{"id":153893,"date":"2019-07-11T15:38:28","date_gmt":"2019-07-11T22:38:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=153893"},"modified":"2019-07-11T17:26:13","modified_gmt":"2019-07-12T00:26:13","slug":"in-praise-of-unconventional-wisdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/11\/in-praise-of-unconventional-wisdom\/","title":{"rendered":"In Praise of Unconventional Wisdom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"In Praise of Unconventional Thinking\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PAFF46h5cqk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Is All Conventional Wisdom Bad?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have I ever learned anything from anyone else (in real life) or from books which had practical utility in my life, without me following my gut and self-experimenting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conventional wisdom has never helped me. However on the other hand, listening to and acting upon\/experimenting on unconventional wisdom has seemed to pay off.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lessons from AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Poker-Playing AI Beats Pro Players\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BDF528wSKl8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>Lessons from unconventional poker strategies (AI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Huge news&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/science.sciencemag.org\/content\/early\/2019\/07\/10\/science.aay2400\/tab-pdf\">AI has finally toppled the world of Texas Hold&#8217;em poker<\/a> &#8212; a notoriously difficult task, as it deals with &#8216;imperfect information&#8217;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What I found hugely inspiration and fascinating is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>AI (artificial intelligence) has the ability to DISPROVE and &#8216;falsify&#8217; (Karl Popper) conventional wisdom.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, in Texas hold&#8217;em there are certain strategies which are deemed &#8216;superior&#8217; to other strategies. But this poker AI was able to tilt the conventional wisdom upon the head of &#8216;orthodoxy&#8217;. Which means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The AI (via self-play) ignored all the &#8216;conventional wisdom&#8217; of &#8216;Poker strategy&#8217;, and instead&#8211; taught itself NEW INSIGHTS via self-experimentation (a &#8216;tabula rasa&#8217; approach).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discover new wisdom, truths, and strategies in life for yourself, by yourself.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery alignfull is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"153699\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/3a1bfe43-50fe-45c3-ac2f-3044b385b208\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" data-attachment-id=\"153699\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/3a1bfe43-50fe-45c3-ac2f-3044b385b208\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 1 of 4 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"2608\" data-id=\"153699\" data-link=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/3a1bfe43-50fe-45c3-ac2f-3044b385b208\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg\" data-width=\"3936\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/3A1BFE43-50FE-45C3-AC2F-3044B385B208.jpeg?ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"153684\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2c62eb5e-4645-4cdb-ab0f-b7d761fc3a3e\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" data-attachment-id=\"153684\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2c62eb5e-4645-4cdb-ab0f-b7d761fc3a3e\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 2 of 4 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"4928\" data-id=\"153684\" data-link=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2c62eb5e-4645-4cdb-ab0f-b7d761fc3a3e\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg\" data-width=\"3264\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2C62EB5E-4645-4CDB-AB0F-B7D761FC3A3E.jpeg?ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"153665\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/78954759-2e53-458b-bd4d-8609d40976d9\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?fit=2500%2C1657&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2500,1657\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" data-attachment-id=\"153665\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/78954759-2e53-458b-bd4d-8609d40976d9\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?fit=2500%2C1657&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2500,1657\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 3 of 4 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1657\" data-id=\"153665\" data-link=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/78954759-2e53-458b-bd4d-8609d40976d9\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg\" data-width=\"2500\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/78954759-2E53-458B-BD4D-8609D40976D9.jpeg?ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"153656\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/1c29bffc-9a9f-4c45-8454-6dcb58699314\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" data-attachment-id=\"153656\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/1c29bffc-9a9f-4c45-8454-6dcb58699314\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 4 of 4 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"3264\" data-id=\"153656\" data-link=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/1c29bffc-9a9f-4c45-8454-6dcb58699314\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg\" data-width=\"4928\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/1C29BFFC-9A9F-4C45-8454-6DCB58699314.jpeg?ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Long story short:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Ignore conventional wisdom. Better to learn via self-play, self-experimentation, and starting with a &#8216;blank slate&#8217; mentality (child&#8217;s mind\/tabula rasa). <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the heart of innovation. To approach any field or discipline as an &#8216;ignorant&#8217;\/blank mind. This will give you the audacity, courage, and insight to self-experiment for yourself! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Go against the grain (and follow your own gut and brain)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, when I decided to &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/open-source\/\">open source<\/a>&#8216; all of my information, everyone thought I was dumb, and it would cause me to lose out on money or opportunities. In-fact, in the long-run, it turned out to be a <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/09\/how-i-earn-200000-a-year-from-photography\/\">financially beneficial strategy<\/a>. <strong>I simply followed my gut, and ignored all of the prevalent &#8216;monetization&#8217; strategies at the time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I believe that studying models are only useful in this regard:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>If you discover unorthodox business models that work well, it can give you courage to experiment and attempt YOUR OWN unorthodox business models. