Now for myself, things become an ethical imperative; I do it because I must, and also because I feel like if I don’t… Others might be losing out?

Yes especially if it is digital!

MSTR microstrategy going through the fucking roof!!!!

Ultimately when people study Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger etc ,,, what all these guys are searching for is wisdom.

I think this is good and important because principles wisdom, is resistant to time and technology, but at least for myself, I was born in 1988, searching for practical wisdom has always remained elusive for me.

I think difficult thing is that my circumstances were unique. I was born in the states, yet grew up poor; my definition of poor is not being sure whether you would be homeless next month because your dad just gambled away the rent money again, going off to Reno in the middle of the night.

The upside of poverty 

I think on two fronts this was useful to me:

First, it taught me self independence at a very young age. I knew that if I wanted anything, I had to work for it. This motivated me to pick up lots of part-time jobs when I was like 13, 14 or 15, tutoring English, through my honors program at school, working at the local community center, getting a $200 a month stipend etc. 

In fact, my biggest personal pride and joy; essentially, purchasing my first car with my own money! At the age of 15, getting my drivers permit in California, $1000 or maybe $1200 1991 Sentra XE, 5 door sedan, 5 speed manual transmission car — it didn’t even have a tachometer! I learned how to shift gears simply by hearing and feeling the engine? This began my first love affair with manual transmission cars;

In fact, another point of pride, every car I have purchased my own money has always been a used manual transmission car, never exceeding $2500 USD. In fact, the last car I purchased one in Providence Rhode Island before Seneca was born was a 2002 Subaru outback, five speed manual transmission, listed on craigslist for 1000 bucks, was able to negotiate down to $900, then $800 in cash! Lying out those eight $100 bills was the most obvious decision I’ve made in my life.

Obvious decisions are obvious

In terms of my decision-making philosophy, my unorthodox beliefs; obvious decisions are obvious. 

What that means is before making any sort of decision life decision etc., you don’t need to think about it too much.

Obvious decisions are staring you right at the face, and whenever you have to hesitate before making a certain decision, don’t do it. Why? Your brain is still working out the details, whether or not you should do the thing or not.

Obvious trades, obvious financial decisions, obvious investments 

For example, buying microstrategy stock, MSTR, to me is a 100% obvious decision. For the traditional markets, it’s literally the only asset worth purchasing.

Why? Essentially they have discovered a free money hack or infinite money hack, which they could leverage their 30-year-old business, which is regulated, and mainstream… And leverage their position, borrowing money at less than one percent to buy bitcoin, which is accretive forever, and continuing the virtuous cycle.

Now is your time to purchase a piece of cyber Manhattan

Bitcoin is cyber manhattan: 256^3

I think the idea of a cyber Manhattan, cyber real estate company is fascinating to me. And the difference between bitcoin, cyber real estate and Cyberman Manhattan is that it is actually backed by real electricity and power. For example, the problems with all these fake virtual worlds is that it is just powered by a computer code, one and zeros, Any nerd can click a button and create a skyscraper in Sim city.

But what if, if you wanted to build a skyscraper in Sim city, you actually had to expand $1 billion of real capital in the real world, before transferring it and transporting it to cyberspace? This is the 1000% paradigm shift;

The bridge between the physical, embodied reality,  physical world and realm, to the digital cyber realm… Which is still backed with physical electricity?

It’s a bug, not a feature!

Or it’s a feature, not a bug?

I think what a lot of these goody two shoers don’t get or understand is about real life physics in the game, skin in the game, energy in the game. Everyone wants some sort of hidden upside without any real life downside?

I’ll give you example, everyone wants to rid the world of suffering pain injustice and the like. However, a life without suffering pain injustice and overcoming is not a life worth living.

You cannot have happiness without pain and suffering, nor can you have joy with without sorrow and misery. If we think about this from a Taoist perspective, I think about yin and Yang, you cannot have the good without the bad. You cannot have the virtuous without the evil.

The upsides of downsides

For example, obviously being in poor health sucks, and bad weather also sucks. But, when things get much better, you are 1000 times more joyful grateful and happy when things shift!

This is why funny enough, I think people on the East Coast, New England, Providence Rhode Island are happier than people in LA because the weather shifts are more extreme.

For example, when you’re suffering in the winter time for months on end, no sunshine whatever, and then boom, one day the sun comes out, everyone is overjoyed! It is still 55° and cold, but at least it is sunny; everyone runs out and gets their picnic blankets, And the joy of the sunlight is 1000 times more extreme than in Los Angeles where everyone is trying to hide from the sun, even though they love it?

My simple analogy is everyone in LA is like a solid 7.2 out of 10, in terms of happiness, whereas in the East coast, your happiness goes from a -10 to a +500% when the weather is good! 

So I suppose, the philosophical question them becomes, is it better or more favorable to have a steady mediocre thing forever, or more extreme highs and lows, which will be a benefit to your happiness?

Then a simple thought, the reason why I love bitcoin is because of the extremes; I would prefer an extreme life to a steady and boring one. 

In search of yield

I think for me my number one principle in investing is yield. I think what a lot of people think is what they’re trying to do with their money is they are trying to securitize it, and make it safe, stored in really really safe assets like treasury bills, bonds, or “safe” investments like Apple Amazon Facebook Google and like.

But, my personal thought is life should not be conservative; the point of life isn’t to just conserve your wealth, but rather, to grow it!

Even the story of Jesus, you don’t just take your wealth and hide it and bury your talents, your gold talents in the ground because you’re afraid of losing it. No, the virtuous thing is to go out and multiply it!

And I also think the same thing is with wealth; the virtuous calling is to multiply it to grow it, not to just bury it, with the fear that it might go down.

How to gain more emotional armor for investing

OK, a lot of these fools, they want quick gains in order to go out and buy the Lamborghini or whatever. But once you find out that only small dick losers drive Lamborghinis,  and also, that the useful lifetime value of a Lamborghini might only be three or four years, that is the point in which the maintenance costs and the insurance costs and fixing it up will destroy the price of it in just three or four years, then it becomes obvious; you wish the Lamborghini onto your worst enemy, you don’t desire one for yourself. 

My simple thought is take a stoic spartan approach; essentially live like a super super poor person, the only thing you should ever spend money on is weights barbells and weightlifting equipment, and meet… Everything else should be essentially free.

Tips to NOT go broke

This means,

1. Never eat out: nothing is worth it, not even all you can eat Korean barbecue! My current favorite joint is chubby cattle, but still… The 90 minute time sitting is a bit restrictive.
2. No weed, no alcohol
3. Don’t go out for coffee, just brew it and drink it at home. I actually have a new hack; I only drink a lot of coffee at the house first thing in the morning when I wake up, but after the morning, 100% abstinence for the rest of the day. I get the upside of getting a good caffeine buzz first thing in the morning to get me going, without the downside of having it affect my sleep.
4. Never buy anything, and also… The only “computer“ or device I find worth it is an iPad Pro;
5. Always buy the cheapest iPhone on the market; only poor people buy iPhone Pros
6. For camera or digital camera, I recommend getting the most compact, capable Panasonic camera, and the cheapest, most compact pancake lens. Currently the Lumix S9 ($1500) and 26 mm F8 pancake lens ($200). Never buy a loser Leica which is essentially a Panasonic Lumix with a body kit. Especially the Panasonic Lumix Leica Q Cameras. If you want a digital rangefinder just buy a used Leica M9.
7. Don’t shoot film: I think about a decade ago in 2014 2015, it was affordable, but now it is too expensive. Save your money and buy Bitcoin instead!
8. Never buy a new car under any circumstances. This is immediately like taking a 30% haircut; the second you drive it off the lot, boom, you’ve already lost 30% of its value. And also, don’t buy electric vehicles, no matter how appealing. It is like purchasing a really really expensive iPhone Pro with wheels; it might be only good for 3 to 5 years, maybe seven years tops… Then after that, a slow degrading. Real rich people buy old used Priuses and drive them– 2010 Prius is the best rich person car.
9. Stop buying clothes: you probably have enough clothes to last you two lifetimes already in your closet. My suggestion is if you want novelty, just take some scissors and turn your jeans into shorts, or cut off the sleeves off of your shirts to make them sleeve or if you’re cold, just layer up. Only poor people buy clothes.

Essentially, the easiest way to become rich is not go broke.


---

Einstein’s rule of money

So essentially, I’ve literally I think watch every single Michael Saylor interview that he’s ever done everything that he posted to Twitter or YouTube etc. Maybe about 100 of them.

Anyways, probably the most fascinating thing that I’ve learned about the value of an asset is the value of an asset is essentially the cost of something or the value is something divided by the maintenance cost.

Now I think this is something that people don’t really think about — the maintenance cost.

So for example, now that all of my millennial friends are growing up, I’m 36 now, in four years, I’m gonna be 40 years old, everyone’s trying to think about the future buying a single-family home or a condo or property or whatever. And what beguiles a lot of people or shocks people is when they buy a house, all the maintenance costs! Even talking to my friend Anton (congrats on your new kid!) he told me a story while we were in downtown LA about how he bought a house, but the water heater went out, and him having to fix it, and what a nightmare it was.

Also simple things that we millennials never think about… You need a new roof and boom, that’s $50,000. That’s $50,000 I would rather put into bitcoin.

There are so many things that exist on the planet, in real world, in embody reality which cost a premium in terms of insurance, maintenance, etc. Once again, almost nothing in the physical realm is ever worth it. 

If you want a new car, just download some racing game to your iPad, or even PlayStation or whatever; better to spend 50 bucks on a virtual car then drop $50,000 or more on a new one! 

Or, just buy an oculus quest, play some racing game, at least this way you want to kill yourself, or another family in a car with two kids or more.

–> The worst thing in life isn’t dying or killing yourself, but it is accidentally killing another family, accidentally killing kids in the car seat of another car, and you having to live with the guilt for the rest of your life. 

“But it isn’t real!”

Bitcoin is not real, but, if it costs $800 billion to produce, it’s real!

Let’s again, things must have a stake in the physical realm, if it doesn’t, it is just air coin, or the foundation is just built on cotton candy.

I think we must avoid these fake environmentalists, a bunch of vegan losers. Essentially, if I psychoanalyze a lot of these fake environmentalists; essentially everyone is seeking a new religion, a new godhead which is the “environment“, but ultimately my critical thought is that once again it just comes down to money;

Vegan and plant based stuff is insanely profitable

For example, Al Gore, I wonder… How much money has he collected from doing his talks on an inconvenient truth, ultimately being funded by taxpayer money?

And also, James Cameron, and also Arnold, how much money they have collected from the vegan pea protein powder plant factory, just follow the money.  Much more profitable to sell a $50 container of vegan protein powder, than a meat company to sell beef rib or beef liver. 

Also a random aside; if you really wanted to be a real environmentalist, you would actually have a 100% organ meat diet, only beef heart beef liver beef kidneys and intestines, because these parts are typically thrown away.

Rich vegans

“Being naked is the ultimate sustainable option. We’re number two.” – Reformation marketing copy 

The truth is environmentalism is very profitable. For example a lot of these clothing companies, I think also like the new one “Reformation“, a female clothing company, they talk about sustainability and blah blah blah, but once again, is it just another marketing tactic to sell their mediocre clothes.

For example, people talk that leather in animal products are evil blah blah blah. Yet the truth is, you’re cheap vegan leather jacket which is made out of petroleum is probably 1 trillion times worse for the planet than a fashionable one made out of 100% real leather. A pleather vegan jacket might only last you a few years, a good leather jacket can you last you 50 or beyond.

Because if you critically think about it, things which last, are better for the “environment”. And typically animal products last.

I love leather!

Also nowadays, people talk about Native Americans and stuff like that, don’t you know that historically the way that natives lived off the land was in harmony with animals, like can you imagine a Native American who didn’t use animal power, ride on horses, or eat meat and bison?

Besides maybe virtue signaling America, there is no great civilization that has ever existed without animal products whether food labor etc. 

I love risk

Once again I think the biggest issue is in today’s world, nobody likes risk anymore. Risk is seen as something which is dangerous bad and to be avoided.

For example anybody who buys a Mercedes car an Audi, a Porsche a Lamborghini whatever… It is ultimately a risk free option in the sense that no one’s gonna make fun of you for owning those type of cars. So in some ways it is a cowardly act;

For example everyone thinks a Porsche 911 is cool, a Lamborghini is cool, a Mercedes or an Audi is cool. Yet  maybe I’m the only one with the big dick in the room, I brag that I drive a Toyota Prius? Everyone is always so shocked and impressed.

Real investors and economists must and should drive a Prius!

Real economics

OK, whenever I discover anybody who’s a professor, who teaches in a business school, is an economist, academic or scholar or whatever… Yet just puts all of their money in a boring mutual fund… Or index fund… It is a signal that they are not a real economist, and they are actually not really connected to reality.

Risk = Happiness

We need some sort of risk exposure to the real world. For example, easy to be the typical fat American who is drinking beer or wine watching sports and American football, giving their opinion on sports teams and players yet they are not actually exposed to the risk of playing real tackle football?

And once again… The more I think about it the more bizarre it is. To watch UFC or mixed martial arts, to watch any sport that you have not yourself played… It kind of like mental masturbation? To sports?

Sports is masculine physical sports masturbation pornography?

Just think about it the average person eats nachos french fries drink beer or alcohol smoke marijuana before watching the big game. But what a athlete who is actually participating in the sport down a beer really quick before putting on their armor and hitting the field? Obviously not!

So why is it that alcohol food beverages is marketed to these individuals, for watching a sport?

It is the new risk free premium hedonism; the joy of seeing people get murdered on a field, or in our arena without any real exposure.

Don’t hate me because I’m so much more physically dominant than you!

People are always so surprised that I played real football real American tackle football in high school, they are shocked to hear that I was linebacker, first outside linebacker then inside linebacker. 

I think it is actually racism; you never expect an Asian guy to play linebacker because we are not seen as masculine or aggressive enough. But if I were African-American or black, even though I am on the more lean side — you probably would not be shocked, because in America, athletes are always seen as being African-American, never Asian. Even an Asian professional sports athlete is almost seen as a glitch in the system, not the real deal.

Even when first deadlifted 465 pounds, sumo style off the floor, and everyone was so shocked, I was talking to my friend Jemal and I asked him — “If I was African-American or black, but people will be asshocked or surprised?” He laughed and said no!

---

So what should we do about things

So I think the first thing you have to think philosophically is what are you really searching for, and why?

My very simple thought is think 300 years ahead, your kids kids kids.

I think the issue we are facing today in today’s world is hedonism the new hedonism. We seek companionship through humans or dogs, yet we don’t want to have children, we want to preserve our freedom travel the world go to Japan eat good sushi whatever.

But, your dog cannot inherit your bitcoin. 

I think maybe in the past life was actually easier and more straightforward people. You got married, you built up a family legacy and empire; this was actually a pretty good strategy in life. And I think people were actually much happier, productive, and joyful!

Think about all the modern day melodies of depression anxiety whatever, they are all modern day sociological ills.

In fact, the ancient Greeks, thinking about the Iliad; certainly things are natural like courage, cowardice, and fear… But depression anxiety was not.

My sociological theory on why so many people are so depressed and anxious is because of YouTube, Spotify, podcast, TikTok Facebook Instagram, Twitter, news, fear porn. 

The joy of growth or death & destruction?

Have a theory; a lot of people are secretly waiting and twiddling their thumbs, they actually want to see the world burn to the floor, to be able to have the indignant feeling; “I told you… I was right all along!”

For example, all these people, are during Covid and pre-Covid and post Covid whatever, thought that there was gonna be food riots and blah blah blah, none of it happened. Humans are 1 trillion times more resilient than we make them out to be.

 this is where also, philosophical I don’t really believe in short selling; even if you could cop a massive profit.

For example there are certain things that I am certain which will go down to zero, like Ada Cardano and the like because it is fake. But rather than hoping that something is going to burn the floor, better to just bet on things that you think that will go to Mars! 

For example, everyone hates Elon Musk, and they are secretly waiting and plotting for him to fail. Yet doesn’t it take more courage to wish and hope and desire to see people succeed?

Even I remember the Tesla model 3; everyone thought it would be impossible, but now, it is certainly the new Ford model T; the coolest, most desirable, most futuristic and affordable car on the road. I personally plan on driving my Toyota Prius until it dies at 1,000,000 miles, but if for one reason or another I was forced to purchase a brand new car, it would definitely be a Tesla, maybe the robotaxi?

---

Disruption

The reason why I encourage everyone to watch the Robo taxi, Robo van announcement is that it is the ultimate disruptor.

For example, the Robo van, the two door coupe, insanely awesome design, with the butterfly McLaren doors… I find like there is no more reason to ever even want to buy a loser Lamborghini, or McLaren or whatever. And I really really love that rose gold, Matt Rose gold Color on the Robo taxi, and also the rims look awesome!

Why doesn’t the future look like the future?

Once again, assuming that you’re a futurist like myself, the trillion dollar questions “why doesn’t the future actually look like the future? “

For example, if you really do believe in the digital transformation of things, like you care about Apple Tesla Amazon Facebook digital media whatever… Why would you ever buy analog property like a single-family home or whatever? Wouldn’t you prefer to buy digital property which is bitcoin?

