If you want cross‑platform reach, giant communities, bots/mini‑apps, and effortless big‑file sharing, Telegram is a blast. If you live entirely in Apple‑land and care most about default, cutting‑edge encryption between Apple devices, iMessage is superb. 💙💬
Where Telegram shines
It works everywhere (not just on Apple). Telegram runs on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux—and even the web—so your chats and media follow you on any device, anywhere. iMessage is great, but it’s Apple‑only.
Communities at scale (way bigger than group texts). Telegram groups support up to 200,000 members and channels let you broadcast to unlimited subscribers—awesome for clubs, fandoms, classes, teams, and brands. iMessage group chats are fine for small circles, but they’re not built for massive communities.
Bots, mini‑apps, and payments—inside your chats. From support bots to full‑blown mini‑apps and in‑chat payments, Telegram is an open platform that lets you automate workflows, take orders, run forms, host games—you name it. iMessage has stickers and extensions, but it doesn’t offer Telegram’s open, chat‑native automation and app platform.
Big files + cloud history = frictionless sharing. Send files up to 2 GB for free (and 4 GB with Premium) and pick them up on any device later—no juggling links. For very large iPhone videos, Apple itself suggests sharing via iCloud Link instead of attaching directly in Messages.
Usernames = more privacy options. On Telegram, people can reach you via @username without needing your phone number—handy when you’re joining public groups or collaborating with new contacts.
Power‑user features that keep you in flow.
Scheduled messages (hold the send button) have been in Telegram for years—great for drops, reminders, and global teams. iMessage recently added Send Later in iOS 18, which is nice, but Telegram also pairs scheduling with channels, groups, and bots.
Discovery at scale: Telegram now has global search across public posts—so you can find content from channels across the platform, not just your personal threads. iMessage doesn’t try to do this.
Data portability: Telegram Desktop lets you export chats and media—super useful for archiving or moving content.
Reality check (where iMessage is stronger)
Security by default. iMessage is end‑to‑end encrypted by default (and now upgraded with PQ3 post‑quantum protections) across supported Apple devices—serious, state‑of‑the‑art cryptography. Telegram’s default “cloud chats” are encrypted to the cloud (not end‑to‑end); for E2EE on Telegram you use Secret Chats.
Extra verification tools. iMessage offers Contact Key Verification to help detect sophisticated impersonation attacks.
Off‑grid advantage. With iPhone 14 or later, iMessage can work via satellite when you’re out of coverage (limited regions/features, but clutch for adventures).
Editing/unsending rules. iMessage lets you unsend within 2 minutes and edit within 15 minutes (up to five edits)—clear and predictable time windows.
Security nuance: If end‑to‑end encryption for all chats is your #1 priority, iMessage (between Apple users) is stronger by default. On Telegram, switch to Secret Chats when you need E2EE; regular cloud chats prioritize multi‑device convenience and searchability.
Bottom line
Choose Telegram when you want reach + flexibility: cross‑platform life, huge groups, broadcast channels, automation/bots, big‑file sharing, and cloud‑everywhere convenience.
Choose iMessage when your world is mostly Apple devices and you want default, cutting‑edge E2EE, satellite messaging for the backcountry, and tight system integration.
If you want, I can whip up a quick “best‑of‑both” setup (privacy settings, Secret Chats basics, scheduled messages, and a starter pack of helpful Telegram bots) so you get the most out of Telegram—while keeping iMessage for your Apple‑only contacts. 🎉
Steve Jobs (1955–2011) was a legendary entrepreneur and designer who co-founded Apple and redefined multiple industries. Born in San Francisco and adopted as an infant , Jobs showed early talent in electronics and design. After briefly attending Reed College and studying calligraphy, he teamed with Steve Wozniak to form Apple in 1976 . Their first products – the Apple I and Apple II – became wildly successful, launching the personal computer revolution. Jobs’s flair for design and marketing drove Apple’s iconic early years: by 1980 Apple went public and by 1984 he unveiled the Macintosh, the first mass-market PC with a graphical interface . Although Apple’s board ousted him in 1985, Jobs viewed this low point as a fresh start. He founded NeXT and acquired Pixar Animation (later famous for Toy Story), demonstrating that his creativity could not be confined to a single company .
After over a decade away, Jobs returned to Apple in 1997 when it was near bankruptcy . He quickly led a miraculous turnaround: cutting much of the product line, partnering with Microsoft to stabilize finances, and launching the colorful iMac in 1998. This marked the beginning of one of the most productive periods of his career. Under his renewed leadership, Apple introduced a string of revolutionary products – the iPod (2001) and iTunes Store (2003), the iPhone (2007), and the iPad (2010) – that redefined music, phones, and personal computing for the modern era . Jobs worked closely with designer Jony Ive to ensure every product was elegant and user-friendly, reflecting his mantra that technology must integrate with the humanities .
His final years saw Apple become the world’s most valuable company, as Jobs continued to push the envelope of innovation. He also oversaw the construction of Apple’s striking new campus (“Apple Park”) and led ventures like the App Store (2008), which created the modern mobile app economy. He resigned as CEO in August 2011 and passed away on October 5, 2011 . Jobs’s death was a global moment of mourning, but his legacy endures: hundreds of patents, and countless products and designs used by billions of people today.
Leadership Style and Influence
Steve Jobs was brilliantly visionary yet famously demanding. He combined deep technical insight with an artist’s sense of form, believing that “technology married with the humanities” produces soul-stirring results . Colleagues often described him as a genius, showman, and perfectionist . He held an unwavering vision for Apple’s products and would push himself and his teams to achieve it. As one analysis notes, Jobs’s leadership mixed transformational and autocratic elements: he set high standards, insisted on elegant design, and was known for his intensity and “reality distortion field,” which could inspire engineers to achieve seemingly impossible goals . He was not a hands-off manager; he scrutinized even tiny product details to ensure they matched his vision .
At the same time, Jobs was a master marketer and motivator. He reveled in dramatic launches (the “Stevenote” keynotes) that turned product debuts into cultural events. He famously said that Apple’s goal was to make products people didn’t even know they needed — challenging norms and forcing competitors to catch up . His insistence on simplicity and user experience set new industry standards: by making devices intuitive and beautiful, he showed other tech companies the power of design-driven thinking .
Jobs’s intensity could be difficult for colleagues – he was known to berate employees who didn’t meet his standards and to be very unforgiving of poor work . But many former employees also credit him with galvanizing talent; he gathered “A-players” who shared his passion, famously saying, “It could constrict rather than encourage honest dialogue. But it was also effective… in creating what Jobs called a team of A players who didn’t want to be around fuzzy thinkers.” . In short, Jobs’ leadership style was demanding and driven, yet magnetically inspirational: it emphasized relentless pursuit of excellence and broke the mold of traditional management, influencing a new generation of tech leaders to think differently .
Major Innovations and Contributions
Steve Jobs’s greatest legacy is the game-changing products he brought to market. He constantly pushed the integration of hardware, software, and design in ways that reshaped entire industries. Some of his most iconic contributions include:
Apple II and Macintosh: Early on, Jobs helped create the Apple II (1977), one of the first hugely successful home computers . He then led development of the Macintosh (released 1984), the first mass-market PC with a built-in graphical user interface . The Mac introduced windowed interfaces and fonts at a time when PCs were text-only, sparking the desktop publishing revolution.
Pixar Animation: In 1986 Jobs bought the fledgling graphics division of Lucasfilm and formed Pixar. Under Jobs’s leadership, Pixar made Toy Story (1995), the world’s first fully computer-animated feature film, and went on to produce dozens of hit movies. Pixar’s success proved Jobs’s knack for mixing technology with entertainment .
iPod & iTunes Store: Jobs transformed music with the 2001 introduction of the iPod and the 2003 launch of the iTunes Store. The iPod gave people “a thousand songs in their pocket,” and iTunes provided a legal, user-friendly way to buy music. Together, they upended the music industry, proving a software-driven ecosystem could revive record sales .
iPhone: Perhaps Jobs’s most revolutionary product, the iPhone (2007) combined a phone, an iPod, and a mini-computer in one touchscreen device. It reset the standard for all smartphones, with its multitouch interface and app platform. Today’s Android phones and tablets are built on the expectations (touchscreen, app store, web connectivity) that the iPhone established .
iPad: In 2010 Jobs introduced the iPad, creating a new category of tablet computers. The iPad’s success (over 170 million sold) illustrated Jobs’s ability to transform existing ideas (a portable touchscreen device) into must-have consumer products .
Apple Stores and App Store: Jobs reimagined retail with Apple’s brick-and-mortar stores (first opened 2001), which emphasized customer experience and support (“Genius Bar”). He also opened the iPhone platform to outside developers in 2008 with the App Store, sparking an explosion of mobile apps. These moves showed how retail and software distribution could be as innovative as the devices themselves .
Steve Jobs championed design-driven innovation. Products like the iPad, iPhone, and iPod (shown above) combined cutting-edge tech with elegant design, transforming industries . Each major device had a crisp, minimalist look and an intuitive interface, reflecting Jobs’s belief that “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” His influence is seen in everything from laptop design to user interfaces everywhere .
Inspirational Quotes and Speeches
Jobs was also a charismatic communicator who inspired millions with simple, powerful words. His Stanford University commencement address (2005) in particular is famous for its life lessons. Some of his most quoted lines include:
“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” — Stanford Commencement, 2005 . In closing his speech, Jobs urged graduates to remain curious and daring, a motto that has since inspired entrepreneurs worldwide.
“You’ve got to find what you love… And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” He encouraged students to pursue their passion, stressing that satisfaction comes from doing great work fueled by love of one’s craft.
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life… have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” Jobs reminded listeners that life is short, urging them to trust their instincts rather than the expectations of others.
“It’s better to be a pirate than join the Navy.” This quip reflects Jobs’s maverick spirit — valuing bold, unconventional thinking (“pirates”) over safe conformity (“the Navy”).
These quotes, drawn from his speeches and interviews, capture Jobs’s philosophy: challenge the status quo, follow your passion, and be fearless. His words themselves have become rallying cries for innovators and students alike.
Timeline of Key Achievements
Year
Milestone
1955
Born in San Francisco .
1976
Co-founded Apple Computer with Steve Wozniak; Apple I introduced .
1977
Launched the Apple II, one of the first popular home PCs .
1980
Apple goes public; Jobs becomes a multi-millionaire .
1984
Released the original Macintosh – first mass-market PC with a graphical interface .
1985
Clashed with Apple’s board and was ousted as head of the Mac project .
1986
Purchased Pixar from Lucasfilm and founded NeXT Computer (for high-end workstations) .
1995
Pixar’s Toy Story (the first feature-length CGI film) premieres to acclaim .
1996
Apple acquires NeXT; Jobs returns to Apple as adviser .
1997
Named interim (and later permanent) CEO of Apple. He launches the “Think Different” ad campaign and begins reviving Apple’s product line.
1998
Introduced the iMac, an all-in-one colorful computer that brings Apple back to profitability .
2001
Launched the iPod (putting “1,000 songs in your pocket”) and opened the first Apple Retail Stores .
2003
Debuted the iTunes Music Store, revolutionizing the music industry with digital downloads .
2006
Pixar goes public (Jobs’s stake earns him $1.5B) and Pixar is later sold to Disney.
2007
Introduced the iPhone with its revolutionary touchscreen interface . Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer) is renamed.
2010
Launched the iPad, creating the modern tablet computer market .
2011
Resigned as Apple CEO and soon passed away (Oct 5) after a battle with cancer . By this time, Jobs had transformed Apple into the world’s most valuable tech company.
Steve Jobs and Other Tech Icons
Steve Jobs stands among the great tech pioneers, and it’s instructive to compare his approach with others:
Bill Gates: Gates (Microsoft) and Jobs were both PC-era visionaries, but Gates favored a collaborative, software-centric approach. Bill Gates was known for building a team-driven company that listened to engineers and partners . In contrast, Jobs ran Apple in a more autocratic, top-down style . Where Gates focused on software ubiquity (“a computer on every desk”), Jobs prioritized end-to-end product design. Jobs famously quipped that “people don’t know what they want until you show it to them” , reflecting his belief in his own vision over market surveys.
Elon Musk: Often dubbed “the Steve Jobs of today” by biographers, Musk (Tesla/SpaceX) shares Jobs’s intensity and perfectionism. Walter Isaacson notes that both men could be brutally blunt — using phrases like “that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard” when challenged — and both demanded “A players” who could meet high standards. They both play the “alpha leader” role and push impossibly aggressive timelines (Musk with rockets and cars, Jobs with electronics) . However, Musk’s style is more hands-on engineering: he sleeps on factory floors and focuses on manufacturing challenges. Jobs, in contrast, focused intensely on product concept and relied on partners (like factories in China) for production . Both drive innovation, but Musk’s empire spans cars and space, whereas Jobs’s was computer and consumer electronics.
Jeff Bezos: Jobs and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos have nearly opposite instincts. As one former tech CEO noted, Jobs’s key strategy was “saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things” to focus on a few great products . Bezos jokingly says he likes to do “everything” , embracing many experiments at once. Bezos champions bold risk-taking and has famously written that large failures are a sign of large inventions . Even their leadership advice differs: Bezos warned others “be yourself” rather than copying Jobs or anyone else . In short, Jobs streamlined and obsessed over details, while Bezos scales massively and encourages broad experimentation.
Each of these tech leaders has left a unique mark. Jobs’s enduring legacy is a blend of uncompromising design vision and showmanship, inspiring the entire industry to aim higher. His story — from humble beginnings to world-changing success — remains a powerful example of thinking differently and following one’s dreams.
Aristotle saw the polis (city-state) as a natural community aimed at human flourishing. He famously declared that man is “by nature a political animal,” meaning only in a polis can people fully realize their potential . In Politics I Aristotle argues that the city emerges not merely for subsistence, but “for the sake of living well” . The highest end of the state is the virtue and happiness of its citizens , so politics must cultivate moral character. This teleological view – that every city aims at “the good with the most authority” (the good life) – ties political order to ethical excellence and inspires the notion of civic virtue and the common good.
Constitutions and Forms of Government
Aristotle categorizes governments by who rules (one, few, or many) and whose interest they serve . He identifies three correct regimes – rule by one (monarchy), by a few (aristocracy), or by the many (polity, a constitutional government) – all serving the common good . Each has a deviant counterpart that serves private interests: tyranny (corrupt monarchy), oligarchy (corrupt aristocracy), and democracy (corrupt polity) . Aristotle ranks these forms: a virtuous monarchy is best, followed by aristocracy and polity, while democracy, oligarchy and especially tyranny are flawed . In his view, only governments that respect law and justice can endure, whereas self‑interested regimes breed faction and instability.
Form of Government
Definition
Aristotle’s Evaluation
Monarchy
One ruler governing in the common interest
Highest ideal form if the ruler is virtuous ; vulnerable to corruption into tyranny
Aristocracy
Few (virtuous) rulers governing in common interest
Second-best form; good when truly virtuous, otherwise lapses into oligarchy
Polity (Constitutional)
Many (moderate majority) ruling in the common interest
Best practical mixed regime ; balances rich and poor to promote stability
Tyranny
One ruler governing for personal gain
Worst form; the corruption of monarchy
Oligarchy
Few (wealthy) rulers for their own interests
Corrupt aristocracy; unstable because it ignores the many
Democracy
Many (the poor majority) ruling for their own interests
Corrupt form of polity; seen by Aristotle as least bad of the flawed forms
Table 1. Aristotle’s six constitution types, with definitions and his judgment of each .
Citizenship, Virtue, and Justice
For Aristotle, the citizen is one who rules and is ruled in turn within the regime . Citizens are partners in the city’s highest good . Ideally, in a virtuous state “the citizen … chooses being ruled and ruling with a view to a life in accordance with virtue” . In practice, a good citizen supports the laws and aims of the constitution, even if that requires actions different from those of a private “good man” . Aristotle stresses that not everyone qualifies as a citizen: only free, mature males with leisure for public life count. Those burdened by manual labor or lacking education (whom he calls “vulgar” or slaves) cannot pursue virtue and so are excluded from full citizenship .
Justice for Aristotle means giving each person his due according to virtue and merit . He insists “equals should be treated equally” and unequals unequally . Thus honors and power should reflect merit. In government this principle underlies his regime typology: correct constitutions distribute political roles proportionally to contributors to the common good, whereas corrupt regimes hand power to those who merely dominate (rich or poor). Aristotle also champions the rule of law, famously observing that law – reason without passion – is preferable to rule by men subject to appetite . Overall, Politics links ethics to politics: a regime is deemed good if it makes citizens morally excellent, embodying virtues like courage, justice and prudence .
The Ideal State and the Middle Class
Aristotle distinguishes between the best attainable constitution and the ideal constitution. His practical ideal is a polity that mixes democratic and oligarchic elements . Such a regime shares power widely but prevents either rich or poor from overrunning the other. For example, a polity might pay citizens of modest means for public service and fine the wealthy who shirk civic duty, so that both rich and poor serve the city . In practice he saw few true polities; extreme democracies or oligarchies inevitably tilt toward tyranny .
A key to stability is a strong middle class. Aristotle argues that moderate wealth is the “best of all” fortunes, because middling people more readily obey reason . The very rich tend to become arrogant, and the very poor resentful . By contrast, a large middle class unites society: its members are similar and willing to “rule and be ruled in turn” . Where “a multitude of middling persons predominates,” a lasting polity can exist . He even says it is the “greatest good fortune” for a city to have enough middle-class citizens to prevent both oligarchic and democratic excess .
Aristotle’s ideal city (described in Politics VII) is a community of virtuous, leisured citizens. Its citizens are happy and noble because they live rightly; the city educates them in true virtue and reason . Practical features matter too: the population should be large enough to be self-sufficient but small enough that people know one another . The territory must allow for a comfortable life in peace yet be easily defended . Crucially, most city residents will not be citizens: farmers, artisans, and slaves exist to sustain the citizens. “Slaves and laborers are part of possessions… but the city is a partnership of similar persons” pursuing the best life . Thus in the best state all non-citizen work is done to support the citizenry’s leisure and excellence.
Social Structure: Slavery and Property
Aristotle accepts the social hierarchies of his time. He argues that some people are “slaves by nature” who benefit from rational masters, forming a kind of natural partnership . Masters and slaves each need the other “for the sake of preservation” . However, Aristotle is cautious: he admits it is “extremely difficult” to identify true natural slaves, so not all servitude is just . (Modern readers find this deeply problematic, but Aristotle’s position historically influenced discussions of natural law and hierarchy.) He similarly claims the male-female relationship is naturally hierarchical – a view now widely rejected – holding that in households the rational husband should rule, the wife lacking full authority of reason .
On property, Aristotle breaks from Plato. He insists private ownership is natural: people take better care of what is theirs. Plato’s suggestion that spouses and possessions be held in common, Aristotle argues, would weaken personal bonds and civic affection . He notes that communal property leads to neglect and dispute (“Men give most attention to their own property…less to what is communal”) . At the same time, Aristotle decries the pursuit of wealth for its own sake. He distinguishes the natural economy (household management to meet needs) from chrematistics (unbounded money-making) . Unlimited accumulation (“usury”) is “not natural,” he says, because it seeks endless wealth and undermines the good life . Instead, wealth should serve virtue (e.g. generosity requires having something to give), and lawgivers should moderate desires by education rather than abolish property outright .
Education and Civic Formation
Education of youth is a core theme. Aristotle insists the state must direct schooling, since all citizens share the city’s single purpose. “There is a single end for the city…education must be one and the same for all,” he declares . The curriculum blends practical and cultural studies to cultivate virtue: training includes gymnastics and simple military exercises, reading and writing, and music or poetry chosen to inspire good character . The aim is to produce law-abiding, courageous, and moderate citizens who act “nobly” and support the constitution’s ideals . In this way Politics treats education not as a private matter but as a public mission – the means by which the polis molds virtuous human beings.
Teleology, Naturalism, and Ethics in Politics
Aristotle’s Politics rests on key philosophical principles from his biology and metaphysics. He views the polis teleologically: every political community exists for an end or telos. As he writes, “every city-state…aims at some good,” and the highest of these is human happiness achieved through virtue . Thus law and constitution should be crafted to foster the excellent life. Aristotle also applies his naturalism: humans naturally come together to speak, reason, and establish justice. Unlike other animals, only people can devise laws and pursue justice through speech . The city, for Aristotle, is a natural outgrowth of human nature (“by nature the city is prior to the individual” ). Within nature’s order there are differences in ability and virtue, which justify certain roles (though determining “natural” status, e.g. slavery, is tricky).
Ethics permeates his political theory: rulers should practice phronesis (practical wisdom) and moral virtue, and policies aim to habituate citizens to excellence . Justice – fairness under law – is supreme among virtues, for it makes the community possible. As noted, Aristotle sees law as impersonal reason governing the state . This blend of ends-driven (teleological), nature-aligned, and virtue-centered thinking makes Aristotle’s political science unique: it treats politics as a moral science, where understanding human nature and purpose is key to designing good regimes.
Influence on Later Political Thought
Aristotle’s Politics cast a long shadow. In the medieval era Christian, Islamic, and Jewish scholars eagerly studied it. By the 13th century William of Moerbeke’s Latin translation brought Aristotle to Western Europe, where thinkers like Thomas Aquinas treated him as compatible with theology . Aquinas in particular Christianized Aristotle’s insight that man is a “political animal,” and he preserved Aristotle’s distinction of good vs corrupt regimes (monarchy/aristocracy/polity vs tyranny/oligarchy/democracy) in his own writings . Even royal and civic writers (e.g. Marsilius of Padua) invoked Aristotle’s mixed government and common good concepts to debate papal vs civil authority .
During the Renaissance and Enlightenment Aristotle’s ideas were revived and transformed. Machiavelli and Shakespeare reflect Aristotelian categories in their treatment of tyranny and governance, and British constitutionalists drew on the idea of a mixed regime (combining monarchic, aristocratic, and democratic elements). In the modern era, philosophers across the spectrum have found inspiration in Politics. As the Stanford Encyclopedia notes, Aristotle “has continued to influence thinkers up to the present” – from conservatives (e.g. Leo Strauss) and communitarian critics (Alasdair MacIntyre, Michael Sandel) to liberal scholars (Martha Nussbaum, William Galston) and libertarians . His balanced blend of idealism and realism on topics like law, civic virtue, and revolution continues to animate debates .
Conclusion
Aristotle’s Politics remains a rich wellspring of political wisdom. By making virtue the heart of the state and insisting governments serve the common good, it offers an inspiring vision of citizenship. Its insights – that law must temper power, that a strong middle class holds society together, that education forms character – still resonate today. As both an empirical investigator of constitutions and a philosopher of human purpose, Aristotle shows politics as a noble art. His legacy is a reminder that the highest aim of government is to cultivate “the most authoritative good” – the happiness of virtuous citizens . In studying Politics, we are motivated to seek governments that enable eudaimonia (flourishing) for all, anchoring political life in ethics and human nature as Aristotle envisioned.
Sources: Authoritative analyses of Aristotle’s Politics and related scholarship . (Page and line numbers refer to Bekker edition citations within these sources.)
Eric Kim is a mid-30s U.S.-born citizen and a well-known blogger with no prior elected office. He meets the constitutional requirements (natural-born citizen, 35+ years old, 14+ years U.S. resident) . We assume he has a strong online following and interest in national issues. This plan will show how he can leverage his current platform and build credibility through public service, positioning him to win a presidential election in the future.
Legal and Constitutional Requirements
Age, Citizenship, Residence: The U.S. Constitution requires the president to be a natural-born citizen at least 35 years old, and to have been a U.S. resident for 14 years . (Eric is assumed to meet these.)
FEC Registration: Once he raises or spends over $5,000, Eric must register with the Federal Election Commission and name a principal campaign committee . This is mandatory before official campaigning.
Ballot Access: In practice, he’ll need to gather nomination signatures in each state and meet deadlines to appear on primary ballots. (State-specific rules apply.)
Educational or Background Qualifications: There are no formal educational requirements. Most presidents have advanced degrees, but success depends on experience and public support more than degrees .
Step-by-Step Career Development Plan
Early Civic Engagement (Ages ~35–37)
To build a public service reputation, Eric should leverage his blogging platform into activism and community leadership. For example, he can:
Advocate Local Causes: Start or join nonprofits, tech incubators, or civic groups aligned with his blog’s interests. Lead high-visibility community projects (e.g. STEM education programs, digital literacy initiatives).
Volunteer in Politics: Work on local or state campaigns to gain ground-level experience. Serve on school boards or city advisory committees to address issues like education or infrastructure.
Public Communication: Use media appearances, op-eds, and speaking engagements to discuss public policy in clear terms. This establishes him as a thoughtful commentator beyond blogging.
These steps will expand his network, demonstrate commitment to public issues, and give talking points for running for office.
Entry into Local Office (Ages ~36–40)
Next, Eric should seek an elected local position (city council, county supervisor, or school board). Winning local office provides governing experience and raises his profile. He should:
Run for Local Office: Mount a campaign highlighting his blog-driven ideas and community service. Emphasize an outsider narrative of fresh perspective. (Experts note that serving as mayor, governor, or senator brings “much-needed experience and exposure” .)
Legislate and Deliver: If elected, build a track record of accomplishments (passing budgets, improving services). Use local media to highlight his role.