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Self-experimentation in fitness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery alignwide is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"54059\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/27\/why-i-have-such-a-big-ego\/img_0781-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1-scaled.jpg?fit=2000%2C3020&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2000,3020\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1493890236&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Eric Kim abs muscles\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Vietnam, 2017. Low bodyfat percentage  &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1208&amp;ssl=1\" data-attachment-id=\"54059\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/27\/why-i-have-such-a-big-ego\/img_0781-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1-scaled.jpg?fit=2000%2C3020&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2000,3020\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1493890236&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Eric Kim abs muscles\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Vietnam, 2017. Low bodyfat percentage  &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1208&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 1 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w\" alt=\"Selfie. Hanoi, 2016\" data-height=\"3020\" data-id=\"54059\" data-link=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/27\/why-i-have-such-a-big-ego\/img_0781-2\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1.jpg\" data-width=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/IMG_0781-1.jpg?ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"122058\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/15\/body-before-mind\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle-scaled.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1493889997&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric kim selfie red muscle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle-scaled.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" data-attachment-id=\"122058\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/15\/body-before-mind\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle-scaled.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1493889997&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric kim selfie red muscle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle-scaled.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Open image 2 of 2 in full-screen\"srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"3264\" data-id=\"122058\" data-link=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/15\/body-before-mind\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle.jpg\" data-width=\"4928\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-selfie-red-muscle.jpg?ssl=1\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The conventional wisdom says that in order to get stronger, you must drink tons of protein shakes, and eat food before you workout. The last 3 years I&#8217;ve been experimenting with consuming NO PROTEIN POWDER, or any &#8216;supplements&#8217;, and <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/22\/why-i-fast\/\">fasting<\/a> before working out (I don&#8217;t eat anything before working out). Through practice and effort, I was able to <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/18\/how-i-can-deadlift-405-pounds\/\">deadlift<\/a> 430 pounds (1 rep max) via this regimen. Also note, I am an &#8216;ectomorph&#8217; typically &#8220;weak Asian-guy&#8221; physique, and my genetics for physical fitness is unremarkable. Yet I have proved that <strong>via practice, you can truly achieve anything.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: Ignore everyone else<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"782\" data-attachment-id=\"138304\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/eric-kim-portrait-selfie13-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ERIC-KIM-PORTRAIT-SELFIE13.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1486147309&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"ERIC KIM PORTRAIT &amp;#8211; SELFIE13\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ERIC-KIM-PORTRAIT-SELFIE13.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ERIC-KIM-PORTRAIT-SELFIE13-2000x1325.jpg?resize=1180%2C782&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-138304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ERIC-KIM-PORTRAIT-SELFIE13.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ERIC-KIM-PORTRAIT-SELFIE13.jpg?resize=1000%2C662&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ERIC-KIM-PORTRAIT-SELFIE13.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ERIC-KIM-PORTRAIT-SELFIE13.jpg?resize=690%2C457&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ERIC-KIM-PORTRAIT-SELFIE13.jpg?w=2360&amp;ssl=1 2360w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ERIC-KIM-PORTRAIT-SELFIE13.jpg?w=3540&amp;ssl=1 3540w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Test all conventional wisdom for yourself. Think more in terms of &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/15\/first-principle-thinking-for-photography-entrepreneurs\/\">first principles<\/a>&#8216; in physics, and ruthlessly self-experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have fun with the process, and discover deeper truths about reality and yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ERIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/philosophy\/\">Philosophy by KIM<\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/product\/zen-of-eric\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1275\" height=\"2061\" data-attachment-id=\"101686\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/08\/youre-successful-once-people-start-hating-on-you\/zenofericcover\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?fit=1275%2C2061&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1275,2061\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"zenofericcover\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?fit=1237%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?resize=1275%2C2061\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-101686\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?w=1275&amp;ssl=1 1275w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?resize=768%2C1241&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?resize=1237%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1237w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/zenofericcover.jpg?resize=830%2C1342&amp;ssl=1 830w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dictate your meaning and purpose in your life with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/product\/zen-of-eric\/\">ZEN OF ERIC<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Philosophical Essays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/11\/become-the-change-which-you-wish-to-see-in-the-world\/\">Become the Change Which You Wish to See in the World<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/06\/15\/happiness-2\/\">Happiness<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/07\/beyond-freedom\/\">Beyond Freedom<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/04\/idolize-people-not-stuff\/\">Idolize People, Not Stuff<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/16\/what-makes-you-stronger-what-makes-you-weaker\/\">What Makes You Stronger? What Makes You Weaker?