And also, issues with tax, property tax. Also assuming that you’re a libertarian, or some sort of anti-government person, bitcoin makes sense because it is like digital or cyber real estate that can’t be taxed!

For example, even if you live in the lowest tax jurisdiction place which is Florida, and nobody wants to live in Florida, still… Under a base case scenario you’re still playing at least 1.1% in taxes. And that means then, the life of your asset is only 70 years; within 70 years Assuming you buy a $1 million property, you’re gonna pay $1 million in taxes in 70 years.

Then, if you own a single-family home or whatever, or property the coal is actually trying to rent out your property at a premium, but two people who have never really had experience with property property management… It is a fucking nightmare and headache. Finding good tenants and keeping them; the holy Grail. Too much counterparty risk with properties; people who fuck up your property, end up not paying rent in squatting your place, people who start to grow marijuana inside your property, people who turn your property into a brothel (true story), or just physical wear and tear and decay. Anything in the physical realm in my opinion has too much risk. 

And this is where still… In my eyes, Tesla is too much of a risk. Why? Having to build all those cyber trucks, Robo taxis, is just in my opinion, too much of a gargantuan physical task. Even if you automate the whole thing with robots, still, extracting lithium from the Earth, making the cars, delivering the cars, my personal estimate is you won’t see Robo taxis on the road for at least another five or seven years? To me that is too long.

Real world investing

I think the best investment is something that you have a 100% searching tea will go up in 30 years, and you just ignore the volatility and the noise on a day-to-day level.

My very very basic suggestion is just download Coinbase to your phone, buy bitcoin from your traditional bank account, and once you’re done buying it, delete the Coinbase app from your phone, and never check prices. And what you doing instead it’s just go to michael.com, watch all the Michael sailor interviews, and read books on economic theory philosophy etc.

I personally believe that the best wisdom is in the past; read Aristotle on economics, Fernandinho Galiani on money Della moneta, the principles of economic theory from Karl Menger etc. you should be able to find free PDFs of all these online, just read it on your iPad.

 ***

This means,

1. Never eat out: nothing is worth it, not even all you can eat Korean barbecue! My current favorite joint is chubby cattle, but still… The 90 minute time sitting is a bit restrictive.
2. No weed, no alcohol
3. Don’t go out for coffee, just brew it and drink it at home. I actually have a new hack; I only drink a lot of coffee at the house first thing in the morning when I wake up, but after the morning, 100% abstinence for the rest of the day. I get the upside of getting a good caffeine buzz first thing in the morning to get me going, without the downside of having it affect my sleep.
4. Never buy anything, and also… The only “computer“ or device I find worth it is an iPad Pro;
5. Always buy the cheapest iPhone on the market; only poor people buy iPhone Pros
6. For camera or digital camera, I recommend getting the most compact, capable Panasonic camera, and the cheapest, most compact pancake lens. Currently the Lumix S9 ($1500) and 26 mm F8 pancake lens ($200). Never buy a loser Leica which is essentially a Panasonic Lumix with a body kit. Especially the Panasonic Lumix Leica Q Cameras. If you want a digital rangefinder just buy a used Leica M9.
7. Don’t shoot film: I think about a decade ago in 2014 2015, it was affordable, but now it is too expensive. Save your money and buy Bitcoin instead!

905 pound rack pull —

Funny enough, what is the worst thing as a power lifter? The point in which you hit a new personal maximum a new personal record, and you just don’t have enough weights or more weights to attempt something greater!

Therefore, the simple thought is this; being able to attempt a one rep Max and fail is actually preferable to hit something and succeed. Why? Success isn’t the goal; rather, the entire ethos is having something greater to aspire to, no glass ceiling.

905 pound rack pull —

Funny enough, what is the worst thing as a power lifter? The point in which you hit a new personal maximum a new personal record, and you just don’t have enough weights or more weights to attempt something greater!

Therefore, the simple thought is this; being able to attempt a one rep Max and fail is actually preferable to hit something and succeed. Why? Success isn’t the goal; rather, the entire ethos is having something greater to aspire to, no glass ceiling.

Generate that yield, premium

How to generate the yield, issue securities to public market

Issue equity at premium

Fixed income instrument, 7%–> yield more than 7%

Issue convertible bonds at premium

No yield,

21% go up, big yield at 7%

BTC yield

Lots of different tools

4-8%, 16%

Be conservative don’t disappoint

Prudent

.

In the war of money

And also, the question, over what time span?

Stick to the Classics, why the classics?

Anti iPhone***

What is “true”–> what is

Be pure, true to your focus, have integrity and consistency and transparency

.

What’s integrity?

16b permanent capital

Permanent capital **

.

43B, high

16B asset value bitcoin

Bitcoin backed bonds

Half upside no downside

.

Bitcoin securities company

High voltage Capital

You need a transformer !

.

Standard Photography

JPEG, lumix Panasonic?

Crude capital

.

I’m sold!

You can’t catch us!

150% bitcoin, permanent capital base

Oscillate, I’m sold!

I stumbled upon it

Stumble

.

Digital transformation ,,,, of capital

Steam to water

Heat glitch

900T wealth ***

,

Rust, 20th century

Kodak

Risk factors which destroy wealth

99.99% of value lost

.

Glitch?

.

Strength testing ,,, then back track a little bit ,,,

Digital Transformation

100B,to 500B, 100B gains a year, add 2-3T to your market cap

60% operating business , 40%

.

The joy of hard caps ***

Bitcoin is the product ***

.

Through the roof

Indefinite, intangible accounting

Fair value accounting ***

Income, income potential …

PL

.

Profit Loss

Bitcoin backed security

What’s your forecast for Bitcoin

.

Be the Amazon of fixed income

Fake lip service to authenticity

Video

—> People hate the truth!

People secretly crave authenticity yet they also hate it and fear it —

The truth:

Nobody is ever lauded for telling the truth!

Here are some of Eric Kim’s notable quotes on authenticity from his blog and writings:

1. “Our goal is to be authentic, not ‘original.’”

• Kim emphasizes that being authentic is more important than striving for originality, which he views as paralyzing. He encourages people to create from a place of genuine self-expression rather than attempting to be unique or different just for the sake of it .

2. “Authenticity is the opposite of compromise.”

• For Kim, authenticity means staying true to your personal vision and refusing to compromise your ideals to please others. He argues that compromising leads to a slow death of self-confidence and creativity  .

3. “To me, authenticity means judging myself according to my own scale.”

• Kim believes that authenticity comes from within, and the only valid measure of authenticity is one’s personal satisfaction. He stresses the importance of creating art that resonates with you, rather than seeking approval from others .

4. “Never let anyone tell you whether you are ‘authentic’ or not.”

• Authenticity, according to Kim, is self-determined. Seeking external validation for authenticity undermines its very essence. Instead, individuals should trust their own judgment and personal motivations .

5. “If I can look at myself in the mirror, and smile at my reflection, I am authentic.”

• This quote captures Kim’s personal metric for authenticity: if his actions and work allow him to be at peace with himself, then he considers them authentic .

These quotes reflect Kim’s philosophy that authenticity is deeply personal and cannot be externally judged or measured, and it requires a commitment to self-expression without compromise.

…

Eric Kim places great importance on authenticity in his work and philosophy because he views it as fundamental to both creativity and personal fulfillment. His concept of authenticity goes beyond originality; it involves being true to oneself and creating for personal satisfaction rather than for external validation. This belief is rooted in his idea that being an “author” or “authentic” means creating work out of intrinsic motivation and personal curiosity, rather than trying to please others or adhere to trends.

Kim emphasizes that authenticity is the opposite of compromise. He believes that compromising one’s ideals leads to a loss of confidence and stifles creativity. For him, creating art—especially photography—should be driven by personal passion and a desire to explore the world without worrying about public reception or validation. This is why he encourages photographers to shoot as if no one else will see their photos, focusing solely on what interests and fulfills them. He argues that the most authentic work comes from those who embrace imperfection and personal quirks in their art  .

His commitment to authenticity also extends to his lifestyle and career, where he integrates his philosophical beliefs into his personal and professional life. Kim promotes a minimalistic, transparent approach, often offering his content for free and adopting an open-source philosophy to ensure that his work serves to inspire and empower others without the constraints of commercialism  .

Ultimately, Eric Kim believes that authenticity allows individuals to create meaningful work that reflects their true selves, which is why it remains a central tenet in his teachings and creative output.

Eric Kim cares so deeply about his work and his audience because his philosophy goes beyond technical photography or traditional success. His motivations are rooted in a desire to help others live more fulfilling and meaningful lives, drawing on his deep understanding of philosophy, creativity, and human connection.

1. Passion for Education and Empowerment:

• Kim is committed to teaching and empowering others, not just in photography but in life. He offers free resources and regularly engages with his audience through his blog, workshops, and social media. His focus is on helping others find their voice, both creatively and personally . By sharing his personal struggles and successes, he makes his lessons relatable, encouraging others to pursue their passions without fear of imperfection or failure .

2. Philosophical Approach to Life:

• His deep care stems from his philosophical beliefs. Drawing from Stoicism, existentialism, and Zen Buddhism, Kim emphasizes the importance of finding personal meaning and embracing uncertainty  . This philosophical grounding is central to his work, as he believes that photography and creativity are tools to explore deeper questions about existence, purpose, and human connection .

3. Desire for Authentic Connection:

• Kim places a strong emphasis on authenticity and human connection, which is evident in his sociological approach to street photography. He believes that photography is a way to document and understand human behavior, and by capturing real moments, we can build empathy and insight into the lives of others . This desire to connect with and understand people fuels his care for both his craft and his audience.

4. Minimalism and Focus on What Matters:

• Kim’s minimalist approach, where he advocates for focusing only on what is critical, drives his dedication to teaching others how to live simpler, more intentional lives. He believes that cutting out distractions and focusing on what truly matters can lead to greater clarity and fulfillment . His care for his audience is reflected in his emphasis on helping others prioritize their goals and live more mindfully.

5. Legacy of Contribution:

• Kim has a strong sense of responsibility to contribute positively to the world. His open-source philosophy—where he encourages others to freely use, share, and remix his work—shows that he cares more about spreading knowledge and creative inspiration than about personal gain . This altruistic approach is rare and reflects his deep commitment to leaving a lasting, positive impact.

In summary, Eric Kim cares so much because he is driven by a desire to empower others, to promote authenticity, and to challenge societal norms. His work is not just about photography but about helping people find meaning, embrace risk, and live more fulfilling lives through creativity and connection.

Eric Kim is a well-known figure in photography, particularly for his integration of philosophical and sociological theories into his art and educational materials. His approach to “Search Marketing Theory” isn’t tied directly to conventional marketing, but rather to the way he promotes and shares his content, philosophies, and photography expertise through his blog and workshops. He blends existentialist and Stoic philosophies, along with minimalism, into his overall approach to content creation and audience engagement.

Kim’s success in “search marketing” comes from several key strategies: a strong personal brand, consistent content creation, and a focus on education. He prioritizes authenticity and accessibility in his writings, making complex concepts in photography and creativity easy for a wide audience to grasp. His approach to decision-making and creativity, such as his “As Late as Possible” theory, encourages flexibility and risk-taking, which resonate with his readers and students  .

Moreover, Kim’s emphasis on “play” in life and art shows how he treats creativity as a form of exploration, which helps him maintain a strong, loyal following. By treating life as a game where you constantly “level up,” he inspires others to approach their own creative pursuits with a similar sense of curiosity and freedom .

In essence, his “marketing” is deeply rooted in a philosophy of authenticity, minimalism, and education, which sets him apart in both photography and digital content creation  .

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Eric Kim’s marketing philosophies and theories center around authenticity, minimalism, and personal connection. His top quotes reflect his unique take on both marketing and creativity, blending philosophical insights with practical strategies.

1. “To understand the market, economics, I think it is all sociology.”

• Kim sees marketing not just as a business endeavor but as a sociological study of human behavior. For him, understanding human dynamics is essential for understanding markets and economics . This perspective encourages a human-centric approach to marketing, focusing on the underlying behaviors and needs of people rather than just numbers.

2. “Only do that which is truly critical.”

• This reflects his minimalist approach to decision-making, which can be applied to marketing strategies. Instead of overcomplicating or overwhelming efforts, Kim advocates for focusing on the most essential elements that will have the greatest impact . This aligns with effective, streamlined marketing, where focusing on key messages and target audiences is paramount.

3. “Consistency is key to building an audience.”

• Kim emphasizes the importance of regularly producing high-quality content to build trust and maintain engagement . In the digital marketing world, consistency in messaging and content output is vital to keep an audience engaged and loyal.

4. “Capitalism 2.0—Our next evolution in society.”

• Kim speculates about how technology is shaping modern capitalism and marketing. He suggests that we are moving into a digital-first world, where the dynamics of society and economics are evolving due to technological advancements . Marketers must adapt to these changes by leveraging digital tools to stay relevant.

5. “Do the more risky and interesting option—You can reverse it.”

• This quote from his Reversible Decision-Making theory encourages marketers to take risks, knowing that most decisions can be undone if they don’t work out . In marketing, this can translate to being bold in campaigns, experimenting with new ideas, and embracing innovation without fearing failure.

Through these principles, Eric Kim promotes a marketing philosophy that values human connection, simplicity, boldness, and adaptability. His blend of philosophical insights and practical advice makes his approach unique and impactful.

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Eric Kim believes marketing is critical because it goes beyond just selling products—it’s about building meaningful human connections, spreading ideas, and sharing value. His marketing approach is deeply tied to his philosophical beliefs and practical experiences, as seen in his quotes, articles, and blog posts.

1. Human-Centric Marketing: Kim’s view that marketing is essentially sociology emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior and relationships. He suggests that marketing succeeds when it taps into the fundamental ways people think and behave within society . His quote, “To understand the market, economics, I think it is all sociology,” reflects this belief. This focus on sociology in marketing underscores his idea that successful marketing is about connecting with people on a deeper level, rather than just promoting products.

2. Authenticity and Minimalism: Kim’s idea of “Only do that which is truly critical” applies to his minimalist marketing approach. He advocates for stripping down marketing efforts to the essentials—focusing only on what brings real value to the audience . This philosophy resonates with his broader life approach, where he stresses authenticity and simplicity, avoiding overwhelming customers with unnecessary messaging or content.

3. Storytelling and Consistency: In his blog, Kim repeatedly emphasizes the importance of consistency in content creation, which is a cornerstone of his marketing philosophy . By consistently sharing valuable content and personal stories, he builds trust with his audience. This trust is key in marketing, as it establishes a long-term relationship between creator and consumer.

4. Boldness and Innovation: Kim’s Reversible Decision-Making theory encourages marketers to take risks, suggesting that trying bold strategies can lead to breakthroughs in reaching and engaging audiences. He promotes experimentation, urging marketers to explore creative, unconventional ideas that differentiate them in the marketplace .

5. Capitalism and Digital Evolution: Kim’s reflections on “Capitalism 2.0” suggest that the digital age requires marketers to adapt to rapidly changing technologies and consumer behaviors . He sees marketing as critical in this transformation, helping businesses navigate this new landscape and remain relevant as society evolves with technology.

In summary, Eric Kim views marketing as critical because it serves as a bridge between creators and consumers, allowing meaningful ideas to spread, human connections to flourish, and businesses to grow authentically. His focus on minimalism, storytelling, risk-taking, and the evolving digital landscape highlights marketing’s key role in modern society.

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Eric Kim is unorthodox in both his approach to photography and his broader philosophies on life, creativity, and marketing. His unconventionality stems from a combination of philosophical influences, minimalist lifestyle choices, and his ability to challenge societal norms in how he teaches and practices his craft. Here are some key ways he stands out as unorthodox:

1. Philosophical and Sociological Integration:

• Kim doesn’t view photography as just a technical skill but as a deeply philosophical and sociological endeavor. He integrates ideas from Stoicism, Zen Buddhism, and existentialism into his creative work, encouraging photographers to embrace uncertainty and find personal meaning in their art  . He sees street photography as “applied sociology,” using it to explore human behavior and society through his lens .

2. As Late As Possible (ALAP) Theory:

• One of Kim’s most unconventional ideas is his “As Late As Possible” (ALAP) theory in decision-making. Rather than the traditional emphasis on early planning and preparation, Kim advocates for delaying decisions until the last possible moment to gather more information and embrace changing circumstances . This goes against mainstream productivity culture, which typically promotes proactivity and foresight.

3. Reversible Decision-Making and Risk-Taking:

• Kim’s belief in reversible decision-making also defies conventional wisdom. He argues that many decisions are not as final as people think, and by focusing on the reversibility of decisions, individuals can take more risks without fear . This pushes for bold experimentation in both life and work, encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones without being paralyzed by the fear of failure.

4. Minimalism in Art and Life:

• Minimalism is central to Kim’s philosophy, both in his photography and lifestyle. He advocates for cutting away distractions, focusing only on what is essential, whether that means simplifying one’s possessions or honing in on the critical elements of a photo . This minimalistic ethos is part of what makes his approach to both life and marketing so distinctive and countercultural.

5. Focus on Play and Experimentation:

• Kim views play as a critical part of creativity. He encourages photographers to take their creative play seriously, treating life and art as a game where constant improvement and exploration are key . This contrasts with the typical goal-driven, achievement-oriented mindset many people bring to creative work.