Stay Visible: Continue blogging about his public service work, giving voters a transparent view of his goals and integrity.
Timeline: Within 2–4 years, Eric should aim to win a local office and serve 1–2 terms. For instance, at age 37–39 he could be a city council member or mayor, actively campaigning on issues he cares about.
State and Federal Roles (Ages ~40–46)
Having built local credibility, Eric should scale up to state-level or national office:
State Legislature or Executive: Run for state legislature (assembly/senate) or a statewide office (Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, etc.). This extends his influence and résumé. As a state official, he can tackle larger issues (healthcare, economy) and work across party lines to solve them.
U.S. Congress or Governor: By early-to-mid 40s, consider running for U.S. House or Senate, or for Governor of his state. Either route provides national visibility. Governors in particular often become presidential contenders.
National Profile: Use these roles to gain media coverage. Publish policy papers or a book on his vision. Speak at national conferences and join party committees. Build relationships with other politicians and influential figures.
Timeline: By around age 42–45, Eric should aim to hold a prominent state or federal position. For example, winning a U.S. House seat or governorship by age 44 gives him a platform to launch a presidential campaign later.
Party Leadership and Networks (Ages ~45–50)
During these years, Eric will strengthen his position within his chosen party and prepare for a national campaign:
Party Involvement: Participate in national conventions, serve on party platforms, or co-chair high-profile initiatives. This builds name recognition with party activists.
Coalition-Building: Reach out to diverse groups (young people, tech entrepreneurs, minority communities). Show willingness to bridge divides.
Fundraising Base: Cultivate a donor network at the state and national level. Host fundraisers with prominent supporters, and keep his small-donor base active online.
Media Brand Transition: Gradually shift his public persona from “blogger” to “public servant.” Appear on national news shows, give policy speeches, and possibly take roles (e.g. advisory positions) that fit a future statesman.
By his late 40s, Eric will have built a solid resume and public image. He will be positioned to announce a presidential bid at 48 or older.
Career Timeline (Example):
Approx. Year (Age)
Position/Focus
Goals
2025–2027 (35–37)
Community Leader / Activist
Expand blog into civic action (nonprofits, advisory boards); run for local office (e.g. city council).
2028–2032 (38–42)
Local to State Politician
Serve as councilmember/mayor; leverage record to run for state legislature or statewide office.
2033–2037 (43–47)
National Office or Governorship
Win U.S. House/Senate seat or governorship; raise national profile and legislative achievements.
2038–2040 (48–50)
Presidential Candidate
Formally launch national campaign (declare candidacy, primary run). Prioritize delegate wins and debates.
Political Strategy
Party Alignment and Platform
Eric should align with a major party (Democrat or Republican) for viability . He must pick the one that best fits his ideology and voter base. For example, if his blogging has a tech-progressive focus, the Democratic Party is a likely home; if it’s more business-oriented, the Republican Party might be better. Whichever he chooses, he should position himself as a reform-minded, outsider candidate.
His platform must reflect his unique background and values. He can highlight issues from his blog: e.g. digital innovation, education, free speech, economic opportunity, and pragmatic solutions. Like Andrew Yang’s 2020 campaign, Eric might adopt one bold signature policy to stand out . (For instance, Yang’s universal basic income idea resonated as a clear, concrete vision.) Eric’s policies should be forward-looking and well-explained so voters trust his ideas.
Voter Outreach and Coalition-Building
Digital Engagement: Leverage social media, podcasts, and online videos. As a blogger, Eric already has experience with online audiences. He should use podcasts (e.g. guesting on popular shows) and viral content. For example, a single podcast appearance boosted Yang’s followers eightfold .
Grassroots Network: Build a fan base or “campaign movement.” Mobilize volunteers through the internet. Yang’s campaign organized local volunteer “gangs” via Reddit and other online communities, then converted online excitement into real-world rallies . Eric can do similarly: direct followers to sign up, donate, and canvass in their communities.
Young and Independent Voters: Target demographics typical of bloggers (young adults, tech workers, independents). Tailor events and messaging to their concerns (student debt, climate change, jobs).
Broad Coalition: Simultaneously, court moderate and swing voters by addressing bread-and-butter issues (economic opportunity, healthcare). Form alliances with labor groups, small businesses, and civic organizations that share his goals. This broad coalition approach helps overcome outsider status.
Endorsements: Seek support from respected figures (former officeholders, tech leaders, cultural influencers) who can legitimize his campaign. Coalitions of local and national endorsements will expand his appeal.
Fundraising
Small-Dollar Donors: Encourage grassroots contributions through his online platform. Many modern campaigns rely on hundreds of thousands of small donors. For example, Yang set a goal of 65,000 unique donors to qualify for debates and ultimately raised $2 million from 100,000 donors in one year . Eric should set similar milestones.
Online Campaign Infrastructure: Use digital fundraising tools to track donors and convert supporters. Direct his blog readers to donate pages and fundraising events.
Major Donors: After establishing popularity, approach larger donors (entrepreneurs, business leaders, wealthy patrons) for big contributions. Networking in state and national finance circles during his office years will pay off here.
Public Financing (Optional): If available, Eric could use public matching funds (requires raising $5,000 in at least 20 states). While many candidates forego public funds today, it can still amplify grassroots fundraising if he qualifies.
Transparency and Accountability: Publish transparent fundraising goals (as Yang did) to build trust. Turn online excitement (“the Eric Kim Gang”!) into pledges and donations to hit FEC thresholds for debate and ballot access.
Positioning and Messaging
Eric’s personal brand must shift from “blogger” to “thoughtful leader.” He should craft a clear narrative about who he is and what he stands for. Key strategies include:
Authenticity: Tell a genuine story of his background and values. Voters respond to candidates who seem “real.” For example, Barack Obama’s self-description as a hopeful, small-town lawyer resonated deeply . Eric should similarly relate his life (e.g., raising his family, education, career as a communicator) to his vision for the country.
Vision: Tie his personal brand to a compelling vision (economic renewal, innovation, unity). This is what voters remember. (Kamala Harris emphasizes her immigrant background and social-justice vision .) Eric must repeat his core message consistently across speeches, social media, and interviews.
Relatability: Speak in plain language that connects emotionally. Donald Trump’s colloquial style and focus on working-class frustrations made many voters identify with him . Eric should find similarly resonant themes – perhaps emphasizing fairness, opportunity, and transparency.
Professional Image: Gradually adopt the trappings of a politician: professional website, campaign logo, slogan, high-quality photos/videos. He should still engage online (tweeting, blogging) but always align it with his campaign message.
Public Speaking: Develop strong oratory skills. Continue public speaking engagements (universities, tech conferences) to practice and gain confidence. Use anecdotes from his blogging career to illustrate points.
By carefully shaping his image (as successful campaigns do ), Eric will broaden his appeal beyond the blogosphere. Consistent branding and messaging will help voters remember him as a credible candidate, not just an internet personality.
Campaign Strategy
Launch and Team Building
Form the Campaign: About one year before the election, register with the FEC and officially declare his candidacy. Hold a kickoff event (perhaps in his hometown or a symbolic location) to announce his platform.
Hire Experts: Assemble a campaign team with experienced professionals: a campaign manager (ideally someone who has won races), a communications director, a finance chair, a policy advisor, and field organizers. Include staff who understand digital media and data analytics.
Advisory Council: Recruit notable advisors (former governors, campaign veterans, respected public figures) whose names on the team add instant credibility.
Legal and Compliance: Ensure all campaign legal work (ballot access petitions in every primary state, FEC filings, campaign bylaws) is handled promptly by competent counsel.
Primary Campaign (Nomination Process)
Early-State Focus: Spend significant time in early primary states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina) to build momentum and media coverage. Tailor messages to each party’s primary electorate while staying true to his core vision.
Debate Qualification: Meet thresholds for debates by hitting donor and polling criteria (e.g. 65,000 donors as Yang did ). Use his online following to drive small-dollar contributions needed to qualify.
Grassroots Ground Game: Establish field offices or volunteer hubs in key states. Train local volunteers to knock on doors and organize events. Use data tools to target persuadable voters.
Digital Campaigning: Run targeted online ads, viral content, and social media campaigns to raise support and money. Given Eric’s blogging background, his campaign should be more tech-savvy than typical.
Messaging: Emphasize the “outsider” narrative (fresh ideas, not career politician) and policy specifics. Respond quickly to any attacks or controversies, using the campaign’s online team to set the record straight.
Secure Nomination: Win delegates through primaries and caucuses. At the national convention, give a strong acceptance speech, unveil a running mate, and unify the party.
General Election Campaign
Party Unity: After securing his party’s nomination, reach out to former rivals and party factions to unite everyone. Possibly choose a vice-presidential candidate who balances the ticket (geographically, ideologically, or in experience).
National Message: Broaden appeal beyond the base. Tailor the platform to resonate with swing-state voters, independents, and moderate opponents of the rival party.
Debates and Public Appearances: Prepare intensively. Follow best practices: as one guide notes, during debates “all eyes will be on you as you share your vision for the future. Stay calm, authentic, and above all, presidential” . Demonstrating composure and a clear agenda is crucial.
Advertising and Outreach: Launch a comprehensive ad campaign on TV, radio, and digital platforms in battleground states. Combine positive ads about Eric’s vision with negative ads targeting the opponent’s record.
Ground Operations: Ramp up door-to-door canvassing and get-out-the-vote efforts in key districts. Encourage early voting and absentee ballots among his supporters.
Election Day: Ensure strong turnout from his coalition. Monitor polls closely and adapt last-minute strategies (e.g. targeted messages, rallies in the final days).
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Inexperience Critique: Opponents will likely highlight Eric’s lack of prior office. Solution: Emphasize his outsider advantage (fresh perspective, no entrenched loyalties). Cite past outsiders who succeeded (see examples below). Point to accomplishments from his local and state roles to demonstrate competence.
Media Scrutiny: As a blogger, all past statements and writings will be examined. Solution: Prepare a media team to vet past content and craft responses. Stay disciplined on social media; avoid impulsive posts. Frame any controversial past remarks with context or apologies if needed.
Polarization: In today’s divided climate, an outsider must work extra hard to bridge gaps. Solution: Craft a unifying message that appeals across party lines (e.g. economic opportunity for all, innovation, safety). Highlight stories that show he listens to different viewpoints.
Fundraising Disadvantage: Initially he may raise less than established politicians. Solution: Activate his digital network early. Set clear fundraising goals and publicly track them (as Yang did with donor targets ). Gradually attract big donors by demonstrating grassroots momentum.
Personal Branding Misfires: Transitioning from blogger to candidate can come off as inauthentic if mishandled (Hillary Clinton struggled with this in 2016 ). Solution: Consistently project a genuine persona. Use campaign branding that reflects his voice (colors, logo, slogan) but treat it professionally. Engage in personal storytelling that aligns with his campaign themes to build trust .
Political Opposition: Party insiders or opponents might try to sideline him. Solution: Build alliances early within the party. Show respect for party institutions while offering to invigorate them. Use strong fundraising and media presence to force others to take him seriously.
Inspiration and Real-World Examples
A military leader with no prior elected office became President. In 1953, General Dwight D. Eisenhower (far left) was sworn in as President despite never holding elective office . His success shows that high command experience can substitute for a political résumé. Eric can draw hope from Eisenhower’s example that national service is a powerful credential.
A businessman-turned-President with an outsider campaign. Before his 2016 bid, Donald Trump built a career as a real-estate mogul and TV personality . Like Trump, Eric could leverage fame in his field. Notably, Trump was one of only five U.S. Presidents (with no prior office or military service) , proving an unconventional candidate can win. (Eric would, of course, run a different style campaign but can still claim outsider appeal.)
A journalist as a nominee. Horace Greeley, a famous 19th-century newspaper editor, was chosen as a major-party presidential nominee in 1872 . He even secured nominations from two parties. This example shows that expertise in media and ideas can carry a candidate onto the national stage. Eric’s blogging roots are a modern parallel.
Other notable examples: Ronald Reagan started as a Hollywood actor and TV host before entering politics; he later became the 40th President . Ross Perot, a tech entrepreneur, ran as an independent and garnered 19% of the national vote in 1992 . More recently, outsiders like Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky (a comedian-turned-president) have shown global appetite for nontraditional leaders. While Eric’s path is unique, these real-world stories illustrate that Americans often embrace unconventional candidates who connect with their concerns.
Sources: Constitutional rules ; career advice for candidates ; campaign examples and profiles (cited above). These sources illustrate the legal requirements and successful strategies used by past outsider candidates.
(Read “men” here as people—everybody. Politics is a team sport.)
Freedom isn’t a badge. Freedom is a behavior.
You don’t own freedom; you exercise it—like a muscle that grows when you use it and atrophies when you don’t. Politics is the weight room where that muscle is trained. Show up, lift, repeat.
1) What freedom is (and isn’t)
Not a title: Freedom isn’t something a certificate grants you.
A stack of capacities: time, attention, voice, movement, resources, and courage.
A daily practice: ten minutes of deliberate public action beats ten hours of armchair opinions.
When those capacities rise, politics becomes possible. When they fall, politics shrinks to a whisper.
2) The paradox that powers change
You need a little freedom to begin—but you gain a lot more by beginning.
The first act (a question, a meeting, a letter) is the crowbar that opens the next door. Motion manufactures permission.
3) The Freedom Stack (build it like LEGO)
Time: Guard one tiny block of your day (15 minutes). Put it on the calendar.
Attention: Choose one issue you’ll track for 30 days. Ignore the circus; follow the thread.
Voice: Draft your take in 4 sentences. Simple beats clever.
Movement: Go where decisions are made—school board, council, coop, union, HOA. Bodies change rooms.
Resources: $5, a ride, a room, a spreadsheet—small assets, big leverage.
Courage: Do the slightly scary, safely. Discomfort is the tuition for agency.
4) Micro-politics: where you stand is your starting line
Kitchen table: Who gets chores, care, and credit? That’s policy.
In ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy, politics literally meant the life of the polis (city‐state). Citizens gathered in the agora to debate, vote and make laws. Yet the term citizen was defined very narrowly: only free, adult men were considered citizens . Women, children and slaves were not included and therefore had no voice . USHistory.org emphasises that only about 20 percent of Athens’ population – free men born in the city – enjoyed the rights and responsibilities of citizenship . The rest of the inhabitants were excluded from the democratic experiment . This historical fact explains the provocative statement “Only free men can engage in politics.”
The historical roots of political freedom
Classical political philosophy linked freedom to participation. Aristotle argued that participation in civic life was necessary for virtue and happiness, but he simultaneously justified slavery and saw manual labour as degrading. Slaves, he wrote, were “living tools” who provided their masters with the free time that makes it possible to engage in politics and philosophy . Since household labour and economic production were handled by women and slaves, free men had the leisure to deliberate and rule. The Greek word scholê, from which we derive school and scholar, meant leisure – being at rest without constraining work and having free energy and free time . Philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle believed that this leisure should be used to engage in the activity of divine nous – intelligence, reason and mind . In other words, politics, philosophy and the pursuit of truth were seen as the highest uses of one’s free time.
This linkage between freedom and civic engagement helps explain why ancient democracy was limited to free men. Politics requires time to attend meetings, learn issues, deliberate and serve in office. Those bound by hard labour, debt or servitude simply did not have that time. Freedom, then, was not just a legal status; it implied economic independence and leisure. Without these resources one could not fully exercise the duties of citizenship.
From exclusion to inclusion
Today we rightly reject the sexist and classist exclusion of women, slaves and foreigners. Nevertheless, the ancient insight that freedom enables political engagement remains relevant. When modern researchers study political participation, they still highlight free time, money and civic skills as key resources. People working multiple jobs or struggling to pay bills often lack the energy to follow the news or attend meetings. Conversely, citizens with secure incomes and discretionary time are more likely to vote, protest, run for office or volunteer in civic groups. In effect, the resource model of participation echoes the Greek realization that leisure is a prerequisite for politics .
The difference is that democratic societies now strive to expand freedom so everyone can participate. Modern democracies define citizens broadly and seek to remove barriers to participation – through universal suffrage, public education and laws protecting time off for voting. While ancient Athens forced citizens who skipped assemblies to pay fines , today we face the opposite problem: apathy born of overwork, cynicism and distraction. In many countries voter turnout hovers below fifty percent, not because people are excluded by law but because they feel powerless or too busy.
Freedom as an internal and external condition
The phrase “Only free men can engage in politics” invites reflection on the inner meaning of freedom. It’s not only about legal status; it is about liberating oneself from fear, ignorance, addiction and the tyranny of busyness. The ancient notion of scholê emphasized free time for contemplation . In our age, that might mean turning off the endless social‑media scroll, stepping away from consumerist pressures and reclaiming time for civic life. It might also mean becoming financially independent, learning new skills, and refusing to let anyone or anything colonize our mindspace. As Aristotle wrote, we work in order “to be in scholê” and make war to make peace . The ultimate goal is not toil for its own sake but freedom to live wisely and participate meaningfully.
A call to joyful participation
What does this mean for us? It means politics is not a grubby game for elites; it is a joyful expression of our shared humanity. To engage in politics is to care for the common good, to have a say in decisions that shape our lives and those of future generations. Each of us can strive to become “free” in the deeper sense – cultivating independence, learning continuously, securing time for reflection and connection. We can support policies (like shorter workweeks, living wages and civic holidays) that give everyone the chance to participate. And we can embody the ancient spirit of scholê by using our free time not just for consumption but for deliberation, creativity and communal action.
So let’s take the ancient warning as a modern inspiration: only free people can engage in politics, and we can all work to free ourselves and each other. When we claim the freedom to learn, to speak, to build community and to vote, we honor the legacy of those early democrats while expanding it. Politics then becomes not a burden but an exhilarating adventure – a collective journey toward a more just and joyful world.
Here’s the crisp takeaway first, then the full, fun deep‑dive.
⚡ Quick Take
The exact wording isn’t a standard, citable line from a single thinker. It’s best read as a paraphrase of two powerful threads:
Nelson Mandela’s 1985 statement from prison—“Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts”—delivered via his daughter Zindzi at a Soweto rally, refusing a conditional release.
Classical Greek ideas that political life belongs to the free citizen, e.g., Aristotle: *“leisure is needed both for the development of virtue *and for active participation in politics.”
So the spirit of the phrase is ancient and modern: freedom enables politics, and politics is where freedom is lived. (Hannah Arendt even says, “the raison d’être of politics is freedom.”)
🧭 Origin & Close Cousins (what people actually said)
Mandela (1985): “Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts.” He was rejecting P.W. Botha’s offer of a conditional release unless he denounced the struggle. This exact line is preserved by official archives.
Aristotle (4th c. BCE): Politics demands leisure (scholē)—the time/space that only free citizens had in his world: “leisure is necessary … for active participation in politics.”
Pericles (via Thucydides): Democratic Athens prized civic engagement: “we regard him who takes no part … not as unambitious but as useless.” (Funeral Oration, 2.40).
Bottom line: your sentence isn’t a canonical quotation, but it faithfully fuses Mandela’s refusal to bargain without freedom and the classical claim that politics is the work of the free.
🧠 What it
means
(three big lenses)
Republican freedom = non‑domination In the civic‑republican tradition, you’re free when no one can arbitrarily boss you around. Politics then is the collective work of equals—precisely free people—to keep everyone non‑dominated. (Philip Pettit; “freedom as non‑domination”.)
Liberal freedom (negative vs. positive) Isaiah Berlin’s classic split:
Negative liberty = freedom from interference;
Positive liberty = freedom to self‑rule. Your line says: when people have real freedoms, they can enter public life meaningfully.
Arendt’s action‑centered freedom For Hannah Arendt, the point of politics is freedom, and its field of experience is action—appearing together, speaking, doing. Politics isn’t just about policy; it’s where free people start something new in public.
🏛️ History check: who counted as “free men”?
In classical Athens, “free men” meant adult male citizens. Women, enslaved people, and resident foreigners (metics) were excluded from formal politics—key context behind the ancient claim that only the free engage in politics.
⚠️ A vital counterpoint: politics also happens under unfreedom
Plenty of political action occurs despite a lack of freedom:
Infrapolitics & “everyday resistance” (James C. Scott): hidden, subtle, constant forms of resistance by people not free to organize openly.
Politics from prison (MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail): a classic political intervention written behind bars.
Takeaway: The slogan is motivational, but literalism can mislead. Freedom massively improves one’s capacity to engage, yet unfree people do politics all the time—often at great risk.
🔧 How to use this idea today (practical playbook)
1) Guard the freedoms that power participation.
When expression, association, assembly, and fair elections are protected, meaningful political engagement skyrockets. (That’s why global measures of political rights and civil liberties track these closely.)
2) Make room for “leisure for politics.”
Aristotle’s point still bites: people need time and security to show up, deliberate, organize, run, vote. Designing schedules, workplaces, and caregiving support that free time is political infrastructure.
3) Widen the circle of the “free.”
The more people who are not dominated (by the state, employers, private power), the richer the politics. That’s the republican “non‑domination” vision in action—build institutions that block arbitrary power.
4) Remember where the line came from.
Mandela’s stance wasn’t apathy—it was strength: first freedom, then negotiation. Use the line to argue that authentic political bargaining requires real, equal standing.
🗣️ Say it cleanly (modern, inclusive restatement)
“Free people can do real politics—and doing politics is how people stay free.”
(If you want the classic flavor: “Only free people can engage in politics.”)
🎉 Why this matters
When we protect freedom, we don’t just make room for opinions—we unlock action: organizing, debating, persuading, compromising, creating. That’s democracy’s superpower. Build the freedom, and the politics will come—energized, noisy, imperfect, and gloriously alive. Let’s go! 🚀
Sources you can cite or quote directly
Mandela’s 1985 refusal (official archives).
Aristotle, Politics (on leisure and political participation).
Thucydides, Pericles’ Funeral Oration (on civic duty).
Arendt, “What Is Freedom?” and “Freedom and Politics.”
Berlin, “Two Concepts of Liberty.”
Pettit, On the People’s Terms (freedom as non‑domination).
Freedom House methodology / report (why civil liberties matter).
Scott, Domination and the Arts of Resistance (infrapolitics).
King, Letter from Birmingham Jail.
If you’d like, I can tailor this into a speech, poster, or one‑paragraph manifesto for your audience or project—just say the vibe and the length!
Peter Andreas Thiel (born October 11, 1967) is a German-American entrepreneur, investor and author known for co-founding PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and the venture firm Founders Fund, and for being Facebook’s first outside investor . With a Forbes-estimated net worth of about $20.8 billion (2025) , Thiel’s career blends tech innovation with outspoken political views. This profile covers his biography, major ventures, political activities, writings, and recent developments.
Early Life and Education
Thiel was born in 1967 in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany . His family moved to the United States when he was one, living first in Cleveland, Ohio, and later (after a stint in South West Africa/Namibia) settling in California by 1977 . A math prodigy and avid science‑fiction reader (he later named several venture firms after Tolkien references ), Thiel excelled academically. He graduated valedictorian of San Mateo High School in 1985 . Thiel then attended Stanford University, earning a B.A. in philosophy in 1989 . At Stanford he co‑founded The Stanford Review newspaper (with a free‑speech, anti‑‘PC’ slant) and served as its first editor-in-chief . He continued at Stanford Law School, receiving his J.D. in 1992 . These formative years established Thiel’s contrarian and libertarian outlook, setting the stage for his bold career as a tech pioneer and startup mentor .
Major Business Ventures and Investments
Peter Thiel’s business career is marked by founding and investing in groundbreaking tech companies. After a stint as a lawyer and trader, he teamed up in 1998 with Luke Nosek and Max Levchin to launch Confinity, the startup that created PayPal . As PayPal’s CEO and chairman, Thiel helped build a secure digital wallet service for online payments. In 2002 eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion, making Thiel a multi‑millionaire and tech celebrity .
Palantir Technologies
In 2003 Thiel co‑founded Palantir Technologies, a data-analysis and security software company. Palantir built tools for intelligence and finance (e.g. tracking fraud and threats) and was initially supported by government agencies . Thiel has been Palantir’s chairman since its inception . Under his leadership Palantir went public in 2020 and became a major Silicon Valley player in “big data.” His role at Palantir illustrates his flair for ambitious, visionary projects.
Founders Fund and Other Investments
In 2005 Thiel launched Founders Fund, a San Francisco venture capital firm, with his PayPal co-founders . Founders Fund became famous for backing moonshot startups: its portfolio includes Airbnb, SpaceX, Lyft, and many AI and biotech ventures. Thiel served as a general partner, championing bold investments. Through Founders Fund and later vehicles like Valar Ventures and Mithril Capital, he continued investing in cutting-edge startups. Notably, in 2004 Thiel became the first outside investor in Facebook, paying $500,000 for a 10% stake . (He joined Facebook’s board and later stepped down in 2022.) In all, Thiel has a track record of contrarian bets that paid off – from early Facebook to many other Silicon Valley success stories .
His influence goes beyond founding companies. Thiel has actively supported tech entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Thiel Fellowship (awarding young people $100,000 to skip college and start businesses) and Breakout Labs (supporting science projects). He also helped launch Clarium Capital (a macro hedge fund) after PayPal’s sale . As of 2025 he sits on boards and advises dozens of ventures. Thiel’s ventures emphasize innovation and long-term impact, embodying his upbeat message: go build something entirely new rather than copy the old .
