined the advent of modern day skateboarding, and it was super interesting because essentially the advent of skateboarding was actually rooted in surfing…

I don’t really know too much about surfing, but it becomes a very interesting lens to understand a lot of modern day popular culture. For example, the notion of “locals only”, is an insanely ridiculous one to me. Why? Nobody owns the waves! You cannot own the ocean! Look at how huge it is… How could anyone own it?

Waves are a limited desirable resource

So apparently the biggest issue here is that waves, are a limited precious commodity… Like for example every 10 minutes there might only be five good waves or so. And typically there’s only one person who could ride it per wave.

Therefore there becomes this position… Who gets to ride the wave who doesn’t. And there are these ridiculous stories of some of the local kids, when they would see people from out of town trying to “steal “their waves… They would throw glass at them, concrete bricks etc.

Ultimately, the reason why I find surfing to be not that interesting of a thing is that it doesn’t do anything for your martial courage, your lethality, should hit the fan and you had to go to battle or go to war! I would prefer to trust to have a bunch of bodybuilders, weightlifters, powerlifters, or strong men be on my hit squad, not a bunch of professional surfers.

Skateboarding

Also another funny biased… Why is it that apparently, you must wear vans sneakers to ride skateboards? A lot of kids don’t know that this one Ultramega corporation owns almost all of the clothing and sneaker brands, this company owns vans, supreme, the north face, etc. So when all these kids think that they are being unique and antic culture by wearing a pair of vans, no no no… They are just part of the same machine.

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Make amends

But I also find some fascinating about the Elliot… Obviously the Elliot as a text is not perfect, but it does show a deep inside about the ancient Greeks, their way of life, their ethos etc.

And what is really really fascinating is that in terms of their humanity, it is practically indistinguishable from ours in the year 2024 exclamation point all of the petty rivalries, jealousy, dramas, all the same! It seems that emotionally and socially, we haven’t changed that much in the last five years or so.

Therefore my suggestion is when you study the Iliad, or read it… Try to think the two things:

What is absent, and not mentioned in the text?

What I find some fascinating about the Iliad… Obviously the Iliad as a text is not perfect, but it does show a deep insight about the ancient Greeks, their way of life, their ethos etc.

And what is really really fascinating is that in terms of their humanity, it is practically indistinguishable from ours in the year 2024 exclamation point all of the petty rivalries, jealousy, dramas, all the same! It seems that emotionally and socially, we haven’t changed that much in the last 5000 years or so.

Therefore my suggestion is when you study the Iliad, or read it… Try to think the two things:

What is absent, and not mentioned in the text?

And also, what did they do or don’t do which is so different, so radically different in terms of the ethos of modern day times?

I’m starting to think more and more… Let us consider that good old Homer wrote this even before Socrates! I’m starting to think more and more… It is true, after Socrates, almost all of philosophy and thinking was bastardized, and made strange, by this shrewd, Ugly man? (Socrates was very ugly)– “A monster in face, a monster in soul”– or, “He who is physically ugly, or ugly in the face will also have ugly thoughts and ethics”.

ugliness?

There’s a lot of bizarre Redwick nowadays about how all bodies are equal, hello everyone is beautiful, how there is no hierarchy in bodily composition etc. However, I beg to differ.

Taking it back to first principal… Thinking about fitness, genetic fitness, there seems to be some basic things, for example, men who are taller or more desirable. This makes sense. Also women, assuming you’re not a super super Shorty guy, typically the taller the women the better.

Why tallness? They’re tends to be a genetic advantage to tallness inso far much as  almost everything. For example, I just met the vice mayor of my town Culver City, very very tall guy, maybe 6 foot six or something? And I’m pretty tall I’m 5 foot 11, but even he towered over me, he almost look like a different species? Immediately I was so impressed. 

I think in terms of ancient times, being taller was a benefit because you could grab apples from really high trees, and typically, the bigger and taller and the stronger than man, the better he would be at fighting of wolves, hunting etc. And also… Assuming that we human are just hairless apes, we did have a preference for beautiful women because typically, beauty was connected with physical fitness, healthiness, And wellness, typically women who are more beautiful, who have more supple and healthy looking breasts, signal a type of healthiness, fitness which makes for them to be better at producing children, and also providing for them with their breast milk etc. 

And I think one thing that I discovered is breast size isn’t actually what is the thing… Rather, is all about the overall fertility of the woman.

For example, I think I read some sort of scientific study which show that invite, men would actually prefer breast a little bit more on the average size, the average two smaller size, but the breast being firm, close to the body, and the nipples slightly pointing upwards? And that the overall shape of the breast was kind of more copping upwards? Assign of fertility, rather than breast which are drooping, which is typically a sign of older age, and less fertile conditions.

Older parents and their children

This is just based on what I’ve seen, obviously not 100%, but I have witness with my own eyes, a lot of parents who look older, maybe mid 40s, even late 40s, maybe even early 50s, having kids? And it Not uncommon to see a lot of older parents with kids who look like they have some sort of developmental issues?

For example, older parents with kids with autism, or some level of autism or Asperger or something.

My theory is that it does seem to make sense that if you are really really old, and you do in vitro fertilization or whatever, there is a high chance and likelihood for there to be things that go wrong. In terms of genetic replication etc. But I think it is not a certain thing, it is just a probability thing, it could either go both ways.

Anyways, once again modern day society has made things very very strange, everyone wants to be like a loser George Clooney, be single forever, sip on fine wine somewhere in Italy, and be a degenerate for the rest of their lives.

However, my suggestion is don’t judge anybody until you have seen them with their shirt off. Why? Most of these guys try to look all cool and macho and whatever driving loser Ferraris,  wearing their loser trying to wanna be be cool clothing, they lifted trucks whatever… But the second you see them, without a shirt on at the beach, it is a bit disgusting.