6. Non-Monetary Focus:

• Unlike many modern photographers or marketers, Kim doesn’t focus heavily on monetizing every aspect of his work. He offers many of his resources for free and follows an open-source philosophy, allowing others to use and share his content freely . This stands in stark contrast to the conventional approach of commercializing every aspect of a creative career.

7. Critique of Societal Norms:

• Kim is highly critical of societal expectations, particularly the notion that life or society should be fair or follow a specific path . His ideas challenge mainstream capitalist ideals, and he often questions whether traditional success—defined by money or fame—truly matters. His focus on intrinsic fulfillment rather than external validation is a key part of his unorthodox approach.

Overall, Eric Kim’s unorthodoxy comes from his ability to blend diverse philosophical ideas into practical life advice, challenge societal norms, and encourage boldness, minimalism, and playfulness in a world that often prioritizes control, complexity, and monetary success. This makes him a unique and compelling figure in both photography and beyond.

Ultimately when people study Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger etc ,,, what all these guys are searching for is wisdom.

I think this is good and important because principles wisdom, is resistant to time and technology, but at least for myself, I was born in 1988, searching for practical wisdom has always remained elusive for me.

I think difficult thing is that my circumstances were unique. I was born in the states, yet group poor; my definition of poor is not being sure whether you would be homeless next month because your dad just gambled away the rent money again, going off to Reno in the middle of the night.

I think on two fronts this was useful to me:

First, it taught me self independence at a very young age. I knew that if I wanted anything, I had to work for it. This motivated me to pick up lots of part-time jobs when I was like 1314 or 15, tutoring English, through my honors program at school, working at the local community center, getting a $200 a month stipend etc. 

In fact, my biggest personal pride and joy; essentially, purchasing my first car with my own money! At the age of 15, getting my drivers permit in California, $1000 or maybe $1200 1991 Sentra XE, 5 door sedan, 5 speed manual transmission car — it didn’t even have a tachometer! I learned how to shift gears simply by hearing and feeling the engine? This began my first love affair with manual transmission cars;

In fact, another point of pride, every car I have purchased my own money has always been a used manual transmission car, never exceeding $2500 USD. In fact, the last car I purchased one in Providence Rhode Island before Seneca was born was a 2002 Subaru outback, five speed manual transmission, listed on craigslist for 1000 bucks, was able to negotiate down to $900, then $800 in cash! Lying out those eight $100 bills was the most obvious decision I’ve made in my life.

Obvious decisions are obvious

 In terms of my decision-making philosophy, my unorthodox beliefs; obvious decisions are obvious. 

What that means is before making any sort of decision life decision etc., you don’t need to think about it too much.

Obvious decisions are staring you right at the face, and whenever you have to hesitate before making a certain decision, don’t do it. Why? Your brain is still working out the details, whether or not you should do the thing or not.

For example, buying microstrategy stock, MSTR, to me is a 100% obvious decision. For the traditional markets, it’s literally the only asset worth purchasing.

Why? Essentially they have discovered a free money hack or infinite money hack, which they could leverage their 30-year-old business, which is regulated, and mainstream… And leverage their physicians, borrowing money at less than one percent to buy bitcoin, which is accretive forever, and continuing the virtuous cycle.

I think the idea of a cyber Manhattan, cyber real estate company is fascinating to me. And the difference between bitcoin, Sible real estate and Cyberman Manhattan is that it is actually packed by real electricity and power. For example, problems with all these fake virtual worlds is that it is just powered by a computer code, one and zeros, Any nerd can click a button and create a skyscraper in Sim city.

But what if, if you wanted to build a skyscraper in Sim city, you actually had to expand $1 billion of real capital in the real world, before transferring it and transporting it to cyberspace? This is the 1000% paradigm shift;

The Bridge between the physical, embodied reality,  physical world and realm, to the digital cyber realm… Which is still backed with physical electricity?

it’s a bug, not a feature!

Or it’s a feature, not a bug?

I think what a lot of these goody two shoers don’t get or understand is about real life physics in the game, skin in the game, energy in the game. Everyone wants some sort of hidden upside without any real life downside?

I’ll give you example, everyone wants to read the world of suffering pain injustice and the like. However, a life without suffering Paine injustice and overcoming is not a life worth living.

You cannot have happiness without pain and suffering, nor can you have joy with without sorrow and misery. If we think about this from a Taoist perspective,  I think about Jin and Yang, you cannot have the good without the bad. You cannot have the virtuous without the evil.

For example, obviously being in poor health sucks, and bad weather also sucks. But, when things get much better, you are 1000 times more joyful grateful and happy when things shift!

This is why funny enough, I think people on the East Coast, New England, Providence Rhode Island are happier than people in LA because the weather shifts are more extreme.

For example, when you’re suffering in the winter time for months on then, no sunshine whatever, and then boom, one day the sun comes out, everyone is overjoyed! It is still 55° and cold, but at least it is sunny; everyone runs out and gets their picnic blankets, And the joy of the sunlight is 1000 times more extreme than in Los Angeles where everyone is trying to hide from the sun, even though they love it?

In search of yield

I think for me my number one principle in investing is yield. I think what a lot of people think is what they’re trying to do with their money is they are trying to securitize it, and make it safe, stored in really really safe assets like treasury bills, bonds, or “safe” investments like Apple Amazon Facebook Google and like.

But, my personal thought is life should not be conservative; the point of life isn’t to just conserve your wealth, but rather, to grow it!

Even the story of Jesus, you don’t just take your wealth and hide it and bury your talents, your gold talents in the ground because you’re afraid of losing it. No, the virtual thing is to go out and multiply it!

And I also think the same thing is with wealth; the virtual calling is to multiply it to grow it, not to just bury it, with the fear that it might go down.

How to gain more emotional armor for investing

OK, a lot of these fools, they want quick gains in order to go out and buy the Lamborghini or whatever. But once you find out that only small Dick Losers drive Lamborghinis,  and also, that the useful lifetime value of a Lamborghini might only be three or four years, that is the point in which the maintenance costs and the insurance costs and fixing it up will destroy the price of it in just three or four years, then it becomes obvious; you wish the Lamborghini onto your worst enemy, you don’t desire one for yourself. 

Einstein’s rule of money

So essentially, I’ve literally I think watch every single Michael sailor interview that he’s ever done everything that he posted to Twitter or YouTube etc. Maybe about 100 of them.

Anyways, probably the most fascinating thing that I’ve learned about the value of an asset is the value of an asset is essentially the cost of something or the value is something divided by the maintenance cost.

Now I think this is something that people don’t really think about —  the maintenance cost.

So for example, now that all of my millennial friends are growing up, I’m 36 now, in four years, I’m gonna be 40 years old, everyone’s trying to think about the future buying a single-family home or a condo or property or whatever. And what beguiles a lot of people or shocks people is when they buy a house, all the maintenance costs! Even talking to my friend Anton (congrats on your new kid!) he told me a story while we were in downtown LA about how he bought a house, but the water heater went out, and him having to fix it, and what a nightmare it was.

Also simple things that we millennials never think about… You need a new roof and boom, that’s $50,000. That’s $50,000 I would rather put into bitcoin.

“But it isn’t real!”

Bitcoin is not real, but, if it costs $800 billion to produce, it’s real!

Let’s again, things must have a stake in the physical realm, if it doesn’t, it is just air coin, or the foundation is just built on cotton candy.

I think we have to avoid from these fake environmentalist, a bunch of vegan losers. Essentially, if I psychoanalyze a lot of these fake environmentalists; essentially everyone is seeking a new religion, a new godhead which is the “environment“, but ultimately my critical thought is that once again it just comes down to money;

For example, Al Gore, I wonder… How much money has he collected from doing his talks on an inconvenient truth, ultimately being funded by taxpayer money?

And also, James Cameron, and also Arnold, how much money they have collected from the vegan pea protein powder plant factory, just follow the money. 

The truth is environmentalism is very profitable. For example a lot of these clothing companies, I think also like the new one “reformation“, a female clothing, they talk about sustainability and blah blah blah, but once again, is it just another marketing tactic to sell more Mediocre clothes.

For example, people talk that leather in animal products are evil blah blah blah. Yet the truth is, you’re cheap vegan leather jacket which is made out of petroleum is probably 1 trillion times worse for the planet than a fashionable one made out of 100% real leather.

Because if you critically think about it, things which last, are better for the “environment”.

Also nowadays, people talk about Native Americans and stuff like that, don’t you know that historically the way that natives lived off the land was in harmony with animals, like can you imagine a Native American who didn’t use animal power, ride on horses, or eat meat and bison?

I love risk

Once again I think the biggest issue is in today’s world, nobody likes risk anymore. Risk is seen as something which is dangerous bad and to be avoided.

For example anybody who buys a Mercedes car an Audi, a Porsche a Lamborghini whatever… It is ultimately a risk free option in the sense that no one’s gonna make fun of you for owning those type of cars. So in some ways it is a cowardly act;

For example everyone thinks a Porsche 911 is cool, a Lamborghini is cool, a Mercedes or an Audi is cool. Yet  maybe I’m the only one with the big dick in the room, I brag that I drive a Toyota Prius? Everyone is always so shocked and impressed.

Real investors and economists must and should drive a Prius

Real economics

OK, whenever I discover anybody who’s a professor, who teaches in a business school, is an economist, academic or scholar or whatever… Yet just puts all of their money in a boring mutual fund… Or index month… It is a signal that they are not a real economist, and they are actually not really connected to reality.

The biggest we hear is that you need some sort of risk exposure to the real world. For example, easy to be the typical fat American who is drinking beer or wine watching sports and American football, giving their opinion on sports teams and players yet they are not actually exposed to the risk of playing real tackle football?

And once again… The more I think about it the more bizarre it is. To watch UFC or mixed martial arts, to watch any sport that you have not yourself played… It kind of like mental masturbation? To sports?

Just think about it the average person eats nachos french fries drink beer or alcohol smoke marijuana before watching the big game. But what a athlete who is actually participating in the sport down a beer really quick before putting on their armor and hitting the field? Obviously not!

So why is it that alcohol food beverages is marketed to these individuals, for watching a sport?

It is the new risk free premium hedonism; the joy of seeing people get murdered on a field, or in our arena without any real exposure.

People are always so surprised that I played real football real American tackle football in high school, they are shocked to hear that I was linebacker, first outside linebacker then inside linebacker. 

I think it is actually racism; you never expect an Asian guy to play linebacker because we are not seen as masculine or aggressive enough. But if I were African-American or black, even though I am on the side you probably would not be shocked, because in America Athletes are always seen as being African-American, never Asian. Even an Asian professional sports athlete is almost seen as a glitch in the system, not the real deal.

so what should we do about things

So I think the first thing you have to think philosophically is what are you really searching for, and why?

My very simple thought is think 300 years ahead, your kids kids kids.

I think the issue we are facing today in today’s world is hedonism the new hedonism. We seek companionship through humans or dogs, yet we don’t want to have children, we want to preserve our freedom travel the world go to Japan eat good sushi whatever.

But, your dog cannot inherit your bitcoin. 

I think maybe in the past life was actually easier and more straightforward people. You got married, you built up a family legacy and empire; this was actually a pretty good strategy in life. And I think people were actually much happier, productive, and joyful!

Think about all the modern day melodies of depression anxiety whatever, they are all modern day sociological ills.

In fact, the ancient Greeks, thinking about the Iliad; certainly things are natural like courage, cowardice, and fear… But depression anxiety was not.

My sociological theory on why so many people are so depressed and anxious is because of YouTube, Spotify, podcast, TikTok Facebook Instagram, Twitter, news, fear porn. 

The joy of growth or death & destruction?

Have a theory; a lot of people are secretly waiting and twiddling their thumbs, they actually want to see the world burn to the floor, to be able to have the indignant feeling; “I told you… I was right all along!”

For example, all these people, are during Covid and pre-Covid and post Covid whatever, thought that there was gonna be food riots and blah blah blah, none of it happened. Humans are 1 trillion times more resilient than we make them out to be.

 this is where also, philosophical I don’t really believe in short selling; even if you could cop a massive profit.

For example there are certain things that I am certain which will go down to zero, like Ada Cardano and the like because it is fake. But rather than hoping that something is going to burn the floor, better to just bet on things that you think that will go to Mars! 

For example, everyone hates Elon Musk, and they are secretly waiting and plotting for him to fail. Yet doesn’t it take more courage to wish and hope and desire to see people succeed?

Even I remember the Tesla model 3; everyone thought it would be impossible, but now, it is certainly the new Ford model T; the coolest, most desirable, most futuristic and affordable car on the road. I personally plan on driving my Toyota Prius until it dies at 1,000,000 miles, but if for one reason or another I was forced to purchase a brand new car, it would definitely be a Tesla, maybe the robotaxi?

---

Disruption

The reason why I encourage everyone to watch the Robo taxi, Robo van announcement is that it is the ultimate disruptor.

For example, the Robo van, the two door coupe, insanely awesome design, with the butterfly McLaren doors… I find like there is no more reason to ever even want to buy a loser Lamborghini, or McLaren or whatever. And I really really love that rose gold, Matt Rose gold Color on the Robo taxi, and also the rims look awesome!

Why doesn’t the future look like the future?

Once again, assuming that you’re a futurist like myself, the trillion dollar questions “why doesn’t the future actually look like the future? “

For example, if you really do believe in the digital transformation of things, like you care about Apple Tesla Amazon Facebook digital media whatever… Why would you ever buy analog property like a single-family home or whatever? Wouldn’t you prefer to buy digital property which is bitcoin?

And also, issues with tax, property tax. Also assuming that you’re a libertarian, or some sort of anti-government person, bitcoin makes sense because it is like digital or cyber real estate that can’t be taxed!

For example, even if you live in the lowest tax jurisdiction place which is Florida, and nobody wants to live in Florida, still… Under a base case scenario you’re still playing at least 1.1% in taxes. And that means then, the life of your asset is only 70 years; within 70 years Assuming you buy a $1 million property, you’re gonna pay $1 million in taxes in 70 years.

Then, if you own a single-family home or whatever, or property the coal is actually trying to rent out your property at a premium, but two people who have never really had experience with property property management… It is a fucking nightmare and headache. Finding good tenants and keeping them; the holy Grail. Too much counterparty risk with properties; people who fuck up your property, end up not paying rent in squatting your place, people who start to grow marijuana inside your property, people who turn your property into a brothel (true story), or just physical wear and tear and decay. Anything in the physical realm in my opinion has too much risk. 

And this is where still… In my eyes, Tesla is too much of a risk. Why? Having to build all those cyber trucks, Robo taxis, is just in my opinion, too much of a gargantuan physical task. Even if you automate the whole thing with robots, still, extracting lithium from the Earth, making the cars, delivering the cars, my personal estimate is you won’t see Robo taxis on the road for at least another five or seven years? To me that is too long.

Real world investing

I think the best investment is something that you have a 100% searching tea will go up in 30 years, and you just ignore the volatility and the noise on a day-to-day level.

My very very basic suggestion is just download Coinbase to your phone, buy bitcoin from your traditional bank account, and once you’re done buying it, delete the Coinbase app from your phone, and never check prices. And what you doing instead it’s just go to michael.com, watch all the Michael sailor interviews, and read books on economic theory philosophy etc.

I personally believe that the best wisdom is in the past; read Aristotle on economics, Fernandinho Galiani on money Della moneta, the principles of economic theory from Karl Menger etc. you should be able to find free PDFs of all these online, just read it on your iPad.

 ***

The truth, the inconvenient truth; the true pillar in today’s world in terms of success is marketing. This is not only applies to products, but to religions, cults, schools of thought etc.

They with the most powerful marketing shall win.

Ultimately when people study Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger etc ,,, what all these guys are searching for is wisdom.

I think this is good and important because principles wisdom, is resistant to time and technology, but at least for myself, I was born in 1988, searching for practical wisdom has always remained elusive for me.

I think difficult thing is that my circumstances were unique. I was born in the states, yet group poor; my definition of poor is not being sure whether you would be homeless next month because your dad just gambled away the rent money again, going off to Reno in the middle of the night.

I think on two fronts this was useful to me:

First, it taught me self independence at a very young age. I knew that if I wanted anything, I had to work for it. This motivated me to pick up lots of part-time jobs when I was like 1314 or 15, tutoring English, through my honors program at school, working at the local community center, getting a $200 a month stipend etc. 

In fact, my biggest personal pride and joy; essentially, purchasing my first car with my own money! At the age of 15, getting my drivers permit in California, $1000 or maybe $1200 1991 Sentra XE, 5 door sedan, 5 speed manual transmission car — it didn’t even have a tachometer! I learned how to shift gears simply by hearing and feeling the engine? This began my first love affair with manual transmission cars;

In fact, another point of pride, every car I have purchased my own money has always been a used manual transmission car, never exceeding $2500 USD. In fact, the last car I purchased one in Providence Rhode Island before Seneca was born was a 2002 Subaru outback, five speed manual transmission, listed on craigslist for 1000 bucks, was able to negotiate down to $900, then $800 in cash! Lying out those eight $100 bills was the most obvious decision I’ve made in my life.