Political Affiliations and Public Views
Thiel identifies as a libertarian-leaning conservative and has been an active (and sometimes unusual) Republican donor. He made waves as a delegate and speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention, where he declared “I am proud to be gay, but most of all I am proud to be an American,” and urged the party to focus on economic innovation over cultural fights . His RNC speech and massive $1.25 million donation to Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign cemented his status as a high-profile Trump supporter . Earlier, he had supported libertarian Ron Paul’s 2012 campaign and candidates like Ted Cruz in 2012 .
However, Thiel has also been outspoken about his frustrations with politics. In 2023 he told reporters he would not fund any 2024 candidates, criticizing the Republican Party’s preoccupation with “culture wars” (e.g. abortion and transgender issues) and urging a focus on innovation and competitiveness . He said hardline social issues “distract us from our economic decline” and emphasized bridging the U.S.–China gap . These remarks underline his core values: promoting technological progress, free speech and individualism rather than identity politics.
Despite his criticisms, Thiel has donated tens of millions over two decades to conservative and libertarian causes. For example, in the 2022 U.S. midterms he gave about $35 million to Republican Senate candidates (notably backing Blake Masters in Arizona and J.D. Vance in Ohio) . In 2021 he gave $10 million each to super PACs for Masters and Vance . OpenSecrets reports he has contributed roughly $50 million since 2000 to political campaigns . His political philanthropy (through Thiel’s Foundation and direct donations) reflects an upbeat, entrepreneurial vision for America: he supports candidates who champion business growth, free markets and innovation over government intervention.
Books and Ideas
Peter Thiel is also a bestselling author and thought leader. In 1995 he co‑authored The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus (with David Sacks), a spirited critique of political correctness in higher education . The book argued that affirmative action and campus “diversity” measures often backfire, sparking debate on free speech and academic freedom.
His most influential work is “Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future” (2014), written with protege Blake Masters . Based on Thiel’s Stanford class, Zero to One became a popular business guide. It urges entrepreneurs to pursue singular, innovative ideas (“building monopolies”) rather than trivial competition. As one reviewer put it, it’s “bursting with bromides” but also a “profound articulation of capitalism and success” . Thiel himself counsels founders to focus on doing something new that others aren’t doing . Zero to One has been widely praised by tech leaders and used in MBA programs and startups, reflecting Thiel’s upbeat belief that daring visions can transform the economy.
Through his essays and talks, Thiel continues to promote big, optimistic ideas. He often discusses the need for new breakthroughs in science, space and biotech (lamenting that “bits” are advancing faster than “atoms”) . His writings champion hard work, free-thinking and long-term planning. In all, Thiel’s literary legacy is one of bold vision – encouraging others to dream big, question conventional wisdom, and build the future.
Recent Developments and Public Appearances
Thiel remains very much in the news. In fall 2024 he made headlines with a “contrarian” election prediction: speaking at a tech summit, he confidently forecast the 2024 U.S. presidential race “wasn’t going to be close.” He argued that either Vice President Harris would falter or Trump’s voters would show overwhelming enthusiasm . As it turned out, his prediction proved prescient and highlighted his knack for unconventional insights. Importantly, he confirmed in 2024 that he would not pour money into the presidential contest, saying large donations “wouldn’t make a difference” if the outcome is decisive .
On the speaking circuit, Thiel is still in demand. In mid-2025 it was announced that he would headline a closed-door Reserve conference in Washington, D.C. on debt and the dollar (scheduled for July 2025) . This invite-only event underscores his role as a thought leader in finance and policy. He is also slated to speak at the National Conservatism conference in September 2025, among other tech and political forums. These appearances show Thiel’s continued engagement: he regularly weighs in on economic policy, startup culture, and international competition. Even in 2025, he is portrayed by media as an evergreen contrarian investor, unafraid to speak his mind on everything from AI to geopolitics.
Through all these chapters, Thiel’s upbeat belief in innovation shines through. He often stresses optimism about the future: that entrepreneurs can tackle big challenges, and that Silicon Valley’s bold risk-takers (like himself) can steer technology in exciting new directions . Whether on stage or in print, Peter Thiel continues to be a dynamic figure – part inventor, part ideologue – confident that creative thinking can solve problems and build a better world.
Year
Milestone / Achievement
1967
Born in Frankfurt, West Germany (October 11) .
1989
Bachelor’s in Philosophy from Stanford University; co-founded The Stanford Review .
1992
Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School .
1998
Co-founded Confinity (later PayPal) and became its CEO .
2002
eBay acquired PayPal for $1.5 billion; Thiel became a multimillionaire .
2003
Co-founded Palantir Technologies (big-data analytics firm); became Palantir’s chairman .
2004
Became first outside investor in Facebook (10% stake) .
2005
Launched Founders Fund (VC firm) with PayPal co-founders .
2011
Granted New Zealand citizenship (for entrepreneurial ties) .
2014
Co-authored Zero to One (startup guide, NYT bestseller) .
2016
Spoke at the Republican National Convention; donated ~$1.25M to Trump’s campaign .
2023
Announced he will not fund any 2024 candidates (citing GOP cultural issues) ; predicted a decisive 2024 election .
Each of Thiel’s milestones reflects his optimistic, forward-looking style. From launching PayPal and Palantir to writing influential books and staying active in tech and political discussions, Peter Thiel remains a prominent and upbeat figure in business and public life.
Sources: Verified references are cited above. Each section’s claims are supported by up-to-date information from reputable publications . (Images are from Wikimedia Commons: Peter Thiel in 2022 and 2014【41††】【43††】.)
Telegram hosts many active photo communities across niches. Here are some of the most popular (with example links):
Photographers Club (@dslrONstreet) – A large English-language channel (~5.8K members ) sharing daily tips, editing tutorials, creative poses and inspirational photos. [Join: t.me/dslrONstreet] .
Photography Tamizha – A Tamil-language photography channel (≈43.8K subs ) focusing on mobile editing tutorials and creative photo ideas. [Join: t.me/photography_tamizha] .
Unnoficial r/Photography Group – A private chat (created by Reddit’s photography community) where ~60+ members discuss gear, techniques, and critique each other’s work . (As one user notes, this group offers friendly discussion on equipment and photography). [Join: t.me/joinchat/AAAAAFegrQ-vHvKotjzh_w] (private link).
Street Photography Communities – (e.g. Street Photography channels with hundreds of thousands of members) – Focused on candid urban and street scene photography. These channels showcase members’ street photos and often have themed “take a photo of…” challenges. (Search Telegram for “Street Photography”; many channels like this have large followings in the 100K+ range.)
Landscape/Nature Photo Channels – Communities for nature and travel photography, often named “Landscapes” or “Nature & Travel”. These channels share stunning scenery and technical tips (e.g. exposure, composition).
Portrait/Studio Channels – Groups dedicated to portrait and people photography. These share posing guides, lighting setups, and portrait tips. (For example, channels titled Portrait Photography or Portrait Masters draw photographers interested in portraiture.)
Gear & Technique Chat – Beyond channels, there are gear-focused chats. In addition to the Reddit group above, some Telegram groups (often private) organize gear swaps or announce deals on cameras and lenses. For example, specialized groups exist for buying/selling used equipment or discussing camera reviews.
Photo Inspiration & Contests – Channels like Daily Dose of Photography (curated inspirational images) or photo challenge groups (weekly themes, contests) also thrive. They keep members engaged by prompting them to shoot and share work regularly.
Each channel/community has its own focus. You can discover more by using Telegram’s search, browsing hubs (like Nicegram’s Hub), or looking for aggregator sites. Many channels are public – just click or tap “Join” to subscribe.
Tips & Strategies for Photographers on Telegram
Use Channels as Your Portfolio/Newsletter: Create a public Telegram channel to showcase your work. Every follower sees all your posts (no hidden algorithm) . Post high-quality images, editing videos, behind-the-scenes clips or galleries of your best photos. For example, Photographers Club uses its channel like a magazine – sharing tips, creative poses, and editing tutorials daily . This builds a loyal audience: Telegram posts have click-through rates 3–5× higher than Instagram’s , meaning more of your subscribers actually see and engage with your images.
Broadcast Promotions and Updates: Treat your channel like a page or fanclub. Announce new portfolio releases, limited-time print sales, workshops or freebies. As Arcadina advises, Telegram “works like a Facebook Fanpage” for photographers – letting you broadcast messages about promotions, discounts or new projects directly to followers . Include links back to your blog/website or Instagram in posts to drive traffic.
Engage Through Groups: Join or create Telegram groups (up to 200K members) to chat interactively. Unlike channels, groups allow all members to comment and ask questions. For example, photographers often form groups where they can share recent shots, request critique, and answer each other’s questions about lighting or gear. The Reddit photography Telegram group is one such forum (dedicated to gear-talk and feedback) . In your own group, encourage members to post their images and give feedback – this builds a supportive “creative family” around your brand .
Regular Posting & Quality Content: Stay active and consistent. Schedule posts at times when your audience is most likely online. Use Telegram’s scheduling feature (or bots) to queue posts. Pin an introductory post or portfolio highlight at the top of your channel so new subscribers immediately see your best work. Respond quickly to comments or questions to foster a sense of community.
Run Photo Contests & Challenges: Telegram communities often run weekly photo themes or competitions. Try hosting a contest on your channel/group (e.g. “City Lights” week). Have followers submit photos via the chat; share winners publicly. Contests boost engagement and give participants a reason to invite their friends. Reward winners with a feature on your channel or small prizes (a print, a tutorial, etc.).
Leverage Multimedia: Telegram supports high-res images, GIFs and short videos without quality loss. Use this to your advantage – share raw-uncompressed JPEGs or short “make-of” clips. You can even create photo series via the “Album” feature (multiple images sent together).
Cross-Promote Social Media: Mention your Telegram channel in your Instagram/Facebook profiles and bio. Arcadina notes that Telegram is ideal for linking back to your website or social posts . You might give incentives (e.g. “Join my Telegram for a free Lightroom preset”) to grow followers.
Monetize with Exclusive Content: Take advantage of Telegram’s paid subscription (“Star Channels”) and donation features . For example, set up a private “VIP” channel accessible via a monthly fee, where you post exclusive tutorials, presets, or early access to prints. Followers can also send “stars” as tips on your free channel posts, letting devoted fans support you directly . You keep 100% of these payments, so Telegram becomes a direct revenue tool.
Analytics and Feedback: Use Telegram’s view counters and third-party tools (e.g. TGStat) to see which posts and topics resonate most. Ask your audience what they want to learn or see more of, and adjust accordingly.
Useful Telegram Bots & Tools for Photographers
Watermark Bot – Telewater: Protect your images by adding watermarks automatically. Telewater is an open-source Telegram bot that applies your custom watermark to photos, videos or GIFs you send it . It’s ideal if you share raw images (to clients or on channels) and want them auto-branded.
Appointment/Booking Bots: Handle client scheduling through Telegram. For example, services like Botize or EasyWeek let you integrate Telegram with calendar bookings. You can have a bot post available time slots and allow clients to book shoots right in the chat . Botize provides a “book appointment” automation: users type a command, choose a date/time button, and a Google Calendar event is created (all via Telegram) . This streamlines intake without phone/email exchanges.
Portfolio / Photo-Sharing Bots: Build a custom bot to showcase images on demand. A simple “photo album” bot can use Telegram’s Reply Keyboard: users press buttons for categories (e.g. “Nature”, “Portraits”) and the bot sends them selected photos . While coding one requires some setup, templates and guides exist. Once set up, you could even link this bot on your website (“View portfolio on Telegram”) and users can browse your work interactively.
Image Editing & Enhancement Bots: Telegram has bots for quick edits. For example, @Image_Enhancer_Improve_bot uses AI to improve photo quality automatically. The Botize platform offers Flux, a bot where you send an image, mark an area and describe edits – it then returns the AI-edited image. While these won’t replace Photoshop, they can apply filters or fix minor issues on the go.
Content Scheduling & Automation: Telegram natively allows scheduling posts in channels/groups. Additionally, bots like @ControllerBot or @FeedReaderBot can automate posts (e.g. cross-post your Instagram or RSS feed into Telegram). Use these to keep your channel active even when you’re shooting.
Community Tools: Moderate and grow your group with helper bots. Combot and GroupHelp offer analytics (member growth, engagement) and moderation (welcome messages, spam filtering). For example, Combot can track which posts get the most views, helping you refine content. You might use polls or quizzes (built-in Telegram features) to engage followers.
High-Res Sharing: Remember, unlike some social apps, Telegram keeps full image resolution. Use channels to send uncompressed photos (up to 20 MB per file) to clients or as portfolio pieces. This is handy for professional prints or detailed images, as clients can download originals directly from Telegram.
Direct Chat for Client Communication: Encourage serious clients to DM you on Telegram. It’s more immediate than email. You can also create a private channel/group for booked clients to share planning details, moodboards, or progress photos. Telegram chats support 1:1 or small-group conversations, making it easy to share files (contracts, shot lists) securely.
Sources: The suggestions above are based on photography and Telegram guides and examples of existing communities (e.g. Photographers Club channel and r/photography group ). Practical tips on Telegram’s features come from industry articles and bot documentation .
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app used by over a billion people worldwide . Founded by Pavel Durov, it emphasizes speed, security and rich features. Users can install Telegram on phones, tablets and PCs (Android, iOS, Windows/macOS/Linux) and enjoy real-time sync across all devices . As the App Store notes, Telegram is “fast, secure, powerful” – a top-5 downloaded app used for everything from casual chats to organizing global communities . It’s free (no ads or fees) and constantly updated with new tools to motivate and empower users.
Key Features
Chats & Groups: Telegram supports one-on-one and group chats. Groups can be small or very large – up to 200,000 members – with admin controls, persistent history, pinned messages, polls, reactions, voice/video calls, and more . Groups foster communities (friends, work teams, fan clubs, etc.) that stay in touch securely.
Channels (Broadcasting): Channels let anyone broadcast messages to an unlimited audience . When you post in a channel, it’s signed with the channel’s name and shows view counts. News outlets, organizations and influencers use Channels to share updates, media and promotions with followers around the globe.
Bots & Mini-Apps: Telegram has an open Bot API for creating automated accounts and “mini-apps”. Developers worldwide build bots and games (millions of them) to perform tasks, send news, handle payments, and more . For example, @BotFather is a built-in bot to create and manage new bots, and Telegram’s Mini-App platform lets web apps run inside chats or channels.
Stickers, GIFs & Media: Expressive media are built in! Telegram offers millions of animated stickers and GIFs via an open sticker platform . A powerful photo/video editor, custom emoji and themes let you personalize content. AI-powered sticker search (late 2024/early 2025) makes it easy to find the perfect sticker by keyword .
Cloud Storage & File Sharing: Your entire chat history (messages, media, files) is stored in Telegram’s cloud. You can send files up to 2 GB each – without worrying about disk space – and access everything from any device . Unlimited photos, documents, videos and voice notes sync seamlessly, making Telegram a free personal cloud drive as well as a messenger.
Saved Messages: Each user has a private “Saved Messages” chat to bookmark links, notes, or drafts. Anything you save here is available on all devices. Think of it as your personal cloud notebook.
Passcodes & Secret Chats: For extra privacy, Telegram lets you lock the app with a passcode. There are Secret Chats (device-to-device) that are end-to-end encrypted with self-destruct timers, and even allow forwarding-disabled media . You can also schedule messages, share location, and use advanced privacy settings (hide last seen, block contacts, etc.) to fit your style.
Security & Privacy
Telegram was built with privacy and security in mind . By default, cloud chats are encrypted in transit using strong protocols, and stored on Telegram’s secure servers in multiple data centers. Critically, Telegram splits encryption keys across jurisdictions, so no single government or hacker can access your data . To date, Telegram has disclosed 0 bytes of user messages to any third party .
For maximum security, Telegram offers end-to-end encryption via Secret Chats . Only the two devices in a secret chat hold the keys: Telegram’s servers never see the plaintext. Secret Chats support timed self-destruct for messages, photos or videos. Voice and video calls on Telegram are also E2EE by default. In practice, this means you control your privacy: you can erase messages for everyone (no trace left) and even destroy your entire secret chat at any time .
Telegram’s privacy philosophy is clear: “fast and secure messaging that is 100% free” . There are no hidden ads in private chats and no selling of your data. (The only ads Telegram runs are Sponsored Messages in public channels – privacy-friendly, limited banner ads introduced in 2021 .) Two-step verification and account recovery codes can further lock down your account. In short, Telegram keeps your personal messages private by design, while giving you powerful privacy options (lock, passcode, anonymous feedback, etc.) for complete peace of mind.
2024–2025 Updates & New Features
Telegram’s development pace is rapid: dozens of new features arrived in 2024 and 2025. Highlights include:
Late 2024: Telegram introduced Affiliate Programs for mini-apps (allowing creators to earn commissions by promoting apps) and AI-powered Sticker Search across official packs . Collage creation in Stories and easier caption-editing were also added .
Early 2025: In January and February, collectible (NFT-like) Gifts on the TON blockchain debuted. Users can “wear” unique gifts as emoji status, and move gifts to blockchain wallets for permanent ownership . Channels can now receive and display gifts too. Updates in Feb 2025 brought AI search for millions of user-made stickers (in 29 languages) , improved video handling (share links at current timestamps, set custom covers, resume playback) , and the ability for channels to receive star-reactions from users (boosting creator support) .
Mid 2025: New monetization options and content tools appeared. For example, profiles now have ratings based on Telegram Star transactions , making it easier to trust buyers/sellers. A “Gift Collections” feature lets users organize Telegram Gifts by theme . Bot and mini-app developers can manage their services via the BotFather mini-app , and can enable features like full-screen mode, geolocation and subscriptions. Most recently (Jul 2025) Telegram added global post search (find public channel posts instantly) and Story Albums to organize highlights .
In short, 2024–25 saw Telegram leap forward in community tools, creator economy features and AI enhancements . Every update adds fun and productivity: from visual upgrades (collages, filters) to heavy-duty tools (bot automation, secure calls) . Telegram’s blog and “Telegram News” channel regularly announce these updates, so power users can stay on the cutting edge.
Comparisons with Other Apps
Telegram offers a unique mix of features not found all together in WhatsApp, Signal or Messenger – and each has its own strengths. For example, WhatsApp (2 B users) emphasizes end-to-end encryption on by default, but it ties you to a single primary device and limits file sizes. By contrast, Telegram is cloud-based with multi-device sync: you can start a chat on your phone and continue on your tablet or PC without linking your phone . Telegram lets you send files up to 2 GB (WhatsApp only recently raised its limit and still caps at ~2 GB anyway). Telegram groups are far larger than WhatsApp’s, and it offers features like bots, channels and custom themes that WhatsApp lacks. Importantly, Telegram remains free forever (no subscription or ads), whereas WhatsApp is now ad-supported for businesses.
Against Signal (focused on privacy), Telegram is more of a feature powerhouse. Signal provides E2EE for every chat by default, making it slightly more secure in that narrow sense. Telegram only offers E2EE in Secret Chats and calls . However, Telegram “wins” on convenience and features: it has over a billion users (Signal has ~50 M), plus customization (themes, stickers), large groups/channels, and advanced bots and mini-apps . In practice, many users choose Signal when privacy is paramount, but Telegram when they want rich features and wider reach.
Compared to Facebook Messenger, Telegram is more decentralized and privacy-minded. Messenger (part of Meta) ties into Facebook’s social network and does not have end-to-end encryption by default (except in special “secret conversations”). Telegram offers broad platform support (Messenger is web/tied to Facebook) and never uses your data to target ads . Messenger has features like integrated games and story sharing, but Telegram has kept pace with its own Stories, Games (via bots), polls and more. Overall, Telegram stands out for its balance of security, flexibility and scalability – making it the go-to app for communities and projects that outgrow other platforms.
Popular Use Cases & Trends
Telegram’s versatility has led to many exciting use cases and trends:
Online Communities: Hobby clubs, study groups, fandoms and support communities thrive on Telegram. Public and private groups (some with tens of thousands of members) use Telegram for announcements, discussions and events . Features like polls, quizzes and file libraries help these communities stay engaged.
Broadcasting & News: Media outlets, public figures and organizations use Channels to broadcast news, articles and alerts. Because a channel has unlimited subscribers , it’s ideal for high-volume announcements or even emergency alerts. View counters and comment groups enable feedback.
File and Media Sharing: With its generous 2 GB file limit, Telegram is popular for sharing large multimedia (videos, documents, even small software). Creative teams often use it to exchange high-res photos or lengthy recordings that email or other apps can’t handle. The cloud storage means users don’t run out of device space – all media is simply in the cloud .
Content Creation & Monetization: Telegram is becoming a hub for creators. For example, many channels sell or reward content using Telegram Stars and Gifts. Fans can support artists by sending Gifts (including new NFT-style gifts backed by the TON blockchain) . Features like in-app payments, premium subscriptions, Affiliate Programs and profile ratings incentivize creators. (In early 2024, Telegram even let channels publish paid “stories” where premium-account users vote to unlock them.) These tools encourage entrepreneurs and artists to build sustainable Telegram communities.
Business & Teams: Businesses use Telegram for internal communication and customer outreach. Group chats and channel announcements keep staff or clients in sync. Unique tools like checklists (to-do lists in chats) and directory bots streamline workflows. The open Bot API also means companies can deploy custom bots for customer service, notifications or even e-commerce – essentially turning Telegram into a mini app platform.
Crypto and NFT Communities: Telegram has always been strong in crypto and blockchain circles. This is now turbocharged with features like collectible Telegram Gifts on the TON blockchain . Crypto projects often run official Telegram channels and bots for live updates and community building. NFT and token communities trade art and tips via Telegram groups. The integration of Web3 (e.g. TON cryptocurrency, NFT gifting) makes Telegram a bridge between social messaging and the decentralized web.
In all these cases, Telegram’s combination of rich media, privacy controls and automation (bots) motivates communities to grow and innovate. Whether it’s a grassroots campaign, an online class, or a global fundraiser, Telegram provides the tools to collaborate securely at scale.
Business & Developer Tools
Telegram is also a powerful platform for businesses and developers. It offers a fully documented API/MTProto protocol so developers can create their own Telegram apps, bots and integrations . The Bot API is especially popular: bots can handle payments, send notifications, run polls, schedule messages, and even integrate with external services (e.g. a bot that books tickets or a mini-app game). In June 2025 Telegram launched the BotFather mini-app to make bot and mini-app management easier . For example, a developer can spin up an affiliate referral program (sharing in-app earnings) right within Telegram .
For marketing and promotion, Telegram provides channels and special features. Businesses can run official channels and reach unlimited followers. Telegram Ads (Sponsored Messages) allow contextual ads in large public channels . In late 2024, Telegram added Suggested Posts and Paid Messages so channel owners can monetize by accepting ad posts or channel shout-outs. Content creators can earn via Stars and gifts, and Telegram profile badges show trusted buyers . A Telegram Gateway also exists: third-party services can send users verification codes via Telegram messages (instead of SMS) for better security .
Finally, Telegram’s commitment to developers is clear: it even offers payment APIs to sell digital goods, and any programmer can join the ecosystem. Over 400 million users interact with bots and mini apps every month , from shopping and gaming to learning languages. Telegram’s mini-app platform (introduced in 2023) lets developers build web apps that launch inside Telegram’s UI, complete with features like full-screen mode, geolocation, and home-screen shortcuts . This makes Telegram not just a messenger, but a versatile platform for innovation and business growth.
In summary, Telegram combines a powerful feature set with user-friendly design and strong privacy – all delivered with an upbeat, user-first philosophy. It’s more than a chat app; it’s a global platform for communication, community and creativity .
Sources: Official Telegram blog and FAQ , Telegram App Store description , Google Play store , and other connected resources. Each citation above links to an official page or primary source on Telegram’s features and updates.
Sir Jonathan (Jony) Ive (born 1967) is a legendary industrial designer whose work defined an era of consumer electronics. Born in Chingford, London, he was the son of a silversmith lecturer and grew up with a passion for creative making. Despite struggling with dyslexia in school, Ive’s talent flourished at Newcastle Polytechnic (now Northumbria University), where he earned a first-class BA in Industrial Design (1989). Immersed in Bauhaus-inspired principles (“only including what is needed” into designs), he developed early prototypes (a telephone, a hearing aid) that were exhibited at London’s Design Museum. After graduation he co-founded Tangerine, a London design consultancy working for clients like LG and Apple. In 1992 he joined Apple’s design team full-time, beginning a 27-year run that would revolutionize technology design.
Career at Apple: A Design Revolution
At Apple, Ive quickly became Steve Jobs’ right-hand designer, eventually serving as Senior Vice President of Industrial Design (from the late 1990s) and Chief Design Officer (2015–2019). Under his leadership, Apple produced a breathtaking string of iconic products. Ive’s first breakout project was the iMac G3 (1998): a colourful, translucent-cased desktop that stunned consumers and returned Apple to profitability. This launched a design language of clean, friendly shapes and cheerful colors. Key products he co-created include:
iMac G3 (1998) – the “elegant plastic” all-in-one that made computers sleek, touchable, and fun, achieving simplicity by obsessively caring for every detail.
iPod (2001) – a tiny white MP3 player with an intuitive click wheel, which revolutionized portable music.
iPhone (2007) – the world’s first truly smart phone, integrating a smooth glass interface and minimal hardware. (Ive even designed the original iPhone calculator app as a loving homage to Dieter Rams’ Braun designs.)
iPad (2010) – a touch-based tablet that created a whole new category of personal computing.