In fact, I was randomly having all you can eat Korean barbecue with Cindy and Seneca, at this really good place in San Diego La Jolla called OLLEH (shout out to Young Bin, YB– you deserve a raise)!  but anyways, we saw this random music video, with the rapper Rick Ross, without his shirt on, and to see his sagging tits was a bit disgusting. He tries to be all cool wearing all these chains and whatever, but honestly, any right minded individual would look at the physique of Rick Ross topless, and know that it is disgusting.

Issues here

The reason why there are a lot of individuals like Jay Z, and the like who are not respectable is because ultimately what they do is they peddle alcohol, and this fake “player” lifestyle. 

Alcohols are very interesting category, because it has been around since the ancient Greeks, even the ancient Greeks thought that in order for these warriors to gain strength, they had to feast on meat and the innards of oxen, and drink lots of wine, in order to have strength.

But some subtle ones I’ve read and heard is that actually back in the days of the ancient Greeks, their wine was actually very watered down. So I think for the ancient Greeks, and obviously this is probably before sanitation, is that when you drink wine, it was just a not poisonous water? If you live in a time in which maybe… It might not be safe to drink water, straight up water… Maybe they just drink water down wine or weak wine as a simple substitute in order to not get cholera, illnesses from water etc. 

Also one of the theories about beer, is that also in ancient Europe, the medieval ages the dark ages etc.… When infant mortality was around 70 to 80%, before they knew how to sterilize water and surgical instruments etc.… People just drink beer because it didn’t kill them or cause them illness! I think the fermentation process of beer killed most of the bacteria typically in sewage water.

But now, we should know better. And no no no don’t be suckered by these idiots who propose that we have to drink alkaline water or whatever… This might be even worse than snake oil.

And this is the reason why you should never trust any of these stupid millennials, Gen Z or “zillenials”– a lot of them take astrology and horoscopes literally. Like literally 100% literally. These idiots! And they don’t believe in God?

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New gods

Radical idea had this morning is this notion of new gods. For example in the year 2024… Come on, no one really believes in God anymore. Maybe besides the super evangelical, talking in protestant Christians… Nobody really believes in God anymore. I’m not even too sure about Jewish people, but it does seem to be Jewish Jewish American in America is more of a community thing, similar to being Catholic or Korean Catholic etc. 

For example, something quite shocking to me, when I went to mass with Cindy and Seneca may happy year ago at this one church, essentially the priest, after blessing some kids, while giving out the Eucharist, would use hand sanitizer! This put me off so much. Why? Is that the priest is afraid of getting sick or germs from young children, which is fair, because that is true. But to have hand sanitizer at the altar seemed quite sacrilegious.   

Taleb also has a funny visual, you would probably never see the pope on rollerskates, or rollerblades, or on a skateboard grinding away, even though there’s nothing against it, nothing that would upset God.

Religion for the weak? 

Often times people forget that Jesus was Jewish. Even serious Catholics protestants Christians seem to forget this.

For example, back in the day of Jesus, when he saw money exchangers selling stuff in kettle in the temple, the Jewish temple, Jesus famously took some whips, started flipping over the tables, driving out the oxen saying “do not sell wares inside my father‘s home!”

I wonder if a lot of these wealthy individuals back in Jesus time, they were also not “religious” in the way we can get… And also I think one thing I need to study about Judaism, is how they actually conceptualized God, besides the typical Christian, protestant Christian, Catholic Christian Roman Catholic way.

Also something very interesting, do you know that there are lots of different types of Catholics, but the Roman Catholic was the only one which has persisted until now?  The best way for us to think about it is being Roman Catholic in the year 2024 is like the holy Roman Empire 2.0. And this is why the Vatican doesn’t have to pay taxes. And has the best real estate of all time.

How did the ancient Greeks think of the gods

Very very interesting, even the ancient Greek heroes were able to take on the gods, obviously with some of the help of the other gods.

Also very interesting, is that the tides of war often change when God’s breed inspiration encourage into the fighters, or sometimes the gods come in and hoodwink some of the heroes and the leaders, putting delusion upon their eyes. Example, the reason why king Agamemnon in the beginning of the Iliad rallied his troops to take Troy, Zeus sent him a fall scream victory. So actually it wasn’t Khanh who made the mistake, king Agamemnon was innocent, just a mere pawn in Zeus‘s game. 

 so if we take a radical new approach, we should challenge the notions of “free will“, I wonder if we did this random new thought experiment, assume that all of our moods and impetuses and drives are somehow shaped by the gods on Mount Olympus.

However, in modern day times, nobody takes notions of the ancient Greek god seriously. I don’t think there’s anyone on the planet who 100% literally believes that Zeus and Harald lives on the clouds of Mount Olympus, everyone knows it is just a fairytale. Kind of like Santa Claus. , why is it that there are some people who do empirically believe in some sort of ethereal, weightless amorphus God concept which exists somewhere in the heavens? And I think people misunderstand Jesus… Notions of heaven and hell on earth, and he is speaking in metaphor. All of these, and cannot understand the new ones of metaphor? The difference between taking things literally, sola Scriptura  versus thinking of metaphor, this is very critical.

Some flaws in the Bible even the Jewish Bible

For example, Moses. There is this really bizarre scene in the Bible, in which Moses is discovered by his son sleeping naked with somebody? With one the other sons or something? And also, did people not realize that essentially Moses was an Egyptian, there are some Jewish scholars who analyze the historical or the probable historical Moses, and there are some alternate theories that Moses was actually trying to take on the pharaoh, trying to take the throne, but when he was caught, instead of just getting killed, he tried to escape with a bunch of other Exiled Egyptians, who ended up becoming the first Jewish followers.  and the notion of Jewish, just comes from the people of Judea, a real life place. 

