• Why having limited space is good

    The best way to curate.

  • We must feel an emotional connection to it

    This is one of the upside with physically touching stuff, when you touch something, you really know how you really feel about it.

  • THE BODY IS A VIRTUE

    Too many philosophers in the past have said that the body is a waste of time, but the mind is the supreme source of our efforts.

    Perhaps the opposite is better; devote 99% of your time to your body, and the mind stuff will follow.

    Why do people feel so uncomfortable about their own body?

    When people feel uncomfortable with you walking around topless, flexing, wearing short shorts, showing off your midriff, showing off your muscles etc., the biggest issue actually is that people themselves feel uncomfortable about their own bodies.

    Why is this?

    First of all, it seems and 99% of the population are both overfat, and lack muscle mass, and do not lift weights. Most people are sick. They are chronically overworked, don’t sleep enough, and are just unwell. And therefore, when they see somebody who is very well, fit, muscular and lean, muscles bulging, veins popping, and in good mood etc., most people seem to just be dumbfounded. Also, envious.

  • GET THE LESS DOMINANT BRAND?

    For example, more interesting to get a Lucid car instead of a Tesla?

  • PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

    Towards building demigod strength and physique; it looks like my technique works. Extreme intermittent fasting, no breakfast no dinner, only one insanely massive hundred percent carnivore meal in the evening.

    Also, only single repetitions. Every time you do a lift the gym, just do one lift, and only focus on one rep maximum lifts.

  • Perhaps *I* Am the Cruel One?

    We always like to think that we are the good guys, and the right and virtuous ones. But what if in fact, you were the bad guy, you were the cruel one?

    If that is so,

    “Fucking c’est la vie.”

  • Foresight is Blind

    Foresight is Blind

    Do you know how do you say that hindsight is 20-20? Perhaps to invert that saying, an even more useful aphorism is that foresight is blind.

    What does that mean? That means that you should just pursue any of your random interests, and let things manifest for themselves.

    For example, my interest and passion for fitness, weightlifting, etc. It looks like I’m onto something interesting, something I could’ve never predicted in the past.

    Even silly things; my passion for John Wick, and the ancient Spartans in the movie 300, have given me far more interesting invaluable advancements then taking things “seriously”.

    Therefore as a life lesson, you never have any idea where you’re headed. Simply trust yourself, audacious self-confidence, and keep fearlessly advancing.

    Lady Fortune gives wings to the brave.

  • Don’t Forgive

    Life is too short to forgive.

  • THE NEXT BIG BITCOIN RALLY

    THE NEXT BIG BITCOIN RALLY

    Some thoughts:

    Whenever I see gas prices going up, I grin. Why? I believe that when gas prices keep on getting higher, it is a sign and a signal that the faith in the US dollar and fiat currency is going down.

    Also, currently looking at President Joe Biden; I am one of the most patriotic people that I know, and I am also a democrat liberal, but whenever I look at Joe Biden, on TV, how old he is, I see a sitting duck.

    The funny hilarity is that China is not the future. It seems like they are having a lot of their own internal problems.

    Personally speaking, I see and forecast a huge global recession; in which only the uber elite will prosper, and everyone else will fall into the wayside. Even now, there is no such thing as a middle class anymore. And the bizarre thing; They cannot get enough cheap laborers working at McDonald’s or other places.

    Let us consider this huge problem: they keep on increasing wages for nominal labor jobs, yet none of the fish are biting. What will this mean for the future of the economy?

    Bitcoin may not be the future, but it looks like crypto and cryptocurrency is an interesting promise.

    Something else I am very interested in is Chain.link — it looks like they will become the next Google. Sergey even quotes Seneca!

    For myself, the reason why I still want to hold onto my bitcoin and hoard it, is thinking John Wick; do you remember the scene in John Wick in which he has to just put in a gold coin in order to enter the secret club? Maybe the future society will look something like that.

    The joy of speculation over making money

    After I made $250,000 in the cryptocurrency market, my primary take away and life lesson was this:

    Money is not that important.

    What is more important? The joy of speculation, following your curiosity, striving to live the most glorious life possible.

  • Compression clothing is the new sign of the new elite

    Lululemon compression clothing; vital drive and license to train in all black is the one.

  • How You Can Master Street Photography

    How You Can Master Street Photography

    Master, maestro, just means teacher.

    You want to become your own teacher, your own master in photography and street photography.

    Starting off

    First, the right camera. I recommend a RICOH GR IIIX digital camera, ERIC KIM WRIST STRAP MARK II, and Lululemon license to train shorts. Why? The best way to always be ready before the decisive moment always have your camera in your front right pocket.