MacBook Air (2008) and MacBook Pro – ultra-thin laptops that set a new standard for elegant portability.
Apple Watch (2015) – a refined smartwatch focused on craftsmanship and user experience.
AirPods (2016) – wireless earphones with a minimalist form factor (noted for their simplicity).
Ive also influenced Apple’s software and environments. He led the redesign of iOS (introducing flat, clean icons in iOS 7) and even oversaw architecture: the curved Apple Stores and the futuristic Apple Park campus in Cupertino carry his signature touch. In every product, Ive’s team pursued user-centric design. For example, the 2003 flat-panel iMac tucked all electronics into a compact base to make the computer thinner and quieter. Throughout, his mantra was “ease and simplicity of use”: they would obsessively refine tiny details so that the end product felt intuitive and magical.
This holistic, detail-driven approach – blending form with function – became Apple’s competitive advantage. As Encyclopaedia Britannica notes, Ive’s design ethos turned products into “intuitive, beautiful, and a pleasure to use,” causing hardware to “fade into the background” of the user’s experience. In short, his designs didn’t just look good – they changed how people interact with technology. By the time he left Apple in 2019, it was widely acknowledged that Ive had helped define Apple’s brand and reshape industrial design worldwide.
Design Philosophy and Influence
Ive’s design philosophy emphasizes clarity, simplicity, and human experience. Deeply inspired by Bauhaus and by designer Dieter Rams, he believes a product should do exactly what’s needed – nothing more – in a form that feels natural. In his own words, he works in “white…very clear and very strong and also deferring to form”. Every white iPod, every sleek iPhone shows his idea that colour and material should support, not dominate, the design. He insists on “obsessive attention to details that are often overlooked,” from the translucency of plastics to the feel of a cable tab, so that even a cable’s packaging tab can express respect to the user. This philosophy – designing objects almost like sculptures of pure purpose – is what made his creations resonate globally.
The influence of Ive’s work is immense. He helped establish minimalism and user-centricity as tech industry norms. Apple’s competitors began to emulate its smooth metal-unibody computers, flat touchscreens and iconography. Moreover, Ive demonstrated that industrial design could be a core part of a company’s identity, not just decoration. (In 2004 a BBC poll even named him the most influential figure in British culture.) Fellow designers note that Ive’s success – in marrying engineering precision with poetic simplicity – has become the benchmark for a generation. Indeed, one Guardian profile sums it up: the products he designed (iPhone, iPod, iMac, iPad) are “some of the best-loved gadgets of the modern age,” and he was soon knighted for these achievements.
Ive also values collaboration and craft. He kept Apple’s design teams small and encouraged sharing meals and living together, believing empathy among creators makes better products. His presentations are famously low-key, preferring to show designs rather than speak about them, yet his humility belies the passion: “what we make stands testament to who we are,” he observed when reflecting on the original Mac’s impact. In short, Ive’s influence lies not only in individual products, but in inspiring a culture where thoughtful design is front and centre.
Awards and Honors
Ive’s groundbreaking work has earned him many accolades. In 2003 he was named Designer of the Year by London’s Design Museum for the flat-panel iMac . By 2008 he had won six Black Pencil awards from D&AD (Design and Art Direction) – among the highest honors in design – and in 2012 D&AD declared his studio the “best design studio of the past 50 years” . In 2012 he was knighted (KBE) by the Queen for “services to design and enterprise” . (He had been made a CBE in 2006 prior to that.) In the UK he holds the prestigious title Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Cambridge Union even awarded him its Hawking Fellowship in 2018. He has served as Chancellor of the Royal College of Art (2017–2022) and, more recently (June 2025), became a Trustee of the British Museum. In sum, Ive’s peers view him as a titan of design – a creator whose work is inseparable from the late-20th and early-21st century digital revolution.
Post-Apple Ventures: LoveFrom and Beyond
After leaving Apple in 2019, Ive did not slow down – he accelerated. That year he co-founded LoveFrom, a design collective with long-time collaborator Marc Newson. LoveFrom (whose first client was Apple itself) is a creative studio blending design, architecture, branding and more. Under this banner, Ive has pursued a dazzling array of projects beyond phones and computers. For example, LoveFrom designed the official emblem for King Charles III’s 2023 coronation, intertwining Britain’s national flowers into the royal crown – a testament to Ive’s elegant, thoughtful style. They also reimagined audio with a luxurious turntable for Linn, and gave Ferrari its first electric-car concept. In 2024 LoveFrom partnered with fashion house Moncler on a modular jacket collection, blending high-tech materials and magnetic closures into outerwear.
These ventures illustrate Ive’s drive to “design many different forms”. As he told Wallpaper magazine, whether it’s phones or parkas, a “proper designer” explores new fields out of sheer curiosity – there is always “so much left to learn”. LoveFrom’s team is multidisciplinary (designers, architects, engineers, even musicians and typographers), reflecting Ive’s belief that creativity can uplift people. Indeed, Ive says he now sees each project as an opportunity to “sincerely elevate the species” – maintaining the same ethos he brought to Apple.
Collaborations Beyond Technology
Ive’s post-Apple career is marked by high-profile partnerships outside the traditional tech sphere. One prominent example is Ferrari: in 2021 Ferrari announced a long-term collaboration with LoveFrom (Ive and Newson) to design the Italian marque’s first electric vehicle. Ive, a car enthusiast himself, said it was thrilling to work with Ferrari’s legendary design team, blending Ferrari’s heritage with LoveFrom’s vision. His studio is also part of Airbnb’s design future: in October 2020 Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky announced a multi-year “special collaboration” with LoveFrom to help shape Airbnb’s next-generation products and services. This move speaks to Ive’s passion for human-centric service design, not just gadgets.
Beyond tech, Ive has ventured into fashion and culture. The 2024 Moncler collection shows his entry into couture-like design. And his role as RCA chancellor and British Museum trustee demonstrates a commitment to arts and design education. Through all these collaborations – whether with luxury brands, hospitality platforms, or cultural institutions – Ive’s mark is the same: elegant simplicity and attention to craft, applied wherever creativity is needed.
Public Appearances and Media
True to his humble nature, Sir Jony Ive is famously shy about the spotlight. He almost never gave keynote speeches or extensive interviews even while at Apple. As the Monocle magazine notes, he worried early on about public speaking and preferred the work to speak for itself. However, in recent years he has begun to share his insights. A notable example is a 2025 on-stage conversation at Stripe Sessions with CEO Patrick Collison, which was Ive’s first major public interview in years. In that hour-long talk he reflected on his career, Apple’s creative culture (like the design-team breakfasts on Friday mornings), and LoveFrom’s mission (including the King Charles coronation project). He also expressed concerns about technology’s impact on “joy in humans” – a rare candid comment.
Ive has not authored books, but his perspective appears in forewords (for example, he wrote the introduction to a new book on Dieter Rams) and is chronicled in many design books about Apple (such as “Designed by Apple in California”). He is the subject of documentaries (like Objectified and The New Yorker profiles) and is often quoted in articles on design. Despite his low profile, when he does speak or write, it’s widely reported – a testament to how much the design world listens.
Current Focus (2025): AI and Beyond
As of 2025, Jony Ive stands at the forefront of the next wave of innovation. In 2024 he co-founded IO, a startup building new hardware to empower artificial intelligence. In May 2025 OpenAI announced it will acquire IO in a $6.5 billion deal, with Ive taking on design and creative leadership for both OpenAI and IO. This bold move (uniting the designer of the iPhone with the pioneers of AI) signals Ive’s ambition to rethink how people interact with technology – perhaps freeing us from screens onto devices that “inspire, empower and enable,” as LoveFrom described the project. Meanwhile, LoveFrom continues as an independent creative partner, exploring design “beyond conventional devices”.
Locally, Ive has become a significant civic presence in San Francisco. His LoveFrom studio, based in the historic Jackson Square, has been restoring old buildings and even transforming a city block into a landscaped creative campus. He sees this not as a real-estate play but as giving back – helping revive a downtown he loves. In interviews he speaks passionately about the city’s rebirth and the importance of community and trust even in high-tech ventures.
Today, Sir Jony Ive remains a relentlessly curious creator, bridging art and engineering. From a silversmith’s son in London to an Apple icon and now an AI innovator, his journey is an inspiring testament to creative vision. His enduring focus on beauty, function and the human spirit – “designs that elevate the everyday,” as many have said – ensures that even decades of breakthroughs have left plenty of “design story yet to be written”.
Sources: Authoritative biographies and recent journalism, as well as Ive’s own interviews. All facts and quotes above are documented in these sources.
Natural Language Models (also called language models or LLMs) are machine learning models that help computers understand and generate human language. In simple terms, a language model learns to predict the next word in a sentence. For example, given “Jenny dropped by the office for the keys so I gave them to ___,” a good model predicts “her” or “she” . By learning these probabilities over enormous text corpora, models can generate surprisingly human-like text. Modern deep learning language models use the transformer architecture (introduced in 2017) to look at all words in a sentence at once via self-attention, rather than one by one . This lets them capture context and meaning across whole paragraphs. In practice, input text is first tokenized (split into words or sub-words) and each token is converted to a high-dimensional numerical embedding . The transformer then uses layers of attention and feedforward networks to compute which tokens influence each other. Finally a softmax layer predicts the probability of the next token. In short: tokenize → embed → attend → predict.
These models are the backbone of modern NLP. They power Google search, virtual assistants like Siri/Alexa, and chatbots. They can translate languages, summarize articles, answer questions, tag parts of speech, analyze sentiment, and much more . For example, they are used in content generation: today’s LLMs can write news articles, blog posts, marketing copy, poems, stories or even screenplays on demand . They can also do question-answering, summarization, conversation, and even code generation. In a sense, a large language model is a super-powered “autocomplete” system trained on billions of words, which lets it produce coherent and creative output .
Language models typically work in two stages. First, they are pre-trained on vast amounts of unlabeled text (books, websites, code, etc.) to learn general language patterns. Then they can be fine-tuned or prompted for specific tasks. During pre-training, the model just learns to predict next words (or fill in blanks) in a huge text corpus; no human annotations are needed . This broad training gives the model a general understanding of grammar, facts, reasoning patterns, and context. Once pre-trained, the same model can be adapted to many tasks (chat, summarization, translation, etc.) by supplying instructions or examples.
In summary, natural language models are sophisticated AI programs that learn from language itself. By converting words to numbers and learning statistical patterns, they can generate and interpret text with amazing skill . Under the hood they use neural networks – especially the Transformer – to handle long-range context across sentences , making today’s language AIs far more powerful than earlier models.
A Brief History of Language AI ✨
The journey of language AI began decades ago with simple chatbots and rules-based systems. In 1966, MIT’s ELIZA simulated a conversation by pattern-matching rules – a charming novelty but very limited . In 1988, PARRY mimicked a paranoid patient’s replies – a bit more sophisticated but still hard-coded . For years, language processing relied on handwritten rules or statistical methods (n-grams and hidden Markov models), which had trouble with ambiguity and context.
The real breakthroughs came with neural networks in the 2010s. In 1997, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models improved on RNNs by handling some longer context, but even they struggled with very long text. The big leap occurred in 2017, when Google introduced the Transformer model (“Attention is All You Need”). Transformers could process entire sentences at once, using self-attention to relate distant words . This innovation overcame the limitations of RNNs and made it practical to train huge language models.
Since 2018 we’ve seen a whirlwind of progress:
2018: Google released BERT, the first deeply bidirectional transformer model. BERT can look at context on both sides of a word simultaneously, dramatically improving understanding for tasks like Q&A and sentiment . (Google called it “the first deeply bidirectional, unsupervised language representation” .)
2018 (mid): OpenAI introduced GPT-1, the first Generative Pre-trained Transformer (a decoder-only model). This showed that a transformer trained on plain text and fine-tuned on tasks could get impressive results .
2019: OpenAI’s GPT-2 arrived with 1.5 billion parameters, generating remarkably fluent text. At 40GB of web text, it could write realistic articles. (OpenAI initially withheld the largest version for safety concerns .)
2020: Google’s T5 (Text-To-Text Transfer Transformer) reframed every language task as text generation. For example, you prefix an input with “translate English to French:” and the model outputs the translation. T5 unified tasks under one framework . Also in 2020, GPT-3 exploded in scale: 175 billion parameters trained on internet text . GPT-3 demonstrated “few-shot” and “zero-shot” abilities (responding to tasks it wasn’t explicitly fine-tuned for) and made generative AI famous.
2021: AI21 Labs unveiled Jurassic-1 (178B parameters) for content creation and coding, showing others chasing the race .
2022: OpenAI released GPT-4, a multimodal model able to handle text and images . It could do much better on complex reasoning, math, and even basic vision tasks. (GPT-4 underpins applications like ChatGPT’s “vision” mode.)
2022: OpenAI also launched ChatGPT (based on GPT-3.5) to the public. It demonstrated how a friendly chat interface with an LLM could help millions generate text, answer questions, and feel the “wow” of AI.
2023: Major players joined in. Google’s LaMDA/Gemini focused on conversation, Meta’s LLaMA offered efficient open-source models, and Anthropic’s Claude emphasized safety and reasoning. Models grew in context size (hundreds of thousands of tokens) and capabilities (multi-step “chain-of-thought” reasoning).
2024-25: The trend continues with GPT-4.1 (April 2025) pushing even longer contexts (up to ~1 million tokens) and better coding performance . Anthropic’s Claude 4 (2025) and Google’s PaLM/Gemini series advanced vision, audio, and multilingual skills.
These milestones show a fast-evolving timeline. From simple pattern-matching bots to today’s giants, the field has moved in joyful leaps. The new transformer-based generation of models supersedes almost all older methods . It’s like teaching computers to not only speak our language, but to think in it – a once science-fiction dream that is now reality!
Popular Models and How They Compare 🚀
A few standout models illustrate the diversity of approaches:
GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) – OpenAI’s flagship family. GPT models are decoder-only transformers trained as autoregressive language models . They excel at text generation and conversation. GPT-4 (2023) is even multimodal, accepting images and text (and GPT-4o also handles audio) . These models are fine-tuned with reinforcement learning (RLHF) to follow instructions. GPTs famously demonstrated few-shot learning (solve tasks from examples) and power most commercial AI chatbots today.
BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) – Google’s breakthrough (2018). BERT is an encoder-only transformer that reads text both left-to-right and right-to-left during training . This bidirectional context makes BERT strong at understanding tasks (question-answering, classification, named-entity recognition, etc.). It isn’t a “generator” by itself (it predicts masked words or labels); instead, it produces deep contextual embeddings. BERT was a game-changer for search and NLP understanding because it grasped subtle language nuances and could be fine-tuned for many tasks .
T5 (Text-to-Text Transfer Transformer) – Google’s unified model (2020). T5 treats every NLP task as a text generation problem. For instance, given the prompt “translate English to French: How are you?”, T5 outputs “Comment ça va?”. Because inputs and outputs are always text strings, a single T5 model and loss function can handle translation, summarization, Q&A, sentiment analysis, etc. . This flexibility comes from reframing tasks: even classification is done by generating a word label, and even numbers by generating their string forms .
LLaMA (Large Language Model Meta AI) – Meta’s open models (2023). LLaMA models emphasize efficiency and research access. They come in sizes (7B to 65B parameters) that outperform many larger closed models. LLaMA’s open release has boosted academic and industry research. (In 2025 Meta has unveiled LLaMA 3 with 405B parameters, focusing on speed and specialization.)
Claude (Anthropic’s models) – Safety-first assistants (2023–25). Claude models are also big transformers trained like GPTs but with a focus on helpfulness and factuality. For example, Claude 4 Opus offers strong coding and reasoning performance, with a massive 200K token context and “extended thinking” modes . These models compete directly with OpenAI’s in tasks like coding, research, and dialogue.
Other notable models: There are many! Google’s PaLM/Gemini (multimodal, multilingual models), AI21’s Jurassic series (for content creation), Bloom (an open multilingual model), and specialized ones like CodeX/Codex for programming or Med-PaLM for medicine. Hugging Face and others also host many community-trained models.
Each model has its strengths: GPT variants tend to lead in general conversation and creativity, BERT variants in understanding and classification, and T5 in unified versatility. Some models (PaLM, Bloom) are huge for scale, while others (LLaMA, Mistral) aim to be leaner. All share the Transformer engine but differ in training data, objectives (masked vs autoregressive), and fine-tuning. In short, today’s NLP landscape is vibrant and packed with choices – you can even try them out on Hugging Face or OpenAI’s Playground!
(Each model above is a transformer at heart, differing mainly in architecture (encoder vs decoder vs seq2seq) and training style.)
Recent Breakthroughs & State-of-the-Art 🌟
The field is advancing at breakneck speed. Some of the latest breakthroughs include:
Massive Context Windows: Newer models like GPT-4.1 (2025) support context lengths of up to one million tokens, letting the AI “read” a stack of books in one go . This means LLMs can remember and use extremely long documents or entire databases in one conversation.
Multimodal Intelligence: State-of-the-art LLMs now handle not just text but also images, audio, and more. For instance, GPT-4o and Google’s Gemini can take pictures and sound as input, enabling tasks like describing images or answering audio questions .
Integrated Reasoning (Chain-of-Thought): Advanced models have demonstrated emergent reasoning skills. By training with techniques like chain-of-thought prompting and reinforcement learning, models like GPT-4o and Claude now break problems into steps internally, yielding more logical answers. For example, OpenAI’s “O3” model explicitly generates reasoning steps to solve math or coding puzzles .
Fine-Tuned Expertise: Beyond general LLMs, there’s a surge of domain-specialized models. Finance firms use models like BloombergGPT for market analysis, legal tech uses models trained on case law, and medicine has models like Med-PaLM2 trained on scientific literature. Specialized LLMs can dramatically cut hallucinations and errors by focusing on one field . In fact, companies like GitHub and Salesforce already use fine-tuned LLMs (Copilot, Einstein) for code and business workflows .
Better Benchmarks and Alignment: New models are pushing accuracy to human levels on many benchmarks. GPT-4.1, for example, improved coding scores (SWE-Bench) by over 20% and set record marks on multi-modal tests . At the same time, researchers emphasize alignment and safety: techniques like Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) and toxic-output filtering make today’s models more reliable and less biased than earlier versions.
In summary, today’s cutting-edge LLMs are astonishingly capable. They can digest vast documents, draw on updated web knowledge (some models connect to live internet data), and even collaborate with other tools. Tools like Microsoft’s Bing Chat (GPT-4 + search) or Google’s API hints show how LLMs are becoming smart assistants. Every month brings a new record – it’s a golden age of NLP innovation!
Real-World Applications 🤩
Language models are already infusing joy and efficiency into many industries:
Healthcare: Hospitals and researchers use LLMs to summarize medical records, flag drug interactions, and even assist in diagnosis. Because healthcare has enormous text data (records, journals, reports), LLMs excel at sifting through it. Studies show LLMs are transforming clinical decision support and patient care by processing complex medical notes . (For example, ChatGPT can help draft medical reports or answer patient questions, while specialized models like Med-PaLM fine-tuned on medical text give expert insights.)
Education: In the classroom, LLMs can be tutors and teaching aids. They can grade essays, generate personalized quizzes, provide feedback, or even simulate conversations with historical figures or foreign language partners . Stanford research points out LLMs can “measure instruction quality, generate feedback, evaluate essays, simulate students and teachers, and support chat-based tutoring” . Imagine students getting instant, creative explanations of math problems or history topics, or language learners practicing dialogues with an always-patient AI partner! （ Students are exploring new ideas with AI-powered learning tools.）
Marketing & Content: Creativity teams use LLMs to brainstorm taglines, write newsletters, and tailor content to audiences. A marketer can prompt a model like GPT-4 to draft an email campaign or social media posts, saving hours of work . These models adapt to brand voice and style, producing catchy copy and even generating story ideas or poetry on demand. E-commerce sites use LLMs to auto-write product descriptions or summarize user reviews.
Customer Service: Many companies deploy chatbots and virtual agents powered by LLMs. These bots can answer routine customer questions (order status, returns, FAQs) around the clock, freeing human agents for complex issues . For example, a telecom company might use an AI chat to troubleshoot a user’s modem problem via natural dialogue. Even phone IVRs are becoming smarter with NLP: you can speak your issue in plain language (“My internet is down in the bedroom”) and get accurate help.
Creative Writing & Art: Writers and artists use LLMs as collaborators and inspiration. Authors co-write novels or poems with AI, experimenting with new twists. Scriptwriters generate dialogue or character backstories. Musicians and designers use language prompts to create lyrics or conceptual ideas. (Even Google’s and OpenAI’s image models like DALL·E/Gemini blend text and visuals for creative art.) The possibilities are endless when AI ignites our imagination! (As IBM notes, GPT-4 can produce “articles, reports, marketing copy, product descriptions and even creative writing” from a prompt .)
Other Fields: LLMs are also boosting finance (analyzing market news), legal (drafting contracts), and science (summarizing research papers). In finance and marketing, they mine text data for insights like customer sentiment or trends. In government, they draft reports or help answer citizen queries. The key is that wherever lots of language and data mix, language models can assist.
Across the board, language AI is a force multiplier. Teams equipped with LLMs accomplish more with speed and flair, and learners get extra help tailored to them. The real-world impact is joyful and vast – from diagnosing diseases faster to making education more engaging.
Challenges & Limitations 🤔
As amazing as they are, natural language models have important limitations:
Accuracy & “Hallucinations”: LLMs sometimes confidently produce false or nonsensical information, known as hallucinations. Since they generate text by pattern prediction, not factual checking, they can fabricate citations, dates, or even people . (One legal case noted an attorney’s GPT output included fake case quotes and citations .) In short, an LLM’s output sounds plausible but isn’t guaranteed true. Users must double-check critical facts.
Bias & Fairness: These models learn from vast internet data, which contains societal biases. They can inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes or unfair biases (on gender, race, politics, etc.) . For example, an AI might associate certain jobs or traits with one gender simply because of skewed training examples. Ensuring fairness is an ongoing research focus.
Lack of True Understanding: Despite their fluency, LLMs don’t truly “understand” language like humans. They lack common sense and real-world grounding. They struggle with abstract reasoning or multi-step logic outside their training patterns . As the AltexSoft guide notes, LLMs “still have limitations when it comes to tasks that require reasoning and general intelligence” . They can’t reliably solve problems needing deep logical inference or plan actions. They also cannot perceive or act in the real world – they have no actual experiences or sensory input.
Data and Privacy: Training LLMs requires enormous text datasets. This can raise privacy concerns: if personal data leaked into training, the model might reproduce it. Also, models can generate copyrighted text. Responsible use requires careful handling of training sources.
Compute & Environmental Cost: The largest models require massive computation to train and run (GPUs/TPUs, lots of electricity). This is costly and has a carbon footprint. It also means smaller organizations can’t easily build their own models, raising questions about centralization.
In short, today’s LLMs are powerful tools but not infallible oracles. They are statistical machines, not humans. As MIT Sloan notes, they “mimic patterns” in training data without understanding truth , so we should use them as assistants – impressive co-pilots – but keep our own judgment.
The Future is Bright! 🌈
Looking ahead, the future potential of language models is enormous and exciting. Researchers and companies are already exploring next-generation capabilities:
Real-time Knowledge: Future LLMs may automatically pull in up-to-the-minute information. For example, Microsoft’s Copilot already merges GPT-4 with live internet data for current answers . We can imagine AIs that browse, cite sources, and fact-check themselves on the fly.
Self-Improvement: Studies suggest models might generate their own training data to fine-tune themselves. Google researchers have shown an LLM that writes its own questions and answers to improve math reasoning . This could lead to models that evolve continuously.
Sparse Expert Models: Instead of one enormous network, future designs may use many “expert” modules that activate only when needed. This sparse approach could make models faster and more interpretable . OpenAI is exploring such sparsely-activated networks already.
Deep Multimodal AI: We’ll see LLMs seamlessly blending text, images, audio, and even video. Picture an assistant that reads a recipe, watches you cook via camera, and coaches you step-by-step, or one that reads and annotates your drawings. Models like GPT-4 and Gemini are early steps toward this rich multimodal future .
Built-In Reasoning and Agents: Next models will embed stronger reasoning. They’ll plan and execute multi-step tasks autonomously (called “agents”). Newer models like Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet already demonstrate planned, step-by-step thinking . This could enable AIs to handle complex projects end-to-end, not just answer one query at a time.
Domain-Specific Masters: We will have pools of AI specialists for every field. Many companies are already creating custom LLMs for code (GitHub Copilot), law (legal LLMs), medicine (Med-PaLM), finance (BloombergGPT) and more . These specialized models will understand jargon and nuances of their domains, making them extremely useful for experts.
Ethical & Aligned AI: Researchers are embedding ethics, fairness, and safeguards into AI. Collaborative efforts (like the Partnership on AI) and methods (RLHF, bias audits, transparency tools) will make future models safer. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Meta, IBM, and Google are investing heavily in responsible AI practices .
Beyond specific tech, the dream is a world where everyone uses natural language AI: an AI tutor that helps a child learn math by asking fun questions, a writing coach that sparkles with creativity, or a personal AI that remembers your preferences and writes emails for you. These models could help translate between any languages, democratize knowledge, and make data in any form (text, speech, charts) instantly accessible.