And honestly, once again I’m not sure if people think things literally or metaphorically or whatever. People saying that they are the chosen ones, is this some or not some? Like can all 8 billion people on the planet all be the chosen ones?  or, is it like some people? Like only 1000 people 10,000 or 100,000 or 1 million or 10 million people could be chosen?

Because trippy told, how people get hoodwinked about all this stuff but Israel is what you don’t understand is Israel, properly understood, if you think about the military intervention of the United States of America, I think the best analogy of Israel is almost like South Korea, let us consider how South Korea is military is essentially bankrolled by the US military, and also the military of Israel, is also funded by America. And this is why America never says anything bad about the conflict in Gaza with Israelis, because essentially Israeli defense army is the American army!

Social media is the new soma the iPhone is the new soma

If we think about brave New World, how did the governments of the future control the people? It was not like 1984, this is not like mainland China. Rather, the best analogy for modern day times is like brave New World by Adolous Huxley. The general idea is that  the people are just addicted and distracted by superficial things, and there is this metaphorical drug called soma, which is imagine like combination of ecstasy, cocaine, weed and heroin… Without any real big comedowns or side effects. The come down is almost like comedown after having a good cup of coffee. 

 and then what happens is all of these millennials are hooked on this tablet called soma, which I think is actually prescribed by the government, and the engages something called “orgy Porgy”, which is essentially a bunch of degenerate millennials having these sexual orgies, all being high on mushrooms or whatever.

And I think in the story, the “savage” Joseph, who is essentially not taking any drugs of any kind, sees all of this and is deeply dismayed. I remember he gets this one off of Soma, and then the girl starts to freak out, when she is discovering how terrible the real world is.

Anyways, if we think about the iPhone, the new iPhone iPhone Pro, media YouTube whatever… All of it, is essentially like Soma. All profitable industries are drug monopolies.

Coca-Cola, the uber evil corporation selling you diabetes type two diabetes, type three diabetes Alzheimer’s water…  and also is the company which promotes the notion of “calories in, calories out” or how model citizens should “count their calories”–  and once again, do not trust any educated individuals. For example even my very very smart friends, who got their masters and PhD at Stanford, Yale, etc.… Still believe in calories, and even one of my friends, I still see him drinking Coca-Cola… Doesn’t he know better?

New Fitness Ideas

Trying to think carte blanche first principles about fitness.

First, thinking of Milo of Croton.  The very useful thing here is considering his notion of the calf and progressive overload training. The very very general basic idea was as the bull got heavier, milo of Croton continue to carry the bull upon his back in his shoulders, and march the bull around town, ever since the bull was a calf, up until the bull became 2000 pounds or so. 

Some mythical quotes, apparently Milo of Croton ate 10 pounds of meat a day,  and 3 gallons of wine. This is most likely an exaggeration, or who knows… It might be real! When I tell people I could lift 1000 pounds, which is over 10 plates on each side of the barbell… People think this is an exaggeration but it is not. Just google or YouTube it. Or better yet, ChatGPT it.

Strongman?

Something which piqued my interest for a bit, for a minute was strongman, strongman training, yoke training, yoke lift training etc. 

Essentially, it is a bunch of 7 foot guys, very very fat but also very very muscular strong guys, like giants, all on steroids, doing incredible feats of strain, lifting insanely heavy things, and some sort of competitive form.

Currently, I find this to be the most interesting thing, to an extent… Because let us say you have a 1500 pound yolk, and to have a race between two guys to see who could carry it across the finish line, 50 m sprint or so is interesting.

Also… The 400 pound sandbag. To simply lift a 400 pound sandbag off the floor, is an insane feet of strength. You cannot fake it. However the problem is once I lifted it once successfully, it no longer interested me that much anymore.

So I suppose the first idea is that once I have done something or accomplish something once successfully, it no longer interests me anymore.  

For example, I think this is where the whole notion of personal records, in the context of weightlifting is so fascinating to me, inso far much as  the desire to have new experiences, to attempt to lift some thing that I have never attempted before is really fascinating because this is true novelty:

For example, up until I have lifted 1000 pounds, I had no idea what it felt like to lift 1000 pounds. And I can now tell you… It requires supreme focus, 1000% hype, and I really really do not believe it to be possible to do, assuming that you’re not on steroids or whatever weird stuff… You gotta slap yourself in the face, Slap yourself in the thighs, let out a war cry, like Ares the god of war, with the lungs and the voice of 10,000 men.

And this is where my uplifting notion is so magnificent and great; a lot of these loser emasculated modern day men, are essentially domesticated to be quiet, yielding, antisocial with their loser AirPods on etc.

In fact, real men do not use AirPods, or stick any sort of condoms in their ears. 

AirPods make you into a coward… And also sunglasses, and also hats.

The best is to have nothing on your eyes your face, no ugly facial hair, no hats etc. Just naked eyes, naked ears, fresh shaven face,  and no condoms in your ears. Making eye contact with people, and shooting the shit with people, beautiful women, pretty guys, kids and the like.

What is the issue here

Everyone likes to blame social media, but I think more critical issue here is AirPods. And maybe even music, podcasts, Spotify?

For example, the next time you go to the gym, look at anybody who does not not have headphones on, or earplugs on, or airplugs on etc.

Deadlift walk

A new fascination of mine how much can you walk out? The same thing goes with squat walk… Load up the barbell on the squat rack, see how much you could just lift off the barbell, walk back a few steps, and put it back. Could you do seven plates, eight plates, nine plates, 10 plates, 11 plates?