Obvious decisions are obvious

 In terms of my decision-making philosophy, my unorthodox beliefs; obvious decisions are obvious. 

What that means is before making any sort of decision life decision etc., you don’t need to think about it too much.

Obvious decisions are staring you right at the face, and whenever you have to hesitate before making a certain decision, don’t do it. Why? Your brain is still working out the details, whether or not you should do the thing or not.

For example, buying microstrategy stock, MSTR, to me is a 100% obvious decision. For the traditional markets, it’s literally the only asset worth purchasing.

Why? Essentially they have discovered a free money hack or infinite money hack, which they could leverage their 30-year-old business, which is regulated, and mainstream… And leverage their physicians, borrowing money at less than one percent to buy bitcoin, which is accretive forever, and continuing the virtuous cycle.

I think the idea of a cyber Manhattan, cyber real estate company is fascinating to me. And the difference between bitcoin, Sible real estate and Cyberman Manhattan is that it is actually packed by real electricity and power. For example, problems with all these fake virtual worlds is that it is just powered by a computer code, one and zeros, Any nerd can click a button and create a skyscraper in Sim city.

But what if, if you wanted to build a skyscraper in Sim city, you actually had to expand $1 billion of real capital in the real world, before transferring it and transporting it to cyberspace? This is the 1000% paradigm shift;

The Bridge between the physical, embodied reality,  physical world and realm, to the digital cyber realm… Which is still backed with physical electricity?

it’s a bug, not a feature!

Or it’s a feature, not a bug?

I think what a lot of these goody two shoers don’t get or understand is about real life physics in the game, skin in the game, energy in the game. Everyone wants some sort of hidden upside without any real life downside?

I’ll give you example, everyone wants to read the world of suffering pain injustice and the like. However, a life without suffering Paine injustice and overcoming is not a life worth living.

You cannot have happiness without pain and suffering, nor can you have joy with without sorrow and misery. If we think about this from a Taoist perspective,  I think about Jin and Yang, you cannot have the good without the bad. You cannot have the virtuous without the evil.

For example, obviously being in poor health sucks, and bad weather also sucks. But, when things get much better, you are 1000 times more joyful grateful and happy when things shift!

This is why funny enough, I think people on the East Coast, New England, Providence Rhode Island are happier than people in LA because the weather shifts are more extreme.

For example, when you’re suffering in the winter time for months on then, no sunshine whatever, and then boom, one day the sun comes out, everyone is overjoyed! It is still 55° and cold, but at least it is sunny; everyone runs out and gets their picnic blankets, And the joy of the sunlight is 1000 times more extreme than in Los Angeles where everyone is trying to hide from the sun, even though they love it?

In search of yield

I think for me my number one principle in investing is yield. I think what a lot of people think is what they’re trying to do with their money is they are trying to securitize it, and make it safe, stored in really really safe assets like treasury bills, bonds, or “safe” investments like Apple Amazon Facebook Google and like.

But, my personal thought is life should not be conservative; the point of life isn’t to just conserve your wealth, but rather, to grow it!

Even the story of Jesus, you don’t just take your wealth and hide it and bury your talents, your gold talents in the ground because you’re afraid of losing it. No, the virtual thing is to go out and multiply it!

And I also think the same thing is with wealth; the virtual calling is to multiply it to grow it, not to just bury it, with the fear that it might go down.

How to gain more emotional armor for investing

OK, a lot of these fools, they want quick gains in order to go out and buy the Lamborghini or whatever. But once you find out that only small Dick Losers drive Lamborghinis,  and also, that the useful lifetime value of a Lamborghini might only be three or four years, that is the point in which the maintenance costs and the insurance costs and fixing it up will destroy the price of it in just three or four years, then it becomes obvious; you wish the Lamborghini onto your worst enemy, you don’t desire one for yourself. 

Einstein’s rule of money

So essentially, I’ve literally I think watch every single Michael sailor interview that he’s ever done everything that he posted to Twitter or YouTube etc. Maybe about 100 of them.

Anyways, probably the most fascinating thing that I’ve learned about the value of an asset is the value of an asset is essentially the cost of something or the value is something divided by the maintenance cost.

Now I think this is something that people don’t really think about —  the maintenance cost.

So for example, now that all of my millennial friends are growing up, I’m 36 now, in four years, I’m gonna be 40 years old, everyone’s trying to think about the future buying a single-family home or a condo or property or whatever. And what beguiles a lot of people or shocks people is when they buy a house, all the maintenance costs! Even talking to my friend Anton (congrats on your new kid!) he told me a story while we were in downtown LA about how he bought a house, but the water heater went out, and him having to fix it, and what a nightmare it was.

Also simple things that we millennials never think about… You need a new roof and boom, that’s $50,000. That’s $50,000 I would rather put into bitcoin.

“But it isn’t real!”

Bitcoin is not real, but, if it costs $800 billion to produce, it’s real!

Let’s again, things must have a stake in the physical realm, if it doesn’t, it is just air coin, or the foundation is just built on cotton candy.

I think we have to avoid from these fake environmentalist, a bunch of vegan losers. Essentially, if I psychoanalyze a lot of these fake environmentalists; essentially everyone is seeking a new religion, a new godhead which is the “environment“, but ultimately my critical thought is that once again it just comes down to money;

For example, Al Gore, I wonder… How much money has he collected from doing his talks on an inconvenient truth, ultimately being funded by taxpayer money?

And also, James Cameron, and also Arnold, how much money they have collected from the vegan pea protein powder plant factory, just follow the money. 

The truth is environmentalism is very profitable. For example a lot of these clothing companies, I think also like the new one “reformation“, a female clothing, they talk about sustainability and blah blah blah, but once again, is it just another marketing tactic to sell more Mediocre clothes.

For example, people talk that leather in animal products are evil blah blah blah. Yet the truth is, you’re cheap vegan leather jacket which is made out of petroleum is probably 1 trillion times worse for the planet than a fashionable one made out of 100% real leather.

Because if you critically think about it, things which last, are better for the “environment”.

Also nowadays, people talk about Native Americans and stuff like that, don’t you know that historically the way that natives lived off the land was in harmony with animals, like can you imagine a Native American who didn’t use animal power, ride on horses, or eat meat and bison?

I love risk

Once again I think the biggest issue is in today’s world, nobody likes risk anymore. Risk is seen as something which is dangerous bad and to be avoided.

For example anybody who buys a Mercedes car an Audi, a Porsche a Lamborghini whatever… It is ultimately a risk free option in the sense that no one’s gonna make fun of you for owning those type of cars. So in some ways it is a cowardly act;

For example everyone thinks a Porsche 911 is cool, a Lamborghini is cool, a Mercedes or an Audi is cool. Yet  maybe I’m the only one with the big dick in the room, I brag that I drive a Toyota Prius? Everyone is always so shocked and impressed.

Real investors and economists must and should drive a Prius

Real economics

OK, whenever I discover anybody who’s a professor, who teaches in a business school, is an economist, academic or scholar or whatever… Yet just puts all of their money in a boring mutual fund… Or index month… It is a signal that they are not a real economist, and they are actually not really connected to reality.

The biggest we hear is that you need some sort of risk exposure to the real world. For example, easy to be the typical fat American who is drinking beer or wine watching sports and American football, giving their opinion on sports teams and players yet they are not actually exposed to the risk of playing real tackle football?

And once again… The more I think about it the more bizarre it is. To watch UFC or mixed martial arts, to watch any sport that you have not yourself played… It kind of like mental masturbation? To sports?

Just think about it the average person eats nachos french fries drink beer or alcohol smoke marijuana before watching the big game. But what a athlete who is actually participating in the sport down a beer really quick before putting on their armor and hitting the field? Obviously not!

So why is it that alcohol food beverages is marketed to these individuals, for watching a sport?

It is the new risk free premium hedonism; the joy of seeing people get murdered on a field, or in our arena without any real exposure.

People are always so surprised that I played real football real American tackle football in high school, they are shocked to hear that I was linebacker, first outside linebacker then inside linebacker. 

I think it is actually racism; you never expect an Asian guy to play linebacker because we are not seen as masculine or aggressive enough. But if I were African-American or black, even though I am on the side you probably would not be shocked, because in America Athletes are always seen as being African-American, never Asian. Even an Asian professional sports athlete is almost seen as a glitch in the system, not the real deal.

so what should we do about things

So I think the first thing you have to think philosophically is what are you really searching for, and why?

My very simple thought is think 300 years ahead, your kids kids kids.

I think the issue we are facing today in today’s world is hedonism the new hedonism. We seek companionship through humans or dogs, yet we don’t want to have children, we want to preserve our freedom travel the world go to Japan eat good sushi whatever.

But, your dog cannot inherit your bitcoin. 

I think maybe in the past life was actually easier and more straightforward people. You got married, you built up a family legacy and empire; this was actually a pretty good strategy in life. And I think people were actually much happier, productive, and joyful!

Think about all the modern day melodies of depression anxiety whatever, they are all modern day sociological ills.

In fact, the ancient Greeks, thinking about the Iliad; certainly things are natural like courage, cowardice, and fear… But depression anxiety was not.

My sociological theory on why so many people are so depressed and anxious is because of YouTube, Spotify, podcast, TikTok Facebook Instagram, Twitter, news, fear porn. 

The joy of growth or death & destruction?

Have a theory; a lot of people are secretly waiting and twiddling their thumbs, they actually want to see the world burn to the floor, to be able to have the indignant feeling; “I told you… I was right all along!”

For example, all these people, are during Covid and pre-Covid and post Covid whatever, thought that there was gonna be food riots and blah blah blah, none of it happened. Humans are 1 trillion times more resilient than we make them out to be.

 this is where also, philosophical I don’t really believe in short selling; even if you could cop a massive profit.

For example there are certain things that I am certain which will go down to zero, like Ada Cardano and the like because it is fake. But rather than hoping that something is going to burn the floor, better to just bet on things that you think that will go to Mars! 

For example, everyone hates Elon Musk, and they are secretly waiting and plotting for him to fail. Yet doesn’t it take more courage to wish and hope and desire to see people succeed?

Even I remember the Tesla model 3; everyone thought it would be impossible, but now, it is certainly the new Ford model T; the coolest, most desirable, most futuristic and affordable car on the road. I personally plan on driving my Toyota Prius until it dies at 1,000,000 miles, but if for one reason or another I was forced to purchase a brand new car, it would definitely be a Tesla, maybe the robotaxi?

---

Disruption

The reason why I encourage everyone to watch the Robo taxi, Robo van announcement is that it is the ultimate disruptor.

For example, the Robo van, the two door coupe, insanely awesome design, with the butterfly McLaren doors… I find like there is no more reason to ever even want to buy a loser Lamborghini, or McLaren or whatever. And I really really love that rose gold, Matt Rose gold Color on the Robo taxi, and also the rims look awesome!

Why doesn’t the future look like the future?

Once again, assuming that you’re a futurist like myself, the trillion dollar questions “why doesn’t the future actually look like the future? “

For example, if you really do believe in the digital transformation of things, like you care about Apple Tesla Amazon Facebook digital media whatever… Why would you ever buy analog property like a single-family home or whatever? Wouldn’t you prefer to buy digital property which is bitcoin?

And also, issues with tax, property tax. Also assuming that you’re a libertarian, or some sort of anti-government person, bitcoin makes sense because it is like digital or cyber real estate that can’t be taxed!

For example, even if you live in the lowest tax jurisdiction place which is Florida, and nobody wants to live in Florida, still… Under a base case scenario you’re still playing at least 1.1% in taxes. And that means then, the life of your asset is only 70 years; within 70 years Assuming you buy a $1 million property, you’re gonna pay $1 million in taxes in 70 years.

Then, if you own a single-family home or whatever, or property the coal is actually trying to rent out your property at a premium, but two people who have never really had experience with property property management… It is a fucking nightmare and headache. Finding good tenants and keeping them; the holy Grail. Too much counterparty risk with properties; people who fuck up your property, end up not paying rent in squatting your place, people who start to grow marijuana inside your property, people who turn your property into a brothel (true story), or just physical wear and tear and decay. Anything in the physical realm in my opinion has too much risk. 

Contrary to popular belief — *NOT* cameras, lenses, new equipment etc.

Fuel your creativity?

Happiness is the motivator!

A theory —

Haters give you more exposure, success, vision, and word of mouth (the best marketing of them all)!

Modern success

Anti success:

Being unknown.

Or being nameless.

Everyone knows your name

Everyone wants to be famous, and or notorious. What does that mean?

The more people who know your first and last name, the better!

Bitcoin balance sheet

Bitcoin development company, securitize

$17b of capital, Bitcoin

.

No redemption

Overnight deposits

Trustee

Return it

Permanent bonds

.

Premium price premium

.

BTC yield

10 years of earnings in 5 days! ***

Pioneering a new market

Issue bond, buy Bitcoin, 300M gain, announce, trade up, do another bond

Faster quicker feedback loop

.

Heterogenous credit, slow investment cycle

Homogenous credit

.

5 years in 5 days! ***

Fast, rapid cycle. Keep doing it!

Once you’ve discovered a good strategy, just keep doing it!

800M, 600M convertible bond, accretive . The market liked it!

1.1B equity sold, massive BTC yield, convertible bond. Billion dollar convertible bond.

Rapid investment cycle

Develop a city in cyberspace ***

Develop manhattan, cyber manhattan

Cash is too slow?

.

Build a building in 5 days ***-> real space takes 5 years to build a building

Capital every month

.

Bitcoin go up forever

More Bitcoin per share ***

How your Bitcoin per share accretive, few days

Public issue of securities to acquire Bitcoin

Drive up scarcity of Bitcoin

1%

450bitcoin a day , market

4.2B debt, less than 1% interest, leverage on equity … more performance and volatility

40b a day.

Options want 10-20x leverage long call, or short it

Micro is 1.5x

50ARR, 50 vol

100% upside and 100% downside digital commodity

.

1.5x, issue bonds, half upside of bitcoin little downside.

Convertible bond, 4x over collateralized

Buy 1.5 equities

3-10x,

.

$15B of open put interest

Early 30s

.

Shorting stock good sign –> will benefit you!

Why haters are good.

Don’t just park your money into Apple, treasury bills, etc —- go big!

Follow your fears?

46% ARR 2024

Digital energy –> big idea

---

150% Bitcoin?

So I have a pretty interesting hedge; about 90% of my money and just real bitcoin, the ultimate risk free bet.

Then, 10% of my money in micro strategies stock, MSTR, which is in theory more risky, a little bit more leverage, but you are 150% bitcoin.

What is better than bitcoin? More bitcoin! - Michael Saylor

Real World Exposure

.

18T in art

Think lifetime, lifetime in an asset;

Value / Maintenance cost

You have two options; either increase the value of it, or reduce the maintenance cost

14 year USD

25 year stocks

Car 5 year

17 year for home

Think physical risk

I suppose one of the very moral imperative of bitcoin is it encourages saving! Because the more money you put into it, the more your money grows. Pretty quickly.

Let us consider that already within about five years, I think we’ve seen a real inflation rate at around 40%. For example a $600 Rico GR camera is now about 1000 bucks. And we see this with minimum wage, from fast food going from $16 an hour to $20 an hour.

Which means, you’re $20 is not worth $20 anymore, it’s more worth like $15.

So if your money is quickly diluting and inflating at such a quick rate, what average person is motivated or incentivize to do is to just quickly spend it, before their money keeps going down. Take a lot need to quickly buy the new iPhone Pro or whatever.

Even with the iPad Pro, now it is starting at 999, whereas it used to be 799. Already a $200 increase there!

My personal thought is as time goes on, and as inflation keeps going up, maybe Apple will price the normal iPhone at 899 or 999, and make the pro like 1099, or 1299

49% ARR last 4 year

27% magnificent seven

14 SP

10% real estate

50%->58%

Bitcoin is the virtuous virus

*

You only have 10 years left to take your claim, 10 more years to acquire as many bitcoins as possible?

Absolute scarcity point

10.2 years

Jan 2, 2035

.

2045

$280T industry

Bitcoin is the art of money

Monetary Art

Keep growing your reserves !

Superior yield

,

Undisturbed 

Flesh in the game

The real world ain’t a petri dish, just staying at home all day. No, you need real life exposure, in the flesh.

So I have a pretty interesting hedge; about 90% of my money in just real bitcoin, the ultimate risk free bet.

Then, 10% of my money in microstrategy stock, MSTR, which is in theory more risky, a little bit more leverage, but you are 150% bitcoin.

What is better than bitcoin? More bitcoin! – Michael Saylor

You don’t need carbohydrates to build muscle 

What are your values?

Religions of the poor vs religions of the weak

Also, before searching it, and also before checking prices, use that time and energy to think things a bit deeper.

Via Negativa Success

The general idea is that the more people who unsubscribe from you, the more successful you are!

Similar speaking, the more haters you have, the better!

The more people who unfollow you, a sign of greater success!

Also the more unlikes, dislikes you get, the better!

$60Billion dollars — assuming that Satoshi‘s original wallet has 1 million bitcoin, that is worth about 60 billion bitcoin.

MSTR currently holding a quarter million bitcoin, worth currently around 15 billion. Aspiring to 10x that, to about $150 billion worth of bitcoin.