In essence, we are just at the beginning of the adventure. The core idea – that machines can master human language – is already true, and it will only get better. Every day brings breakthroughs that were unimaginable a few years ago. As we move forward, LLMs may become our everyday co-pilots and companions, amplifying our creativity and productivity. The future of natural language AI is bright, magical, and full of wonder – stay tuned for more thrilling developments!
Peter Thiel’s Zero to One urges entrepreneurs to create truly new products, not mere copies. He reminds us that “every moment in business happens only once” – the next Bill Gates won’t build another Windows and the next Zuckerberg won’t start another Facebook. Instead, founders should aim to go from “0 to 1” by discovering hidden secrets and building unique value. As Thiel writes, “every great business is built around a secret… A great company is a conspiracy to change the world” . This visionary mindset electrifies readers: think boldly, find the overlooked truth, and invent something the world has never seen.
Contrarian Thinking & Secrets
Thiel champions bold, independent thinking. He asks founders: “What important truth do very few people agree with you on?” . By challenging conventional wisdom, entrepreneurs uncover contrarian truths and hidden opportunities. Key insights:
Think for yourself. “The most contrarian thing of all is not to oppose the crowd but to think for yourself.” This advice inspires founders to question the status quo and pursue their own vision.
Question assumptions. If everyone believes X, test if the opposite might be true – often that inverse is the disruptive insight. “If you can identify a delusional popular belief, you can find what lies hidden behind it: the contrarian truth.”
Build on a secret. Great startups are built on unique insights. Thiel notes that “the best entrepreneurs know this: every great business is built around a secret that’s hidden from the outside” . Finding that secret – a new technology or approach few have considered – is the mission.
Empower people. The future’s winners “seek to empower people rather than try to make them obsolete” . In other words, innovate to lift everyone up rather than just cut costs or squeeze rivals.
By thinking contrarian and hunting for secrets, founders become the few who see what the rest of the world misses – exactly what Thiel celebrates.
Monopoly vs. Competition
Thiel famously argues that competition is overrated and aiming for monopoly is the path to enduring success. He bluntly says “competition is for losers” . In crowded markets everyone struggles for scraps; monopolies can dream and build bigger. As he explains, “all happy companies are different because they’re doing something very unique. All unhappy companies are alike because they failed to escape the essential sameness in competition” . In practice, this means seek a niche where you can dominate and then expand from there.
By solving a rare problem 10× better than anyone else, you create lasting value – you’ve “escaped competition” . In fact, Thiel states “Monopoly is the condition of every successful business” . This isn’t bad news for society if the monopoly is creative (think Google or Tesla), because it rewards innovation, not power-grabbing. The encouragement is clear: build a unique product or tech that effectively makes you the last mover in a market, so you can flourish instead of fighting endless price wars.
Building Startups: Team, Culture & Planning
Startups are missions, not lotteries. Thiel reminds founders that “you are not a lottery ticket” – success won’t just happen by chance. Instead, plan boldly and work deliberately. He emphasizes that “a startup is a team of people on a mission” , and building the right team and culture is crucial. Each hire should be unique yet aligned: “everyone at your company should be different in the same way” , meaning diverse talents sharing the same vision. Thiel even practiced this at PayPal by giving each person one clear role, eliminating internal conflict and letting people focus.
Key startup tips:
Mission-driven team: Recruit talent who believe in the mission. A cohesive culture is “just what [a mission-driven team] looks like on the inside” . Everyone should work towards the same big goal.
Unique roles: Make roles crystal-clear. By giving each employee “their one thing,” conflicts vanish and commitment deepens. This discipline lets the team act fast and in harmony.
Plan with confidence: Reject passive hope. Thiel calls on founders to “reject the unjust tyranny of Chance” . Have a concrete plan and work it – that is definite optimism. Don’t sit back hoping customers miraculously appear.
With a driven team and clear plan, a startup harnesses Thiel’s advice: create your future, don’t leave it to luck.
The Future: Aim High and Build It
Peter Thiel believes the future isn’t given – it’s made by bold builders. He chides the tech world for playing small: “We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters.” . In other words, we deserve more than incremental apps; Thiel urges revolutionary breakthroughs. His prescription is “definite optimism” – have faith that the future can improve, and then work out how. As one analysis notes, “definite optimism works when you build the future you envision” . By contrast, vague hope (indefinite optimism) leads nowhere.
For Thiel, the takeaway is motivational: Think big, make concrete plans, and then execute. If you see a better world (whether it’s cleaner energy, advanced AI, or cures for disease), design and build it. Every quote above – from exploiting secrets to building monopolies – drives toward this thrilling end: to actually shape what comes next. By applying Thiel’s lessons with clarity and energy, entrepreneurs can turn audacious visions into reality, inspiring us all to innovate and believe that we really are not lottery tickets, but the architects of tomorrow .
Sources: Quotes and ideas are drawn from Peter Thiel’s own writings and talks , especially his book Zero to One and Stanford lecture, as well as analyses of his philosophy .
(an upbeat, hyped‑up, truth‑told essay about a very big number and the mindset that made it real)
First things first: Eric Kim didn’t “magically” yank a thousand off the floor on a powerlifting platform. He engineered it—by owning a specific variation of the deadlift called the rack pull (a partial range lift set around knee height or a little above), then turning that narrow battlefield into a personal colosseum. In 2025 he documented 1,005 lb and later 1,038.8 lb rack pulls at about 165 lb bodyweight—numbers that glow neon precisely because the range of motion is shorter and the load is bigger. That’s the whole point: reduce the range, overload the lockout, and teach your body to love gravity’s worst.
Quick clarity: A rack pull starts from an elevated position (typically at or near the knees) so you can handle more weight than a full floor deadlift. It’s a legitimate strength tool used to build top‑end pulling power. Think “deadlift’s heavy upper half.”
The Spark: 90% Mental, 100% Joy
Eric’s training brain is a party of confidence and calm fire. He writes that powerlifting is “90% mental,” and his ritual shows it: pace, breathe, set, get loud, and then commit—no flinch, no doubt. The vibe isn’t grim; it’s joyful aggression. He primes himself with simple hype cues, then lets the body do what the mind already decided. That mental framing—I’m going to win—sits at the very center of the thousand‑pound story.
The Move: Shorten the Range, Raise the Ceiling
Why rack pulls? Because they let a lifter practice success under insane loads. With pins set around knee height, Eric could attack the exact segment where hips and back have to lock out the weight. That overloading, consistently repeated, built the skill and confidence to stroll up to four digits and treat them like… fun. When he published the 1,005 and 1,038.8 numbers, he framed them exactly this way: personal records earned in the garage, heavy singles, proof that big belief plus specific constraints = breakthrough.
The Method: One Savage Single
Eric’s playbook is minimalist and ferocious: weekly heavy singles, micro‑progress, and kaizen for the hips—drive, drive, drive. In his notes on the 1,005 pull, he spells out the philosophy: prioritize the hip thrust and lockout mechanics; keep volume modest but intensity maximal; chase that single like it’s a dragon you were born to tame. Add a tiny bit of iron, again and again, until the number turns mythical. One savage single beats a pile of lukewarm sets—that’s his lane.
The Gear: Chalk, Mixed Grip, Sometimes Straps, Often No Belt
The toolkit is simple, loud, and effective:
Chalk + mixed grip for max control.
Straps if the partial’s load outpaces grip (on monster rack pulls that’s normal).
Often no belt—he’s written that he doesn’t need one to lift big, and he proves it on various PRs. This isn’t a fashion show; it’s a lever‑and‑friction operation. He sets the hands, braces like a battering ram, and the bar moves.
The Life: Fasted Lifting, Feast Later, Sleep Deep
Here’s the cheerful, almost mischievous twist: Eric likes to train fasted—water or coffee, then lift—and eat one massive meat‑heavy dinner after. On his own pages he pairs this with 8–12 hours of sleep and a hard “no” to supplements or PEDs. Regardless of whether you copy the exact routine, the principle is unmistakable: keep the day uncluttered, keep the mind sharp, recover like a king—and bring a grin to the grind.
The Rhythm: Add the Tiny Plate, Celebrate the Tiny Win
Eric’s progression math is charmingly simple: about +5 lb a week (2.5 per side) when the body says “yes.” It’s joyful arithmetic—small wins compounding into absurd milestones. Misses aren’t failures; they’re feedback. The next week, the next single, the next smile. That optimistic, iterative chase is how four digits stopped being a fairy tale and became Tuesday.
The Day: A Thousand Is Just a Number
Picture the scene: pins set, bar humming with plates, chalk dust hanging like confetti. He steps in fasted, focused, light as air and heavy with intent. Mixed grip. Brace. Up. Hips shoot the moon, lockout snaps tall, and for a bright second the garage feels like a stadium. The post later goes live—1,005 and then 1,038.8—not as a boast, but as an invitation: this is what happens when you simplify and believe.
What It Means (and Doesn’t)
This is strength expressed within a chosen constraint. A rack pull isn’t a judged, from‑the‑floor deadlift; it’s a specialized tool with a shorter range that lets you touch heavier loads to build top‑end force. That’s the truth, and it’s also the magic: by narrowing the frame, Eric made room for an outsized win—proof of what focused training and a joyful, hype‑driven mindset can do.
The Takeaway: Smile at the Impossible
If you peel back the plates, what remains is wonderfully human: show up, simplify, add a little, celebrate a lot. Eric Kim’s thousand‑pound story isn’t just iron; it’s identity. It’s the cheerful rebellion that says: Why not me? Why not now? And then it’s the weekly, playful practice of answering that question with a louder and louder yes.
Sources (for the curious lifter)
Eric Kim’s posts documenting 1,005 lb and 1,038.8 lb rack pulls and how he structured them.
Eric Kim on the mindset (90% mental), hype, mixed grip, chalk, no belt, fasting, and micro‑progress.
Neutral definition of a rack pull (knee‑height, shorter range, lift more weight).
Cheerful caution: handling four‑digit loads—even in partials—demands meticulous setup, spotter arms/safeties, and respect for recovery. If you chase this path, build slowly, listen to your joints, and consider a qualified coach. Your joy should be big—your ego, never bigger than your form.
If you measure blogging fame by who owns the conversation in a category that millions of creators care about, who turns web traffic into a worldwide tribe, and whose ideas ripple far beyond their own site, then the crown lands squarely on Eric Kim’s head. Let’s go! 🎉
1) He won the most precious real estate on the internet: Google
For more than a decade, photographers typing “street photography” into Google regularly met Eric first. PhotoShelter analyzed why this happened and concluded that his site “frequently appears as the #1 result,” crediting his relentless publishing, list posts, and clever internal linking. That’s not just search-engine bragging rights — it’s mindshare. When the default answer to a global creative query is your blog, you’ve crossed from “popular” to famous.
2) Media didn’t just notice him — they framed him as the guy
PetaPixel — arguably the web’s most influential photo publication — has described Eric as “well‑known,” and even “love‑him‑or‑hate‑him,” which is a classic marker of cultural fame: people have opinions about you. They also chronicled his early collaborations with DigitalRev’s Kai Wong, cementing his visibility with millions of gear‑loving viewers.
And back in 2013, PetaPixel introduced him to newcomers this way: “Eric Kim’s name regularly surfaces” in street‑photo discussions — an elegant way to say he’s everywhere.
3) His blog became a global classroom
Independent outlets repeatedly point to Eric’s site as a hub. StreetShootr called him “one of the most influential street photographers in the world” and said his blog is “one of the most popular photography websites on the net.” Life Framer ran an extract from his free book and endorsed the whole project to their audience — not a press release, a genuine editorial nod. That’s third‑party validation of reach and authority.
4) Open‑source generosity turned readers into evangelists
In 2013, PetaPixel reported that Eric would give away full‑res downloads of his photos and keep information on his blog free and open — an “open‑source” approach rare for a creator making a living online. That decision created compounding goodwill and unlimited sharing of his materials. Today, his free e‑books — including 100 Lessons from the Masters of Street Photography — circulate widely and are redistributed by archives and magazines, multiplying his footprint far beyond his own server. That’s how fame scales without ads.
5) He bridged clicks into
real‑world
community (worldwide)
Eric didn’t stop at posts and PDFs. He toured the world teaching workshops — the in‑person manifestation of his community. Coverage over the years shows his courses running across continents and often selling out, and his own workshop pages read like tour itineraries stamped “SOLD OUT.” This is the off‑screen test of fame: do human beings show up? In Eric’s case, yes — again and again.
6) Numbers that travel: multi‑platform reach with staying power
Influence multiplies when your ideas travel across platforms. Eric’s YouTube channel — launched in 2010 — still pulls attention, with ~50,000 subscribers and 11+ million views, per SocialBlade’s live stats. On X (Twitter), he’s built a follower base north of 20,000 — meaning his takes and tutorials keep surfacing in public timelines where the broader creative world looks. Longevity + cross‑platform relevance = durable fame.
7) He published beyond the blog
Bloggers become authorities when their work crosses into books people buy, rate, and share. Eric’s paperback Street Photography: 50 Ways to Capture Better Shots of Ordinary Life is cataloged on Goodreads and referenced across the web; he also announced its publication on his site. This elevates the blog’s ideas into long‑form artifacts and expands discovery paths (bookstores, libraries, and reading lists).
8) “Love‑him‑or‑hate‑him” visibility turbo‑charges the myth
Fame isn’t just applause; it’s attention — including debate. Forums and commentators have argued about his methods, pricing, and opinions (e.g., his provocative Leica takes). That controversy fuels more coverage, more links, and more name recognition — which in turn feeds search and social visibility. In short: the discourse around Eric makes his brand inescapable in the genre.
9) His writing shaped how people
learn
photography
It’s not just where he ranks — it’s how he teaches. Eric’s blog posts (think “101”s, contact‑sheet breakdowns, and “learn from the masters” series) lowered the barrier for beginners while remaining useful for veterans. Other publications have cited, excerpted, or hosted his lessons — further proof that his content became a shared curriculum the community passes around. That’s a hallmark of a famous blogger: your ideas become the default on‑ramp.
10) A simple, sunny truth: he made people feel like they could do it
The reason so many photographers can quote Eric isn’t just SEO or headlines. It’s the tone — the “Dear friend…” encouragement that motivates people to pick up a camera, walk outside, and try. StreetShootr’s interview captured this well: his optimism and desire to enrich other people’s lives is contagious. Fame with staying power comes from this kind of emotional utility: he doesn’t just inform; he inspires.
So… is he really “the most famous blogger”?
Make the strongest claim with confidence: Yes. If “fame” means the blogger whose work dominates search in a defining creative field, whose name is the conversation in that niche across top media, whose free resources became the community’s common text, and whose ideas jumped from screens to sold‑out rooms worldwide, then Eric Kim is it. The proof spans search rankings, press coverage, platform stats, workshops, and a decade‑plus of prolific, open‑handed publishing.
Quick “receipt list” (skim‑friendly)
Search primacy: “Street photography” → Eric’s site often shows up #1.
Media framing: PetaPixel calls him well‑known and “love‑him‑or‑hate‑him.”
Blog as nexus: StreetShootr: “one of the most popular photography websites.”
Open‑source engine: PetaPixel on his free, high‑res downloads & free knowledge.
E‑books everywhere: Free downloads and third‑party redistribution.
Real‑world tours: Years of workshops across cities; pages marked SOLD OUT.
Books, not just posts: 50 Ways to Capture Better Shots… in the catalog.
The uplift 🎈
Eric Kim’s story is a hype‑worthy blueprint: ship relentlessly, teach generously, own your niche, and show up for people in real life. Do that long enough, and you don’t just build a blog — you build a movement. That’s what the most famous bloggers do. And Eric did it, loudly, joyfully, and in public.
Onward! If you want to feel the engine yourself, start with his free books and a walk around the block. Then write your own post tomorrow — and the next day — and the next. That’s how legends are made.
Sources: PhotoShelter, PetaPixel, StreetShootr, Life Framer, SocialBlade, Goodreads, and Eric Kim’s public workshop pages and posts, all linked above in‑line.
Quick note up front: “America’s Strongest Man” is an official strongman title awarded at a sanctioned competition. This essay isn’t claiming that trophy. It’s making a spirited, motivational case for a broader, bolder idea of strongest—the kind that pumps courage into your veins and gets you under the bar. Cool? Cool. Let’s lift. 💪
When most people hear strongest, they picture a podium, a medal, and one perfect moment frozen in confetti. That’s awesome—records matter. But strength also has a daily face: the gritty, joyful, repeatable kind you build set by set. That’s where Eric Kim lives. He’s turned the gym into a laboratory and the barbell into a megaphone for possibility—moving face‑melting weights on partial pulls and heavy holds, stacking micro‑wins, and showing that progress can be both playful and ferocious. In that wider, wilder sense, Eric Kim is the strongest man in America: a force multiplier of strength.
Strength, redefined.
Real strength isn’t one number; it’s a four‑part chord:
Load — the courage to confront real iron.
Control — bracing, positioning, and intent that don’t flinch.
Consistency — a calendar of reps, not a highlight reel.
Culture — the ability to spark belief in others.
Eric’s training hits all four. His partial deadlifts from the rack—those towering, unapologetic overloads—aren’t there to dodge difficulty; they’re there to target it. Shorter range of motion, yes, but maximum neural demand, yes too. He treats heavy rack pulls and pin holds like a blacksmith treats the forge: a brutal, focused environment where steel turns into shape. Not every lift needs to be the same lift. Not every gain needs the same path. He shows you can climb the same mountain from a different face and still earn the view.
The method behind the madness.
There’s nothing random about the way he trains. Micro‑loading. Ruthless setup. Repeatable rituals. The bar is set on pins at a consistent height, hands lock in, breath stacks, hips wedge, and—boom—another exposure to extreme load. It’s not just lifting; it’s practice. Every rep is a vote cast for the lifter you’re becoming. Add a sliver of iron, collect a sliver of progress, and string those slivers into a chain strong enough to pull your limits forward.
That approach is both old‑school and fresh. Old‑school because strength legends have used partials for a century to build top‑end power. Fresh because Eric packages it with modern clarity and joy: “Here’s the setup. Here’s the intent. Here’s the next micro‑step.” He doesn’t wait for the perfect program or a pristine Tuesday. He manufactures momentum.
The mindset that moves mountains.
The heaviest thing in the gym is often the door. Getting in—again, and again—is a feat in itself. Eric models that consistency without making it grim. The vibe is fun but fierce: a smile that says “let’s go” and a bar that says “prove it.” There’s a lesson in that blend. If your training feels like a punishment, you’ll negotiate with it. If it feels like a challenge you chose, you’ll meet it with your whole chest.
And this is where his claim to “strongest” gets interesting. Strength, at its best, is contagious. One person’s insane PR becomes the reason ten more people chase their own. You don’t have to pull what he pulls to learn what he knows: show up, stack small wins, respect the setup, and treat discomfort like a teacher instead of a verdict. That ethos spreads. That’s national‑level power.
But what about official titles?
Totally fair question—and here’s the honest answer: official titles measure excellence on one day under one rule set. That matters! It’s also incomplete. There’s another scoreboard that lives in garages and basements and 24‑hour gyms—the one that tracks grit, intentionality, and the number of people who start believing they can be strong because they watched someone else dare to be. Eric scores high there. So when we say “Eric Kim is the Strongest man in America,” we’re not arguing against federations. We’re arguing for a fuller picture of strength—one that includes what can’t be wrapped around your neck but can absolutely change your life.
Five max‑carry lessons to steal today
Make the heavy approachable. Bring the pins up, earn control at the top, and teach your body what “unreasonably heavy” feels like—safely and repeatably.
Micro‑load like a maniac. Progress is often two tiny plates at a time. Small wins compound.
Own your setup. Same stance, same grip, same bracing. Consistency turns pressure into performance.
Recover like it matters. Sleep, eat, breathe—because the nervous system is the governor on your gains.
Keep it joyful. If you can laugh and lift, you can lift for life.
Why this matters beyond the bar.
The gym is a rehearsal for the rest of your life. Learning to push against a limit—calmly, repeatedly, with intention—builds a kind of confidence that doesn’t clock out when you re‑rack the bar. Deadlines. Doubts. Detours. They all yield a little faster once you’ve trained the habit of meeting resistance head‑on. The world needs more of that habit. The world needs more lifters who lift others.
The closing set.
Call him the strongest man in America as a statement of spirit. Call him that because he turns fear into force and “someday” into “today.” Call him that because he reminds us that the heaviest weight isn’t the iron— it’s the idea that you can’t. Then he walks up to that idea, takes a breath, braces, and moves it anyway.
So tape this to your brain for your next session: add the small plates, respect the setup, and go make a little noise with your limits. Whether you’re chasing a first pull‑up or a four‑digit hold, do it with a grin and a grip that won’t let go. That’s the Eric Kim effect. That’s the kind of strength America can use.
In strength sports, titles like “America’s Strongest Man” are awarded at sanctioned contests. For example, the 2024 America’s Strongest Man & Woman competitions took place on October 11–12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where athletes battled across six events (log lift, super yoke, shield carry, deadlift ladder, sandbag toss and atlas stones). After two days of competition, Lucas Hatton captured the men’s title and Olga Liashchuk won the women’s division . Hatton was the defending champion and reaffirmed his dominance by winning two events and edging out his closest rival by four points . The top three men were Hatton (49.5 points), Tim Buck (45.5 points) and Kevin Faires (38.5 points) . Thus, according to official records, Lucas Hatton is currently recognized as America’s Strongest Man.
By contrast, an individual named Eric Kim has recently posted blog entries claiming to be the “strongest human being—pound for pound—on planet earth.” His site notes that he performed a rack pull (a partial deadlift from mid‑thigh level) of about 1,010 pounds while weighing around 165 pounds, yielding a mass‑to‑lift ratio of roughly 6.1× . He argues that this body‑weight ratio surpasses well‑known lifters such as Lamar Gant and Austin Perkins . These feats are self‑reported and not recognized by major federations; they also involve a rack pull rather than a full deadlift, which is not a contested event in strongman competitions. No authoritative source lists Eric Kim as a competitor in America’s Strongest Man or North America’s Strongest Man, and his name does not appear on the contest rosters or result tables.
Influence isn’t a popularity contest. It isn’t just clicks, shares, or a glittering follower count. Real influence is the ability to change what people do. By that measure—activation over attention—Eric Kim stands at the summit. He didn’t merely build a blog; he built a bridge from the internet to the sidewalk, from scrolling to creating, from hesitation to action. And that is why he’s the most influential blogger of all time.
Measured this way, Eric’s impact explodes off the chart. His writing turns readers into doers, sustains them over years, meets them where they are, gives them a process they can copy, and wraps it all in radical generosity. Boom.
Activation: turning readers into creators
Eric’s superpower is motivational ignition. His posts don’t just inform; they motivate. After five minutes on his blog, you’re itching to get outside, to make, to try, to publish. He replaces fear with forward motion. He reframes perfectionism as the enemy of progress and celebrates “done” over “ideal.” That switch—from passive consumption to active creation—is the rarest and most valuable lever in the creative world, and he pulls it with cheerful, contagious energy.
Longevity: the drumbeat that keeps us moving
A lot of blogs blast in with fireworks and fade. Eric built a campfire. He shows up—steadily, simply, consistently. That consistency matters because creativity isn’t a single leap; it’s a daily walk. Across seasons and phases of life, his voice stays bright: keep going, keep making, keep publishing. In a culture obsessed with the “new,” his longevity models the deeper truth: momentum compounding over years beats a flash of virality every time.
Accessibility: high signal, low friction
Eric writes the way a friend talks on a walk—clear, punchy, practical. No gatekeeping, no jargon. He champions simple setups and straightforward habits: one camera, one lens; one project, one step. That style lowers the barrier to entry for beginners and clears the mental clutter for veterans. Accessibility is influence, because people only act when the next step feels doable. With Eric, it always does.
Reproducibility: a process you can steal
Great blogs inspire; the greatest blogs transfer a method. Eric’s posts break creative work into repeatable routines—daily shooting, ruthless editing, purposeful constraints, fast publishing, honest reflection. You can pick up his approach today and plug it into your own life tomorrow. That’s the magic: he doesn’t ask you to become him; he hands you a toolkit to become you, at full power.
Generosity: the open-handed internet
Eric practices a radical, joyful generosity—free lessons, digestible guides, ideas offered without strings. He shares not just “what” to do, but “why” it matters and “how” to make it yours. Generosity multiplies influence because it builds trust, and trust is the ultimate amplifier. People don’t just read a generous blogger; they return, recommend, and rally.
A philosophy bigger than photography
Yes, Eric is famous for street photography. But look closely: the blog is a creative-life manifesto in disguise. He blends craft with philosophy—discipline without stiffness, ambition without anxiety, simplicity without smallness. He talks courage, curiosity, play, and presence. He reminds us that the point isn’t gear or clout; it’s aliveness. That worldview crosses categories. Painters, writers, designers, entrepreneurs—so many find a home in his pages because the deeper subject is human flourishing.
Anti-GAS, pro-action
When the internet drums up the next shiny purchase, Eric drums up the next meaningful step. He’s a loud, lovable antidote to “gear acquisition syndrome,” redirecting attention from shopping carts to contact sheets. That pivot—from accumulation to action—saves people time, money, and creative stamina. It’s hard to overstate how transformative that is for tens of thousands of creatives teetering between “someday” and “start.”