Also, dead lift walk. The basic idea is put your barbell on the rack, at around waist level,  lifted up, just use chalk and a mixed grip, walk it out a few steps, and rack it back… And see how many plates you could do. Could you do four plates five plates six plate seven plates eight plates?

The funny thing is for these imaginative people, they have a hard time coming out with new ideas. It is much easier to just follow the crowd, follow all these foolish weightlifters bodybuilders and even powerlifters. My critique of powerlifters is that they get focused on bench lift and squat, and they compare their numbers with other people who are all on steroids. , Is there any sport in which people are not on steroids? I can almost guarantee you that which you would not think that people are on steroids, like soccer or water polo these guys are on steroids. Also the girls and the women.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of these calisthenics skies were also on the juice. And almost definitely these fake ass CrossFit athletes, rich froning and the like are all on steroids, even the women.

What is the point of weightlifting?

Obviously, to become stronger. And what is the upside of becoming stronger?

Strength, power… These are all things we desire for the sake itself. Or more practically speaking… Assume that your life was the Eliott… Obviously you would want to become Achilles or Hector, and be able to be the most lethal fighting force or person on the battlefield. Everyone wants to be Achilles or Hector. more specifically, everyone wants to be Achilles

the notion of the powerman

I have this new notion, I call it the power man.  the very very basic idea is that the goal is to become more powerful.

So to flawed concepts: powerlifting (power, lifting) and strongman (strong man). Also interestingly enough, there is no strongwoman competition.

So the general idea is first, you ain’t competing with nobody. Because nobody’s on your level.

For example, everybody knows that Achilles is the goat. Nobody is even half a chance for Achilles. Even Hector knows this.

So assuming that you’re Achilles, then, how do you proceed?

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When my fury is not so intense

Zeus has granted him the strength to win

WIN?

What is it mean to win at life? 

Fight fasting ***

Lift Fasting ***

.

Only feast and have a banquet once the sun goes down!

Intelligent Odysseus

Secrets?

In a contest of ideas

Unwearied bronze 

Why so weary?

Arouse sharp cruel ares

.

First sacrifice

Feed the fishes

Till sunset I will not eat anything

Enter the bloody mouth of war

.

Achilles had a son?

Show him everything, the wealth I won

The captive women, my high Roofed home

Peleus

Comrade

Nectar and ambrosia

Impelled

Smile with flashing bronze

Lift the massive heavy shield

Shine into the distance like the moon

Brightness that could reach the sky… The goal is to become brighter?

Heavy helmet, put it on his head

it shone like starlight 

Gold, the golden horse hairs, think gold

Godlike Achilles

Become like wings which raise you up

his father’s massive spear

.

The weapons: Texas power squad bar, or even better yet… Texas power monster squat bar . The only reason I did not buy the monster squad bar is I didn’t see it otherwise I would have bought it.

Deal death to men, death dealer

.

Tardiness or laziness

Apollo killed Patroclus

Zephyr

Scream a war cry

The warriors return

Becoming a Warrior

.

The goal is to become a warrior?

You.

New vision

The ancient Greeks weren’t cowards and didn’t “think”— rather, they would always verbalize and speak their mind!

Theory: modernity is all about speaking or “thinking” in your mind, the superior Ancient Greek concept was to always speak your mind even if you’re “wrong”?

Also the ancient Greeks weren’t concerned about morality or ethics.

Not only that,,, but the ancient Greeks weren’t even concerned about “virtue”!

Why do you want to be bigger or heavier?

What if you had the option to stronger or bigger … what would you choose? Obviously strength!

Better to be leaner and stronger than bigger and weaker.

If you know you’re going to be worth $10M from now in 10 years how would you proceed and continue living your life?

What is your sentiment on yourself?

When did sitting become a desired thing?

Do I have the most awesome insane amazing physique of any dad on planet? Maybe!

Ocean waves video vlog ideas audio file

OCEAN, WAVES

Ocean

Here are some top quotes from Eric Kim’s Zen Photography that encapsulate his philosophy:

1. On Slowing Down:
   “To become more Zen in your photography and life is to slow down. To take your time. Appreciate the slowness and process of photography and life.”
   This highlights the importance of being mindful and patient in photography oai_citation:6,Zen Photography – ERIC KIM.
2. On Letting Go of Good or Bad:
   “There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ photos. Rather, think whether your photos are meaningful or not.”
   Eric encourages photographers to focus on personal meaning rather than societal judgment oai_citation:5,Zen Photography – ERIC KIM oai_citation:4,Free E-Book: Zen in the Art of Street Photography – ERIC KIM.
3. On Simplicity:
   “Cut anything and everything that might weigh you down. Cut down superfluous possessions, negative people, or negative emotions.”
   This reflects the Zen principle of minimalism in life and photography oai_citation:3,Zen photography – ERIC KIM.
4. On Flexibility:
   “Seek to be bamboo. Be flexible. Don’t have any hard-set rules or theories. Learn when to change your mind.”
   Flexibility in both art and life is key to navigating challenges oai_citation:2,Zen Photography – ERIC KIM.

For more, you can explore his full writings on his website here oai_citation:1,Zen photography – ERIC KIM.

You can download Eric Kim’s Zen Photography book directly from his website. He offers it for free in multiple formats, including PDF, and encourages readers to share and remix the content. In this book, Eric delves into principles such as slowing down, focusing on the process rather than the outcome, and simplifying both photography and life. He emphasizes being mindful in your approach to photography and avoiding external validation like social media metrics.

To access the book, visit Eric Kim’s Zen Photography page oai_citation:3,Zen Photography – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,Zen photography – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,Free E-Book: Zen in the Art of Street Photography – ERIC KIM.