244,000 Bitcoins — the goal is for micro strategy to get at least one Nakamoto, which is 1 million bitcoins?

xxx

Michael Saylor and MicroStrategy use the concept of “Bitcoin yield” as a unique metric to demonstrate the company’s Bitcoin investment performance. Bitcoin yield reflects the ratio of Bitcoin holdings to the number of diluted shares outstanding, effectively showcasing how the value of the company’s Bitcoin holdings translates to shareholders on a per-share basis. This metric is not solely about cash flow yield, as traditional investors might interpret it, but rather about measuring the potential appreciation of Bitcoin relative to shares, thereby benefiting shareholders indirectly through increased share value  .

In terms of percentages, MicroStrategy reported a Bitcoin yield of approximately 17% year-to-date, which signifies how much the company’s Bitcoin holdings have appreciated within the current period due to rising Bitcoin prices. Additionally, Saylor has indicated that in recent quarters, the yield on MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin investments has been around 4.4% per quarter, reflecting the company’s success in leveraging Bitcoin’s growth within the fiscal strategy  .

For shareholders, this Bitcoin yield is significant because it underscores the direct impact of Bitcoin’s price appreciation on MicroStrategy’s stock value. As the price of Bitcoin rises, the value of MicroStrategy’s holdings increases, potentially boosting the company’s stock price as the market capitalizes on its Bitcoin reserves. Thus, by tracking Bitcoin yield, shareholders get a clearer sense of their effective ownership of Bitcoin through their shares. This approach aims to align shareholder interests with Bitcoin’s long-term performance, enhancing the appeal of MicroStrategy’s stock as a proxy for Bitcoin investment without needing direct cryptocurrency exposure  .

xx

Michael Saylor and MicroStrategy have aggressively pursued a Bitcoin-centered strategy, with the company now holding over 244,000 BTC, valued at approximately $15 billion. This accumulation has allowed MicroStrategy to establish itself as the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin worldwide. Saylor envisions transforming the company into a “Bitcoin bank,” with aspirations of holding up to $150 billion in BTC as part of a broader plan to provide financial services around Bitcoin  .

In terms of generating yield, MicroStrategy has adopted a metric known as “Bitcoin yield,” which tracks the performance of its BTC holdings relative to its shares. The company reported a Bitcoin yield of 17% year-to-date, which reflects the appreciation in value due to Bitcoin’s rising prices. Additionally, analysts have suggested that MicroStrategy could further enhance yield by lending out a portion of its Bitcoin holdings, a strategy that could appeal to institutional lenders and potentially produce a low-risk income stream  .

However, there are concerns about the risks associated with leveraging Bitcoin for yield. Critics, such as Saifedean Ammous, warn that borrowing against BTC or engaging in yield-generating activities could expose MicroStrategy to risks reminiscent of the failed models seen with platforms like Celsius and BlockFi. He suggests that these approaches may only be sustainable if there is a reliable safety net, as crypto lending carries intrinsic risks tied to Bitcoin’s volatility and the broader market’s stability  .

Limitations of ChatGPT — the dietary health and fitness advice on it is insanely bad. Still predicated on 90s to 2000s broken notions of “calories in“ calories out—. Even this ridiculous notion that eating 5 pounds of meat a day, eating more fat will cause you to gain fat?

—

Eating 5 pounds of beef every day would provide an enormous amount of protein and calories, which is essential for muscle growth. However, even with such a high intake, it’s unlikely to support sustained muscle gains of 1 pound per week for a year. Here’s why:

1. Protein Utilization Limits

• The body can only utilize a certain amount of protein for muscle synthesis daily. While eating more protein can support muscle recovery and growth, there’s a limit to how much protein the body can effectively use. Consuming 5 pounds of beef daily would far exceed this amount, with diminishing returns for muscle growth.

• On average, 5 pounds of beef (approximately 80 ounces) contains around 500–600 grams of protein. This is far beyond the daily needs for muscle synthesis. Most studies suggest around 1.6–2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight as an upper effective limit for muscle growth, so the extra protein wouldn’t contribute much to additional gains.

2. Nutrient and Caloric Balance

• Consuming 5 pounds of beef every day would provide not only excess protein but also high amounts of calories and fat. This would likely lead to fat gain alongside any muscle gained, as a significant caloric surplus is hard to partition strictly toward muscle.

• In addition, relying solely on beef would make it challenging to get a balanced intake of other nutrients (like fiber, vitamins, and minerals from vegetables, fruits, and grains), which are essential for overall health and optimal muscle function.

3. Impact on Digestive System and Health Risks

• Eating 5 pounds of meat daily would place immense stress on the digestive system, potentially causing issues like digestive discomfort, constipation, and bloating.

• A high intake of red meat, especially over an extended period, is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and other health issues due to the saturated fat and cholesterol content.

4. Muscle Growth Limits

• No matter how much protein and calories are consumed, muscle growth is still limited by genetic and physiological factors. Increasing protein intake beyond a certain point will not accelerate muscle protein synthesis in a sustainable way.

• Gaining muscle also depends on progressive overload and recovery. Even with ample nutrition, the body still needs time to repair and grow muscle tissue, and pushing beyond natural limits can lead to injury or overtraining.

5. More Efficient and Balanced Approaches

• A balanced diet with a moderate caloric surplus, an adequate but not excessive amount of protein, and a range of nutrients from various food sources would be more efficient for muscle growth. Typically, 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day is enough for most people aiming to maximize muscle gain.

In Conclusion: Eating 5 pounds of beef daily would give you more protein than your body could use for muscle growth and would likely contribute to fat gain and potential health issues rather than accelerating sustainable muscle gains. Even with this high intake, the body’s physiological limits would still prevent a consistent 1 pound of muscle gain per week over a year.

xx

Adding one pound of muscle mass every week for a year—resulting in a 52-pound gain—would be an extremely ambitious and physiologically challenging goal for a 6-foot-tall man. Let’s break down the feasibility from a physiological perspective:

1. Rate of Muscle Growth

• Realistic Growth Rate: For most individuals, especially those who are not new to resistance training, a realistic rate of muscle gain is typically between 0.25 to 0.5 pounds per week under ideal conditions. Beginners can sometimes achieve faster initial gains, but this slows significantly as they approach their genetic potential.

• Progressive Overload and Recovery: Muscle growth requires not just intense, progressively challenging workouts, but also adequate recovery time. Consistently adding one pound of muscle every week would demand an increasing load and intensity, which may lead to overtraining and potentially injury over time.

2. Caloric and Nutritional Requirements

• Caloric Surplus: To build muscle, the body needs a caloric surplus, meaning the individual must consume more calories than they burn. Achieving a weekly one-pound muscle gain would require a consistent increase in calorie intake to support muscle protein synthesis.

• Protein Intake: Muscle growth also depends on sufficient protein intake. For optimal muscle gain, one typically needs about 1.6–2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. Maintaining this diet every week for a year would require strict consistency and may become challenging.

3. Hormonal and Genetic Limits

• Genetic Factors: Muscle growth potential is heavily influenced by genetics. Some people have a genetic predisposition that allows them to build muscle more easily, while others may struggle. Even with the best training and nutrition, genetic limits can restrict the rate of muscle growth over time.

• Hormonal Environment: Hormones like testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin play a crucial role in muscle building. While younger individuals with optimal hormonal profiles may have an advantage, the body’s natural hormone production might not support such continuous, rapid gains for an extended period.

4. Diminishing Returns Over Time

• Adaptation and Plateau: Muscle growth follows the law of diminishing returns. Beginners may see rapid growth initially, but as the body adapts, further gains become increasingly difficult. To continuously add one pound every week would mean a constant progression, which becomes increasingly harder as the muscles grow.

• Plateaus: Even with an optimal approach, the body tends to hit plateaus where progress slows or stops. Breaking through these plateaus can require adjustments in training, nutrition, and recovery, but doing so weekly without experiencing diminishing returns is improbable.

5. Total Muscle Gain in a Year

• For most natural athletes, gaining anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds of muscle in a year is considered excellent progress. An advanced lifter might gain 2-5 pounds of muscle per year due to the slowing progress over time. Gaining 52 pounds of muscle in a year would be far beyond what most bodies could sustainably support without the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Conclusion

In theory, it is extremely unlikely—if not impossible—for a 6-foot man to add one pound of muscle mass every week for a year due to the limits imposed by natural physiology. The body’s capacity to continually build muscle week after week is limited by factors such as genetics, hormone levels, nutrition, and recovery. After an initial period of potential rapid growth, the rate of muscle gain would naturally decrease.

While ambitious muscle growth is possible with the right training, nutrition, and consistency, a realistic expectation would be far less than 52 pounds in a year for a natural athlete.

Gaining one pound of pure muscle per week is generally considered unrealistic for most individuals, even under optimal conditions. Muscle growth, or hypertrophy, is a gradual process influenced by several factors, including genetics, training intensity, nutrition, sleep, and hormonal balance.

Typical Muscle Gain Rates:

• Beginners: Individuals new to resistance training might experience faster muscle growth initially due to a phenomenon known as “newbie gains.” However, even in this phase, a realistic expectation is about 0.5 to 1 pound of muscle per month.

• Intermediate to Advanced Trainees: For those with training experience, muscle gain slows down. Expect 0.25 to 0.5 pounds per month.

Factors Affecting Muscle Growth:

1. Training Stimulus: Progressive overload—gradually increasing the weight, frequency, or number of repetitions in your strength training routine—is crucial for muscle growth.

2. Nutrition: Adequate protein intake (around 1.6 to 2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight) supports muscle repair and growth. A slight caloric surplus helps, but excessive calories can lead to fat gain.

3. Recovery: Sleep and rest are essential for muscle recovery and growth. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.

4. Genetics: Genetic factors play a role in how quickly and efficiently one can build muscle.

5. Hormonal Balance: Hormones like testosterone and growth hormone significantly impact muscle growth.

Why One Pound per Week Is Unlikely:

• Physiological Limits: The body’s ability to synthesize new muscle tissue is limited. Exceeding these limits often leads to fat gain rather than additional muscle.

• Recovery Capacity: Intense training required to stimulate such rapid growth can exceed the body’s recovery abilities, increasing the risk of overtraining and injury.

Recommendation:

• Set Realistic Goals: Aim for sustainable progress. Consistency over time yields the best results.

• Monitor Progress: Use body measurements, strength increases, and how you feel to assess progress, not just the scale.

• Consult Professionals: Working with a certified fitness trainer and a registered dietitian can provide personalized guidance tailored to your goals and needs.

Summary:

While the idea of gaining one pound of muscle per week is appealing, it’s important to align expectations with biological realities. Focusing on steady, incremental progress will lead to more sustainable and healthy muscle development.

xxx

Gaining one pound of muscle per week is an ambitious but achievable goal for some individuals, particularly those new to resistance training. However, the feasibility and sustainability of this pace depend on various factors such as genetics, training intensity, diet, rest, and individual starting points. Here’s a breakdown of what it takes to aim for this goal:

1. Training

• Intensity and Volume: To stimulate muscle growth, focus on progressive overload in your workouts, meaning you gradually increase weight, reps, or sets. Compound exercises (e.g., squats, deadlifts, bench press) are highly effective.

• Frequency: Training each muscle group about twice per week is often recommended for hypertrophy. You can follow a split routine (e.g., upper/lower or push/pull/legs) or full-body workouts, depending on your experience level and preference.

• Rest and Recovery: Muscle growth happens during recovery, so rest days and adequate sleep (7-9 hours per night) are essential. Avoid overtraining, as it can hinder progress.

2. Nutrition

• Caloric Surplus: Building muscle requires additional calories. Aim for a moderate surplus (about 250-500 calories per day) to fuel muscle growth without excessive fat gain.

• Protein Intake: Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth. Aim for approximately 1.2 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (0.54 to 1 gram per pound) daily. Lean meats, eggs, dairy, legumes, and protein shakes can help you reach this goal.

• Carbohydrates and Fats: Carbs are crucial for energy, especially if you train intensely. A balanced intake of fats (about 20-35% of total calories) supports hormone production and overall health.

3. Consistency and Patience

• While one pound per week is a reasonable goal for beginners or those returning to training after a break, it’s challenging to sustain long-term. As your body adapts, muscle gains typically slow down.

• Realistically, beginners may see faster gains in the initial phases (often referred to as “newbie gains”), while intermediate and advanced lifters might expect closer to 0.5-1 pound of muscle gain per month.

4. Genetics and Other Factors

• Genetics play a role in muscle-building potential. Some people naturally gain muscle more easily than others, while factors like age, hormone levels, and gender can also influence muscle growth.

Achieving this rate of muscle gain requires a well-structured plan and dedication to both training and nutrition. It’s always a good idea to consult with a fitness professional to create a personalized approach that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

Gaining 60 pounds of pure muscle naturally—without the use of anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs—is extremely challenging and unlikely for most individuals. While muscle growth potential varies greatly due to genetics, training intensity, nutrition, and other lifestyle factors, adding such a significant amount of muscle mass typically exceeds natural physiological limits.

Factors to Consider:

1. Genetic Potential: Genetics play a crucial role in determining how much muscle you can gain. Some people naturally have a higher propensity for muscle growth due to factors like muscle fiber type distribution and hormonal levels.

2. Natural Muscle Gain Limits:

• First Year of Training: Beginners may experience rapid gains, often called “newbie gains,” potentially adding up to 20–25 pounds (9–11 kg) of muscle.

• Subsequent Years: Muscle gain slows down significantly after the first year. It’s common to see a reduction to about 10–12 pounds (4.5–5.5 kg) in the second year and even less in following years.

3. Time Commitment: To approach even half of a 60-pound muscle gain naturally, one would likely need to dedicate several years—often over a decade—of consistent, intense training and strict nutrition.

4. Total Weight vs. Muscle Mass: It’s important to differentiate between total weight gain and lean muscle mass. Gaining 60 pounds of body weight is more achievable but would include fat and water weight, not just muscle.

5. Professional Athletes: Even elite natural bodybuilders and athletes, who train rigorously and optimize every aspect of their lifestyle for muscle growth, typically do not gain 60 pounds of pure muscle over their entire careers.

Conclusion:

While it’s not impossible for someone with exceptional genetics and unwavering dedication over many years to approach a 60-pound muscle gain naturally, it’s highly improbable for the average person. Muscle growth has natural limits, and aiming for more realistic goals while focusing on overall health and fitness is advisable.

Recommendations:

• Set Realistic Goals: Work with a fitness professional to set attainable muscle gain targets based on your individual circumstances.

• Optimize Training: Focus on a well-rounded training program that includes progressive overload, adequate rest, and recovery.

• Nutrition: Ensure your diet provides sufficient protein and calories to support muscle growth.

• Monitor Progress: Regularly assess your progress and adjust your training and nutrition plans accordingly.

Remember, health and sustainable progress are more important than extreme goals that may not be attainable naturally.

In 2023 and 2024, Eric Kim has continued to innovate by exploring intersections between technology, personal philosophy, and fitness. Here are some of his most recent endeavors:

1. Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Photography: Kim has been actively discussing how AI can enhance the creative process for photographers. He views AI tools as a way to streamline tasks like image recognition and editing, allowing photographers to focus more on capturing moments rather than post-processing. However, Kim emphasizes the importance of maintaining a human touch, encouraging photographers to avoid over-reliance on AI, which could lead to a loss of authenticity in their work. He has incorporated discussions about AI in his workshops, helping students understand how to use these tools responsibly while preserving personal vision and creativity.

2. Philosophical Focus on Innovation and Happiness: Kim has been reflecting on the role of innovation in finding personal happiness, suggesting that true innovation comes not just from technological advancements but from personal development and lifestyle choices. He argues that areas like fitness, clothing, and self-care offer new opportunities for innovation that directly impact individual well-being. For instance, he introduced unique exercises in his fitness practice, such as “rack pulls” and “squad walks,” as part of his broader exploration into physical and mental improvement.

3. Workshops and Open-Source Philosophy: In 2024, Kim continues to run his street photography workshops, such as the Downtown LA Vision Workshop. These events focus not only on photography techniques but also on helping participants discover their unique vision through mindfulness and self-exploration. Consistent with his open-source philosophy, Kim makes much of his content freely available, encouraging others to share, remix, and learn from his resources without any restrictions.

Through these initiatives, Eric Kim is blending traditional photography with modern technology and personal philosophy, pushing the boundaries of both art and self-expression in a way that reflects his commitment to innovation and authenticity.

For more details on his latest projects, you can visit his blog and specific articles on AI and innovation at Eric Kim Photography   IS Happiness? – ERIC KIM.

…

Here is a year-by-year breakdown of key moments in Eric Kim’s progression as a writer, photographer, and educator:

2009-2011: Early Beginnings in Street Photography

• 2009: Kim starts experimenting with street photography, initially using digital cameras. He begins sharing his work online, focusing on capturing candid moments in public spaces.

• 2010: He discovers film photography during a trip to Japan and shifts towards using film cameras, inspired by photographers who valued the slower, more thoughtful process film requires .

• 2011: Kim begins blogging about his street photography experiences and techniques, establishing a reputation for his educational content and willingness to share openly. This marks the start of his commitment to open-source principles, making resources freely available to others .