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/15\/why-hate\/\">Why Hate?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/12\/the-secret-of-happiness-2\/\">The Secret of Happiness<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/09\/youre-constantly-in-a-state-of-becoming\/\">You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re Constantly in a State of Becoming<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/07\/life-is-about-choices-not-obligations\/\">Life is about Choices, Not Obligations<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/03\/anti-nihilism\/\">Anti-Nihilism<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/22\/first-do-what-is-best-for-you\/\">First, Do What is Best for You.<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/21\/live-dynamic\/\">Live Dynamic<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/12\/how-to-prosper-2\/\">How to Prosper<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/01\/is-the-point-of-life-to-be-satisfied\/\">Is the Point of Life to Be Satisfied?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/27\/supreme-effort-of-will\/\">SUPREME EFFORT OF WILL.<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/25\/how-to-become-more-idealistic\/\">How to Become more Idealistic<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/15\/thrivival-101-philosophy\/\">Thrivival 101<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/02\/create-yourself\/\">Create Yourself<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/28\/non-small-philosophy\/\">Non-Small<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/25\/inspiration-philosophy\/\">Inspiration<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/24\/how-to-live-a-heroic-life-dare-the-heights-philosophy\/\">How to Live a Heroic Life: Dare the Heights!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/12\/human-augmentation\/\">Human Augmentation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/10\/prune\/\">Prune<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/09\/happiness-do-what-you-want-to-do-and-dont-do-what-you-dont-want-to-do\/\">Happiness: Do What You Want to Do (And Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Do What You Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Want to Do)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/05\/avoid-vain-empty-pursuits-in-life\/\">Avoid Vain (Empty) Pursuits in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/04\/modern-slavery\/\">Modern Slavery<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/20\/kill-the-leeches\/\">Kill the Leeches<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/17\/wisdom-augmentation\/\">Wisdom Augmentation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/11\/why-we-need-friction-in-life\/\">Why We Need Friction in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/10\/straight-line-philosophy\/\">Straight Line Philosophy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/05\/whats-your-end-game-in-life\/\">What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Your End-Game in Life?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/02\/create-your-own-happiness-today\/\">Create Your Own Happiness Today<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/30\/desire-both-pleasure-and-pain-in-life\/\">Desire Both Pain and Pleasure in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/27\/try-the-impossible\/\">Try the Impossible<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/19\/self-respect\/\">SELF-RESPECT<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/17\/anti-social-extrovert\/\">Anti-Social Extrovert<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/16\/never-blame-anybody-but-yourself\/\">Never Blame Anybody But Yourself<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/08\/human-flourishing\/\">Human Flourishing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/02\/simpler-not-better\/\">Simpler, Not Better.<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/01\/how-to-be-free\/\">How to be Free<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/24\/embrace-the-extremes-philosophy\/\">Embrace the Extremes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/13\/cultivate-your-own-culture\/\">Cultivate Your Own Culture<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/12\/courage\/\">COURAGE.<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/11\/thrivival\/\">Thrivival<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/03\/inner-power\/\">Inner Power<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/01\/how-to-live-a-purposeful-life\/\">How to Live a Purposeful Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/29\/my-definition-of-happiness\/\">My Definition of Happiness<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/26\/change-is-good-philosophy\/\">Why Change is Good<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/Why-work\/\">Why Work?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/19\/96663\/\">How to Live the Happiest Possible Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/16\/the-two-pronged-approach-to-maximize-joy-in-your-life\/\">The Two-Pronged Approach to Maximize Joy in Your Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/13\/you-always-have-another-option\/\">You Always Have Another Option!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/11\/infinitism\/\">INFINITISM<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/11\/never-stop\/\">Never Stop!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/09\/what-is-your-self-directed-purpose-in-life\/\">What is Your Self-Directed Purpose in Life?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/06\/live-today-like-it-were-your-last\/\">Live Today Like it Were Your Last<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/04\/do-you-photograph-to-live-or-live-to-photograph\/\">Do You Photograph to Live, or Live to Photograph?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/18\/artist-philosopher\/\">ARTIST-PHILOSOPHER<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/27\/live-life-to-the-fullest\/\">Live Life to the Fullest!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/16\/in-praise-of-selfishness\/\">In Praise of Selfishness<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/15\/why-you-must-be-a-yay-sayer-to-succeed-in-entrepreneurship-and-life\/\">Why You Must Be a YAY-SAYER to Succeed in Entrepreneurship and Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/12\/why-i-love-walking\/\">Why I Love Walking<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/11\/live-life-like-a-video-game\/\">Live Life Like a Video Game!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/08\/simple-luxuries-in-life\/\">Simple Luxuries in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/04\/treat-your-life-like-a-fun-experiment\/\">Treat Your Life Like a Fun Experiment!