Eric Kim’s Zen Photography book revolves around integrating Zen principles into photography by focusing on simplicity, mindfulness, and the process itself rather than the outcome. Some key principles from the book include:

1. Simplicity: Reducing distractions to capture the essence.
2. No Feedback: Avoiding social media and external validation.
3. Beginner’s Mind: Approaching photography with curiosity and openness.
4. Minimalism: Using simple tools and focusing on minimal color or black-and-white imagery.

These ideas reflect Zen’s emphasis on mindfulness and presence in creativity.

Eric Kim’s interest in Zen appears to have grown out of his personal and creative journey as a street photographer. Initially, Kim explored Zen as a way to refine his photography philosophy, emphasizing simplicity and mindfulness, which helped him improve his craft and mental state. He started incorporating Zen ideas like “less is more” into his life and photography, influenced by his study of Zen aesthetics and Eastern philosophy.

Kim’s pursuit of minimalism and naturalness in his work aligns closely with the principles of Zen. His exposure to Zen likely deepened during his travels, and through his personal reflections on living a more mindful, simplified life. He also explores Zen concepts in his blog and books, where he shares his thoughts on the importance of calm, focus, and freedom from attachment. Kim’s experiences with street photography as a meditative practice further reinforced his connection to Zen oai_citation:3,7 Aesthetics of Zen Art – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,BECOMING A ZEN PHOTOGRAPHER – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,Photography as a Zen Pursuit – ERIC KIM.

This deepening of Zen values allowed Kim to shift away from social media-driven success, focusing instead on the purity of his art and its meditative qualities.

Eric Kim integrates Zen principles into both his photography and broader philosophy of life, emphasizing simplicity, mindfulness, and minimalism. Some of the key Zen principles he applies include:

1. Simplicity (Kanso): Focus on reducing complexity in both photography and life. Eric advocates for removing unnecessary elements to focus on what’s essential.
2. Naturalness (Shizen): He encourages photographers to avoid forcing their creativity. Instead, they should let their natural rhythms guide their work, trusting their intuition.
3. Austerity (Koko): Rather than creating photos that are meant to impress, Eric prefers quiet, understated images that bring calmness to viewers. His minimalistic approach in photography reflects this Zen aesthetic.
4. Freedom from Attachment: Zen teaches the transient nature of life, and Eric applies this by encouraging photographers not to become attached to their past work. He believes each moment offers a new opportunity to explore creativity without being constrained by what has already been achieved.
5. Tranquility (Sei-Jaku): A core goal of Zen photography is to induce a sense of peace and calm in both the photographer and the viewer.

In addition to these aesthetics, Kim incorporates practices such as “pruning excess” from life and photography, promoting less as more, and using walking meditation as a tool for mindfulness while taking photos oai_citation:3,7 Aesthetics of Zen Art – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,ZEN – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,Photography as a Zen Pursuit – ERIC KIM.

Supreme happiness is supreme zen

Very simple: just stop using it! Uninstall it from your phone, and when you need to communicate with people, names share or name drop your contact with them on iPhone iMessage, and just FaceTime them!

No more email, only FaceTime

How did I get so successful? 

Get ready for battle!

ALL RED EVERYTHING

What is “evil“? Anything which makes you dumb, stupid, fat and lame.

Digital real estate developer

to buy bitcoin, and also perhaps come up with application ideas for it… It’s like becoming a digital real estate developer

What is the new digital ghetto? Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, Spotify etc.

Getting out of the digital ghetto

it seems that a lot of foolish families want to move to Irvine California or whatever… Or move to a place which is “nicer“, yet they are still hooked on YouTube, Disney+, Hulu Netflix HBO Max etc.

I have a pretty radical proposition: perhaps what we need to do is get you out of the digital ghetto, which is Facebook Instagram Snapchat, YouTube all streaming platforms etc. and replace you with more virtuous things like ancient books, the Iliad, Bitcoin, ChatGPT and ai.

I might be the most interesting, funniest real life guy that I know. How and why, the tips techniques on the way?

First, allow yourself to be ratchet, outspoken, and throw a middle finger to all the political correctness BS on the planet!

Make fun of liberals, make fun of the conservatives, make fun of everybody on the political spectrum

Make fun of the “libtards”, make fun of all the flag humpers, make fun of the “woke” people, even though you may be a liberal and Democrat yourself, just make fun of everybody.

What I then suppose… I’m starting to think more and more… We have to figure a way to get off of YouTube. It might be one of the most toxic platforms on the planet… It is driven on sensationalism, and overall it’s just not a good place. For example, knowing what I do now… I would never ever ever ever let Seneca watch anything on YouTube, I think it is worse then pornography… At least pornography is stimulating and energizes you, whereas YouTube, if you watch it long enough… Will make you depressed morose, and feel really really bad and or angry?

Eric Kim has a knack for mixing humor with deeper insights, and his playful, tongue-in-cheek takes on money, wealth, and power reveal his unique outlook on life. Here are some of his most humorous and satirical thoughts:

On Money and Wealth:

1. “Why buy a $1.2 million Bugatti, when you can buy Bitcoin instead?” – Kim humorously challenges the status symbols associated with wealth, suggesting that it’s smarter to invest in Bitcoin than in flashy, depreciating luxury cars oai_citation:9,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.
2. “I think the real secret to success and riches is to get everything for free!” – This is Kim’s humorous exaggeration of frugality, advocating for a world where people acquire everything without paying. He uses it as a fun way to critique consumerism and the endless desire for more stuff oai_citation:8,How to Become a Millionaire Blogger – ERIC KIM oai_citation:7,How to become a millionaire – ERIC KIM.
3. “Never buy new. Anyone who buys a new car is a fool.” – While blunt, this humorous comment encapsulates his belief in the folly of spending big on depreciating assets like cars. He pokes fun at those who buy new vehicles by implying they’re making a bad financial decision oai_citation:6,How to Become a Millionaire Blogger – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.