    The best settings

    P program mode, auto focus, highlight priority mode, auto ISO, extra small JPEG, high contrast black-and-white in camera mode.

    Why monochrome? It affords you much more street photo opportunities. Also, it increases your optionality in street photography.

    Literally anything and everything could be considered street photography. It doesn’t even have to have people in it. To me, I see it more as capturing fragments of humanity, and honestly the best way to consider things is interpret street photography for yourself.

    What I learned from studying all of the masters, and then killing them

    For myself, my greatest curiosity was studying all of the past masters of street photography, in order to glean deeper wisdom about photography and street photography.

    The number one lesson I learned after studying all of the masters is that everyone did things differently, and also, the greatest benefit was simply building self-confidence to know that I could literally do anything I wanted.

    The greatest detriment to your photography, street photography and creativity is spending too much time on the Internet, engaging in pointless discussions about what is street photography and what isn’t. Better to stand apart, creative isolation, and just focus on your own artistic and creative pursuits.

    Why does everyone want to lower your self confidence and your self-esteem?

    Honestly speaking, everybody on the Internet is a bunch of skinny fat losers who hate themselves, and they see others as cheating, or doing things illegitimately, and they feel like they themselves should be the supreme of everything which is right and true.

    The internet is a toxic place, because it seems that most people who post too much to social media and the Internet forums and comment sections are people who have way too much free time on their hands, and just are miserable, and want to attempt to allay their misery by posting vitriol and hate on the internet.

    A lot of people see the world at zero sum; that is, your success means their detriment. But that is not true. Only foolish people believe that the world is zero sum place. The truth is the pie is infinite. What I love about free market capitalism is that money fame and success is a fiction; ethereal things which can be indefinitely augmented.

  • Optionality in Street Photography

    Optionality in Street Photography

    Our goal in street photography is to increase options in making photos. That means, everything is permissible in the context of street photography. I think literally anything you shoot outside your house can be considered street photography.

  • Walking is the best way to think

    If there is something very serious you want to think about, go on a walk.

  • My YouTube Channel Settings

    Disable comments, showing likes and disable monetization.

  • The Most Glorious Life Possible: LIFE PHILOSOPHY VLOG ERIC KIM

    What would the most glorious life look like?

  • PHYSICAL.

    I love physics, the physical:

  • MOTIVATION.

    The Philosophy of Motivation

    Motivation. What is motivation, where does it come from, and also, what is the physiology behind it? 

    Motivation means to move

    Motivation, motus, motor, movement. Motivation literally means movement. 

    This is an interesting intervention, because, people think that they need motivation in order to do something. I say on the contrary, while you are doing something, you are motivated. 

    For example, let us talk the gym. People often think that you need motivation in order to go to the gym and to work out. However the hilarity is that once you are actually inside the gym, then the motivation will come to you. 

    This means: 

    Don’t seek motivation before going to the gym. Better to just be mindless, and to just drive to the gym, and then figure it out once you get there. 

    Let us remember the very wise Publilius Syrus saying:

    The gladiator creates his plans once he enters the arena. 

    Note, “The gladiator makes his plans before he enters the arena.”


    Photo Motivation

    This is also an interesting point, in regards to motivation in photography. A lot of us think we need motivation, in order to go out and make photos, etc. Photography is our passion. Yet, what gets in the way for us to pursue it? 

    My simple thought is that it is not an issue in regards to motivation. Rather, the critical issue is actually the fact that the equipment gets in the way. 

    For example, any camera that doesn’t fit in your front row pocket is not a good one. Why? It will obstruct your ability to go out and make photos. 

    This is why I am such a huge proponent of the Ricoh GR 3X digital camera. A camera which can easily fit in your front right pocket and always be with you, and not get in your way when you want to just quickly make a photo is good. 


    Motivation is a physiological thing

    I am starting to think and surmise that in fact, motivation should be seen as a physiological phenomenon. That is, assuming that you sleep 8 to 12 hours a night, have a good digestion, have great posture, high testosterone, high mood, strong muscles in your body, and low body fat percentage, you will naturally be motivated, Without even forcing yourself to be so. 

    Why is it that we don’t take our bodies with rigor, respect, and seriously? 

    I still think that philosophers, thinkers, entrepreneurs, even like people like Elon Musk don’t understand the human body. 

    Why? This foolhardy notion that somehow, the mind can exist without the body. That the body is an afterthought, and that the mind is supreme. 

    In fact, the mind is just a fiction. The only real physiological thing we have is the body. The mind is simply an offshoot of the body, not the other way around. 

