Things won’t and cannot be optimal. Certainly there are times in which things are more optimal than less. However, in spite of all of it, just do the thing you love.
For example, having kids. When is the optimal time to have kids? Never. And maybe as a rule of thumb, if you and your wife want to have kids, the best is to just start trying before you think you’re ready. Or, if you think you’re 80% ready enough to have a kid, just have a kid.
I believe that the best mind, or mindstate is a zen mind. But how do we do it? Some thoughts:
One of my very positive experiences being in Hadong South Korea was meeting this secular Zen monk, who is Korean. He told me that he drinks coffee and green tea. Also he has a smartphone, and a car. He isn’t a pretentious “woke†monk, and also not part of a monastery. He is almost like a monk entrepreneur, who teaches meditation to local folks.
To meditate literally means to think (meditor). Then why is it that when we westerners think about meditation, we assume that one has to sit lotus pose, close your eyes, and do weird chanting?
Med— to measure, to give advice, to heal. The word meditate is also probably the same “med†as medicine.
I believe in the concept of meditation from a purely secular perspective. That, through activity and movement, walking and being on our legs, we think and meditate the best. And what is the point of meditation? I think it is to gain a deeper understanding of things.
What is enlightenment anyways? Enlightenment is simply gaining more insight of yourself and your life purpose and direction. Meditation isn’t a state in which you turn golden, and levitate off the floor. Enlightenment should be seen as a purely intellectual one, gaining enlightenment is just gaining self-confidence. Enlightenment from a purely etymological perspective means turning on the lights. That before, you didn’t think as critically and just followed the motions, and once you became enlightened, you gained a greater self-confidence in your life.
Isn’t it funny that when we think of monks, or Buddhist people, we don’t think of them as philosophers?
Similarly speaking, why don’t we ever think of Jesus as a philosopher?
Of course! All children are born philosophers, because they desire to seek a greater wisdom and understanding of things. Anybody who likes to ask the question “why“ is a philosopher.
And no, you do not need to study philosophy in school or get a philosophy degree. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had an interesting conversation with somebody who formally studied philosophy, much worse got his or her PhD in philosophy. Even worse, philosophy professors tend to be bizarre people.
First of all, I think it makes life better, and also more efficient. For example, the two most expensive things that a person will ever spend in their life includes either buying a home, and or buying a car. A philosopher is interesting, because they will think to themselves:
Should I buy a home? Why buy a home? What are the real upsides and downsides of owning a home?
With cars,
Do I even need a car in the first place? And will buying an exotic car actually make me more sexy and interesting?
After much contemplation on my end, I positively do not desire homeownership, and I do not even wish homeownership upon my worst enemy. Why? Millions upon millions of headaches, and hateful trips to Home Depot.
With cars, honestly they all suck. A Tesla car probably sucks the least, but even now, I don’t desire a Tesla. In fact, I do not desire to own any car. Why? If you own a car, your car owns you. Even if somebody offered to gift me a Lamborghini Aventador with this scissor doors for free, the intelligent thing is to not accept it. Why? The stress and expense of maintaining it, and also, the paranoia of just owning it. For example, would you drive a Lamborghini in the hood? No. The real risk that somebody might rob you at gunpoint point, or it could even get you killed.
If for some reason I wanted the worlds best car, it would probably be some sort of high-end Hyundai Genesis, as nobody has any idea what it is, or cares. Yet the interior design and comfort is unparalleled.
Even a funny idea I had, maybe the best luxury car would be a Rolls-Royce, which didn’t look like a Rolls-Royce on the outside. That you spent money to get rid of the Rolls-Royce spirit of ecstasy hood emblem, and also got rid of all the Rolls-Royce badging. A Rolls-Royce sleeper, that maybe looked more like a Chrysler on the outside, but was a Rolls-Royce on the inside.
To achieve and gain as in mind is all via negativa or, getting rid of things.
For example, don’t use email, don’t have email or any social media apps or YouTube installed on your phone, no social media, no podcast, and be very very very selective on reading books. Even reading too much books is bad.
Also, health and strength. To be able to sleep 8 to 12 hours a night, and also have great muscular strength. Weightlifting at the gym.
Disable all the notifications on your phone. Only enable FaceTime, so if your wife really needs to contact you, she could just FaceTime you.
Also, no text messaging. If you really just want to chat with a friend, just FaceTime them instead.
The true zen mind would just be not be owning a phone. I didn’t own a phone for almost 2 years when I lived in Vietnam, and it was the most sublime mindset I have ever had in my life. But now that I got a kid, and emergencies could happen, I try to use my iPhone SE as little as humanly possible, and even when I go out to the park and play with Seneca, I just lock it in the glove compartment when I leave, because I know that I will easily get distracted.