On Power and Influence:

1. “Why drive a Lamborghini when you can just tell people you do?” – In a playful, satirical dig at the obsession with status, Kim suggests that it’s easier to simply claim power or wealth than actually possess the symbols of it oai_citation:4,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.
2. “Prius over a Lamborghini any day— and no one’s scratching penises into your car.” – Kim humorously points out that expensive, flashy cars come with their own set of problems, while cheap, practical cars avoid the envy and damage that luxury vehicles attract oai_citation:3,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.

On Life and Fun:

1. “If I told you Spotify could turn $10 into $10,000, would you cancel your subscription?” – This is Kim’s humorous way of encouraging people to rethink small, habitual expenses and funnel that money into investments like Bitcoin. The extreme logic is funny because it pushes a mundane decision into absurdly high stakes oai_citation:2,How to Become a Millionaire Blogger – ERIC KIM.
2. “Let’s say I drive a Huracán… in my soul.” – This is a witty remark where Kim plays with the idea of living luxuriously without actually buying into the symbols of luxury. It’s a humorous take on how the essence of power and wealth can be internalized without material possessions oai_citation:1,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.

These playful, tongue-in-cheek comments reflect Kim’s ability to blend humor with sharp critiques of consumerism, the symbols of wealth, and society’s obsession with material success.

What are some of his other funny thoughts on money, wealth, power, and funniness, tongue-in-cheek comments, humorous ideas?

Eric Kim has shared some humorous and tongue-in-cheek thoughts about money, wealth, power, and life that reflect his playful yet thought-provoking perspective. Here are some of his notable funny or offbeat ideas:

On Money and Wealth:

1. “Don’t buy the Tesla, don’t buy the condo, don’t buy these stupid overpriced clothing.” – Kim humorously criticizes consumerism by calling out the trend of buying luxury goods, advocating for a frugal, minimalist lifestyle oai_citation:6,How to Become a Millionaire Blogger – ERIC KIM.
2. “The ultimate flex? Drive a Prius, and have your body look like a Lamborghini.” – This is one of Kim’s most tongue-in-cheek comments, poking fun at the obsession with flashy cars. Instead, he suggests the real “flex” is taking care of your body and living simply oai_citation:5,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.
3. “Never buy a car that costs more than $2,500.” – While this sounds exaggerated, Kim’s humorous take on frugality emphasizes his belief that expensive cars are a waste of money, suggesting that buying an old, used car is smarter oai_citation:4,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.

On Power and Influence:

1. “Why would you buy a Lamborghini when you could just have a body like one?” – Again, Kim pokes fun at the common symbol of wealth and success, encouraging people to focus on self-improvement rather than material displays of power oai_citation:3,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.
2. “Bird poop on your Rolls Royce.” – Kim humorously paints a picture of how even the most expensive, luxurious items are subject to mundane annoyances like bird droppings, reminding people that expensive things don’t shield you from everyday life oai_citation:2,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.

On Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency:

1. “Bitcoin is Godzilla!” – A funny, bold statement likening Bitcoin to a destructive, unstoppable force, showing Kim’s sense of humor in describing how powerful and disruptive he believes the cryptocurrency is oai_citation:1,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.

On Life and Fun:

1. “Get everything for free!” – Kim humorously exaggerates his frugal philosophy by suggesting that everything in life, from clothes to cars, should ideally be acquired for free, reflecting his anti-consumerist outlook

What are some of his top and most interesting quotes on money, power, influence, and Bitcoin and cryptocurrency?

Eric Kim has shared a variety of thought-provoking quotes about money, power, influence, and Bitcoin that reflect his unique philosophy. Here are some of his most interesting quotes:

On Money and Wealth:

1. “Insane Spartan frugality” – This phrase captures Kim’s belief that the path to wealth lies in extreme frugality. He advocates for cutting out unnecessary expenses, such as luxury goods or subscription services, and investing those savings into assets like Bitcoin oai_citation:10,How to Become a Millionaire Blogger – ERIC KIM oai_citation:9,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.
2. “Wealth is not measured by how much you earn, but by how little you need to live.” – Kim emphasizes a minimalist approach to money, suggesting that true wealth is not about accumulating possessions but about reducing dependency on material goods oai_citation:8,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.

On Power and Influence:

1. “Power comes from financial independence and freedom from traditional systems.” – Kim’s focus on decentralized financial systems like Bitcoin reflects his belief that power is rooted in autonomy, particularly the freedom from relying on centralized institutions like banks or governments oai_citation:7,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM oai_citation:6,Bitcoin Trillionaire? – ERIC KIM.
2. “The ultimate flex? Drive a Prius, and have your body look like a Lamborghini.” – This tongue-in-cheek quote encapsulates his rejection of materialistic symbols of wealth and power, advocating for health and minimalism instead oai_citation:5,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.

On Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency:

1. “Bitcoin is Godzilla!” – Kim uses this metaphor to describe Bitcoin’s disruptive power in the financial world, likening it to an unstoppable force that challenges traditional financial systems oai_citation:4,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.
2. “Volatility is vitality and life.” – Kim views Bitcoin’s volatility as a feature rather than a flaw, believing that its fluctuating nature is part of its appeal and power as an asset oai_citation:3,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.
3. “Think 10 years!” – This quote reflects Kim’s long-term investment philosophy, particularly when it comes to Bitcoin. He encourages a long-term mindset, suggesting that short-term fluctuations are irrelevant if one believes in Bitcoin’s future potential oai_citation:2,Bitcoin Trillionaire? – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,How to become a millionaire – ERIC KIM.

