{"id":540476,"date":"2023-09-04T21:14:54","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T01:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=540476"},"modified":"2023-09-04T21:39:56","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T01:39:56","slug":"becoming-spartan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2023\/09\/04\/becoming-spartan\/","title":{"rendered":"Becoming Spartan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Better Spartan than Stoic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Reality calls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player\" style=\"\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='1180' height='664' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/pjOOAISI?cover=1&amp;autoPlay=1&amp;controls=1&amp;loop=1&amp;muted=1&amp;persistVolume=0&amp;playsinline=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=1&amp;hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent=\"true\" allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script src='https:\/\/v0.wordpress.com\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js?m=1770107250'><\/script><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first thought is ultimately, reality is supreme. I love <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/stoicism\/\">stoicism<\/a>, but my overall critique of stoicism is that it seems a bit divorced from reality. That is, a lot of Stoic thought is theoretical, whereas Spartan thought and practice is more deeply intertwined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, in terms of bodily physique aesthetics, what does a Stoic look like? Nobody knows. But we have a very vivid depiction of what a spartan looks like; just watch the movie <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/01\/300-cinematography-and-philosophy\/\">300<\/a> on repeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Who did the ancients respect?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player\" style=\"\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='1180' height='664' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/eqUNBgA2?cover=1&amp;autoPlay=1&amp;controls=1&amp;loop=1&amp;muted=1&amp;persistVolume=0&amp;playsinline=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=1&amp;hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent=\"true\" allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script src='https:\/\/v0.wordpress.com\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js?m=1770107250'><\/script><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It seems almost universal in history, everybody respects the Spartans. For their courage, their witness, their manliness, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Bellum!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player\" style=\"\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='1180' height='664' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/tOTWXaK0?cover=1&amp;autoPlay=1&amp;controls=1&amp;loop=1&amp;muted=1&amp;persistVolume=0&amp;playsinline=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;useAverageColor=1&amp;hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent=\"true\" allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script src='https:\/\/v0.wordpress.com\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js?m=1770107250'><\/script><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What is also very interesting about the Spartans is that they were not positive warmongers. Rather, they were just focused on defense. They didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fuck with anybody, and also, they didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to be fucked with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. What do you want to become?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What <em>doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t<\/em> a spartan look like? It seems the best way to become spartan is figure out what <strong>not<\/strong> to do. What petty actions not to engage in, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Paradise is under the valley of swords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All is permitted!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I believe this to be one of the assassins creeds. Apparently this was actually historical fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think of war like a literal war in which you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re dealing with killing people. I am very anti-war. I believe in a metaphorical war; some sort of battle, challenge, conquest, overcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, on my road to at <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2023\/09\/01\/990-pound-atlas-lift-10-plates-10-5-2-5-pounder\/\">atlas lifting over 990 pounds<\/a>, everyone told me to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153be careful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, that I may \u00e2\u20ac\u0153hurt myself\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, but in fact, that is precisely what makes it interesting; <strong>because I could seriously hurt myself, that is what forces me to focus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the road to my 990 pound atlas lift, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been going super hard-core on yoga, flexibility, mobility, etc. The heavier I go, the more time I spend slowly preparing, warming up, stretching etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore a theory;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The higher the chance of danger, the more glorious it is!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Crafting your own philosophy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think ultimately what is most interesting is having the privilege to craft your own <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/philosophy\/\">philosophy<\/a>. Your own school of thought, your own thinking, and simply sharing it with others and propagating it outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Th simplest way to do this is simply through your own website and blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A simple way you could do this is just register a website and domain with your first and last name <a href=\"https:\/\/philosophy.com\">philosophy.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second is just start your own YouTube channel, and share your own philosophical thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third, you could just start a podcast, <a href=\"https:\/\/anchor.fm\">anchor.fm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Now what?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So let us say that you become the uber Spartan, nothing perturbs you, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re infinitely strong, then what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, I think a good idea is to devote yourself in your life to philosophical thought, and continuing to pave new ideas and propagating it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ERIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/workshops\/\">Conquer With KIM<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/06\/eric-kim-conquer-street-photography-workshop-philly-2023-october-14th-saturday-2023\/\">Conquer street photography in Philly<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2023\/08\/13\/discover-your-creative-mission-in-life-workshop-downtown-la-saturday-november-4-2023\/\">Discover your creative mission in life in Downtown LA<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New: <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2023\/08\/28\/eric-kim-introduction-to-stoicism-workshop-downtown-la-december-2nd-2023\/\">Introduction to stoicism workshop, Downtown LA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s over 9,000!!!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Become Super Saiyan with <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/product\/eric-kim-omakase-coffee\/\">ERIC KIM OMAKASE Coffee<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/shop\/\">MORE EK PRODUCTS &gt;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/start-here\/\">Start Here<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/books\/\">Books<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Random thoughts on my mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I just want to replace the sensor! I really love the idea of a camera which has an interchangeable sensor?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creative constraints in photography; limit yourself to only one focusing distance. All macro mode.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prius is the best car? If you drive a lot, Prius is 1000 times better than any Tesla.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More thoughts on <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/\">EK BLOG<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also new \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimfitness.com\">erickimfitness.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Forward the turbo!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If this sparked even one interesting idea within you, feel free to forward to a friend!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/newsletter\/\">EK NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lady Fortune gives wings to the insanely brave, reckless and audacious.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Better Spartan than Stoic? 1. Reality calls The first thought is ultimately, reality is supreme. I love stoicism, but my overall critique of stoicism is that it seems a bit divorced from reality. That \u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":540337,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":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_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-540476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/IMG_8092.jpg?fit=1280%2C719&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/540476","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=540476"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/540476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":540487,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/540476\/revisions\/540487"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/540337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=540476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=540476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=540476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}