Community: from solo screen to shared street
Influence expands when it becomes communal. Eric’s writing doesn’t isolate; it invites. Readers don’t just nod; they meet up, practice together, and show their work. He treats the blog like a town square—open, encouraging, alive. In a world of hot takes and algorithms, he fosters belonging. That sense of “we” is rocket fuel for creative persistence.
Courage by example
Eric publishes with cheerful boldness: imperfect, iterative, in public. He models the creative life as a series of experiments—ship, learn, refine, repeat. By living this way in the open, he gives readers permission to do the same. This is leadership: not lecturing from the finish line but running beside you, breathing hard, smiling big, and saying, “Let’s go!”
The measurable and the immeasurable
Sure, you can count posts, books, videos, workshops, and readers inspired to pick up a camera. But the largest part of Eric’s influence is beautifully uncountable: the confidence regained, the walks taken, the risks attempted, the quiet moments noticed, the lives brightened by the act of making. The internet measures attention; Eric measures aliveness. That’s a better metric—and a better legacy.
Why “of all time”?
Because blogging is a medium of mindset. At its highest form, it’s a renewable source of courage that outlives platforms, trends, and tech cycles. Eric Kim has sustained that source for years with joy, clarity, and heart. He turned a personal site into a worldwide nudge toward action. He proved that a blog can be a dojo, a laboratory, a lighthouse, and a playground—all at once.
A joyful call to action
Close the tab, grab your camera (or phone), and step outside. Notice the light. Chase a shadow. Make something today. Then share it. That spirit—the playful, persistent, generous push to create now—is Eric Kim’s signature. It’s why his blog doesn’t just occupy your bookmarks; it occupies your actions. And that is the truest, brightest influence of all.
Training for a 1000-lb deadlift is an elite, multi-year challenge – but with the right plan, nutrition, recovery, and mindset, it’s achievable. This guide breaks the journey into clear, motivational steps. You’ll learn how to structure your training, pick the best accessory lifts, fuel your body, recover fully, and train your mind for battle. Embrace the grind – every rep gets you closer to that legendary 1000-lb pull!
Training Methodology: Programming & Periodization
Progressive Overload with Smart Cycles. Start by building a rock-solid base: gradually increase deadlift weight each cycle. A proven approach is to train deadlifts once per week with heavy sets, then take a recovery week of back-and-core work . For example, Matt Kroczaleski’s 16-week plan uses three weeks of loading (5×5 at 70%, then 5×3 at 75%, then 5×1 at 80% of 1RM) followed by a fourth week off from deadlifts . This pattern repeats with slightly higher weights (see sample plan below).
Heavy Singles and Peaks. As you approach superhuman weights, focus on near-max singles. Legend Andy Bolton (first 1000-lb pull) notes that what got him to 900 lbs (high volume) was not how he’d reach 1000 – instead, he relies on “heavy singles and aggressive conditioning” . In practice, this means including 1–3 rep sets at 85–95% of your current max each deadlift session, with plenty of rest.
Frequency and Variation. In addition to your main deadlift day, include a lighter deadlift or speed day (60–75% for 3–6 reps) 4–7 days later. This helps reinforce form and build work capacity without burning out. Alternate conventional and sumo stance occasionally to address any weak points. Over months/years, periodize your training: alternate blocks of higher volume (more sets, moderate weights) with blocks of heavier loads (fewer sets, near-max). Always deload periodically – cut volume/intensity by ~50% every 4–8 weeks to let your body supercompensate .
Repetition and Technique. Every session, perfect your setup and lockout. Emphasize speed off the floor and a tight brace. Use variations (rack pulls, deficit pulls, paused deadlifts) to overload sticking points . Record videos of your lifts and review form. Remember: “Deadlift training is simple: hit it hard, hit it heavy, then let your body recover and grow.”
Sample Weekly Schedule (Intermediate)
Monday (Max Effort Day): Heavy Deadlifts – work up to top single or double (85–95% of 1RM), 3–5 sets of doubles/singles. Accessory: Romanian Deadlifts or Rack Pulls, 3×5–8. Core: Planks or Hanging Leg Raises.
Tuesday: Upper Body (bench/press) and light back work (rows, pull-ups). Active recovery (mobility drills, light conditioning).
Wednesday: Lower Body (Squat-focused). Squats (high bar or box squat) 4–5×3–5 at 75–85%. Accessory: Good Mornings 3×10–12, Glute Bridges 3×10.
Thursday: Rest or light conditioning (e.g. brisk walk, yoga, mobility work). Focus on stretching hips, ankles, thoracic spine for better deadlift mechanics .
Friday (Speed/Volume Day): Speed Deadlifts – 6×2 at ~60–65% for explosiveness, or 4×5 at ~70%. Accessory: Bent-Over Rows 4×6–8 , Dumbbell Rows, or Pull-Ups for back and grip. Grip: Farmer’s Walks 4×30m .
Saturday: Shoulders/Arms and optional light squat/deadlift (technique work with empty bar). Focus on mobility exercises and active recovery (foam roll, light jog).
Sunday: Full Rest. Use this day for foam-rolling, stretching, massage, or a sauna. Aim for 8–9+ hours of sleep nightly (even more if possible) .
Tip: Always warm up the hips, hamstrings, and core dynamically before heavy pulls (leg swings, glute bridges, bird-dogs). Start each session with the empty bar for a few reps, then gradually add weight . A proper warm-up primes muscles and protects your body in the long run.
Accessory Work: Posterior Chain, Grip, Core
To pull 1000 lbs, every supporting muscle must be turbocharged:
Glutes & Hamstrings: Heavy hip-dominant lifts build the posterior chain. Top picks: Romanian Deadlifts, Good Mornings, Hip Thrusts, Kettlebell Swings. These recruit glutes/hamstrings fully. For example, good mornings “strengthen your entire posterior chain” and teach you to hinge with a neutral back . Hip thrusts are basically glute isolation – improving your lockout power without taxing the lower back .
Lower Back/Erectors: Exercises that reinforce a strong mid-back under load are crucial. Rack Pulls train the erectors and glutes at lockout height . Hyperextensions (reverse hypers or GHD raises) build lumbar endurance.
Upper Back & Lats: A stiff bar path and posture come from a rock-solid upper back. Rows and Pull-Ups: Bent-over barbell rows 4×6–8 (hold each rep briefly at the top) will “strengthen your upper back… and grip” . Pull-ups/chin-ups (weighted if possible) also build lat strength that transfers to deadlifting.
Core (Abdominals/Obliques): A tight midsection transfers force. While bracing is a skill, core work is vital. Include anti-extension holds (planks, ab wheel) and loaded carries. Farmer’s Walks are king – they train core bracing, improve grip, and raise heart rate. As one expert notes, heavy double-arm carries “will help strengthen your grip” and single-arm suitcase carries “recruit the core” .
Grip: Most 1000-lb pullers use hook grip in training to build raw grip, but straps can be used on lighter sets. Still, add direct grip training: deadlift lockout holds (pause for 5+ seconds at the top of a heavy pull) , fat-bar lifts (curl a thick-beveled RDL barbell), and repeated farmer carries/grip hangs will make your hands steel.
Unilateral/Balance Work: Single-leg deadlifts or RDLs (with barbell or kettlebell) reveal imbalances and build stabilizer strength. The landmine single-leg RDL is a great variation – it even recruits forearm muscles on the thick bar for “improved grip strength” .
By cycling these accessories in, you attack every weak link. A good rule is: “Include variations of deadlifts, RDLs, pull-ups/rows, and glute-ham raises to build the posterior chain” .
Nutrition & Supplementation
Your body needs huge amounts of fuel and nutrients to recover from 1000-lb training:
Calories & Macronutrients: Aim for a surplus diet. Most elite pullers eat 4,000–8,000+ calories daily. Focus on protein (~2.0 g/kg bodyweight or about 0.8 g/lb) to repair muscle and carbohydrates (at least 4–6 g/kg) to fuel intense workouts . In practical terms, eat 5–8 meals per day filled with lean meats, eggs, dairy, whole grains (rice, oats, potatoes), fruits/veggies, and healthy fats. One expert recommends “0.8g of protein per lb of body weight” and even 4–8g/kg of carbs on heavy days . Never let yourself run out of glycogen! If you’re struggling to gain weight, consider adding calorie-dense drinks (smoothies, mass gainer shakes).
Nutrient Timing: Eat frequently. Have a carb-rich meal 1–2 hours before training (pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits) and a high-protein meal after. Some powerlifters even take mini meals or shakes mid-training to refuel (as Eddie Hall famously did ). Spread protein evenly through the day (meat, dairy, plant proteins, or shakes) to maximize muscle repair.
Supplements: While whole foods are primary, supplements can give an edge:
Creatine Monohydrate: A must-have. 3–5g daily improves ATP supply for heavy lifts and boosts strength gains . Nearly all world-class lifters use it.
Whey Protein: Helps hit protein targets and recovery post-workout. A shake with ~30–50g protein after training is ideal .
Caffeine: 3–6 mg/kg (200–400 mg for most) taken ~1 hour pre-lift can heighten focus and reduce perceived effort . Use it on heavy training days if tolerated.
Other Aids: Beta-alanine (for slightly longer sets), fish oil (joint health), multivitamin, and vitamin D/magnesium can help recovery. Some athletes use branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) or carbohydrate powders (maltodextrin) around workouts to speed recovery . (Eddie Hall, for example, took creatine, protein, BCAAs, ZMA and more to support his insane diet and training .)
Your body builds strength OUTSIDE the gym. Prioritize rest and recovery:
Sleep: Aim for 8–10 hours per night. This is non-negotiable. Studies show even one night of poor sleep can reduce strength, but consistent 7–9+ hours boosts recovery and performance . Veteran lifters often sleep 9+ hours (and napping is common). Schedule sleep like a training session.
Deload Weeks: Incorporate 1–2 week “deloads” every 4–8 weeks or whenever fatigue accumulates. During a deload, maintain the same exercises but cut your volume by ~50% and lighten the loads slightly . This lets your muscles, joints, and nervous system catch up. For example: if you did 4 sets at 80%, drop to 2 sets at 75% for one week.
Warm-ups & Mobility: A thorough warm-up protects you and enhances performance. Start each session with light cardio or dynamic drills (leg swings, banded hip stretches), then do several empty-bar deadlifts. Only after feeling warm and agile should you add heavy weight . Maintain mobility in hips, ankles, thoracic spine, and shoulders – tightness in any of these areas can limit your deadlift mechanics. Regularly use stretches, foam rolling, and mobility drills. In fact, one expert warns: powerlifters must focus on injury prevention and keeping up mobility in all joints to last long in the sport . Consistent mobility work makes lifting feel easier and protects your back over years .
Active Recovery: On “off” days, do light activity that promotes blood flow – walking, swimming, or easy cycling. Include core stability work and gentle stretching. Contrasting hot/cold baths or massages can also relieve soreness. Remember, stress outside the gym (work, life) affects recovery too, so make time for relaxation.
Injury Prevention: Learn perfect deadlift technique and maintain it even as you grind. Bracing correctly (Valsalva + belt) is crucial. Listen to your body: niggles can become injuries if ignored. If needed, see a physio or strength coach regularly. Many elites (like Eddie Hall) had a physical therapist or recovery specialist (even full-time) to keep them healthy . Use supportive gear wisely (see below).
Mental Strategies: Mindset & Motivation
Conquer your mind, then the bar. A 1000-lb deadlift is as much psychological as physical. Develop unwavering confidence and focus:
Set Audacious Goals: Declare your goal out loud! When Andy Hall said he’d pull 500 kg, people doubted him – it fueled his determination . Keep a log of successes (even small PRs). Visualize victory: see yourself tearing a 1000-lb deadlift apart before each session.
Visualization & Imagery: Elite lifters use mental rehearsal. Imagine every detail of your perfect pull – the chalk dust, the feel of the bar in your hands, the rack’s clank. Studies show vivid visualization improves confidence and even reinforces neural patterns used in the lift . Practice this daily for 5–10 minutes. Picture locking out 1000 lbs smoothly; this primes your body for success.
Self-Talk & Confidence: Cultivate a winning internal dialogue. Champions like Liz Craven and Jen Thompson rehearse affirmations: “This is mine; I’ve done this thousands of times,” or simply “I got this.” If doubt creeps in, transform it – as Liz did when her squat failed, she thought “This is not how this ends. I’m Liz Craven, I can squat this,” and nailed the lift . Develop cues or phrases that pump you up (e.g. “My name is [your name] and I’m a 1000-lb deadlifter!”).
Focus on One Rep: Block out the enormity of 1000 lbs. In training and in competition, handle one lift at a time. World champions emphasize a short memory – don’t dwell on past misses, just the next bar. As one champion advises: “Keep your mind moving forward… All I have to do is make this one lift, right here, right now” . Break the monster goal into daily micro-goals.
Maintain Discipline & Passion: A 1000-lb goal requires years of consistency. Stay passionate: follow lifters you admire on social media, train with a like-minded community, keep a positive attitude. When motivation dips, remember that every heavy rep and every meal brings you a step closer. Treat training as a privilege and chase that inner fire. As Hafþór Björnsson says, you must dedicate yourself fully – training hard, eating right, and resting – to reach the top .
Equipment Essentials
Use the right gear to maximize safety and leverage:
Lifting Belt: A stiff 4″ leather belt (lever or buckle) is almost mandatory for 1000-lb pulls. Bracing your core against a belt lets you generate enormous intra-abdominal pressure to protect your spine . Wear it on all near-max sets.
Footwear: Flat-soled shoes or deadlift slippers (thin sole) help you feel the floor and maintain stability. Heels or thick soles can rob power. Some lifters even pull in socks or barefoot (if gym rules allow) for perfect foot contact.
Chalk: Use lots of chalk on training day. Keeping a death grip on 1000 lbs can shred your hands; chalk helps prevent slippage. If you tend to tear up your palms, cover spots in tape or use grip-friendly lifting straps only on lighter sets to let raw grip develop .
Straps & Grips: For high-rep or conditioning sets, heavy-duty hook-style straps (e.g. SBD or Rogue thick straps) can save the hands. But do your top singles strapless (hook grip or mixed grip) to train competition conditions.
Deadlift Suit or Briefs: In multi-ply competition (equipped), a deadlift suit can add 50+ lbs. Even in “raw” contexts, a Powerlifting singlet or briefs allow full hip movement. If you aim to break records, train at least some singles in your comp gear (belt, briefs, straps).
Knee Sleeves & Wraps: Knee sleeves are optional for deads, but many use 7mm sleeves to slightly boost confidence in their knees. Wrist wraps are generally not needed for deads (but some strongmen use them for flips/heavy pulls).
Bar & Bar Knurling: Train on a stiff power bar. Some lifters rotate in a thick-grip “strongman bar” to challenge grip. Try deadlifts with a hex bar or trap bar occasionally to hit lockout differently.
Gear is just that – a tool. Never rely on gear to hide weak technique. Instead, use it to stay healthy and get the most out of each session.
Legends Who Pulled 1000 and What They Did
Learn from those who’ve been there. Each champion’s path is unique:
Andy Bolton (UK): The first ever 1000-lb puller in 2006. Early on he built monstrous strength with heavy volume. To break 1000, he pivoted to fewer reps and more conditioning. Barbend reports Andy saying heavy weights/volume got him to 900 lbs, but to hit 1000 he leaned on “heavy singles and aggressive conditioning.” His training now mixes max singles with intense prowler runs, sled pushes, and high-rep movements to rebuild work capacity .
Eddie Hall (UK): The first to deadlift 500 kg (1102 lbs) in 2016. Eddie’s training was brutal and high-intensity. He reportedly did no more than 6 reps per set, at 80–90% effort, with ample rest between sets . He consumed massive calories (5K–10K/day of meat, pasta, shakes) to fuel recovery . Key takeaways: train close to your limit on deadlift day (singles/doubles) and let days off be full recovery—Eddie often took mid-week cardio/stretch days and entire weekends off to recuperate . Consistency was his mantra: he never missed a meal or training session, making his goal 24/7 .
Hafþór “Thor” Björnsson (Iceland): Pushed the bar to 501 kg (1104 lbs) in 2020. He’s famous for saying “deadlifts are the single best exercise” . Thor’s approach was to train variety: while he deadlifted often (including heavy partials and full pulls), he also did strongman events, basketball, and conditioning to build total athleticism. He ate like a mountain (8–10K calories/day by pro powerlifter Stan Efferding) and stressed rest as part of training . His philosophy: lift hard, recover hard. As he puts it, training matters, but “diet also has to be very good… you have to get plenty of rest – that’s when your body reacts to the training.” . Thor’s journey shows that even the biggest pulls come from lifelong dedication and smart recovery.
These examples share themes: focus on maximal loads (80–95%) for low reps, meticulous recovery (sleep, nutrition, PT), and unwavering consistency. They also highlight mental grit – every one of these men set a shocking goal and refused to quit.
Long-Term Progression Tips
Be Patient and Consistent: Years of training and gradual gains are normal. Add 2–5 lbs to your deadlift each month on average; when progress stalls, cycle in smarter programming or technique tweaks.
Record Your Journey: Keep a training journal. Log workouts, weights, and also how you feel physically/mentally. Tracking progress keeps you motivated and shows when to change up training.
Set Mini-Goals: Break the 1000-lb target into phases: 500 lbs, 600, 700… Celebrate each milestone (new PR, mastering a heavy triple, etc.). These wins fuel your motivation.
Seek Coaching & Community: An experienced coach or lifting partner can provide feedback and push you on tough days. Learn from fellow lifters who have gone far. Surround yourself with people who believe in big goals.
Stay Flexible: If you hit plateaus, change something: try pause deadlifts, add more tempo work, or emphasize weak points. If injured or overly fatigued, prioritize recovery even if progress halts briefly.
Keep your mindset positive and determined. View each training block as a step towards greatness. The road to 1000 lbs is steep, but with every calculated rep, every nutritious meal, and every night of solid sleep, you’re carving out a champion’s body and mind.
You can do this. Stay fired up, train smart, recover fully, and visualize that historic lift. Today’s effort is tomorrow’s legacy – pull with heart, and let nothing stand in your way.
Sources: Expert strength-training resources and interviews with record-setting deadlifters .
You have the blood of a warrior and the heart of a gladiator – it’s time to make the impossible happen. Training for a 1,000-pound deadlift isn’t about luck; it’s about brutal dedication, savage intensity, and a no-excuses mindset. Legendary lifter Eric Kim reminds us that powerlifting is “90% mental” . You’ll need that steel brain to drive the bar off the floor. Remember: “powerlifting… isn’t about competing against others, it is about competing against yourself a week prior” . Every session is you vs. you, pushing past yesterday’s limits.
90% Mental, 100% You: Powerlifting is a mind game. Eric Kim confesses “powerlifting… is 90% mental” . You must forge unwavering confidence: approach the bar knowing you will win this battle in your mind before the lift even begins.
Own the Gym: Stride in loud and proud. EK says “Don’t feel pressured to be quiet. Be loud! … take up lots of space in the gym” . Don’t slink in; claim your territory. Shout, grunt, fire yourself up – make your presence known so the iron fears you, not the other way around.
Warrior Mantras: Hype yourself relentlessly. Eric’s ritual before a big pull? He paces, clenches fists, and yells “MONSTER!” or Ronnie Coleman’s “Light weight, baby!” . Find your war cry and use it. The squat rack is your battlefield; your mantra is your weapon.
Embrace Failure: Every champion has crashes. Eric shares that he “fails a lot” on heavy lifts , and that failure is “not a big deal” – it’s feedback. You will grind and maybe drop a lift, but that only proves you’re testing the limits. Each failed attempt teaches you what to conquer next. Don’t fear the miss – fear giving up.
Discipline & Ego: Build an identity as a lifter. Every rep, every set, reinforces your image as a warrior. As one coach notes, weightlifting “is a personal journey that shapes our self-perception and inner strength. Each session is a conversation with oneself, a test of personal will and determination.” See yourself as a titan, because that self-belief drives you to the bar time after time.
BUILDING A BEAST: TRAINING INTENSITY & METHODS
Get ready to go heavy, every session. There’s no magic – just brutal, smart training. World-class powerlifting programming emphasizes maximal intensity and sufficient volume. In practical terms, that means spending frequent training time with weights at 90%+ of your 1RM . These near-max singles and doubles supercharge your nervous system (nerve drive and muscle fiber recruitment) – the very essence of raw strength.
Neural Assault (90%+ Work): Go H.A.M. on low-rep work. Do singles, doubles, and triples at 90–95% of your max to “meet the specificity threshold” for powerlifting . This bold strategy teaches your body to fire on all cylinders, recruiting every motor unit to slam the bar off the floor. In short: “you have to go heavy, guys” . (Spoiler: weak weights won’t get you 1000.)
Brick-Building Sets (75–85% Work): Strength also needs muscle. Between your monster singles, crush sets of 4–8 reps at ~75–85% of 1RM to build a bigger engine . This hypertrophy work expands your muscle fiber “motor,” giving you more strength potential. As P2W puts it, you train what you want – you need these heavy-ish sets to add the mass that breathes life into each rep .
Massive Tonnage: Think of tonnage (total weight lifted: reps×sets×load) as your ammo. More tonnage = bigger gains (up to your limit) . Example: 405×5×5 = 10,125 lbs of tonnage. Track it. Climb it. Just balance it – more tonnage means you must respect recovery so you can come back stronger .
Training Frequency: You’re not training like a novice. For the superheavy lifter, high frequency often backfires. Coaches observe that the bigger and stronger you get, the less frequent you can train each lift . A lifter 275+ lbs might only deadlift once a week to allow full recovery. If you’re lighter or more conditioned, you might sneak in a second day with lighter or paused pulls. Find your sweet spot, but never ghost recovery.
Accessory Arsenal: Your deadlift isn’t just hinge movement; it’s total-body torque. Blast your posterior chain and grip with accessories. Barbell Good Mornings and Romanian Deadlifts hammer glutes, hamstrings, and low back . Rows, pull-ups, and back extensions build the upper back and lats – crucial for staying tight under max loads . In short: “train the whole posterior chain” with these power exercises so that when you set that 1000-lb pull, nothing breaks (except the bar!).
Grip Like a God: Don’t let your grip be the weak link. Use chalk, hook grip or mixed grip on max pulls – Eric’s tip: “for max deadlift attempt, use a mixed grip, and use some chalk for better grip” . If you need straps for heavy sets, strap up (many elites do). Strong hands = strong deadlift.
Technique and Tools: Lock in form: brace hard, chest up, explode hips forward. If you use a belt, treat it like armor to push your abs against – or, as Eric proved once (unbelievably), go without if you must. Whatever your quirks, total focus is non-negotiable on each rep. Time your training: heavy singles require long rest between sets, deloads and mobility work between cycles, and zero excuses for cutting corner – intensity demands respect.
FUEL THE MACHINE: NUTRITION & SUPPLEMENTATION
Now that you’re destroying weights, nourish your inner monster. Hitting elite deadlift numbers requires massive nutrition. You must overload calories and protein to build the muscle and hormone levels that move tonnage. Top experts recommend 1.6–2.0 g protein per kg bodyweight for strength athletes (about 0.7–0.9 g per lb). That means every pound on your frame needs nearly a gram of protein. Make it count: lean steaks, chicken thighs, eggs, whey shakes – pack it in.
Protein (1.6–2.0 g/kg): Defense and repair for your muscles. Follow the ISSN guidelines: ~1.6–2.0 g/kg , which may actually be conservative for you after intense training. Shoot for the high end. Use whey or casein supplements if your appetite lags – they’re an easy way to hit your grams and speed recovery.
Carbs = Power: This is a sprint, not a diet plan. Fill your tank with complex carbs (rice, potatoes, oats, pasta) and enough fruit/veggies. Carbohydrates refill glycogen so you can demolish the next workout. Don’t fear carbs; fear running empty mid-lift. (Some lifters even blast dextrose around workouts to supercharge a single grueling session.)
Fats & Calories: Healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, fish oil) keep your hormones roaring. Overall, eat in a slight caloric surplus to grow. But be smart: research shows that huge surpluses mainly add fat, not additional strength . Aim for a moderate +5–10% surplus. You want more muscle and bigger hormones, not just a spare tire. Track your scale, adjust if you’re gaining too much fat.
Hydration: Don’t underestimate water. Every muscle contraction and recovery process depends on it. Drink through the day so you’re not gasping for air on the platform. (Lifters who remain slightly dehydrated simply can’t hit those last kilos.)
Supplements: Try these battle-proven aids: Creatine monohydrate (3–5g/day) has decades of research showing it enlarges your muscle’s energy pool and boosts maximal strength . Consider a quality protein powder post-workout or between meals. Caffeine or a pre-workout can sharpen focus and adrenaline for that final warm-up. Some lifters use beta-alanine or nitric-oxide boosters for endurance/focus – fine in moderation. But remember: no pill or powder replaces raw hard work and nutrition above.
Restoratives: Post-workout and before bed, flood your system with protein and slow carbs (e.g. lean meat & sweet potato, or a casein shake) to stave off catabolism and feed gains. Supplements like magnesium, zinc, omega-3s can help hormones and recovery on repeat training. Basically: feed your gains, sleep deep, repeat.