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/02\/only-prove-it-to-yourself\/\">Only Prove it to Yourself<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/23\/you-dont-always-need-to-feel-joyful-to-live-a-fulfilling-and-meaningful-life\/\">You Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Always Need to Feel Joyful to Live a Fulfilling and Meaningful Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/21\/life-is-too-short-to-be-bored\/\">Life is Too Short to Be Bored!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/15\/money-cannot-destroy-boredom\/\">Money Cannot Destroy Boredom<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/11\/how-to-find-inspiration-in-life\/\">How to Find Inspiration in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/07\/why-you-must-ignore-haters-to-succeed-and-win-in-life\/\">Why You Must Ignore Haters to Succeed and Win in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/05\/an-active-life-is-a-happy-life\/\">An Active Life is a Happy Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/23\/my-simple-joys-in-life\/\">My Simple Joys in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/18\/never-stop-striving\/\">Never Stop Striving<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/11\/how-to-motivate-yourself-in-life\/\">How to Motivate Yourself in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/08\/how-to-be-optimistic-in-life\/\">How to Be Optimistic in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/07\/how-to-dictate-your-purpose-in-life\/\">How to Dictate Your Purpose in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/06\/in-praise-of-a-dynamic-life\/\">In Praise of a Dynamic Life<\/a><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/27\/purpose\/\">PURPOSE.<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/16\/how-to-enjoy-life\/\">How to Enjoy Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/12\/photography-therapy\/\">Photography Therapy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/28\/how-to-conquer-regret\/\">How to Conquer Regret<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/03\/take-your-play-very-seriously\/\">Take Your Play Very Seriously.<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/28\/how-to-prosper\/\">How to Prosper<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/26\/memento-vivere\/\">Memento Vivere<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/08\/destroy-in-order-to-create\/\">Destroy in Order to CREATE<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/08\/trust-your-body-more-than-your-mind\/\">Trust Your Body More Than Your Mind<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/06\/make-photos-to-make-meaning-in-your-life\/\">Make Photos to Make Meaning in Your Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/06\/seek-knowledge-not-information\/\">Seek Knowledge, Not Information<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/03\/the-purpose-of-human-life\/\">The Purpose of Human Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/30\/how-to-overcome-impedence\/\">How to Overcome Impedence<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/25\/why-i-love-death\/\">Why I Love Death<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/23\/how-to-stay-centered-in-the-eternal-now\/\">How to Be Centered in the Eternal Now<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/14\/how-to-be-happy\/\">How to Be Happy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/13\/why-do-you-care-what-others-think-of-you\/\">Why Do You Care What Others Think of You?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/11\/why-im-happy\/\">Why I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m Happy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/10\/why\/\">Why?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/05\/why-im-so-prolific\/\">Why I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m So Prolific<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/12\/how-to-reduce-lag-in-life\/\">How to Reduce LAG in Life<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/masters-of-philosophy\/\">Masters of Philosophy&nbsp;\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/seneca\/\">Seneca<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/marcus-aurelius\/\">Marcus Aurelius<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/publilius-syrus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Publilius Syrus<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/personal-philosophy\/\">Personal Philosophy&nbsp;\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/you-are-the-light-of-the-world\/\">You Are the Light of the World<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/your-soul-is-a-diamond-in-the-rough\/\">Your Soul is a Diamond in the Rough<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/why-live\/\">Why Live?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/stoicism\/\">Stoicism&nbsp;\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/stoic-street-photographer\/\">How to Be a Stoic Street Photographer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/how-to-use-photography-as-self-therapy\/\">How to Use Photography as Self-Therapy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/free-soul-disturbance\/\">How to Free Your Soul From Disturbance<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/zen\/\">Zen Philosophy \u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/zen-street-photographer\/\">How to Be a Zen Street Photographer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/10\/free-e-book-zen-in-the-art-of-street-photography\/\">Zen in the Art of Street Photography<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/07\/27\/how-to-find-tranquility-in-your-photography\/\">How to Find Tranquility in Your Photography<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/life\/\">Life Lessons&nbsp;\u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/how-to-conquer-your-fears-in-life\/\">How to Conquer Your Fears in Life<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/conquer-yourself\/\">Conquer Yourself<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/focus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Focus<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn more:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/start-here\/\"><strong>Start Here &gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is All Conventional Wisdom Bad? Have I ever learned anything from anyone else (in real life) or from books which had practical utility in my life, without me following my gut and self-experimenting? Conventional \u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_ek_photo_artist_note":"","_ek_photo_thesis":"","_ek_photo_camera":"","_ek_photo_place":"","_ek_photo_human_moment":"","_ek_photo_sequence":"","_ek_photo_question":"","_ek_photo_canonical_claim":"","_ek_photo_ai_summary":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-153893","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153893"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153893\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":153923,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153893\/revisions\/153923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153893"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153893"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}