I am very anti-Google Chrome. I don’t have it installed on any of my devices, I just use Safari instead.
Why? The ultimate killer of your mind and focus is advertisements and advertising. Let us not forget that Google is an advertising company, and makes 99% of her profits through Google search, and advertising.
For example, Android. I am certain that the low-key plan of Android is to simply find more intelligent ways to deliver more relevant advertisements to you. For example when I was testing the Google Pixel, I cannot get rid of the Google search bar on the phone. Why? What Google wants you to do is to just google everything, and in between your searches, deliver you relevant advertisements.
Even nowadays, I have been trying to use Apple Maps over Google maps. Why? Google maps now has all of these distracting advertisements in it, which distracts me. While Apple Maps is the inferior service, at least it doesn’t have advertisements in it.
Even a philosophical thought, if you have the option of an inferior experience with no advertisements, or a superior experience with advertisements, choose the inferior option with no advertisements. This is superior for your zen mind.
Once again, I believe that all advertisements are bad for your mind. The more advertising you are subjected to, the less zen your mind.
A big culprit nowadays is magazines, and newspapers. I hate magazines, because 90% of it is just advertisements.
Also as a rule, do not trust any media source which is supported by advertising. That includes the TV news, YouTube, podcast, etc. Why? If a person or an agency or a media platform is supported by advertising, it is not in their best interest to tell you honest relevant things, as what you desire to do is to maximize your eyeball watching time, which shifts the news towards things which are more sensational.
Jesus — a true badass. Why don’t we ever think of Jesus as a philosopher, whose life teachings and actions was in accordance with his philosophy and beliefs?
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I am still so blown away and shocked to see how much insane detail there is in the Ricoh GR 3X photos that I shoot, just shooting JPEG.
If you ensure that you only blog and Vlog things you’re passionate about, you’ll never run out of motivation. Why? Because you are intrinsically motivated, because you love it. Not for some sort of financial gain, popularity, etc.
My theory, he is doing it for two reasons. First of all, he wants to be seen as benevolent, and intelligent, and discerning. The second, he might have some sort of hidden financial gain from it. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I heard from a guest on the Joe Rogan podcast that Bill Gates owns a substantive amount of farmland in America.
As much as we like notions of certain things our way, the human body doesn’t lie. For example, you may believe with all of your heart that Twinkies don’t make you fat. Even if you believe this with all of your heart and soul, and you eat 50 Twinkies a day, You would probably become very over fat and obese.
Similarly speaking, it seems that Bill Gates is singing the anthem and the glory of a plant-based diet, but just look at his gut. Like Elon Musk said, instant boner killer.
I have probably experimented with all types of diets and fitness concepts ever since I was around 12 years old. As a fat kid, being constantly teased for my double chin and thunder thighs, I knew that I had to make a difference.
Since then, I have experimented with all of the diet trends. For example, no saturated fat, more whole wheat carbs, ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, and now intermittent fasting and a carnivore diet.
Be insanely skeptical of everyone, including yourself. Ruthless self experimentation and self discovery.
If somebody objects to the way I do things, you don’t need to respond.
It seems nowadays the bias is to just consume more protein. And for some myopic reason people assume that all protein is alike, and the only thing which is important is the total number of grams of protein you consume.
Traps — the trapezius muscles on top of your shoulders and neck.
How do you build monster traps? Simple:
Go to the Costco business Center, you can go if you have a normal Costco membership. Buy beef ribs, beef brisket, etc.
Why beef? The fattier the meat, and the closer it is to the bone, the more cholesterol and nutrition it will have. Cholesterol is a steroid. The more cholesterol you consume, the more muscular gains you will get.
“The party’s in here we don’t need to go out.†– Kanye
I’m insanely into aesthetics.
I might also prefer 40mm over 35mm.
It seems that the bias nowadays is to get some sort of all wheel drive, off-road vehicle. What should this be a thing?
I think this is the new noveau hippie, consumerist thing. We lack adventure and excitement in our everyday lived realities, and instead, we seek some sort of form of adventure and excitement. Whether it be off-roading, in nature, the forest, the desert, etc.
The hilarity is that Cindy and I have actually spent a lot of time going on epic road trips, to the desert, Joshua tree, to the mountains, etc. And it was all easily done with a simple four-door sedan, a Ford fusion. There was really no place that needed to be accessed off the road. Everything is accessible on-road.
Also another thing, I don’t actually like going off-roading. It makes me carsick. Too much vibration is annoying.
Also, why the wilderness, why camping, etc.? Is it just another form of escapism? I think so. Personally speaking, I like society. I like going to the Costco business Center and getting meat, I like going to the gym and lifting heavy weights, I like having Wi-Fi, etc.