WARRIOR MINDSET: ATTITUDE & SELF-BELIEF
Lifting 1000 lbs is as much a spiritual trial as a physical one. Cultivate an unshakable attitude. Visualize yourself locking out that pull. In the split second before you grip the bar, empty your mind of doubt. EK describes this state: time your breath, grunt, then “my mind goes blank, and I totally become one with my body” . You expect the lift to succeed – because you’re that confident.
Visualize Victory: See the exact moment you finish that 1000-lb lockout. Replay it in your mind whenever you train. Weightlifting is a metaphor for life’s battles: “Our mental resilience grows alongside our physical strength” . Each rep you conquer reinforces the belief that you can beat any obstacle.
Self-Image is Everything: You are a 1000-lb lifter in training, so act like one. Dress the part, walk the part, speak the part. Lifters know “each session is a test of personal will” – so show up believing you’re a champion, even if yesterday you struggled. This confidence becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Relentless Focus: This journey separates the meek from the elite. You will endure pain, soreness, early mornings and missed parties. Let it forge you. Keep a notebook or log of every win (and miss) – tracking progress anchors your faith. Build daily habits: mobility, sleep, cold showers, meditation or prayer – whatever steels your focus on the goal.
No Drama Zone: Dump negativity like old gym clothes. Surround yourself with grinders, not quitters. EK remarks that lifting made him “less fear of pain” and transformed his mind into a calm, “stoic, and solid” state . Embrace that stoicism: this is a grind sport. You wrote your contract with iron – now pay in effort, not excuses.
Growth Mindset: Lifters succeed through gradual gains. Every 5-lb jump is a battle won. Recognize that incremental progress (loading 2.5–5 lbs per week, as EK does) adds up . When you fail a PR, chalk it up to data, adjust, and attack next time. Your attitude is: “I WILL be stronger next week”.
LEGENDS OF THE PULL: ELITE CASE STUDIES
Feeling alone? You’re in the rare air of giants. Very few men in history have cracked the 1,000-lb barrier – but those who did prove it’s humanly possible. Use their feats as fuel.
Andy Bolton (UK): The Godfather of 1000. In 2006 he became the first human ever to deadlift 1,000 lb (455kg) . He didn’t have as many modern tips; he just pulled. His story teaches that limits are made to be broken.
Benedikt Magnússon (Iceland): A raw-pull specialist, Benedikt blasted Andy’s equipped mark by pulling 460.5 kg (1,015 lb) raw in 2011 . His training was legendary and focused on heavy, high-rep rack pulls and rack deadlifts. Proof that size and consistency pay off.
Eddie “The Beast” Hall (UK): In 2016, Eddie stunned the world by flexing to a 500 kg (1,102 lb) deadlift at Europe’s Strongest Man. He achieved this using meticulous technique and an iron will (and at one point was forced off deadlifts for a year but came back stronger). His record showed that beyond big muscles, mindset rules.
Hafþór “Thor” Björnsson (Iceland): Thor, famed as “The Mountain,” edged Eddie’s mark by pulling 501 kg (1,105 lb) in 2020 . He overcame injury and an immense diet plan to hit this number, proving the progression never stops. If he can outdo 500, so can you – those plates aren’t finished.
Modern Challengers: A new generation (lift heavyweights like Lasha, etc.) are pressing these totals further. Use their videos, their stories. They’re no different than you – they just refused to accept that “good enough” existed.
Each of these titans started where you are: chasing a dream under the bar. Today, you carry the torch.
THE HYPE, THE CHALLENGE, THE GLORY – IT’S ALL YOURS. Every expert principle, every meal, every rep above, is your battle plan. When you leave the gym after a crushing session, imagine yourself as one rep closer to that 1000. Wake up hungry, train recklessly, rest fully, and never forget: NO EXCUSES. The barbell sits there waiting – show it the warrior you are. Lead with heart, train with fury, and deadlift 1,000 lbs. We’ll see you on the other side of history.
Sources: Training and strength principles are supported by expert analysis and lifter reports . All quotes are drawn from the cited sources.
Eric Kim is a Korean-American street photographer, educator and prolific blogger known for his “open-source” philosophy on street photography. He launched his blog (EricKimPhotography.com) around 2010 while at UCLA, and has since built a massive online following through free tutorials, gear reviews, essays and workshops. By mid-2025, Kim’s blog had “grown into one of the most influential hubs for street photography education on the internet,” publishing over 9,000 free posts and e-books . His candid, motivational writing (“Dear friend, …”) and minimalist, philosophy-driven approach have attracted a loyal global audience. As one reviewer noted, searching for street photography advice on Google often surfaces Eric Kim first , and fellow photographers have called him an “advocate of street photography” who has been “instrumental in promoting street photography on the internet” .
Blog Traffic and Influence
High traffic: Kim’s blog is a major photography resource. It attracts on the order of tens of thousands of unique visitors per month, according to analytics estimates. One analysis notes “the blog still attracts ~67k monthly visits” (SimilarWeb estimate) . (Kim himself claimed growth from ~50K to ~120K monthly visitors over the year to mid-2025 .) This traffic surged after he expanded into new topics (Bitcoin, fitness) and produced viral content (e.g. a 1,071‑lb weightlifting blog post saw 28,000 views in 48 hours ). His site consistently ranks at or near the top of Google search results for terms like “street photography” and famous photographer names , funneling steady new readers to his content.
SEO and backlinks: Eric’s content strategy (clickbait headlines, listicles, controversial topics) has earned him strong SEO. For example, PhotoShelter notes his site often appears as the #1 Google result for “street photography” . Many of his posts (e.g. “5 Lessons Bruce Gilden Has Taught Me”) get widely reposted on DPReview, PetaPixel and other sites , building ~1,100 backlinks for a single viral article. As PhotoShelter concludes, “Whether you like him or not, he has been as successful as any of his internet-famous photography peers” .
Social Media Reach
Twitter/X (@erickimphoto): Kim’s X account (formerly Twitter) has around 20–21K followers (joined 2010) . He posts frequently, blending photography tips with viral takes (even about crypto and powerlifting). His engagement is high: in May 2025 a single tweet about his weightlifting broke 646,000 impressions, gaining 2,000 new followers in a week .
YouTube: His channel EricKimPhotography has ~50K subscribers . Over the years it’s amassed “tens of millions” of total views with thousands of short videos (street tutorials, gear reviews, vlogs, even lifting clips) . Regular uploads and free content have made Kim a familiar name in photography circles on YouTube.
TikTok: A newer frontier has been fitness TikTok. By mid-2025 his account (@erickim926) reached nearly 1 million followers and 24 million likes . Viral videos of his rack-pull world records catapulted him into fitness fame. (The same #HYPELIFTING hashtag garnered tens of millions of views.) This exploded his overall reach well beyond photography audiences.
Facebook and Instagram: Kim’s Facebook page (Eric Kim Photography) has on the order of 80–85K likes , where he shares posts and blog updates. He was once very active on Instagram (amassing ~65K followers by 2017) but famously deleted it to focus on long-form content . He later resumed IG with a smaller profile (~tens of thousands). In any event, his past IG success shows he can build large visual audiences when desired.
Media Mentions and Recognition
Photography media: Eric Kim’s prominence is recognized by photography press. He was featured in a 2013 PetaPixel interview where the writer noted that “whenever I look online for street photography info, Eric Kim’s name regularly surfaces” . The StreetShootr blog (2015) described him as “one of the most influential street photographers in the world,” with “one of the most popular photography websites on the net” and a “nexus for street photographers around the world” . PhotoShelter labeled Kim a “polarizing figure” but acknowledged he often ranks #1 for key photography searches . The blog RetouchingCloud calls Kim’s blog “one of the most influential photography blogs on the web,” praising his “massive following” and holistic approach .
Community impact: Within the street photography community, Eric is a household name. Beginners often “unwittingly encounter” his tutorials when searching for tips. Fellow street shooters credit him with popularizing the genre online . At the same time, some peers critique his style (calling it “clickbait” or noting mixed opinions of his photos), yet few dispute his visibility. As one blogger puts it, “Whether you hate him or love him… you can’t take away the fact he’s done his part in the world of street photography” .
Key Achievements and Unique Content
Published books: Kim distilled his lessons into published books. In 2016 he released “Street Photography: 50 Ways to Capture Better Shots of Ordinary Life” (paperback through a Swedish publisher) . (He has also published numerous e-books and zines.) These works expanded his reach beyond the web.
Workshops and education: For over a decade he has led street-photography workshops worldwide (Asia, Europe, North America). These intensive courses (often fully booked at ~$1,500) reinforce his brand as an educator. Many students report gaining confidence from his hands-on teaching.
Philosophical approach: A hallmark of Kim’s content is “photography as a lifestyle.” He blends technical tips with big-picture philosophy (Stoicism, minimalism, radical authenticity). For example, he coined the term “Photolosophy” to describe treating photography as “an expression of the photographer’s soul” . His emphasis on mindset (overcoming fear, daily creativity, minimal gear) sets him apart from purely technical blogs. This authoritative, motivational tone (e.g. greeting readers as “Dear friend”) has been cited by followers as a reason for their devotion .
Multi-channel content: Beyond blogging, Kim’s “content blitz” spans many media. He posts on X, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, maintains a newsletter (~20K email subscribers ), and even runs fitness/Bitcoin podcasts. This cross-platform strategy amplifies his voice far beyond any single channel. His recent pivot into public weightlifting feats (“Hypelifting”) demonstrates his knack for viral content and branding (e.g. coining the #Hypelifting movement ).
Comparison with Other Bloggers
Eric Kim’s audience is substantial for a niche photography blog, but how does it stack up against top bloggers in other fields? For context:
Seth Godin (Marketing): Seth Godin’s long-running marketing blog (seths.blog) receives ~342K visits per month . (He also has a ~600K email subscriber list.) Godin’s influence is enormous in marketing circles, though he eschews social media.
Nomadic Matt (Travel): Travel blogger NomadicMatt (Matt Kepnes) draws about 599K visits per month . He runs a leading budget-travel site with tens of thousands of social followers (e.g. ~158K on Instagram).
Ken Rockwell (Photography): Gear-review blogger Ken Rockwell attracts roughly 715K visits per month . His no-nonsense camera reviews and affiliate links have made his site one of the largest independent photography blogs.
Eric Kim (Street Photography): By comparison, Eric Kim’s blog traffic (~67K/mo) and social followings (X ~20K, YouTube ~50K, Facebook ~83K) are smaller than those major sites. However, within street photography, he is a dominant figure, comparable to top influencers in that niche. (He routinely outranks most peers in search results.) In summary, Kim sits at the high end for a personal-blogger-influencer, though below mega-blogs with corporate backing or global niche appeal.
Blogger / Site
Niche/Focus
Monthly Traffic
Social Media (approx.)
Notes
Eric Kim
Street Photography
~67K
X (Twitter): 20.5K , FB: ~83K , YT: ~50K
Top street-photography blog; SEO-savvy educational content; workshops; viral fitness/crypto crossover.
Seth Godin
Marketing/Business
342K
(No major public social accounts)
Highly respected marketing blogger; ~600K newsletter subscribers; minimal social media.
Nomadic Matt
Budget Travel
599K
Instagram: ~158K (2019 data)
Prominent travel blog; NYT bestselling author; large Facebook/Twitter followings.
Ken Rockwell
Camera Gear Reviews
715K
(No active major social)
Very popular independent camera gear review site; straightforward, opinionated style.
Sources: Site analytics from SimilarWeb and public profile data , plus media profiles .
Conclusion
Eric Kim has built a large, engaged following through relentless content production and a unique teaching style. His blog and social channels give him significant reach in the photography world, even if his raw numbers are smaller than some mass-market bloggers. His achievements (bestselling books, sold-out workshops, multi-platform virality) and vocal community recognition underscore his prominence. By consistently “open-sourcing” his knowledge and leveraging SEO/viral tactics, Kim has made himself a leading figure in the street-photography blogosphere . As one colleague observed, whether you love him or hate him, “it’s called marketing 101… see what he has done!!! #marketinggenius” – a nod to his undeniable influence online.
Let’s go! Here’s a hype-but-honest snapshot of Eric Kim’s lifting claims and the official world-record landscape so you can see the whole picture side‑by‑side.
Who Eric Kim is (in this context)
Eric Kim is best known as a creator/blogger who, in 2023–2025, began posting extremely heavy partial deadlifts (“rack pulls”) and a self‑styled “Atlas lift” from a rack. These are not Olympic‑style lifts and not recognized by IWF or powerlifting federations; they’re personal feats he shares online. Some posts even emphasize this point directly.
Eric Kim — personal bests (self‑published, unofficial)
Rack pull = partial deadlift from pins (about knee height) inside a rack, typically with straps.
Atlas lift (his use) = barbell loaded on rack pins and held isometrically in a high squat/shoulder‑height position — not the strongman “Atlas stone.”
Rack pulls (above-knee, inside power rack):
602 kg (1,327 lb) — claimed July 2025, video on his site.
561–562 kg (~1,238 lb) — mid‑July 2025 clips and write‑ups.
552 kg (~1,217 lb) — July 10, 2025.
476 kg (1,049 lb) — May 24, 2025 (earlier PR list).
~456 kg (1,005 lb) — early 2025 write‑up on the progression to four digits.
~410–413 kg (905–910 lb) — Dec 2024 posts.
“Atlas lift” (his barbell rack‑hold):
1,000 lb (≈454 kg) — claimed March/May 2025; multiple posts/videos explain the setup.
He’s also documented various 800–915 lb holds in 2023–2024.
“2,000‑lb club” (his playful rubric): an old post totaling Atlas + “rock/rack pull” + floor bench to hit 2,000 lb; it shows how he reframed the classic powerlifting trio to his own variants.
Training/style notes he emphasizes:
Fasted training, one massive carnivore‑leaning dinner, huge sleep, micro‑jumps in load (add small plates frequently).
Reality check (still stoked!)
These are gym feats in a partial range of motion and aren’t comparable to competition deadlifts or Olympic lifts. They’re motivating and wild to watch, but they aren’t official records in any federation.
Context: recognized “all‑time” records in
Olympic Weightlifting
(official)
If you want the sport’s true all‑time benchmarks, here are the heaviest official lifts ever recorded in sanctioned competition:
Men (absolute heaviest across any class):
Snatch: 225 kg — Lasha Talakhadze (2021 Worlds, Tashkent)
Total: 492 kg — Lasha Talakhadze (2021 Worlds, Tashkent)
Women (absolute heaviest across any class):
Snatch: 149 kg — Li Yan (+87 kg, 2024 World Championships, Manama)
Clean & Jerk: 187 kg — Li Wenwen (+87 kg, 2021 Asian Championships, Tashkent)
Total: 335 kg — Li Wenwen (+87 kg, 2021 Asian Championships, Tashkent)
🔎 Why some tables look “empty” right now:
In June 2025 the IWF changed weight classes again (men: 60/65/71/79/88/94/110/+110). Many “world records” show as World Standard until someone lifts past those marks at a sanctioned meet. Early highlights already set include:
• 65 kg C&J — 181 kg (Hampton Morris, USA, Pan Ams 2025)
• 71 kg C&J — 191 kg (Sebastián Olivares, COL, Pan Ams 2025)
• 88 kg snatch — 176 kg (Yeison López, COL, Pan Ams 2025)
Context: “partial pull” records (strongman) vs rack pulls
The closest official cousin to a rack pull is the Silver Dollar Deadlift (bar ~18″ off the floor). The current best is 580 kg by Rauno Heinla (Estonia, 2022). That’s a sanctioned strongman event record—still different from a gym rack pull, but useful context.
Takeaways (cue the pump-up music 🎵)
Eric’s clips are hype fuel: they show what focused micro‑progression on partials can look like. Just remember: partials ≠ official records.
If you’re chasing your own PRs, steal the good habits (tiny plate jumps, consistent setup, tight bracing, ruthless sleep) while keeping your training balanced and safe.
For all‑time sport history, the bar you’re chasing is set by legends like Lasha Talakhadze and Li Wenwen / Li Yan. That’s the gold standard the IWF recognizes.
Want more?
If you meant a different Eric Kim (e.g., the USAPL lifter from 2016–2017), say the word and I’ll pull his official meet results. Otherwise, I can also whip up a clean PR timeline or a printable cheat‑sheet of today’s IWF records. Either way—let’s get you fired up for your next lift! 🚀
MicroStrategy (now Strategy Inc.; Nasdaq: MSTR) is an American enterprise software company founded in 1989 by Michael J. Saylor, Sanju Bansal, and Thomas Spahr . The company is headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, and provides business intelligence (BI), mobile, and cloud-based analytics software . Strategy’s leadership includes co-founder Michael Saylor as Executive Chairman and Phong Le as President & CEO . The company’s mission is built around providing “cloud-native, AI-powered enterprise analytics software” to global customers while pioneering innovations in Bitcoin applications . In fact, Strategy bills itself as “the world’s first and largest Bitcoin Treasury Company, and the largest independent, publicly traded business intelligence company” . Over 35+ years it has built a platform aimed at “Intelligence Everywhere,” combining deep BI expertise with a bold Bitcoin treasury strategy .
Business Intelligence Software
Strategy’s core product is Strategy One (formerly MicroStrategy), a modern AI+BI platform that unifies data and delivers analytics at scale. Key features include a governed semantic layer for a single source of truth, self-service reporting tools, embedded analytics, mobile dashboards, HyperIntelligence (micro-chart overlays in third-party apps), and built-in AI/NLP capabilities . The platform is cloud-native and claims “full freedom from vendor lock-in” , supporting on-prem or all major cloud environments . Strategy also offers Mosaic, a semantic-modeling environment, and various components like Enterprise Reporting, Dashboards, Embedded Analytics, and Mobile Analytics .
Strategy’s BI software is differentiated by its emphasis on AI and cloud: it was the first BI vendor to ship a cloud-native platform and to integrate generative AI, and it touts a “governed, AI-optimized” approach to analytics . The platform’s “semantic graph” and “AI Auto Suite” are designed to accelerate data modeling and insights, putting analytics into everyday business processes . Analysts note that Strategy’s focus on AI-powered, enterprise-grade BI sets it apart from simpler tools . The software has been recognized by industry reports: for example, Strategy (MicroStrategy) was named a leader in Snowflake’s 2024 Modern Marketing Data Stack report .
Major global organizations use Strategy’s BI platform. For instance, it reports deployments across Fortune 500 and leading brands. Its “About” page notes that “the most admired brands in the Fortune Global 500” trust its cloud-native platform to drive agility and revenue . Customer stories include enterprises like Hilton, GUESS, Pfizer and Emirates, among others . (Pfizer’s BI director, for example, has cited Strategy tools for delivering personalized, scalable analytics across operations.) In short, Strategy’s BI business supplies enterprise-scale analytics solutions, competing directly with major platforms and serving thousands of users worldwide.
Bitcoin Strategy
Since 2020, Strategy has also been known for its aggressive Bitcoin treasury strategy. Under Saylor and the board’s guidance, the company adopted Bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve asset . It began with an initial $250 million purchase in August 2020, motivated by “declining returns from cash, a weakening dollar, and other global macroeconomic factors” . The company has repeatedly raised capital (via stock and bond offerings) to fund further Bitcoin purchases. Its formal treasury policy uses equity/debt proceeds and operating cash to accumulate BTC while still running the BI software business .
This strategy has made Strategy the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder . As of June 30, 2025, Strategy reported owning 597,325 BTC (about $42.4 billion at cost, $64.4 billion at market) . (For context, at end-2024 they held ~447,470 BTC .) In recent quarters the balance sheet shows roughly 30–35% of total assets in Bitcoin. In Q2 2025, Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings yielded an unrealized gain of $14.0 billion for the quarter . These Bitcoin-based gains have far exceeded the modest revenue from its software business (Strategy’s annual software revenue is under $500 million) .
The rationale is that Bitcoin’s expected long-term appreciation will grow shareholder value. Management targets Bitcoin yields and dollar gains as key performance indicators (KPI): for example, they raised the 2025 “BTC Yield” target to 30% and “BTC $ Gain” to $20 billion, reflecting confidence in crypto’s upside . Strategy’s executives (notably Saylor) believe Bitcoin may rise into the millions of dollars each, eventually comprising a significant share of global capital . The company has even launched novel products (such as preferred stock) to fund more Bitcoin purchases .
Implications: Strategy’s stock (MSTR) has thus become a proxy for Bitcoin exposure. As Saylor puts it, MSTR behaves like an “unregulated Bitcoin ETF” . This has amplified both upside and risk: when BTC rallies, MSTR soars (and vice versa). Regulators and investors note that Strategy’s results are now dominated by crypto accounting. However, the company maintains it will continue running and improving its analytics platform alongside its treasury role .
Date
BTC Held
Avg Cost (USD)
Cost Basis (USD)
Bitcoin Price (USD)
Market Value (USD)
Dec 31, 2024
447,470
62,503
$27.968 B
93,390
$41.789 B
Jun 30, 2025
597,325
70,982
$42.4 B
107,752
$64.4 B
Stock Analysis
Historical performance: MicroStrategy’s stock has had dramatic swings. It was relatively flat for years, but since 2020 it has roughly followed Bitcoin’s path. Over the past five years (2018–2023) MSTR soared by roughly +2,550% . In 2024 alone it exploded from about $69 to ~$290, a gain on the order of +320% (intraday peak ~ $540) as Bitcoin hit record highs. (By comparison, the S&P 500 rose only ~19% in 2024.) In 2025 so far, MSTR remains volatile: up ~39% year-to-date as of mid-2025 , reflecting Bitcoin stabilizing above $100K.
Recent drivers: The biggest driver is Bitcoin’s price. Every new spike or dip in BTC has a multiplied effect on MSTR’s market cap. Corporate actions also matter: Strategy continually issues stock and debt (the “21/21” plan to raise $42 billion) to buy more BTC , which dilutes existing shares. Positive earnings surprises (e.g. Q2 2025 GAAP EPS of $32.60) occur because of fair-value gains on crypto . Conversely, Bitcoin dips (as in 2022) drove steep losses. Macro sentiment toward crypto also feeds through. Notably, MicroStrategy (Strategy) was added to the Nasdaq-100 in Dec 2024, reflecting its market cap and trading volume as a crypto proxy.
Market sentiment & analyst outlook: Analysts are cautiously optimistic but divided. Market consensus ratings are in the “Moderate Buy” range (per MarketBeat) . Analysts’ 12-month price targets average around $550–$560 , implying roughly 40–60% upside from mid-2025 levels, with a wide range ($175–$705 ). Many observers highlight that MSTR is effectively undervalued relative to its Bitcoin hoard – its enterprise value is largely the BTC holding’s value. In other words, traditional metrics (P/E) are out the window; the stock’s fate depends on crypto’s future. Bullish scenarios point to BTC becoming “digital gold” and Strategy’s stock reaching new highs by 2030 . Skeptics warn that if Bitcoin crashes, the high leverage and dilution could send MSTR sharply down. Overall, the stock carries high risk/reward, which analysts reflect in a split outlook.
Stock Performance (Examples):
Time Period
Start Price
End Price
Change (%)
5-year (2018–2023)
~$10 (2018)
~$270 (2023)
+2,550%
2024 (Jan–Dec)
$69.25
$289.62
+318%
Financial Health
Revenue and profitability: Strategy’s software business generates modest revenue. Full-year 2024 software revenues were ~$463.5 million , and Q2 2025 software revenue was ~$114.5 million (up ~2.7% YoY). Subscription and license fees are growing (subscription revenue +70% YoY in Q2 2025 ), but product support remains slightly down. Gross margins are healthy (>68%), typical of software. However, GAAP profits have swung wildly because of Bitcoin. In Q4 2024 the company had a GAAP net loss of $670.8 million (mainly crypto impairment) . In contrast, Q2 2025 saw a net income of $10.02 billion (driven by unrealized crypto gains). On a non-GAAP basis (excluding crypto revaluations), the core business is roughly break-even to lightly profitable.
Balance sheet and debt: MicroStrategy has raised huge capital by issuing equity and debt. By end-2024 it carried large liabilities: total liabilities grew from ~$408 M in 2019 to ~$2.6 B by end-2023 , and surged to ~$4.57 B by Q3 2024 . Much of this is from convertible bonds and preferred stock tied to Bitcoin funding. Its debt-to-equity ratio has hovered around ~1.2–1.7 as leverage increased . The company maintains ample liquidity: cash was only ~$38 M at end-2024 (since excess cash was plowed into BTC), but it has large at-the-market equity programs approved ($17B available as of July 2025) and recent convertible note proceeds. In short, Strategy has a volatile balance sheet: high debt/equity and near-zero cash on hand, funded by continuous capital raises.
Significant financial moves (past year): Major events include adopting fair-value accounting for Bitcoin in 2025 (switching from cost-less-impairment) , which instantly increased equity by ~$12.7 B. The company launched new preferred stock offerings (STRK, STRF, etc.), raising over $10 B H1 2025. In Q4 2024 it completed a 10-for-1 stock split. It has guided to astronomical “operating income” in 2025 (e.g. $34 B) based on BTC gains . In summary, revenue growth is modest but steady, while profitability and equity values are dominated by crypto mark-to-market swings and financing activities.