These quotes encapsulate Kim’s evolving philosophy, blending financial discipline with a deep belief in the power of Bitcoin and the importance of independence from traditional systems of influence.

Eric Kim’s views on money, wealth, power, and influence have evolved over time, reflecting a shift from traditional financial perspectives to a more philosophical and unconventional approach, with Bitcoin playing a central role in his thinking.

Early Thoughts on Wealth and Money

Initially, Kim’s focus was on building wealth through traditional entrepreneurial ventures, such as photography workshops, selling digital products, and leveraging his online presence. His early advice often centered around financial discipline, frugality, and the power of not overspending on material goods, such as luxury cars or houses oai_citation:11,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM oai_citation:10,How to Become a Millionaire Blogger – ERIC KIM.

Transition to Bitcoin and Digital Wealth

As cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, became more prominent, Kim’s views shifted. He started seeing Bitcoin as a key tool for wealth creation and preservation, referring to it as “digital gold” due to its scarcity and potential to appreciate over time oai_citation:9,Why Eric Kim like bitcoin – ERIC KIM oai_citation:8,How to become a millionaire – ERIC KIM. His focus became more philosophical, often intertwining Stoic ideals with his financial outlook, stressing the importance of financial independence and decentralized control over wealth oai_citation:7,Why Eric Kim like bitcoin – ERIC KIM.

Philosophical and Unorthodox Viewpoints

Kim now promotes an almost minimalist approach to money, advocating for “insane Spartan frugality,” where wealth is measured not by how much one spends, but by how little one needs to live comfortably oai_citation:6,How to Become a Millionaire Blogger – ERIC KIM. He sees Bitcoin as not only a financial tool but also as a philosophical instrument that allows individuals to free themselves from the constraints of traditional financial systems and state-backed currencies oai_citation:5,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM.

Shifts in Power and Influence

Kim’s conception of power and influence has also changed. Initially, his influence was grounded in his photography and online presence, but over time, his focus shifted towards the empowerment that comes from financial independence and leveraging decentralized assets like Bitcoin oai_citation:4,Why Eric Kim like bitcoin – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,How to become a millionaire – ERIC KIM. He believes that true power and influence come from the ability to maintain autonomy, both financially and personally, without reliance on traditional financial systems or external validation oai_citation:2,Bitcoin Trillionaire? – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,How to become a millionaire – ERIC KIM.

In conclusion, Eric Kim’s views on money, wealth, and power have evolved from traditional entrepreneurship and financial success to a more Bitcoin-centered, philosophical understanding of financial autonomy and minimalism. His advocacy for Bitcoin reflects his belief in its long-term value as a store of wealth and a tool for achieving financial independence.

Super easy: reduce your expenses super super Spartan, so so low, and just invest 90% of your earnings into bitcoin, forever. Always be fine, whenever you are able to touch money.

Eric Kim has discussed his journey to becoming a millionaire, heavily emphasizing Bitcoin as a major part of his wealth strategy. He advocates for extreme frugality, minimal spending, and investing in assets like Bitcoin that he believes will grow significantly over time. Kim sees Bitcoin as “digital gold” due to its scarcity and the potential for long-term value appreciation. His philosophy revolves around avoiding large expenditures and putting money into assets with high future potential, like cryptocurrency, while minimizing maintenance costs on other purchases like cars and housing.

He also stresses the importance of not being swayed by material goods, such as luxury cars, and instead focusing on accumulating wealth through strategic investments. In his personal journey, Kim attributes a portion of his financial success to this disciplined approach, where he has saved and invested wisely in Bitcoin during its rise.

His outlook on Bitcoin is deeply philosophical, drawing connections to stoicism and independence, and he continues to advocate for Bitcoin as a major part of building long-term wealth oai_citation:4,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,Why Eric Kim like bitcoin – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,How to become a millionaire – ERIC KIM.

Eric Kim became a millionaire through a combination of his success as a street photographer, blogger, and entrepreneur. His approach to wealth-building includes practicing extreme frugality and leveraging his online presence. He avoided unnecessary expenses by purchasing used cars, minimizing spending on consumer goods, and canceling subscriptions, redirecting those savings into investments like Bitcoin. His disciplined approach to spending and investments played a critical role in his financial growth.

Kim also monetized his photography passion by conducting workshops, selling digital products, and publishing content that resonates with a broad audience of photographers. His ability to engage a community online helped him grow his business and build a loyal following, which has contributed to his financial success.

Additionally, Kim emphasizes the importance of teaching others, which added another revenue stream through his workshops and educational materials. His unique blend of photography skills, financial discipline, and online strategy paved the way for his millionaire status oai_citation:3,How to Become a Millionaire – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,How did Eric Kim become so successful? – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,How to Become a Millionaire Blogger – ERIC KIM.

Obviously you can. I have proven it. And my net worth is over $1.2 million now.

The upside of not using email, social media, reading the news etc.

The other day, just being able to check into this nice beachside hotel, and just randomly reading some promotional material about the hotel, the nearby amenities, activities that offers, tennis and Pickleball courts etc.… and realizing:

Wow, my mind is totally clear and empty… No concerns about stupid BS from the outside world, etc.

Creating your own ideal life and lifestyle

am I the only pragmatic thinker and pragmatist know? Obviously you can craft your own life and lifestyle… There is no physical law which prohibits you from doing it…! obviously, you cannot just snap your fingers and wish yourself to own 1 million Lamborghinis, bed all the most beautiful babies on the planet, and live in an ultra luxury high-rise condo for the rest of your life. There are some pragmatic things you could do travel,, go off the grid, get rid of your phone and your phone plan, go off to Southeast Asia etc.