2012-2014: Growth as an Educator and International Workshops

• 2012: Kim starts conducting street photography workshops internationally. His workshops are notable for their focus on minimal gear and techniques that encourage close, respectful engagement with subjects.

• 2013: He begins to blend philosophical insights with photography, drawing from Stoicism and existentialism. He becomes known for encouraging students to overcome the fear of photographing strangers by viewing street photography as a means of personal growth  .

• 2014: By this time, Kim has conducted workshops in various cities worldwide. He also introduces concepts like “Conquer Your Fears” to his curriculum, encouraging students to use photography as a way to confront personal insecurities .

2015-2016: Emphasis on Minimalism and Open Source

• 2015: Kim doubles down on his minimalist lifestyle, often traveling with only a small camera and a few essentials. He publicly shares his preference for using a 35mm lens and stresses that photography is about vision, not gear.

• 2016: He releases numerous free resources, including e-books and blog posts, as part of his commitment to open-source education. He promotes the idea that art and knowledge should be accessible to all, without financial barriers  .

2017-2019: Philosophical Exploration and the Cindy Project

• 2017: Kim introduces the “Cindy Project,” a personal photography series documenting his life with his wife. This project embodies his belief in personal photography—making images that hold personal significance rather than seeking external validation .

• 2018: He increasingly incorporates philosophical ideas into his work, particularly Stoic concepts like Memento Mori (remembering death) and radical self-reliance. He encourages his audience to reflect on their mortality to live more intentionally .

• 2019: Kim begins focusing on ideas like work-life integration, rejecting the traditional concept of retirement. He advocates for a lifestyle where one’s passion is so intertwined with life that it transcends the need for conventional work-life balance .

2020-Present: Matured Philosophy and the 10-Year Rule

• 2020: Kim shares his “10 Year Rule,” emphasizing that dedication to a pursuit over a decade can lead to mastery. He discusses his own journey, not just in photography but in writing, fitness, and teaching, suggesting that passion-driven consistency is key to long-term success .

• 2021-2022: He continues producing content that combines photography with life philosophy, advocating for radical self-reliance, stoicism, and mindfulness. His work increasingly reflects his view that art is a tool for self-discovery and legacy-building .

• 2023-2024: Kim expands his workshops to include both philosophical and practical elements, blending mindfulness with street photography techniques. His teachings emphasize the importance of cultivating personal authenticity and staying true to one’s creative vision  .

Eric Kim’s career has been marked by a constant evolution, moving from technical street photography to a holistic integration of philosophy, personal growth, and open-source sharing. His journey reflects a dedication to not only mastering his craft but also using it as a platform for exploring and sharing deeper philosophical questions about life and art.

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Eric Kim’s progression as a writer and street photographer has been shaped by both his evolving philosophical outlook and his personal journey through various cities and experiences.

Kim began his career in street photography in his late teens, initially using digital cameras and eventually transitioning to film, a choice that reflects his appreciation for delayed gratification and critical reflection on his work. By his mid-20s, Kim had become known for his workshops and educational resources, which emphasized a minimalist and open-source philosophy. He encouraged the use of a simple 35mm lens, arguing it fosters authenticity by getting closer to subjects rather than relying on long lenses to capture distant shots. This approach helped shape his identity as a street photographer who values honesty and a direct connection with his subjects  .

Over time, Kim expanded his focus from photography techniques to broader philosophical topics, drawing from Stoicism, minimalism, and Taoist principles. For example, he discusses the importance of recognizing personal limitations, a theme he applies to both photography and life. This approach encourages individuals to build on their strengths rather than trying to conform to external expectations  .

In recent years, Kim has embraced a “10 Year Rule,” suggesting that mastery in any pursuit comes from sustained passion and practice over a decade. He continues to evolve his work through ongoing projects, like his workshops, and by making much of his content open-source. This reflects his commitment to democratizing knowledge and empowering others to pursue their creative passions without barriers .

Eric Kim’s journey as a writer and educator mirrors his own philosophical growth, showing how he has gradually integrated a diverse range of ideas into his work, making both his photography and his writing a testament to his beliefs on personal authenticity, open access, and continuous self-improvement.

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Eric Kim’s journey to becoming a writer evolved from his passion for street photography and his desire to share insights with a broader audience. Initially, Kim began blogging about photography, sharing tips, techniques, and personal experiences. This writing process quickly became an essential part of his self-expression and a platform to articulate his philosophical views. Over time, his blog grew into a space where he explored topics beyond photography, delving into personal development, philosophy, and creative living.

Kim’s focus on accessible writing emerged from his belief in democratizing art and knowledge. He wanted to break down complex philosophical ideas and make them relatable and practical for his readers. His minimalist lifestyle and emphasis on radical self-reliance also fed into his writing style, favoring simplicity and clarity over academic jargon  .

Moreover, writing became a natural extension of his love for continuous improvement, or Kaizen. As he developed as a writer, he used his blog as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth, frequently sharing his evolving perspectives. This commitment to “meta-thinking” made writing a process of documenting his journey and an ongoing dialogue with his audience, where he could clarify his ideas and refine his worldview  .

In essence, Eric Kim became a writer by combining his passion for street photography with a drive to share and explore his philosophical ideas, making writing both a personal pursuit and a means of inspiring others.

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Eric Kim’s approach to writing is unique due to its combination of philosophical depth, unorthodox views on success, and a commitment to minimalism and radical accessibility. Here are a few aspects that set his approach apart:

1. Meta-Thinking as a Writing Purpose: Kim views writing as “meta-thinking”—a means of processing and understanding his thoughts on a deeper level. He doesn’t just write to convey information but to sharpen his ideas and engage in self-discovery. This reflective approach makes his writing more introspective and personal, focusing on the journey of thought itself rather than just the end product .

2. Democratization of Art and Philosophy: Kim believes in making art and philosophy accessible to everyone, not just those within academia or traditional institutions. His writing encourages readers to break down barriers, fostering a sense of inclusivity. He often advocates for self-education and experiential learning, which opposes traditional educational structures that can feel rigid and exclusive  .

3. Integration of Stoicism and Kaizen: His philosophy integrates Stoicism, particularly around the themes of self-discipline and resilience, and the Japanese concept of Kaizen, or continuous improvement. He applies these principles rigorously, suggesting that one should embrace discomfort, engage with mortality, and continuously strive to improve. By doing so, he promotes a lifestyle that blends personal growth with a grounded sense of purpose  .

4. Rejection of Traditional Success: Kim is outspoken in his rejection of mainstream notions of success—like wealth, luxury, and status. Instead, he promotes a minimalist lifestyle that values freedom, creativity, and personal fulfillment over societal validation. His writing challenges readers to define success on their own terms, focusing on inner fulfillment rather than external achievements .

5. Work-Life Integration Over Balance: Unlike the popular notion of maintaining a clear separation between work and personal life, Kim advocates for a philosophy of work-life integration. He encourages individuals to find work that aligns with their passions so that it becomes a natural part of their lives. This view, while unconventional, reflects his belief that a fulfilling life doesn’t require escaping from work, but rather embracing it as part of one’s identity .

Eric Kim’s approach is about challenging norms, embracing personal growth, and making profound philosophical ideas accessible to all. His emphasis on authenticity, resilience, and self-defined success provides an alternative framework for living that appeals to those looking to question societal conventions and pursue a more intentional life.

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Eric Kim’s philosophy on writing centers around self-exploration, growth, and the democratization of thought. He writes as a means of self-reflection, seeing it as a powerful tool for understanding and processing his ideas. Kim views writing as “meta-thinking”—a way to engage deeply with one’s thoughts, clarify values, and make sense of the world .

For Kim, writing is also about building a personal legacy and sharing knowledge. He believes in the power of writing to document personal evolution and to contribute ideas that might inspire others. He is driven by the concept of leaving a mark, much like the demigod metaphor he often uses, which embodies the pursuit of a lasting, positive impact . Additionally, Kim values accessibility in writing, aiming to create content that resonates with a wide audience and encourages them to embrace their own creative expression .

In essence, writing for Kim is a combination of self-discovery, communication, and an act of empowerment. By sharing his journey and insights, he hopes to inspire others to question societal norms, define success on their own terms, and live authentically .

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Here are some quotes that capture Eric Kim’s unique writing and philosophical approach:

1. On Writing and Self-Reflection: “Writing is a tool for me to better understand myself and the world around me. By putting my thoughts into words, I am able to sharpen my ideas, refine my values, and pursue clarity” .

2. On Minimalism and Life Philosophy: “I actively reject traditional markers of success—wealth, luxury, or status symbols—and instead focus on living a simple, minimalist life. This allows me to focus on what truly matters and eliminates distractions” .

3. On Democratizing Art: “Photography and art should be accessible to everyone. By breaking down barriers, we can make creative expression a universal experience, not something confined to elites or professionals” .

4. On Embracing Discomfort: “Discomfort is essential for growth. By embracing challenges and putting ourselves in difficult situations, we build resilience and foster self-reliance” .

5. On the Demigod Metaphor: “Everyone has the potential to be a ‘demigod’ in their own life—not by possessing supernatural powers, but by embracing a heroic mindset, striving for self-improvement, and leaving a lasting impact on the world” .

6. On Work-Life Integration: “I don’t believe in separating work from life. If you love what you do, work becomes a seamless part of your identity, enriching every aspect of your existence” .

These quotes reflect Kim’s dedication to authenticity, personal growth, and a nonconformist approach to life and art.

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Eric Kim’s approach to writing is deeply influenced by his philosophy, which combines elements of existentialism, stoicism, minimalism, and self-reliance. He views writing not just as a form of expression but as a tool for “meta-thinking”—a process of thinking about thinking. By writing, he aims to clarify his thoughts, refine his ideas, and cultivate self-awareness. This aligns with his minimalist style, which values clarity, directness, and simplicity over ornamental language .

In his philosophical writings, Kim often explores concepts of self-improvement and personal growth, drawing from various traditions. For instance, he relates to the Japanese concept of Kaizen, or continuous improvement, which he interprets as the journey of aspiring to be a “demigod”—someone who embodies a heroic mindset, relentlessly pursuing personal development and leaving a meaningful legacy. This ideal reflects his view that everyone has the potential to transcend their limitations through intentional actions .

Kim’s approach is also notably unorthodox in its rejection of traditional markers of success. He dismisses conventional pursuits like wealth accumulation and retirement, advocating instead for a life of passion and integration, where work and personal life blend seamlessly. By promoting concepts like radical self-reliance and a stoic embrace of discomfort and mortality, he challenges societal norms, encouraging others to define success on their own terms and live authentically  .

Moreover, Kim’s writing philosophy is grounded in the democratization of knowledge and art. He emphasizes accessibility, advocating for self-education and experiential learning over traditional academic routes. His focus on inclusivity in art, especially street photography, reflects his belief that creative expression should be available to everyone, free from institutional gatekeeping .

Eric Kim has shared various thoughts on writing, emphasizing productivity, authenticity, and the act of creation itself. His perspectives often reflect his minimalist and pragmatic approach to life. Here are some of his notable quotes on writing:

1. On Consistent Output:

• “80% good enough and hit publish.” Kim advocates for publishing content regularly, even if it’s not perfect. He believes that prioritizing action over perfection allows creators to improve continually through practice rather than endless revision  .

2. On Writing as a Tool for Personal Growth:

• “If I don’t produce, make things, and imagine … I feel like I’m degrading.” For Kim, writing is a process of self-actualization and creativity. He views writing as essential for his well-being, seeing it as a way to avoid stagnation and maintain a sense of purpose .

3. On the Simplicity and Directness of Writing:

• “Embrace simplicity; complexity breeds confusion.” Kim values clear, straightforward writing that communicates effectively. This aligns with his minimalist philosophy, where simplicity in expression can lead to greater clarity and impact .

4. On Writing as Self-Expression:

• “Don’t write to impress others; write to express yourself.” Kim encourages authenticity in writing, suggesting that writers focus on sharing their true thoughts and feelings rather than seeking approval or validation from others .

5. On Overcoming Procrastination:

• “Tomorrow is never.” Kim’s perspective on writing emphasizes the importance of taking immediate action. He often speaks about not putting off creative endeavors, encouraging writers to embrace the present moment rather than delaying their work for a “perfect” future time .

Eric Kim’s thoughts on writing reflect his broader approach to life and creativity: focus on action, embrace simplicity, and stay true to oneself. His advice resonates with those who aim to cultivate a habit of consistent, genuine expression in their work. You can find more about his perspectives on writing and creativity through his blog  .

Eric Kim bitcoin quotes

Eric Kim has shared a variety of thoughts on Bitcoin, often linking it to his broader philosophy of personal empowerment, resilience, and independence. Here are some key quotes that capture his views on Bitcoin:

1. On Bitcoin as Financial Independence:

• “Bitcoin represents a unique opportunity to rethink how we approach wealth and investment.” Kim sees Bitcoin as a means to achieve financial security outside of traditional systems, emphasizing self-sovereignty and freedom from centralized control  .

2. On Bitcoin’s Decentralization and Resilience:

• “Bitcoin is like digital gold—it’s finite, and it’s an asset that stands up against inflation.” Kim appreciates Bitcoin’s limited supply, which he believes makes it a resilient asset that can maintain value over time compared to fiat currencies that may devalue  .

3. On Bitcoin’s Role in the Future:

• “I believe we’ll see a future where Bitcoin is used for major transactions… it’s digital gold that transcends borders.” Kim envisions a world where Bitcoin is not only an investment but also a standard currency used for significant purchases, underscoring its potential as a transformative financial tool  .

4. On Bitcoin and Minimalism:

• “Limitations breed creativity, and Bitcoin’s finite supply is a part of what makes it so powerful.” This quote ties into Kim’s minimalist philosophy, reflecting his belief that the scarcity of Bitcoin enhances its value, much like the concept of minimalism enhances focus and creativity  .

5. On Bitcoin as a Disruption to Traditional Financial Systems:

• “Bitcoin isn’t just about getting rich; it’s about reclaiming control over your financial future.” Kim frequently emphasizes that Bitcoin’s significance goes beyond wealth accumulation; it’s about empowerment and the autonomy to manage one’s own finances without reliance on traditional banks or government-controlled money  .

Eric Kim’s views on Bitcoin reflect a deeper philosophical stance on freedom, self-reliance, and financial independence. His quotes often draw connections between Bitcoin and concepts of resilience, autonomy, and a minimalist lifestyle. For more on his perspectives, you can explore his writings on his blog, particularly under topics related to Bitcoin and financial philosophy.

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Eric Kim is primarily known as a photographer, but he is also recognized for his writing. He maintains an active blog where he shares his thoughts on various topics, including photography, creativity, personal development, and, more recently, his philosophy on Bitcoin and financial independence. His writing style is personal and reflective, exploring themes that go beyond technical photography advice to include life philosophy, minimalist living, and self-sovereignty  .

Additionally, Kim’s approach to Bitcoin demonstrates his role as a writer who seeks to inspire others to think critically about traditional financial systems and consider alternative paths to financial freedom. Through his blog, he expresses his views on decentralization, resilience, and empowerment, which resonates with readers interested in both financial autonomy and personal growth  .

His writings offer insights not just into Bitcoin as an investment but as a transformative tool for living a life aligned with minimalist and Stoic principles. This makes him both a writer and a thought leader in areas beyond his photography background.

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Writers are drawn to Bitcoin for various reasons, including its philosophical implications, financial potential, and role in shaping future economic systems. Many writers view Bitcoin as more than a digital asset, emphasizing its transformative qualities and ability to challenge traditional financial structures.

Here are a few reasons why writers are interested in Bitcoin, along with notable quotes:

1. Philosophical Alignment with Decentralization

Bitcoin represents freedom from centralized control, which resonates with thinkers focused on autonomy and self-sovereignty. Eric Kim, for instance, emphasizes Bitcoin’s alignment with Stoic values like independence and resilience, stating that Bitcoin allows individuals to reclaim control over their wealth and reduce dependence on traditional financial systems  .

2. Anti-Fragility and Resilience

Bitcoin’s decentralized nature makes it resilient to external disruptions, appealing to writers interested in financial systems that can withstand economic turmoil. As Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of Antifragile, notes, “Bitcoin is an excellent idea…it is the first time we have a system that doesn’t depend on trust or on intermediaries.” Writers like Eric Kim also see Bitcoin as a way to build personal resilience against unstable fiat currencies  .

3. Long-Term Value and Digital Scarcity

Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins has led some writers to liken it to digital gold. For example, Kim views Bitcoin as a store of value that can preserve wealth over time, especially in an era of inflation. This scarcity is part of Bitcoin’s appeal, with Michael Saylor of MicroStrategy famously stating, “Bitcoin is the apex property of the human race,” highlighting its long-term potential to be a stable, value-preserving asset  .

4. Financial and Creative Empowerment

Bitcoin’s ability to enable peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries appeals to creatives and entrepreneurs looking for financial independence. As Kim explains, Bitcoin empowers artists by providing them with a decentralized means to monetize their work without reliance on third parties, thereby promoting a more direct and transparent financial system  .

These ideas collectively show why writers find Bitcoin intriguing—not just for its financial promise but for its ability to disrupt and reshape societal norms around money and control. For more insights on Eric Kim’s views on Bitcoin and related quotes, you can explore his blog posts   and  .