As an experiment, I tried shooting medium size JPEG on my Ricoh GR 3X. And this morning, importing it to my iPad Pro, it was so slow. Certainly compared to importing extra small or small JPEG‘s. Frustratingly slow.
I then wondered, a similar thing with electric cars, Teslas, and charging speeds. Why are charging speed so slow for electric cars? Why is it quicker and faster to fill up a gasoline car, when compared to recharging an electric car?
The Tesla model S plaid is certainly the fastest car, and therefore, is the best car. Yet, the Tesla model S plaid is a bit boring. Also, I really don’t like the front end of it, with the embedded T logo in the front. It gets rid of the design harmony.
A few weeks ago, I went to a Tesla showroom, and had a lot of fun in the Tesla model X with Seneca, with the falcon doors up. I think it is a great car, and it is cool that you could fit so many people into it, would be great for a multi kid family, or a growing family. I think it looks great in red. Yet my only critique with the Tesla model X is that it just looks a bit cheap. The quality doesn’t look great for a car that is over $100,000. Also, it seems that everyone has one now, which makes me a little bit less interested in actually getting one. Personally I want something different.
How about the Tesla model Y? Too much plastic on it. Also, I have discovered with crossover vehicles, or medium size vehicles, design wise, it is a compromise. It is boring.
How about the Tesla model 3? This might be the best bet, it lacks the new yoke steering of the Tesla model S and the model X. Perhaps we should just wait until they update the steering wheel in the Tesla model 3, and maybe, even make a plaid mode for the model 3.
Takeaway point: currently I am not interested in owning any Tesla vehicle. Or any car in general.
Yesterday, insanely exhausted, so I started eating dinner at around 3-4 PM, was able to put Seneca to bed at around 6 PM, and then hit the sack at around 7:30 PM.
Today, woke up at around 7:30 AM, after a glorious 12 hours of sleep, I feel like a new man. This is probably the best night sleep I got on the last two years.
Which made me wonder and think, why don’t more people do this? Ah yes, because a lot of people get out of work at 7:30 PM. Or get off of work at 7:30 PM. Which then makes me wonder, why do people work so much? Is there really that much work that needs to be done? I don’t think so.
Ever since the 1920s, the promise of a reduced work week was the dream. Yet in the year 2022, why do we still work 40 to 80 hours a week?
. Isn’t the goal, and shouldn’t the goal be to work as little as humanly possible, in order to maximize your free time and leisure for self cultivation, art, physical fitness, philosophy and more?
Insouciance means to not worry about things, to be aloof, and not worried or concerned about things.
After it all, what I still love and prefer the most is photos. Photography.
For example, in the evening after Seneca is asleep, and after I have had my meat meditation, what is it that I must do? To review, flag, and select my favorite photos.
Yesterday when I was reviewing photos on my iPad Pro, I was amazed and shocked by my photos. How much resolution, detail, sharpness, 3D-ness, pop, and emotional impact and soul they had.
The first thought was first of all, I do genuinely believe that any and every photographer should get an iPad, especially an iPad Pro. It is really the most beautiful way to look at your photos. Even think that looking at photos on an iPad Pro is superior than seeing them printed, even platinum prints on the most fine paper.
Isn’t this an insanely empowering thought? That once again, getting an iPad Pro for only $799 is 1000 times superior than printing them out on the most pretentious paper?
Photograph at all. Photograph yourself, your selfie, your muscles, your flexing, your kids, your wife, your environment, your walks, and other random things you see along the way.
To be shocked, to be amazed, to be shockingly delighted, to be amazed. For example, shooting with the Ricoh GR IIIx in JPEG, high contrast black and white, with the contrast and the sharpness put to max, how much sharpness and resolution I could see on the skin of Seneca, and even his skin pores. It makes him feel more human, more magical.
Nowadays, that everyone is scared of getting “cancelledâ€. But perhaps it is a good idea to actually positively strive to get cancelled.
Cooking, preparing, and eating meat is the chance for me to think, reflect, and meditate.
A new thought is that perhaps with iPhone or the iPad, the best device is the brightest. Therefore, a benefit of the new iPhone Pro to be brighter in the sun, and also for the bigger iPad Pro to be brighter.
Then perhaps comparing “nits“ is a good idea.
At the end of the day, it seems that the most useful part of a smart phone or an iPhone is the GPS functionality, whether you use Google maps or Apple Maps to navigate. A big issue I have faced is when I am driving in the bright southern California sun, Suddenly the screen of my iPhone dims, and then I can no longer see the driving directions. Therefore then, perhaps a good financial investment is to buy an iPhone with the brightest screen, the newest iPhone pro, to simply ensure that you could still see your navigation, even in the bright sun.
I do believe that for human physiology, to spend as much time outdoors, in the direct sun is maximally beneficial. For your mood, your strength, your happiness, etc.
