{"id":134059,"date":"2019-03-16T20:08:19","date_gmt":"2019-03-17T03:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=134059"},"modified":"2019-03-21T12:09:38","modified_gmt":"2019-03-21T19:09:38","slug":"gear-adaptation-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/16\/gear-adaptation-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Gear Adaptation Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Practical thoughts on gear and how easily we adapt to it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Adaptation is human<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A recognition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how great our devices (phone, camera, laptop), things (car, home, clothes), tools are \u00e2\u20ac\u201d we will adapt and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153get used to it\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Things which once gave us \u00e2\u20ac\u0153pleasure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d no longer thrill or interest us\u00e2\u20ac\u201d thus, we are always seeking to upgrade our devices.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Thus perhaps we should change our mindset from,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying this new thing will make me so much happier, more productive, motivated, inspired, and powerful <\/p>

<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

To<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This new tool I buy will have positive utility, but no matter how good it is, I will become accustomed to it. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Now \u00e2\u20ac\u201d what are the ramifications of this line of thinking?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Upgrading is still important <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

God forbid if you owned the same phone, laptop, or camera for 10 years. I cannot imagine still using an old Acer Windows brick laptop from the past, using my original EVO 4G HTC phone from 2011, or even using my original Canon SD 600 1.3 megapixel digital camera today. Nor do I desire to use 56k dialup internet modems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upgrading is important \u00e2\u20ac\u201d but perhaps the questions we must consider are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. How often should we upgrade our equipment?<\/li>
  2. Why upgrade your equipment?<\/li>
  3. What types of upgrades are worth your money, and what upgrades aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worth your money?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Value\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Value is an interesting concept, because it is totally subjective. What you consider a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good value\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is different from other folks. You must dictate \u00e2\u20ac\u0153value\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    So the questions you gotta think about is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about whether others think it is a prudent use of your money or not \u00e2\u20ac\u201d consult your own conscience and judgement. <\/li>
    2. When in doubt, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t buy it or upgrade it. Only buy or upgrade things when they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re obvious decisions.<\/li>
    3. Determine for yourself what is a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153worthwhile\u00e2\u20ac\u009d upgrade for you? Are you willing to spend $1,000 for a 10% upgrade? $10,000 for a 10% upgrade? What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your percentage-value financial calculus?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Is adaptation a good thing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      When we adapt to things, lifestyle, devices, etc \u00e2\u20ac\u201d is this a good thing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Another question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Should we adapt to things?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      A lot of philosophy tells us we should<\/i> be grateful and appreciate of the things we own, have, etc. But isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t this thinking inimical to innovation<\/a> and making new things? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Thus if your goal is innovation, adapting to things is a good thing. Because the boredom and dissatisfaction we have drives our lust for the new and for innovation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Thus it seems that adapting to your gear, lifestyle<\/a>, etc is a good thing if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a producer<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a consumer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Now things get trickier if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a consumer. My practical suggestion is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Better to buy cheap equipment and gear, because you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re gonna get bored with it anyways. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      Furthermore, the rate of financial depreciation on technology is so high\u00e2\u20ac\u201d buying new electronics seems to be a sucker mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Practical money economizing ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Thoughts on maximizing the monetary impact\/economization of devices and stuff:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Whenever possible, buy a 1-generation older device. <\/li>
      2. Buy refurbished electronics. You save a save of money, and if is often MORE reliable after it gets refurbished. I bought a maxed out 13 inch MacBook Pro on the Apple online store and saved $1,000 (comparing if I bought the device brand new). <\/li>
      3. Buy used devices or cameras, lenses, tools on Craigslist, eBay, Amazon, or from friends. <\/li>
      4. Don’t upgrade or buy new electronics if the new thing isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t 10x<\/a> better than the thing you own. <\/li>
      5. Buying new devices won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make you \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happier\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d but it can make your life more convenient or productive in certain ways. But do you consider spending $X of money for more convenience and productivity \u00e2\u20ac\u0153worth it\u00e2\u20ac\u009d? (this is up to you). <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        What I consider a good value <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        The things I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve bought in my life which I consider an incredible value (which has improved my life):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. RICOH GR II<\/a>: $500 for the best digital camera. <\/li>
        2. Apple Airpods: Best value headphones, and the Bluetooth syncing works 100x better than any other Bluetooth headphone. <\/li>
        3. Merino Wool Clothing: Black merino wool T-shirts, socks, etc. I love Outlier NYC black merino wool t shirts and their socks. <\/li>
        4. Exofficio Boxer Briefs<\/li>
        5. Clothes from Uniqlo: Fit well, comfortable, and super affordable. Black Oxford Uniqlo button up, their stretch jeans, etc.<\/li>
        6. Maxed out Macbook Pro 13 inch (turbo creation)<\/a>. Buy refurbished. <\/li>
        7. iPad Pro<\/a> (smaller one). Great for processing photos, battery lasts all day, and adds a new creative flair to your digital life. Fun for photo workflow<\/a> too. <\/li>
        8. Coffee: Coffee makes me more productive<\/a>, thus it is good. Coffee at home, coffee at the coffee shop, etc. Any money I can spend on making me more productive is good. <\/li>
        9. Travel<\/a>: Living abroad in hotels or Airbnb; traveling is a great great creative stimulus to myself. I prefer a more nomadic<\/a>\/intermittent<\/a> lifestyle and mode of living for my creative productivity. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          What don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we adapt\/get bored of?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          We easily adapt to electronics and devices, but for the most part \u00e2\u20ac\u201d we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t adapt as much to material things (shoes, clothes, natural materials). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          For example our entire ERIC KIM \/ HENRI line of leather products<\/a> seems to be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153adaptation-proof\u00e2\u20ac\u009din the sense that we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem to get bored of leather (natural) products. For example the more you use a leather product, the more beautiful patina it develops. There is something lovely about seeing the beautiful wear and tear on an organic object (golden brassing on a Leica, wear on your raw denim, or the patina on a leather product). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \"\"
          RICOH GR II x ERIC KIM NECK STRAP MARK II<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Thus when it comes to buying stuff, I always ask myself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Will this improve or get better over time, or get worse over time?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

          For example my denim and leather straps will get \u00e2\u20ac\u0153better\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the more I use them. But the more I use my electronics and the more time which elapses, my electronics get worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          So perhaps with organic or natural things \u00e2\u20ac\u201d they generally get better over time\/\/anything electronic or inorganic tends to get worse over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          What are you willing to sacrifice?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          Technically you can \u00e2\u20ac\u0153afford\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to purchase anything you desire in life. The only question is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          What am I willing to sacrifice in order to obtain\/achieve [x]?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

          For example if I want a Lamborghini (blacked out, matte black aventador) I must ask myself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          How many life hours (money) do I need to sacrifice in order to buy this thing?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

          And after I buy it, what practical utility will it give me? How quickly will I adapt to it, and do I expect it to bring me \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or something else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Conclusion: Focus on creative productivity <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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          My conclusion in life so far has been this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Prioritize your creative productivity over everything else. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

          To me this is the secret to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          I derive the greatest pleasure when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m in the creative zone of creation. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m happiest when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m making stuff, thinking, creating, and sharing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Invest in tools and equipment (economical) which will allow you to maximize your creative output. Optimize your lifestyle to maximize your personal strength, vigor, and focus to constantly create the new!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          ERIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          HAPTIC INDUSTRIES<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n