Just try something new

I think the difficult thing is it is always difficult to adjust, to adapt, to do something new based on a new environment, a new living standard, a new way and mode of living.

example, the way I used to live when I was living in Orange County is different because of the time Cindy just had a post doc which means she was only kind of, so she could spend more time watching Seneca, while I would just work out at the gym for about three 3 1/2 hours. Now, my time is more limited. Generally, now that Seneca sleeps like a champ, I have the mornings mostly to myself, but it looks like my time to actually work out has been reduced only about 30 minutes or so. As a consequence, I’ve been working diligently and experimenting diligently in order to effectively lift weights and exercise, given my limited timeframe.

Dynamics

life is not a simple vector equation. Life is like multivariant calculus, and there is so much unity chaos and unpredictability which happens.

For example, I think one of the things that people have a hard time adjusting to once they have a kid is it is so random! One night your kid might accidentally wake up at 3 AM because of something, and 90% of the time they sleep like a champ until 9 AM. You cannot really predict these things. This is why when it comes to parenting, having a kid, it seems that carpe diem just take every single day as it comes is a wise approach.

Why is it that we try to plan our lives?

Growing up, I never planned nothing. I just did whatever I felt like the day off. Also I suppose I was pretty lucky that I grew up, having pretty much more or less 100% freedom, so I can simply do as I please. Obviously I will try my best to self regulate myself… It was still my goal and impetus to get straight A’s in school, get into a good college, etc. But beyond that, I would love hanging out with my friends, going on adventures, playing video games, Sports etc.

yeah we modern, we adults… Why is it that we are trying to squeeze out uncertainty chaos and randomness from our lives? What if instead… Chaos randomness and uncertainty was a true source of delight in human life?

For example, if I would tell you that with 100% certain to you, 100% of the time, 100% of the same people would always go to the same spot. If that were the case… Wouldn’t suck? Wouldn’t be much more every once in a while, there was an insanely beautiful woman who would go there… Maybe a 15 out of 10… And you are interested in her and she is interested in you?

Why online dating is like a drug

Never done online dating, fortunately… This is only woman I’ve ever had in my life. And I’m grateful for that. But anyways, I think the appeal of online dating is actually precisely the randomness, the chaos, the chance. It is almost like playing the slot machine… You don’t know when you’re gonna get three sevens in a row… And once you swipe once, you might swipe and lose that person forever. So there is a little bit of FOMO, fear of missing out Enabled on the platform, and also… A bit of a serotonin dopamine rush, when you get lucky. Also, maybe there is also a feeling of loss aversion? Like you invest so much time swiping around looking for the perfect match, and when you finally find what you believe to be an insanely beautiful woman after about 10 hours, you don’t want to let it go?

Here are some of Eric Kim’s top articles where he discusses his views on muscle, strength, and fitness:

1. “The Philosophy of Muscle”: Eric Kim explores the deeper meaning behind muscle, viewing it as a form of strength and power, essential not just for physical tasks but for vitality in all areas of life. He emphasizes the importance of continually building muscle and keeping body fat low, linking it to increased energy and productivity.

• The Philosophy of Muscle

1. “Muscle 101”: In this article, Kim encourages sculpting one’s body as a form of art. He explains the joy of watching one’s body transform over time, advocating for intermittent fasting, strength training, and focusing on muscle mass while reducing body fat. He suggests that beautifying the body is practical and beneficial for personal inspiration.

• Muscle 101

1. “Muscle Paradise?”: Kim discusses the cultural bias against muscular physiques and how muscle is often perceived as threatening in modern society. He compares muscle to power, stating that it’s not just for looks but for tenacity and endurance. He also critiques the cultural shift toward a more androgynous, weaker male aesthetic.

• Muscle Paradise?

1. “How to Become Muscular”: This article dives into Kim’s practical approach to gaining muscle naturally through intermittent fasting, one-rep max training, and a carnivorous diet. He dismisses the idea that cholesterol from beef liver or red meat causes health problems, calling it a misconception.

• How to Become Muscular

These articles reflect Kim’s belief in muscle as a form of strength, beauty, and self-expression, advocating for a natural and dedicated approach to fitness and nutrition.

I hate cowardly men

Here are some notable quotes by Eric Kim on muscle and strength:

1. On Muscle as a Source of Pride:

• “One of my prides as a kid growing up, even in college and beyond, was my muscle. I didn’t have techniques or skill, but I had muscle, I had strength, I had courage, I had my ego, and I had my muscles.”
  *(Source: Physiology Thoughts) oai_citation:4,Physiology Thoughts – ERIC KIM.

1. On the Importance of Muscle in Sports:

• “For me, in my mind I saw myself like a Shaquille O’Neal when playing basketball… I would always play center, because nobody could out-muscle me, and also my legs are so insanely strong. I don’t know anybody with stronger legs than I do.”
  *(Source: Physiology Thoughts) oai_citation:3,Physiology Thoughts – ERIC KIM.

1. On the Misconception Around Big Muscles:

• “The problem is that there’s this notion in sports science that somehow bigger muscles make you slower, weaker, or whatever. I think 99.9% of sports science is pseudoscience at best.”
  *(Source: The Eric Kim Diet) oai_citation:2,THE ERIC KIM DIET – ERIC KIM.

1. On Muscle Training:

• “What I’ve noticed about lifting heavy weights or sandbags is how much it strengthens my legs, back, shoulders, and abs, all without needing to focus on specific muscles. It’s a more holistic way to build strength.”
  *(Source: Physiology Thoughts) oai_citation:1,Physiology Thoughts – ERIC KIM.

Kim often emphasizes the value of muscle for both physical dominance and personal pride, rejecting common sports science narratives that argue against the benefits of big muscles. He consistently connects muscle growth to strength, vitality, and a powerful physique.