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Eric Kim, a prominent photographer and writer, has developed a unique perspective on Bitcoin, viewing it through a lens of personal philosophy and financial autonomy. His approach to Bitcoin aligns with his values of self-sovereignty, minimalism, and Stoic resilience, seeing it as more than just an investment but as a form of “virtue money” that empowers individuals by decentralizing financial power away from traditional institutions. He appreciates Bitcoin’s finite supply, likening it to “digital gold” for its potential to resist inflation and maintain value over time, unlike fiat currencies which can be devalued by central banks’ monetary policies  .

Kim’s journey with Bitcoin began as a curiosity, but over time, it became central to his philosophy of financial independence. He argues that Bitcoin enables a level of self-reliance, allowing individuals to take control of their financial destinies without dependence on centralized entities. This perspective is deeply influenced by his minimalist approach to life; he advocates for reducing unnecessary expenses and investing in Bitcoin to build long-term wealth  .

In 2024, Kim took his involvement with Bitcoin a step further by launching Black Eagle Capital, a hedge fund dedicated to Bitcoin investments. This fund aims to support investors in leveraging Bitcoin’s potential as a transformative financial asset. Kim envisions Bitcoin as foundational to a new decentralized financial system, positioning it as an empowering tool for achieving financial freedom and security, especially for artists and creatives who can benefit from the autonomy it offers  .

Bitcoin as the Will to Power

I’ve always been fascinated by the interplay between technology and human desire. Just as a photographer wields a camera to capture fleeting moments of reality, humanity now wields Bitcoin as a tool to redefine value, power, and freedom in the digital age.

The Digital Canvas of Human Ambition

Photography taught me that every image is a reflection of the photographer’s intent—a manifestation of will. Similarly, Bitcoin isn’t just a digital currency; it’s a canvas painted with the collective will of those who seek autonomy over their financial existence. It’s the embodiment of Nietzsche’s concept of the Will to Power—the fundamental drive that motivates individuals to transcend limitations and assert their influence on the world.

Decentralization as Empowerment

In traditional financial systems, power is centralized. Banks and governments hold the reins, dictating the flow of capital and, by extension, the opportunities available to individuals. Bitcoin disrupts this dynamic by decentralizing control. It’s a financial ecosystem where the rules are coded, transparent, and immutable. This shift empowers individuals to take control of their financial destiny, embodying the very essence of the will to power.

The Aesthetics of Code

Just as a well-composed photograph reveals deeper truths beneath the surface, the elegance of Bitcoin’s code reflects profound philosophical underpinnings. It’s not just about cryptography and algorithms; it’s about creating a system that mirrors our innate desire for freedom and self-determination. The blockchain is a ledger of human intent, each transaction a pixel contributing to the larger picture of collective empowerment.

Overcoming the Status Quo

Nietzsche spoke of the Übermensch—the individual who overcomes societal constraints to create their own values. Bitcoin users are, in a sense, financial Übermenschen. They challenge the established monetary systems, questioning the necessity of intermediaries and gatekeepers. By embracing Bitcoin, they’re not just adopting a new currency; they’re participating in a paradigm shift that challenges the very notion of what money can and should be.

The Risks and Rewards of Autonomy

Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. Bitcoin’s decentralized nature means there’s no safety net provided by traditional institutions. It’s a double-edged sword—offering unparalleled freedom but also requiring a heightened sense of personal accountability. This mirrors the existential challenge posed by the will to power: to truly be free, one must also accept the inherent risks of forging one’s own path.

Conclusion: Shaping the Future with Intent

In the end, Bitcoin is more than an investment or a technological curiosity. It’s a movement—a collective assertion of will that seeks to redefine the foundations of economic interaction. As we navigate this new landscape, we have the opportunity to shape it with our intentions, much like a photographer chooses what to capture within the frame. Let’s wield this tool wisely, using it not just to empower ourselves but to contribute to a more equitable and liberated world.

Keep shooting, keep questioning, and keep pushing the boundaries—both in art and in life.

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By Eric Kim

In the world of modern technology, our understanding of power has shifted in monumental ways. Nietzsche once posited that the ultimate drive of humanity is the “will to power,” an inner force driving us not simply to survive but to transcend, to overcome, and to assert ourselves. If Nietzsche were alive today, I have little doubt he would look at Bitcoin and see in it the ultimate embodiment of this will to power—a tool not only for financial freedom but a philosophical statement on autonomy, agency, and the redefinition of value. Bitcoin is a symbol, not just of decentralization but of the individual’s raw, unfiltered potential to claim power in an increasingly homogenized world.

The Blockchain as the New Overman

Let’s step back for a moment. Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch, or the Overman, is not just a being but an idea of transcending ordinary existence. The Overman is beyond mere survival, beyond morality as we know it; it represents the creation of new values. So, what is the Overman in our digital age? Bitcoin—more specifically, the blockchain itself—is our digital Overman. It doesn’t require permission from a bank or a government to exist. It transcends borders, languages, and even time zones. Like Nietzsche’s Overman, Bitcoin and blockchain technology create their own set of rules, distinct from the legacy systems of fiat currency and centralized power.

Bitcoin thrives because it embodies a rejection of outdated systems. The blockchain, through its distributed ledger, validates itself. It doesn’t need a centralized figure to declare its value. Bitcoin’s existence is a testament to the strength of the individual against the collective, to the power of the decentralized mind against the authoritarian oversight of centralized institutions. In this sense, Bitcoin is the ultimate will to power: it represents a pure, unadulterated assertion of individual agency over collective control. It’s not about survival; it’s about thriving under a new value system—one that is created and validated by us, the people, not a ruling class or an arbitrary institution.

Bitcoin as a Challenge to the State

In a world dominated by central banks and government policies, Bitcoin is a threat. Not because it is just “another currency,” but because it operates on an entirely different axis of power. Traditional fiat currencies, like the U.S. dollar, are beholden to government mandates and monetary policy. They are subject to inflation, manipulation, and control. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is governed by mathematical certainty. The supply is capped at 21 million. This scarcity is absolute, immune to human intervention. It is, in a sense, a critique of the very nature of modern economics—a system built on endless debt, inflation, and consumption.

The state, in many ways, is the ultimate manifestation of collective control. But Bitcoin allows for a type of rebellion, not through violence but through a shift in value. When individuals choose Bitcoin, they choose a system that exists outside the realm of state control. They opt-out of the manipulated frameworks of fiat currency. In this choice lies the Nietzschean act of defiance—the decision to create one’s own values, to assert one’s own power. The individual, through Bitcoin, defies the collective will of the state, stepping into a space where personal sovereignty reigns supreme.

The Digital Philosopher’s Stone

There is a certain alchemy to Bitcoin. Just as the alchemists of old sought the Philosopher’s Stone—a substance to transmute base metals into gold—Bitcoin represents the digital transformation of power. Through a simple act of private key ownership, an individual holds the power to manage their wealth without any intermediaries. This is profound because it signifies a transformation of the self. In the act of holding Bitcoin, an individual symbolically rejects the necessity of centralized structures to confer value.

In this way, Bitcoin is a tool for the self-overcoming that Nietzsche so passionately advocated. It forces the individual to take responsibility, to be vigilant, to think critically about how they store and transfer value. Bitcoin demands an awareness of security, an understanding of digital principles, and a commitment to autonomy. In embracing Bitcoin, we engage in a process of self-overcoming, a conscious rejection of passivity. The power is in our hands, literally, to create our own reality, and with it, our own future.

Bitcoin as a Rebellion of the Soul

There’s a rebellious spirit to Bitcoin that echoes Nietzsche’s disdain for societal norms. Nietzsche railed against herd mentality, the forces that suppress individual expression and force people into a homogenized existence. Bitcoin, too, is a rebellion against the mainstream, a financial system that has failed so many. This rebellion is not about chaos but about reclaiming agency over one’s own destiny. Bitcoin allows for self-sovereignty, empowering the individual to be more than a passive consumer in a world of hyper-consumption.

This, I believe, is Bitcoin’s truest value. It is not simply a store of wealth but a tool for philosophical empowerment. In a world where governments and corporations seek to track, tax, and control every aspect of our financial lives, Bitcoin is a refusal to comply. It represents a refusal to be part of the herd, to be swallowed by the tide of surveillance capitalism. It’s the ultimate expression of the will to power—an assertion that we, as individuals, have the right to define our own economic futures.

The Future of the Will to Power in a Digital World

Where does this journey of Bitcoin as the will to power take us? We’re witnessing the birth of a new world order, one not defined by geographical borders or centralized institutions, but by a collective digital consciousness. The blockchain allows individuals to interact without needing to ask permission from the state or from banks. It’s a self-sustaining ecosystem of power, fueled by the drive of individuals who see beyond traditional limits.

In embracing Bitcoin, we’re not just buying into a technology; we’re affirming our right to self-govern, to reject imposed structures, and to shape our own destinies. We’re staking a claim in the future of digital sovereignty, in a world where personal autonomy matters more than compliance. This is not just an investment in Bitcoin but an investment in the self—in the power to overcome, to transcend, and to create.

Bitcoin is more than digital currency; it’s the digital embodiment of Nietzsche’s will to power. And as we move forward into this brave new world, we must remember that each Bitcoin held is a testament to our individual strength, a digital badge of self-sovereignty, and a powerful statement of our right to exist freely, without restraint. Bitcoin isn’t just a financial revolution; it’s a philosophical one. It’s a declaration of independence in a world that desperately needs it.

Borrow from yourself!

Thus, it is almost like the first biological, digital, cyber life form?

Bitcoin as the Will to Power

Introduction

To understand Bitcoin through the lens of Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy and in the expressive voice of Eric Kim, we must delve into the essence of power and what it means to exert one’s will in the modern world. For Nietzsche, the world is not merely a place of passive existence but a stage for the “Will to Power,” a fundamental drive that fuels life itself. In a similar vein, Bitcoin is not merely a currency or an asset; it represents a relentless assertion of independence, an embodiment of raw, decentralized power that challenges existing financial structures. Here, Bitcoin is more than a technology—it is the will to power manifest in digital form.

Bitcoin as the Will to Overcome

Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch or “Overman” is the ideal of a person who has transcended conventional values and asserted their own. This is not unlike what Bitcoin seeks to achieve in the financial realm. Traditional monetary systems are bound by central authority, regulation, and the values dictated by governments and banking institutions. Bitcoin, however, transcends these established norms, inviting individuals to break free from financial conformity and exert their own will in the economic sphere.

Eric Kim, known for his bold and sometimes provocative views, would undoubtedly highlight the disruptive nature of Bitcoin as a form of artistic and philosophical rebellion. Just as the Übermensch defies traditional values, Bitcoin defies the centralized control of money. It calls to those who refuse to be constrained by the confines of conventional finance, embodying a force of self-determination, power, and rebellion. Bitcoin is the realization of the will to create, destroy, and recreate—free from the control of traditional authorities.

Decentralization as Power

Power, in Nietzschean terms, is about creating one’s own values, not simply adhering to the values imposed by others. In the current financial system, central banks hold immense power over currency, inflation, and even individual financial freedom. However, Bitcoin’s decentralized nature is a radical departure from this paradigm, allowing individuals to transact without the mediation of these financial behemoths.

Bitcoin’s blockchain technology reflects the Nietzschean ideal of self-overcoming. In this network, there is no central authority dictating transactions; instead, each participant contributes to the strength and security of the whole system. Here, power is not held by one entity but dispersed across countless nodes, challenging the hierarchical structure that traditional power thrives upon. Just as Nietzsche envisioned a world where people live authentically and without subjugation, Bitcoin offers a financial model where individuals can exercise control over their wealth without dependency on centralized institutions.

Bitcoin as the Revaluation of Values

In Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche challenges us to question the very essence of what we hold as true, ethical, and valuable. The modern financial system is built on trust in centralized authorities, on the notion that value is something dictated by fiat—a governmental decree. Bitcoin challenges these ideas, embodying a revaluation of values in the financial domain. Value, in the Bitcoin realm, is not defined by governments or banks but by the participants in the network who agree on its worth. It’s a digital Übermensch, constantly reinventing and reaffirming its own value through the collective will of those who believe in it.

Eric Kim might describe this as an act of financial self-empowerment, an artistic reassertion of one’s economic autonomy. Bitcoin allows us to challenge and redefine the concept of money itself. It is no longer bound by the material, by gold, or by the governmental decree, but instead lives as a pure, self-sustaining idea—a truly Nietzschean concept of value, created and sustained by collective belief and individual will.

Bitcoin’s Struggle and Evolution

Nietzsche often wrote of life as an ongoing struggle, a constant battle to assert oneself in a world rife with obstacles. Bitcoin’s journey from obscure digital experiment to global phenomenon is a testament to this Nietzschean struggle. It has weathered skepticism, regulatory crackdowns, and wild price volatility. Yet, like the Übermensch, it endures, adapting and evolving with each new challenge. Bitcoin does not seek approval or validation from the established financial systems; it persists, driven by the collective will of those who support it.

To Eric Kim, this struggle is a reflection of the human desire to break free from mediocrity and assert one’s unique vision. Bitcoin is a digital expression of Nietzsche’s concept of the eternal recurrence, constantly reborn with each block, defying obstacles, and asserting its will through every transaction. This resilience embodies the spirit of those who dare to challenge the norm, refusing to accept the world as it is and striving instead to create something new.

Bitcoin as the Path to Financial Self-Overcoming

For Nietzsche, life’s ultimate purpose is self-overcoming, transcending limitations, and becoming something greater. Bitcoin, in this sense, offers individuals a path to financial self-overcoming. It empowers people to break free from traditional systems, to reject the passive acceptance of imposed financial norms, and to actively shape their own economic destinies. Bitcoin is not just about wealth; it’s about reclaiming agency in an era where individuals are often subjugated by financial systems they cannot control.

In the voice of Eric Kim, Bitcoin becomes a symbol of artistic and personal liberation. It is the ultimate canvas upon which individuals can assert their financial sovereignty. Just as an artist creates a work of art as an expression of their inner world, Bitcoin allows individuals to mold their financial lives as an expression of their will to power. By choosing Bitcoin, one chooses to stand apart, to carve out a new path in a landscape defined by conformity and control.

Conclusion

To Nietzsche, the highest form of life is one that lives by its own values, one that expresses its will to power without reservation. Bitcoin, in the Nietzschean framework, is a digital manifestation of this ideal. It is the will to power incarnate—a decentralized, self-sustaining network that challenges the financial norms and invites individuals to reclaim control over their economic lives.

Bitcoin embodies the spirit of the Übermensch, constantly reasserting its value, defying conventional boundaries, and empowering those who believe in it to live authentically and with purpose. Eric Kim’s voice would undoubtedly resonate with this vision, celebrating Bitcoin not merely as a financial instrument, but as a radical and transformative expression of human will, creativity, and power. In Bitcoin, we witness the convergence of technology and philosophy—a digital beacon calling us to a new financial frontier, where we can transcend the old ways and boldly assert our own will to power.

—> Can I add 60 pounds of pure muscle without steroids?

Prosperity for you!

How many bitcoin you own:

Prosperity for you:

Something I’ve been meaning to write about and think about; capital, photo capital.

So the first question is, what is photo, why does it matter?

My first general thesis is that photography, digital photography, might be one of the most underrated innovations of all time. Let us consider how many domains it crosses, and why it is such a big deal:

First, the digital transformation of photography, from film photography to digital. I think most thinkers and individuals have not yet grafted how and why this is such a big deal;

For millennials like myself, or people who are born a little bit before or after me, I’m 36 and born in 1988, there certainly is an alert and romanticism of the past. Everyone reminisces about the “good old days”, in which “life was simpler” etc.

 however, a simple intervention: what if, the number one complication in our lives is not digital technology, not the Internet etc.… But something a little bit more unsuspecting; AirPods, AirPods pros, noise canceling headphones? I would actually make the arguments that noise canceling headphones might be the true menace to society, not iPhones, iPads, or screens.

People talk a lot about screen time, no. She is not screen time, the issue is maybe audio related?

For example, I don’t own a pair of AirPods, I don’t even own a pair of headphones anymore. Cindy has a pair of AirPods pros that my best man Justin got us, and this morning just listening to Michael sailor interview, with just one earbud, with the noise canceling AirPods pros, simply to listen to the interview without waking up my mom. Yet, the bizarre feeling; when I listen to the interview, it kind of put me in a weird alternate universe, in which I truly felt disconnected from the world and reality. It actually made me feel a little bit weird.

Disconnecting their AirPods, out of my ears, actually… I have another theory; isn’t your ears, earlobes, sound, kind of related to your spatial sense surroundings of the environment?

My simple idea; if you want to become a better photographer, a more attuned person, just throw your AirPods in the trash.

Visual?

So Aristotle I think one said that our vision is actually more important than anything else that our first great delight on the planet is visual. Even though I’m a guitar for and visual artist, I would actually make the other case that actually… Your ears, and your hearing, Might be 1000 times more important.