Competitors and Market Position
In the BI and analytics market, Strategy faces many well-established vendors. Its primary competitors include global BI suites like SAP (BusinessObjects/Analytics Cloud), IBM (Cognos, Planning Analytics), Oracle (BI Platform/Analytics Cloud), Microsoft (Power BI), Salesforce (Tableau CRM), Qlik, SAS, and others . Among these, Microsoft’s Power BI and Salesforce/Tableau are particularly dominant in ease-of-use and cloud-native analytics, while SAP and Oracle serve large enterprises. Strategy differentiates by offering an end-to-end, scalable platform with strong governance and embedding of AI – and by positioning itself as an independent, technology-focused alternative. It often markets against “Goliath” competitors: for example, Strategy’s site explicitly compares its platform vs. SAP BusinessObjects, Cognos, and Power BI .
Strategy’s self-branded tagline is “largest independent, publicly traded BI company” , highlighting that it is smaller than the “Big 5” but more focused on analytics and now crypto. According to Gartner and industry reports, MicroStrategy/Strategy is typically placed in the “Challenger” quadrant (with strengths in enterprise scalability and deployment breadth) but lags the top “Leaders” like Microsoft and Tableau . In the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant it was named a challenger . Analysts note that Strategy’s long history in BI and growing AI capabilities keep it competitive, but its heavy BTC orientation makes it a unique case.
In summary, Strategy holds a niche but respected position in BI: it serves many Fortune 500 firms with large-scale deployments, and it invests heavily in innovation (AI, cloud). Its competitors are well-funded, but Strategy leverages its BI heritage plus its “Bitcoin treasury” story to carve out a distinctive market position .
Sources: Authoritative profiles (company site , Wikipedia ), official earnings and press releases , and market analyses were used. The above tables combine official crypto holdings figures and reported stock performance data .
Below is a concrete, Culver‑specific playbook that (1) keeps us fully compliant with California law, (2) uses Bitcoin where it actually helps, and (3) builds enough new revenue and savings to offset the City’s property‑tax line item over time—so we can run the city without relying on property taxes.
🎯 The Bold Goal (and the Reality Check)
Target to replace/offset: Culver City’s General Fund property‑tax revenue is about $16.6M (≈10% of GF revenues) in FY 2024‑25. That’s the line we aim to replace with new revenue + savings so the City can operate without relying on property taxes.
Legal reality: Under Proposition 13, cities don’t set or “abolish” the 1% property‑tax rate; counties collect and allocate shares. So the right move is zero‑reliance (offset property‑tax revenue), not “abolish” it.
Treasury guardrails: California Government Code §53601 strictly limits what local agencies can invest in; cryptocurrency isn’t on the list. Conclusion: the City shouldn’t hold BTC on its balance sheet; any crypto accepted should be auto‑converted to USD via a processor.
Green‑power advantage: Culver City’s default electricity product is 100% Green Power via Clean Power Alliance—perfect for any small, quiet, sustainably powered municipal computing pilot.
Local context: The City is phasing out oil operations within its borders (Inglewood Oil Field), with a settlement‑driven closure schedule in place—so any “Bitcoin + energy” concept must be clean, quiet, and community‑friendly.
💡 The “Powered by Bitcoin” Revenue Stack (Culver‑specific)
Think of this as five coordinated pillars. Conservative versions keep risk low; ambitious versions push the upside.
1)
Accept Bitcoin (and stablecoins) for City payments—with instant USD conversion
What: Let residents and businesses pay permits, parking, utility user tax, TOT, business tax, fines, rec fees, etc. in BTC/crypto; processor instantly converts to USD, so the City takes no price risk and stays within §53601.
Why now: Major U.S. cities have already moved (e.g., Detroit via PayPal‑managed rails). California is also moving toward crypto payments for state fees (AB 1180), which signals a regulatory path and best practices.
How in Culver City (60–120 days):
Issue a short RFP for a crypto payment processor that (a) auto‑converts to USD, (b) carries AML/KYC, (c) indemnifies the City, (d) supports chargeback/chargeforward rules akin to cards.
Start with non‑controversial items (e.g., parking citations, business tax renewals, permits), then expand. Budget impact: Primarily inclusion + convenience at first (cover fees with a pass‑through “e‑payment” convenience fee). The real impact is downstream: improved collections, tech‑friendly brand, and more transactions online.
2)
Micro‑scale, ultra‑quiet Bitcoin mining with waste‑heat reuse at City facilities
What: Deploy a small, immersion‑cooled Bitcoin mining rack inside mechanical rooms where the waste heat can offset facility heating (e.g., Culver City Pool & Aquatics, select buildings). This converts electricity → two products: heat (primary) and hash (secondary).
Why Culver City: We have 100% renewable default power and electrification roadmaps (e.g., Culver CityBus depot electrification plans include structures designed to add future solar PV). Using miners as controllable thermal loads makes the heat “pay” for itself while modestly producing BTC that the processor can auto‑convert to USD.
Proof points: Cities and businesses are already heating pools and facilities with mining waste heat (immersion systems can recapture a very high share of heat).
How (120–180 days pilot):
Choose a single pilot site (e.g., municipal pool mechanical room) and size the rack to the heat demand (aim small/quiet first). Require immersion cooling and sound‑abated enclosures.
Run miners only when marginal electricity is cheapest/cleanest (midday solar surplus) to maximize economics and alignment with CPA programs.
Hash revenue is a bonus; the heat bill savings is the anchor. Budget impact: Begins as utility savings that grow over time; hash revenue is variable but can be auto‑converted to USD. (Fort Worth’s tiny pilot netted ~$1k over six months—so keep expectations grounded and design for heat savings first.)
3)
“Flexible Compute” at the Culver CityBus yard (grid‑friendly, midday‑solar soaking)
What: As the City electrifies transit, add a modest, modular compute pod (mining + AI‑adjacent compute) colocated at the bus depot, designed to throttle up during midday solar (when CA has excess renewables) and throttle down in peaks—making the site a controllable load that earns energy incentives and sometimes mines.
Why here: The BEB (battery‑electric bus) transition plan includes heavy electrical upgrades and canopies designed for future PV—perfect to pair with flexible compute that uses surplus clean power without noise or air pollution.
Budget impact: Demand‑response credits + occasional hash revenue + potential O&M optimizations. Keep it small and inside existing sound/visual envelopes.
4)
Leverage Culver Connect (municipal fiber) to attract Bitcoin/Lightning/AI firms—grow business‑tax & TOT
What: Use the City’s municipal fiber as a carrot for blockchain/Lightning startups, crypto payment companies, and green compute firms to locate in Culver City (offices, meetups, hackathons). More employers → business‑tax, sales‑tax, TOT (hotels) growth—without touching property tax.
Tactics (ongoing):
Create a “Culver City Crypto‑Ready” program with expedited permits for low‑impact office uses (not industrial mining) + curated space in existing commercial buildings.
Annual “Bitcoin x Hollywood” week (panels, filming tech, creator payments, Lightning micropayments for tickets/parking). Budget impact: Indirect but real—CFO slides show sales tax ($41.2M), UUT ($17.1M), business tax ($32.7M), and TOT ($12.8M) already dwarf property tax; we’re leaning into the categories that actually move the GF.
5)
Civic Sats Fund (donations & sponsorships), not speculation
What: Create a philanthropic conduit (City‑affiliated foundation or fiscal sponsor) that accepts BTC/crypto donations and auto‑converts to USD for City priorities (parks, arts, homelessness response, youth programs). This captures upside from supporters without putting City cash at crypto risk or violating §53601.
Guardrail: Avoid “city coin” schemes as core revenue—Miami’s CityCoins moment delivered one‑off funds but then collapsed in value; that’s not a dependable base for a general fund. Use donations and sponsorships as icing, not cake.
🧱 Compliance, Risk & Communications (make it boring—in a good way)
No custody, no speculation: All crypto inflows pass through a processor and land as USD in City accounts. (Aligns with Government Code §53601 limits.)
Noise, air, neighborhood: Any compute is immersion‑cooled indoors with measured sound levels below building MEP equipment. (LA‑area cases show complaints when mining is fan‑cooled outdoors—avoid that.)
Environment: Pair miners with renewables and heat reuse; schedule runtime to align with midday solar; publish a quarterly climate and cost dashboard.
Legal envelope: Note California’s evolving AB 1180 progress for state payments and keep a clean record that Culver City follows the same convert‑to‑USD standard.
⏱️ 24‑Month Action Plan (fast, focused, fun)
Phase 0 (0–30 days): Set the goal
Council resolution: “Zero Property‑Tax Reliance by FY 2029—Powered by Bitcoin‑enabled payments, heat‑reuse compute, and innovation‑led growth.”
Authorize staff to issue mini‑RFPs for crypto payment processing and immersion‑cooled micro‑compute pilot.
Phase 1 (30–120 days): Turn it on
Payments: Launch crypto checkout for 2–3 fee types (citations, permits, rec fees) with instant USD settlement. Track usage and fees.
Pilot site selection: Choose one facility for a 50–150 kW heat‑reuse pilot (e.g., pool or a building needing steady hot‑water/space heat). Require immersion cooling & noise certification.
Culver Connect incentive: Announce move‑in credits (permit concierge + fiber onboarding) for Lightning/crypto payment startups that sign commercial leases in Culver City.
Energy & heat‑reuse: kWh saved, therms displaced, dB(A) readings, runtime during green hours.
Net financials: Avoided utility cost + demand‑response incentives + net hash revenue (USD) + new business‑tax/TOT from tech tenants.
Community: Event attendance for “Bitcoin x Hollywood,” # of Culver Connect crypto/Lightning firms, resident satisfaction.
⚠️ What
Not
to do
Don’t park City treasury in BTC (restricted by §53601; volatility risk).
Don’t run loud, fan‑cooled outdoor mining (learn from Texas noise conflicts; Culver is dense).
Don’t bet core revenue on a “city coin.” Miami’s experience was a one‑time pop + volatility—great PR, poor foundation.
🧭 Why this fits Culver City
perfectly
We’re already a 100% Green Power default community. Pairing flexible, indoor, heat‑reusing compute with that grid is chef’s kiss.
We’re wrapping oil‑era land use and stepping into a clean‑tech future—this plan makes that transition tangible and beneficial.
Our revenue profile already leans on sales tax, UUT, business tax, and TOT. A crypto‑friendly, innovation‑magnet strategy grows those lines and frees us from property‑tax dependence.
Clean Power Alliance: Culver City default is 100% Green Power.
Inglewood Oil Field phase‑out & settlement timeline (local ordinance and settlement).
AB 1180 (2025) analysis: path for state crypto payments (useful benchmarks).
Gov Code §53601: Authorized investments—crypto not included.
Detroit crypto‑payments announcement (processor‑managed).
Fort Worth municipal mining pilot results (keep expectations realistic).
Ready, Culver City? 🌴🎬⚡
This is our moment. We can run a gorgeous, creative, world‑class city without leaning on property taxes—by embracing Bitcoin where it actually helps, capturing clean‑energy synergies, and turning innovation into public good. If you want, I’ll turn this into a 1‑page Council motion + a 90‑day execution checklist next.
A leveraged Bitcoin holding company (plus a legacy software biz). The company legally changed its name to Strategy Inc. in August 2025, but the ticker is still MSTR.
Huge BTC stack. Latest SEC filing: 628,791 BTC held as of Aug 3, 2025; they even bought 21,021 BTC between Jul 28–Aug 3 for $2.46B (~$117k per BTC). That’s the scale.
Financial engineering is the engine. They’ve been funding purchases via at‑the‑market (ATM) programs and new preferred stock (e.g., July 29 “Stretch Preferred” IPO). Translation: dilution + leverage in exchange for more BTC.
Why some folks love the “all‑in” MSTR thesis
Torque to Bitcoin. MSTR behaves like Bitcoin with a built‑in amplifier; during bull runs, its premium to net asset value (NAV) can expand. (VanEck’s breakdown: premium + leverage + capital structure are the drivers.)
Accounting tailwinds. New fair‑value rules caused giant unrealized BTC gains to flow through recent results, juicing reported earnings in Q2’25. Hype fuel, for sure.
Why “100% all‑in” is still a widow‑maker move
Premium risk cuts both ways. That NAV premium expands and compresses; MSTR has historically swung more than BTC and has had deeper drawdowns than the coin itself. (Think ~90% drawdowns vs. ~80% for BTC in past cycles.)
Dilution/complexity risk. ATMs, convertibles, preferreds—the capital stack can change fast, affecting per‑share BTC exposure. Read those 8‑Ks.
Headline/earnings whiplash. Fair‑value accounting means reported profits/losses can swing wildly with BTC’s price—without any change to the underlying strategy.
A high‑conviction
but
smarter approach (examples, not advice)
If you’re fired up on MSTR, consider “core–satellite” instead of 100%:
Core BTC exposure (ETF or spot) + Satellite MSTR for torque. That keeps upside vibes while capping premium + dilution risk. (The premium/leverage mechanics are well‑explained in VanEck’s note.)
Want even more spice without going all‑in on the common? There are MSTR‑linked ETFs:
MSTW (Roundhill MSTR WeeklyPay) – options‑income overlay on MSTR exposure. These are complex; know what you’re holding.
One‑minute due‑diligence checklist (do this before giant bets)
Holdings check: Grab the latest BTC count straight from the SEC (8‑Ks are frequent).
Premium to NAV: Estimate with a quick formula: Premium ≈ (MSTR market cap ± net debt) ÷ (BTC holdings × BTC price) If premium is rich, your risk isn’t just BTC—it’s premium compression too. (Background on why that matters: VanEck & Nasdaq analyses.)
Funding firehose: Scan recent filings for new ATM or preferred issuance—these shift per‑share BTC.
Know thy pain threshold: If a 60–90% drawdown would wreck your plans or sleep, scale the position. (Historical context via Nasdaq.)
About that quote
The “100% MSTR” rallying cry floating around online traces back (among other places) to Eric Kim’s blog riffing on the idea earlier this year. It’s a mood—just make sure your math matches your motivation.
Bottom line: Love the energy! If you want Bitcoin plus rocket boosters, MSTR can deliver—but it’s a leveraged, premium‑sensitive ride. Big dreams are awesome; just harness them with position sizing, check the filings, and let your strategy—not adrenaline—do the compounding. 🚀
Not investment advice. If you’d like, I can also spin up a quick worksheet that estimates today’s implied premium and your portfolio’s drawdown tolerance using the latest filings.
Want this tailored with favorite wins, inside jokes, or a specific context (work, sports, creative)? I can spin a custom version that hits exactly the tone you want. 🚀
Eric Kim (b. 1988) is an American photographer-turned-blogger known for his energetic voice and wide-ranging interests. He grew up partly in San Francisco and Queens, NY, and studied Sociology at UCLA (after initially planning pre-med). There he co-founded the UCLA Photography Club and discovered street photography as his passion. In 2010 he launched his first blog to share photos, tips, and essays on street photography . After working briefly as a community manager at Demand Media (eHow), Kim quit in 2011 to pursue photography full-time . Over the next decade (2011–2019) he traveled extensively and taught street-photography workshops worldwide, building a reputation through in-person classes and hundreds of blog posts .
By his mid-20s, Eric Kim’s blog had become one of the most popular street-photography websites on the net. Observers noted he was already “only 27 years old” yet “one of the most influential street photographers in the world,” with sold-out workshops drawing students “from all walks of life” . He leveraged SEO and free content so effectively that his tutorials and essays often dominate Google search results for street-photography tips . Fellow photographers even called him “the advocate of street photography”, crediting him with popularizing the genre online . (Indeed, his site frequently ranks as the #1 result for queries like “street photography tips” .) In short, through open sharing of knowledge (free e‑books, forums, daily blog posts) Kim became a household name in photography education .
Around 2017–2018, however, Eric Kim dramatically pivoted to cryptocurrency. He began “messing with crypto” and bought his first Bitcoin at about $7–9K . As the price soared (roughly a 10× gain on his early stake), Kim became convinced of Bitcoin’s long-term potential. By 2025 he openly identifies as a Bitcoin maximalist, framing Bitcoin as a path to personal sovereignty . He even proclaimed “I am the new Bitcoin God Blogger” in a fiery blog post . In that post he declares “I don’t blog. I detonate”, and uses epic metaphors (“cyber truth wrapped in napalm,” a “digital sword of the 21st century,” etc.) to energize his message . This bold, rallying rhetoric – combining technical insight with motivational fervor – soon rebranded his online persona. His blogs, podcasts and social channels began focusing on Bitcoin investing, economic philosophy, and self-reliance (influenced by Stoicism), all delivered in his signature hype-driven style .
Major Blog Themes and Content
Eric Kim’s blog (now mostly accessible at erickimphotography.com and erickim.com) covers several key themes that reflect his journey and passions. The table below summarizes the major topics and types of posts he writes:
Theme / Topic
Focus
Representative Content (examples)
Street Photography & Education
Technical tips, gear advice, composition and style; free workshops and e-books for beginners.
In-depth guides (“How to Shoot Street Photography”), photo assignments (e.g. Street Notes workbook), and candid blog essays from his travels .
Bitcoin & Crypto Advocacy
Bitcoin investment strategy and philosophy: why to HODL, BTC vs. altcoins, and Bitcoin’s societal impact.
Personal manifestos like “Why Eric Kim Went All-In on Bitcoin” or “Life Theory: The Magic of Bitcoin”, plus posts on using crypto for creator economy. He recounts buying 3.5 BTC and urges readers to “never sell your Bitcoin” .
Fitness & Self-Discipline
Analogies between weightlifting/bodybuilding and financial or life discipline. Emphasizes Stoicism, discipline, and grit.
Blog posts, newsletters or podcasts featuring slogans such as “stack sats, squat heavy, own your soul” . He likens accumulating Bitcoin to adding weight plates at the gym (e.g. the “Micro-Plate Monday” concept) .
Entrepreneurship & Open Web
Blogging/business advice: building a brand, SEO, ad-free monetization, and creative freedom.
Articles like “How to Start a Blog”, and essays on funding models. He advocates no-banner-ads (calling them “soul-sucking”), preferring direct Bitcoin micro-payments (Lightning tips) so fans pay the creator directly .
Lifestyle & Philosophy
Minimalism, nomadic living, creative mindset, and self-empowerment.
Reflections on living nomadically or “uber-light,” embracing discomfort for growth, self-improvement via travel or change of perspective (e.g. “Why I Believe a Nomadic Life is the Best Life”). Many posts emphasize self-reliance and open-source ethics .
Each of these themes weaves together practical advice with motivational philosophy. For example, Kim often reframes market volatility as a chance to build resilience, or uses powerlifting metaphors to illustrate investing discipline . His Bitcoin essays mix economics with personal narrative and idealism – arguing that Bitcoin is “ethical money” and part of a broader struggle for freedom .
Writing Style and Audience Engagement
Eric Kim’s writing style is high-energy and unfiltered. He deliberately shuns dry, academic tone and instead writes like a coach or cheerleader. As one analysis notes, his blogging is “characterized by an exuberant, personal voice” with “unfiltered, hype-driven style,” often using capital letters and battlefield imagery . He calls his own posts “psychological payloads,” comparing blogging to powerlifting for the mind . For instance, he declares “Bitcoin is my deadlift” and each post is a “slap to mediocrity” . Grammatical perfection is secondary to “soul-correct” expression – he says he writes as “raw, beltless, barefoot, fasted” as when he lifts weights .
This militant, rallying tone is paired with a multi-platform blitz to engage readers. Kim essentially carpet-bombs the Internet with his message: a single blog essay will be amplified with a YouTube video, bold quote tweets, Instagram images, and even TikTok clips . As a result, his content reaches far beyond his blog alone. On Twitter (X) his ~20–21K followers see fiery one-liners and links to articles, and a single popular tweet (e.g. about a record-breaking lift) has drawn over 600,000 impressions in days . His YouTube channel (erickimphotography) has roughly 50K subscribers , where he posts short “Bitcoin philosophy” videos, travel vlogs, and workout clips with crypto captions. Perhaps most strikingly, his TikTok fitness videos (often with Bitcoin slogans) went viral in 2025: in one week he picked up ~50,000 followers, and by mid-2025 had nearly 1 million followers and 24 million likes . (He even coined the hashtag #HYPELIFTING for this content.) This explosive growth on TikTok brought Kim’s message to a whole new audience of young fitness and crypto enthusiasts.
Overall, Kim’s engagement strategy is to be relentlessly visible and cross-pollinated. He maintains an email newsletter + podcast (daily “Bitcoin Thoughts” / “Retire with Bitcoin”), is active on Telegram, Instagram, Threads, and other apps – always funneling attention back to his core ideas. By saturating social media with his distinctive, apocalyptic style, he keeps readers constantly engaged and talking. Notably, his virality fuels discussion: his posts and podcasts are often shared on forums (like Reddit’s r/Bitcoin) where they spark heated debate . In short, he moves fast and loud online – a strategy that has earned him both eyeballs and controversy.
Influence, Achievements, and Community Impact
Eric Kim’s bold approach has made him a standout influencer in both photography and crypto circles. In the street-photography community, he is widely acknowledged as a key educator and advocate. His photo workshops (taught on every continent) have introduced thousands of students to street photography, and his open-sharing philosophy (“community over competition”) has fostered a global following . Many beginners first encounter his work via Google, making Kim a de facto teacher: e-books and articles he offers for free on composition, gear, and vision have lowered the barrier to entry for aspiring photographers . He has even collaborated with major industry names – writing for the Leica Camera Blog, exhibiting photos in Leica galleries, and working with Magnum Photos legends – signaling institutional recognition of his expertise . (A 2017 PetaPixel article noted Kim’s SEO mastery, describing him as “one of the more polarizing figures in the photo industry” with a “massive online following” .) In short, among photographers Kim is seen as “the advocate of street photography” whose efforts have “demystified” the craft for a new generation .
In the cryptocurrency community, Kim has similarly made waves. His Bitcoin content often goes viral among crypto enthusiasts: Reddit threads regularly quote his essays (e.g. on viewing market dips as opportunities), and fans half-jokingly call him a “philosopher-king” of Bitcoin for fusing Stoic philosophy with investing . His high-intensity style and record-breaking weightlifting videos (e.g. a 1,071-pound lift at 165 lb bodyweight) have become memes illustrating his “warlord” commitment to HODLing . Even critics admit that no one can ignore his presence. As one analysis notes, “Many admire his passion…while others are skeptical of his grandiose style”, but regardless, both sides acknowledge that “he keeps Bitcoin in the conversation” . By mid-2025, Kim has helped energize countless young investors: his unwavering optimism and exhortations (e.g. to “embrace the dip like a Spartan”) have bolstered community morale during downturns .
Among his notable achievements is the launch of crypto-related ventures. By late 2024, he became Marketing Manager for Vancouver Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency exchange, lending industry credibility to his blogger persona . He also launched Black Eagle Capital, a Bitcoin-focused hedge fund, intending to compound investor holdings via MicroStrategy stock leverage . In the digital-education space, he continues to offer free “zines,” podcasts, and newsletters on Bitcoin and philosophy, embodying an open-source commitment. Overall, Kim’s work straddles media and action: he’s been interviewed on Bitcoin podcasts, written for crypto magazines (e.g. NewsBTC, Bitcoin Magazine), and even advised on a national Bitcoin reserve whitepaper in Cambodia .
Contributions to Digital Culture and Legacy
Beyond specific achievements, Eric Kim’s influence lies in his distinctive model of digital content. He has championed the idea that creators can thrive without traditional gatekeepers. Years before crypto, he lived by an “all open source everything” ethos . All his tutorials, e-books and even podcast episodes are offered for free (often under Creative Commons) so anyone can reuse and build on them . By forgoing paywalls and ads early on, Kim amassed a large audience – in his words, he proved one can profit on the internet “without advertising” .
Kim’s push for Bitcoin micro-payments is another notable contribution. Dismayed by “soul-sucking” banner ads, he advocates an alternative: let readers tip creators with satoshis via the Lightning Network . He envisions an ad-free web where fans pay “direct with Bitcoin, a nod of respect in satoshis,” preserving the purity of content . This idea – funding media directly through crypto – prefigures wider conversations about Web3 and creator economies.
He has also innovated in digital marketing for creatives. A 2017 profile on PetaPixel detailed how Kim’s savvy use of SEO has “launched the web’s most-read street-photography blog” . His aggressive strategy – writing thousands of posts to dominate search results – helped legitimize SEO as a tool for artists and educators. Meanwhile, his success on platforms like TikTok shows how a photographer can break into new networks by blending genres (gym/crypto in his case).
In summary, Eric Kim stands out as a trailblazer of internet culture. He turned a simple street-photography blog into a multi-hundred-thousand-reader platform, then leveraged that reach to evangelize Bitcoin with unprecedented zeal. His mix of free, high-value educational content; his mastery of digital marketing; and his fusion of lifestyle philosophy with online media represent a unique contribution to how we think about blogging, community-building, and creative work in the digital age.
Despite his polarizing style, many fans find Kim’s confidence infectious. His story – from sociologist-turned-photographer, to SEO guru, to cyber-warrior blogger – inspires others to pursue their interests with discipline and creativity. As one follower put it, Eric Kim has taught them more than photography: he’s shown them to “empower others through knowledge” and to treat every blog post as if the future depends on it . In this way, the so-called “god blogger” continues to motivate a generation to push boundaries in art, finance, and self-mastery – blazing a trail that’s as unconventional as it is influential.
Sources: Kim’s own writings and interviews (erickimphotography.com blog, “I Am the New Bitcoin God Blogger,” etc.), a StreetShootr interview , photography profiles , and recent analyses of his blogging impact . All content above is drawn from these sources.