Therefore, having devices with brighter screens in the bright light you are outdoors is a good idea.
I really do believe that photographers who really love photography should buy an iPad Pro, not a new camera or lens, or even a new iPhone Pro.
After it all, what I still love and prefer the most is photos. Photography.
For example, in the evening after Seneca is asleep, and after I have had my meat meditation, what is it that I must do? To review, flag, and select my favorite photos.
Yesterday when I was reviewing photos on my iPad Pro, I was amazed and shocked by my photos. How much resolution, detail, sharpness, 3-D Ness, pop, and emotional impact and soul they had.
I don’t know why it took me so long for me to realize this is that I hate the dark. I hate homes or being indoors where there is no natural light, and also, I hate being in places where it is dark and gloomy, with no sun. I would never want to live in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, etc.
An interesting thing is I’ve learned that even in South Korea, during the winter time, the sun is typically out still. It is cold, but at least you got the bright sun.
Therefore, perhaps from a genetic physiology perspective, it is in my DNA and in my blood to prefer the bright light?
A simple thought about clothes then, let us assume that it is bright outside, but very cold. Then just spend a bunch of money to buy a really expensive jacket, pants, etc. to keep you warm.
Desire is good, if we had no desires in life, there would be no reason for us to live.
However, the question is what kind of desires should we seek, and what kind of desires are desirable?
Another thought, should we seek satisfaction in life?
For example, I am currently dissatisfied with my chest size, and also I would like to be able to dumbbell press 150 pounds in each hand. Perhaps this is a good desire, because it gives me a motivation purpose and energy to do things.
I am very satisfied with the muscularity of my back, and my legs and thighs. I know the good thing is honestly from this point forward, it is all upside.
However, I seek to keep increasing the numbers for my rack pull, and also my micro squat. Why? It is fun thrilling and interesting to me.
Something I am insanely passionate about is design. Typically with design matters, I am so insanely specific and particular about things and I can never find things which satisfy me. However, after much great thinking, experimentation, and time, I usually find some sort of design I am happy with. And then once I am happy with it, I just try to stick with it as long as humanly possible, until it stops working and I gotta move onto the next one.
For example, matters with clothes. Choosing a certain outfit, I am insanely particular about the quality of the materials, the look, the fit, and the color. However some thing I have noticed is that the tricky thing with clothes is that now that I am frequenting the gym every single day, I’m getting way buffer, and way more swole. Thus, a lot of my shirts are starting to fit too tight, which probably requires me to get a new type of shirt solution.
For example, I really like the Outlier.nyc shirt, merino wool, but after much use, it always tears apart. Well I do find this to be stylish, it is a bit annoying.
Then I suppose the question is this, addressing your desires in life, where you are dissatisfied, etc., which pursuits do you believe worthy enough for you to pursue?
Also it might be cheaper as well.
For example, it is insanely easy to prep beef ribs to be cooked in the oven. All you have to do is add some old bay seasoning, garlic powder, and random Italian seasoning lined the cooking tray with aluminum foil, set the oven to 350°F, and just throw it in the oven for an hour or two.
Consider how much easier this is in the drudgery of chopping up vegetables, making salads, etc.
Also in terms of price, you can get a huge rack of beef ribs at Costco business center for only about 10 bucks. Even for myself, I could barely eat more than one rack. I can feed myself for a king for only about 10 bucks.
Not a video game.
The technology changes too quickly!
How does one keep getting stronger at the gym? Dedication.
What is dedication? Dedication is loving it, and doing it or going frequently. Even for myself, missing a single day of not going to the gym is too much.
Why? There are certain days when I go to the gym which I don’t really do much, I just do some stretching, some yoga moves, practice my grip strength lifting heavy dumbbells, etc. Yet it seems that the habit of going to the gym, or the practice of going to the gym, or the routine of going to the gym is the most critical thing.
For example, yesterday I took care of Seneca the whole day and didn’t go to the gym. Now today, after even missing a single day of not going to the gym, the practice of going to the gym feels a little bit more foreign and weird. Therefore, to simply do something every single day, as a routine or a habit seems like a good idea.
However, to be “dedicated“ to something shouldn’t be some sort of moralistic thing. In fact, when it comes to your own personal dedication, it must be self appointed.
If you really love it and care for it, maybe it is a good idea.
Anti-benchpress, or lying down on a flat bench.
Even if you do the same walking path every single day and and photographed the same thing every single time, it will always be different. The subtle differences of angle, perspective, the light exposure etc.
Truth be told, 99.99% of people will never actually need the performance from aerodynamics. Therefore from a design perspective, maybe it is just better to optimize for aesthetics instead.
The only time we should care for aerodynamics is for race cars.