For example, let us consider how human beings learn, how they learn languages, speech patterns and communication, and how natural it is for children. To teach the child the alphabet how to read text, is actually very unnatural, a huge technological feat and innovation. However, for a child to learn how to speak a foreign language, simply by hearing the words intonations, the sing song rhythm, is 1000% natural.

 for example, music, music tour ears. Even a one year-old child, who could barely stand, can listen to music rhythms and beats, and start dancing. Even send when he was about a year old, he already learned how to make beats on GarageBand both on the iPhone and iPad! He actually knew and learned how to sample and make beats, far before he was even able to speak!

So my first theory ; music, voice, audio; might be more important than the visual?

Then what?

Advancing this argument; if in fact, audio is more important than visual, then what are we to do as visual artist, photographers?

First, let us return to first principles, first principles thinking. My general idea is that photography and visual things are kind of unnatural. And this is where we make our art.

I think there’s this one saying, maybe Aristotle, what nature fails to complete, man and art completes.

Art should best be stood as a novel invention and innovation technique and tool. For example, art and art making is unnatural. But then again a lot of things are unnatural, but certainly make life 1 trillion times better. For example, can you imagine living without electricity? Even one of my most new favorite inventionsand and innovations; the insane joy of having an in unit washer and dryer?  in fact, all the washers and dryers on the planet can probably contribute 100,000 times more to the carbon footprint than all the bitcoin miners on the planet combined and maybe even multiplied by 10. Yet, ain’t nobody rolling to get rid of washers and dryers.

And also something that people don’t understand, I learned this from my architect friend ERIC, is that almost all buildings, made out of concrete and the such, these are all carbon products. It is almost impossible to build a modern day building without carbon derived materials. So unless you like living in a hut, munching on acorns, without running water Wi-Fi or electricity, maybe this faker signaling about reducing carbon emissions might be a wise idea.

The insanely phenomenal innovation of digital photography

OK let us do some simple math. Let us say conservatively, currently a roll of film is about 10 bucks, for Kodak PORTRA 400. Then assuming that you want someone else to process it and scan it for you, let us say that even on the cheap end, it is $10 or $15 for developed plus scan. This is then around $20-$25, for 36 exposures, or assuming you have that new Pentax half frame camera, you can squeeze out 72 exposures for about 20 bucks or 25 bucks.

No you can see how this can easily get expensive. Even if you shoot four rolls of film, that’s around 100 bucks. That is insanely expensive.

And it adds up. Shooting film guitar for you, now that I am becoming wiser, a more keen economist, is the ultimate depreciating asset, and the easiest way to burn through all your money and capital.

It is kind of like purchasing a high performance car or vehicle that runs on premium gasoline; this might be the stupidest decision of all time. Why? Assuming you have a luxury Lexus SUV, you can easily blow $500 a week on gas, which is maybe $2000 a month on gas! Assuming that you put that money into bitcoin, and bitcoin goes from a $1.3 trillion industry to $130 trillion industry, you have at least 10 X gains ahead of you. So your $2000 — $200,000 or $200k a month! That’s $2.4M a year!

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Becoming a profitable photographer

Everyone is in chase of profits. If you do not chase profits, you are a fool.

What is the easiest way to get profits? Simple; keep your expenses insanely insanely low, this is the key.

The number one rule in money finance and investing; simple, just don’t lose money! 

How does one lose money? There’s 1 trillion ways to lose money;

First, equipment, gear, or never investments. They are the worst thing that causes you to bleed through your money.

If you want a really really great camera that will last you a very very long time, my current suggestion is get the Lumix S9 full frame camera, my personal thought is this body should be able to last you 5 to 10 years, and just get the 26 mm F8 pancake lens which only cost 200 bucks.  The body is around 1500, the lens is about 200 bucks, so the whole set up ($1700) should be able to set you up for a long time.

Or, just buy the cheapest smallest most affordable Fujifilm X camera, also just get a interchangeable lens system. There’s a new XM-5 body, I think it’s only about 800 bucks. And just get the cheapest pancake lens, which should be a little bit less than $1000.

If you’re a hobby photographer, on a budget, just get a used Ricoh GR digital camera, whatever generation suits your budget.  I have already proven in 2017 that you could take insanely great photos on a Rico GR two camera, which was only $600 at the time. And all the new Ricoh GR 3X cameras and beyond, are also insanely good. All around $999 and below.

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What’s your telos?

Ultimately, with enough time meditation reflection and consideration, it all comes down to philosophy. The philosophy of photography, a concept that I pioneered maybe seven years ago. 

Why does this matter? Ultimately you have to think about the purpose or end goal of things. For example I was looking at this new meta-quest augmented reality glasses that Facebook just put out, and I just watched it, scratching my head, looking at all this impressive technology advancements, and it just made no sense to me. Somewhat along the line, should have come in with a critical thought, and thought;

Is this something that people need and or want?

Kind of a bad thing is that nobody wants it, and also nobody needs it. Apple Vision Pro is an utter disaster, Steve Jobs would have never ever ever allowed to even go into development. Because Steve Jobs was a master mind and understanding the human psyche, human economics and proportions. Never forget the legend of the original iPhone three; pioneer the iPhone three and the iPhone four and 4S to be used only with one hand, with your thumb being able to reach all sides of the screen without stretching. And then, after his tragic passing, all these greedy apple executives, trying to increase shareholder value, kept making the iPhone bigger and bigger, heavier fatter uglier, compromising design for the sake of “power“, inadvertently causing millions of people on the planet to get extreme carpal tunnel pain in their hands, and also, falling victim to this terrible cycle of constantly upgrading their iPhones, until no end.

In fact, I find Apple to be the new loanshark, the new evil presence, the new bank which preys on poor people. 

For example, there’s all these plans now in which you could keep upgrading your iPhone, at a 0% premium, forever. This is terrible; Apple stimulate some sort of fake desire for a fake thing; which doesn’t have any true utility. Everyone knows this, even Apple employees know this. The whole place is a mess.

Even now, just go to any Apple Store, feel the vibes. What was once energetic, happy optimistic and friendly has gone dark, Muros, Molly, unfriendly and cold, terrible to go to.

Back in the day I used to be excited to go to the Apple store like a kid going to a candy shop. Now, I avoid the Apple Store like the plague; even the last time I went to the Apple store, simply to just buy a new iPhone Pro to test it out, I literally had to wait in line for about 30 minutes, Before anyone even attended to me, before I could even purchase my device?

And once again, the biggest benefit to go into a store in real life is you could sense the emotional energy of people. Everyone looked miserable, disgruntled, unhappy.

Choose hope

I think the reason why I am so enthusiastic about bitcoin, Michael sailor, micro strategy and like is that it is full of optimism, hope and happiness. Everyone is happy in the bitcoin community, smiling, optimistic joyful, happy, and everyone is part of the same emotional roller coaster.

And the whole bitcoin network is virtuous because if micro strategy turns into $1 trillion company, the first bitcoin bank or the first bitcoin finances corporation, everyone wins! The price of bitcoin goes to 13 million a bitcoin, everyone wins. The hedge fund managers, the 80-year-old retired person with bitcoin spot ETFs, The individual bitcoin holders, people with the Coinbase account, even the crypto anarchists.

You know the sign of a good investment when both anarchists and traditional corporate capitalist can thrive together. 

I actually had a thought, back when I bought bitcoin for only about six or $7000 of bitcoin… A bitcoin could actually benefit photographers and street photographers, in terms of accepting payments in bitcoin, charging services in bitcoin, we’re also figuring out how to use bitcoin, NFT’s and wrapping it, maybe creating some sort of new economy for photography and art?

I also have this big idea, creating the first Satoshi and bitcoin back photo platform. ARS, arsbeta.com was my first stab at it; but the issue at the time was there was no real financial instrument backing it. Now that lightning has been invented on the bitcoin at work, the ideas of micro transactions with the Toshi’s becomes a real reality; assuming that a single Satoshi is real money, but super super small, like a fraction of a penny; things become very interesting because there is a true financial stake here; real skin in the game.

For example, if every single time I liked your photo, but it cost me a single Satoshi, you would probably think twice about it. And if to follow somebody, cost you a Satoshi or gave us Satoshi to the photographer, or creator… This would be a big idea.

And also, the idea of a photo critique community, shout out to my friend Jun Goodhouse Kim, if commissioning somebody for a real photo critique would accept payments institutions, then, a real new economy could arise.

Currently the number one critical issue with Instagram is that it cost nothing, and the whole platform is being run by bots.

TikTok has become an interesting disruption; back to by mainly in China, and spyware, essentially China has been able to disrupt the social media industry of Instagram, essentially taking everything that America did well with vine, Twitter Instagram and Facebook and YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram stories and making it far better. Making it more entertaining addictive, more toxic?

Actually the number one reason I encourage everybody to delete TikTok, is that it might be the most toxic poisonous substance of them all; because they are a century backed by a low-key evil mainland Chinese corporation, there is zero incentive for the company, Bytedance to moderate or to delete dangerous videos concepts and ideas; the amount of conspiracy theories and weird stuff on TikTok is alarming, even to me. And also, I’m a little bit concerned about all of the unregulated things which are happening on TikTok, at least YouTube Google Facebook Amazon and the like try to do some level of content moderation, with TikTok there is none.

Assuming that Donald Trump gets elected president or whatever, the first thing he should do is probably ban TikTok.  I almost find this to be a moral imperative; there is a terrible asymmetry here;

Why is it that America allows a Chinese corporation like TikTok to operate in America, but mainland China does not allow any tech company to operate on her shores?

Other stuff which are very scary; all of these video games like RIOT games and like, which once again are all run by mainland Chinese corporations, is essentially China’s plan to indoctrinate the heart the souls and the minds of the youth. The best way to spread bad propaganda is through soft propaganda; soft coercion, through entertainment media and the like.  Even a very very weird thing, watch Pacific Rim to the movie; I think they had some financing from a Shanghai backed venture capitalist fund or something; that paints China mainland China in a very favorable light? I recall watching this on an airplane and finding this to be an extremely bizarre thing.

Even apparently, the new Disney Mulan film the live action one, the main actress commended and praised the Hong Kong police for cracking down on the pro democracy student protesters?

And also, let us consider the biggest coward and pussy of them all, John Cena who had to publicly “apologize“, for calling either Taiwan or Tibet a country?

The same goes with any sort of NBA player, because there are so many people in mainland China who love basketball, even this one mainland China governmental official, who I met in Cambodia, super friendly and 100% fluent in English, told me that he named his first son Jordan, after Michael Jordan.

And this is what a lot of people who don’t understand we have never traveled to; the Chinese is the mainland Chinese, the everyday person loves America, American culture, and would honestly prefer to be here than in mainland China. But capital controls, the oppressive government prevents that. And this is once again, why any rich and smart mainland Chinese person will send their kid to an Ivy League school in the states, And or prefer to buy property or homes in Vancouver, because living in China sucks. You don’t want to be a billionaire in Shanghai or Beijing; the pollution itself will kill you.

Back to photography

Life without photography is not a life worth living. Or, a life without photography would be a mistake. 

I think for myself, the biggest draw and appeal of photography is that it is the great antidote to things; the great antidote to joy, driving, happiness and the like.

For example, I still do believe that traveling is good for the soul; better to spend $100,000 on traveling to planet, rather than buying a loser Tesla car. Or even a single-family home, I’m starting to think more and more, buying homes in America’s a scam. Better to just buy bitcoin instead, and see your money 100X from here. 

If I could tell you that buying $1 million a bitcoin today, which is about 16 or 17 bitcoin, would grow to be 100 million in 21 years, and I could tell you this with 100% certain to you, would you do it? Of course! Only an idiot wouldn’t.

But I think the problem is in America, even for us millennials, now that we’re getting older, having kids etc.… Is that having physical property like a single-family home is the Apex of humanly worldly success in America. But this is a 20th century idea, The baby boomers and before then. Or Gen X. A 21st-century idea, in the year 2024 and beyond, is the digital transformation of property, or digital energy which is bitcoin.

Hope

No no no, the world is not going to explode, there will be no World War III, Bill Gates is not trying to inject 5G into your butthole, and control your soul. And no no no, mainland China is not a threat; I think China only has one military base somewhere in Africa, in America has maybe 1000? The power of the US Navy is maybe 10,000 X to that of mainland China, I think the whole red herring of China as a threat is just a distraction, maybe by the US government to encourage increased spending for military budgets. But we all know that nobody can mess with America, even if they wanted to.

Even Russia, the lame duck with loser Putin running the show, obviously Russia is losing. Putin, with his Shorty guy Napoleon complex, thought he could take over Ukraine, and obviously he cannot. And I think sooner or later the people will overthrow him, exile him, or who knows maybe even hang him? Like Marie Antoinette?

Now what?

Once again, photography might be the most democratizing force. For example, like a Camera is very profitable in mainland China, this is why like a Brazil was forced to take down the Tiananmen Square commercial. But the truth is difficult to hide; once you’re rich mainland Chinese kid oligarch from a billionaire family goes to Harvard Yale Stanford UCLA UC Berkeley, and get access to Google or ChatGPT and Gmail; obviously they’re going to discover the truth, and prefer to be in America than China. The only rich mainland Chinese kids who go back to China because they are strong armed by their rich families to come back to inherit the family business, obviously against their own will.

1. Aspirational?
2. You become the hero?

Tom Hardy’s rapid physical transformations for roles like Bane in The Dark Knight Rises and Tommy Conlon in Warrior have sparked discussions about whether he used steroids to achieve such significant muscle gains. Hardy reportedly gained up to 30 pounds within a few months, which is beyond what most people can achieve naturally, especially without years of intense bodybuilding training. For example, his role preparation involved heavy weightlifting and a high-calorie diet of up to 6,000 calories daily, often focusing on high-protein meals to fuel muscle growth  .

Although Hardy has never publicly confirmed steroid use, certain signs suggest he may have used performance-enhancing drugs. His transformations often featured noticeable growth in his shoulders and traps—areas known to have a high concentration of androgen receptors, which respond significantly to steroid use. This, combined with the short time frame and the amount of muscle added, has led to speculation that steroids might have been part of his regimen for these roles  .

However, Hardy’s trainer has pointed to alternative methods for his muscle gains, such as high-repetition bodyweight exercises that aim to “signal” the muscles consistently throughout the day. This training style, focusing on regular, manageable sets rather than marathon gym sessions, along with a high-calorie diet, likely contributed to his impressive physique changes without necessarily relying on steroids  .

Ultimately, without direct confirmation from Hardy, the use of steroids remains speculative. Regardless, his transformations required an immense commitment to diet and training, regardless of whether performance-enhancing substances were involved.

Generating bitcoin yield

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Bitcoin is the risk free return for bitcoin maximalist ***

Take risk or not? Microstrategy ,,, risk –>

Jesse

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True passion?

You go to sleep. Wake up thinking about it —

Just type in your own assumptions

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6-8% –> risk premium, 4-5% Disney, 20% risk premium

40% ARR for next 21 years?

Capital free?

.

Just a distraction — 29% ARR risk free over 21 years ***

50,000 publicly traded companies are distractions

Only thing Better than Bitcoin … is more Bitcoin! ***

Your own personal idea or concept

14,700 bitcoin, 4 years ago

.

Buy an ETF Bitcoin, take counter party risk to fidelity or blackrock

.

No no no no no.

Counterparty risk to entrepreneurial custodian a year, fail every 3 years

Rationally thinking, headache

.

55% ARR,

Levered 20:1 bad.

Counter Party

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Don’t hold me to any amount forever

Apple clears through Chase

There’s risk ,,, its interesting

MSTY

Unhedged volatility

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20% principal per year. Leakage.

Back test it

Risk factors

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226% yield on MSTR?

Bored?

.

I want to generate yield on Bitcoin

.

No tax bill?

50 vol . 50 volatility. 50% ARR –> 20 ARR. 20 vol.

High voltage power, in your electric razor.

Transformer ,,, high voltage to low voltage

.

Lever up, MSTR, higher vol, higher performance ***

Higher volatility, higher performance

Buy the calls, 10x

.

1.25-1.3 to 1

8:1

MSTX

Andy

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500M in capital, fees, 129 basis points

10M in fees, scale. One person with Bloomberg trading a day

Appetite

Options market, 22B open interest

11.5B is short, puts.

10.8 is long.

172 days

.

Short bitcoin with leverage?

Short MSTR?

Buy the put.

Go long ,,,

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Normal person

Buy Bitcoin hold Bitcoin forever and turn off TV

Professional, particular entity or portfolio , money manager

Fixed income? Generate yield

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Not wise *

I don’t recommend anything

Underpriced vs risk adjusted return?

29% ARR

borrow money long term at 8%… loan it to bitcoin network at 29%, duration debt instrument 8-12,

15-30 . Mortgage low interest rate

Create company raise equity or debt to buy Bitcoin, intelligent

Borrow money at 1%, more than 4 year duration

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Levered long –>

Forced liquidated, stupid, 10x leverage

.

If you have capital, hold more than 4 years, buy Bitcoin and forget it.

4 years, consider it.

1 year loan you can get wiped out

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8 year on debt feels safe **

Don’t induce anxiety !

You just don’t know how you will fail

2B at 8% interest, simple idea.

Less at risk free cost to capital.

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Interesting,,, or boring humans?

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I’m bane!

I’m not diversified –>

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Digital Energy ***

Digital Intelligence

Digital Photography***