    Therefore, my simple intervention: 

    If you desire to be more motivated in your photography, creativity life and art, optimize your body. 


    How to motivate your body

    After doing my epic eight plate at atlas lift for the first time, I slept like a god. 

    I think we must acknowledge that without a body, and without supple muscles and strength, there is no way we can motivate ourselves to do anything. For example, let us consider, if you only slept 30 minutes last night, or even worse let us say that you’re sleep deprived for 72 hours, will you have motivation to do anything? No. 

    Matter Over Mind

    But isn’t there “mind over matter“? No. 

    Once again, let us assume that you only slept 30 minutes in the course of two weeks. Even if you had the world’s strongest mind-power and willpower, could you motivate yourself to do anything? Of course not. 

    Do not trust the sick animals

    In modern-day times we have strange role models. It seems that we valorize people who run marathons, extreme long distances, endurance athletes, etc. Yet, as an example, 

    Inspect the bodies and the physiques of ultramarathon runners versus short distance Olympic sprinters. Who has the superior physique? 

    Ultramarathon runners, who run about 50 miles or maybe even 100 miles look like sick animals. If you inspect the short distance sprinters, they have the physique of gods. 

    I have never met a CrossFit athlete in real life who looks like a demigod

    All these people Rich Froning as being a great example, but I’m sure he’s on the juice. 

    I think in theory, CrossFit seems like a good idea, but in practice and reality, I have never really met a CrossFit athlete in real life who actually looks impressive. Most people who do CrossFit don’t really even look like they work out. 

    Typically the only physiques I see in real life are bodybuilders, who have impressive physiques. Or, powerlifters who can lift really really heavy weights, squat and deadlift, typically have extremely impressive lower bodies and legs. But the issue with powerlifters is that most of them are either way too fat, or way too skinny. 

    I have never met a power lifter who has what I consider a demigod physique. 

    The reason why I bring up CrossFit and these kind of sports is that somehow, we see it as virtuous to churn out large amount of repetitions, and also to push ourselves beyond a point of exhaustion. Yet I consider this insanely foolish. 

    No more than one lift per gym session

    The other day I went to the gym, and because I did my epic eight plate atlas lift the other day, and also attempted a very heavy rack pull, seven plates and a 10 a few days ago, I decided to switch it up and just do heavy farmers walk with the dumbbells, 150 pounder. It was a good workout, and I also got a really good hype and a good pump. 

    Then I think I did something kind of foolish, which was then, instead of just getting my ass out of the gym and back home, and focusing on more intellectual and creative and artistic endeavors, like blogging, writing, Vlogging, etc., I decided to attempt a floor dumbbell press of 120 pounder dumbbells.

    My idea was because I was nice and warm from the farmers carries, that it would be a good idea to do the floor dumbbell press.

    The reason why this was foolish was actually, extending my gym session for another hour, and actually exhausted me in a bad way. And also in the evening, around dinner time, I was profoundly hungry, we can tired, and felt faint. It was really a bad feeling. 

    Therefore, let it be considered as unvirtuous to spend perhaps longer than an hour at the gym, and also to do more than one lift per gym session as foolish. 

    Why motivate?

    Something we also have to consider is that when it comes to motivation, how much of the motivation we pursue and seek is self-motivation versus external things.

    For example, do you seek to motivate yourself to do things in order to please others, or seek some sort of external success measured by the barometer of others in society? Or instead, do you seek to just do what you want to do, for your own autotelic ends? 

    Where do we want to be motivated in?

    It seems, 

    1. We want to be more motivated to work out, go to the gym
    2. We want to be more motivated for our artistic and creative endeavors, our photography etc.
    3. We want to be motivated to finish tasks or things on our to do list?

    Some interventions: 

    1. Never do any work which seems like a thing you must do, or a duty. Only do things which you personally desire. For example if you don’t care for email, and sending email is not your life‘s passion, just don’t use it.
    2. In order to motivate yourself to go to the gym or work out, I just say have a shot of espresso at home, and just drive your ass to the gym. And never plan anything before you go to the gym. Just get your ass into the gym, and then figure it out once you’re there.
    3. Some people want to be more motivated to stop doing “bad things“. Like drinking soda, sugar and sweets, etc. My simple suggestion is figure out some sort of clever way to replace things. For example, if you’re addicted to soda or Coca-Cola or Coke zero and just want to stop, maybe just start drinking Perrier, topo Chico, Sparkling water etc. Also, whenever you crave dessert or a sweet, just have a shot of black espresso, nothing added.
    4. For photography, very simple. Just buy a Ricoh GR 3X digital camera, shoot extra small JPEG, high contrast black and white. And purchased some Lululemon license to train shorts, and always keep your camera in the front right pocket. And whatever you have even a .01 desire to photograph something, just shoot it and figure it out afterwards.
  • Become more disruptive

    To disrupt is a virtue.

  • I like the marketing and the branding of something more than the thing itself?

    Example, the reason I really like the Stumptown hair bender nitro cold brew is that it has the most beautiful branding.

    Also with Apple products, I only want to buy some thing if it has great marketing copy.

  • Free Enterprise

    Anti-copyright, anti-restrictions.

  • Is it OK to hate people?

    Yes. But just keep it to yourself, and don’t act upon it. And don’t share your hate or talk about your hate with others.

    Hate just means strong emotion towards somebody.

  • Body Over Mind

    Also, matter over mind.

    The mind is a fiction.

  • 120 POUND FLOOR DUMBBELL PRESS ERIC KIM UNORTHODOX LIFTS HYPELIFTING

    Floor dumbbell press is the way:

    Great accessory (crazy arch back) to strengthen your atlas lift and rack pull:

  • 150 POUND FARMER’S CARRY ONE REP MAX WALK

    Simple — just lift it up, and walk just a little bit!

    EKTUBE

  • Elite Design

    For the few, not the many.

  • DON’T TRUST NICE PEOPLE

    Also don’t trust “kind” people either.

  • HOW I WARMUP GOPRO MINI CHEST MOUNT POINT OF VIEW ERIC KIM YOGA MOBILITY STRETCHING

    HOW I WARMUP GOPRO MINI CHEST MOUNT POINT OF VIEW ERIC KIM YOGA MOBILITY STRETCHING

    Simple mobility and stretching and yoga stuff:

    1. Pigeon pose, then trying to grab my back foot with my hand.
    2. Broomstick ‘shoulder dislocated’ stretches, and do it diagonally.
    3. Heavy rope shoulder stretching dislocator style
    4. Muscle up
    5. Ninja hip stretches
    6. Back bridges, big arch, ‘wheel’ pose.
    7. Planche
    8. Dive bomber (hindu pushups), and 1 handed pushup dive bomber style

    The simple way I warm up:

    EKTUBE

  • HOW TO BECOME A CREATOR

    Super simple. Get a GoPro mini, and just shoot 1080 P at 24 fps. Also, Ricoh GR IIIX. And iPad Pro.

  • EK DAILY VLOGS

    A life in the day of EK:

  • LOSE ‘FAT’, NOT ‘WEIGHT’

    When people talk about weight loss– this is counter productive.

    Better to call a spade a spade–

    You gotta lose fat.

  • WHAT DO YOU DESIRE TO ACHIEVE IN LIFE BEFORE YOU DIE?

    Audio

    WHAT DO YOU DESIRE TO ACHIEVE IN LIFE BEFORE YOU DIE?

    Podcast

    To waste time is to waste life:

    The best life is with the insanely audacious goals!

  • The interior of the car is more important than the exterior.

    Why? Because you’re going to spend 99% of your time inside the car, not as much time outside looking at the car.

  • ONCE YOU’RE THE GOAT, THEN WHAT?

    Then, share your wealth, knowledge, wisdom and philosophy ideas with others.

    Expand the pie.

  • Treat every day like it’s your kid’s birthday

    And what is the best gift? Physical activity and physical presence.

  • Beauty Builders

    YOU CANNOT PURCHASE BEAUTY

    You can only build beauty .

    Bodybuilders should be seen as beauty builders.

  • Photo Heuristics

    Photo Heuristics

    Some simple heuristics or rules of thumb when it comes to photography:

    1. When in doubt, just shoot it.
    2. Better to make a bad photo than no photo.
    3. If your camera cannot fit in your front right pocket, it is a bad camera.
    4. The faster your workflow, the better.
  • What Is the Purpose or the Point of a University?

    It seems in modern-day times, it is almost expected that we send our kids to college or university. But, for what?

  • LAME OR PROFOUND?

    The issue with a lot of these so-called “wise“ words, or ideas or quotes is that most of them are lame. Superficial at best.

  • Nobody cares what you do, and also, nobody’s really paying attention to you anyways

    Also hilariously enough, even if you try to draw extreme attention to yourself, people don’t really care for you, or pay attention to you anyways.

    For example, walking around topless in public, nobody really cares, or really even notices you. A similar experiment; at the gym. Wearing short shorts, and rolling up my shirt to turn it into a crop top doesn’t really draw much attention either.

  • Off the market is more attractive

    This is why ironically enough, after you get married, or have a kid, you’re more attractive to the opposite sex.