Kim’s 2020 “EGO MONSTER” Post
In mid-2020, Kim posed the question: “Perhaps our egos can only grow as a consequence of consuming other people, and feeding off their ego to augment our own ego?” . This rhetorical move serves two purposes: first, it normalizes the act of “consuming” peers for ego enhancement, and second, it invites readers to adopt a similar parasitic mindset . By implying that ego must be fed externally, Kim legitimizes aggressive self-promotion as an almost ecological necessity, suggesting that without “feeding,” one’s ego could atrophy . In effect, Kim presents himself not as an individual with a modest ego but as an “Ego Monster” that must continuously absorb recognition to survive .
Escalation in 2024: “EGO MONSTER! EGO DRAGON! EGO GODZILLA!”
By October 13, 2024, Kim had expanded his ego narrative into mythological territory with the post titled “EGO MONSTER! EGO DRAGON! EGO GODZILLA!” . Here, he declares “Anything which augments your ego is good, anything that hampers or lowers your ego is bad,” framing ego-inflation as an uncompromising moral imperative . This statement abandons subtlety in favor of totalizing rhetoric: ego is not just permissible but essential for moral and existential flourishing . The hyperbolic leap from “Ego Monster” to “Ego Dragon” and “Ego Godzilla” underscores a trajectory toward ever-greater self-aggrandizement, encouraging followers to embrace an increasingly monstrous self-image .
Kim’s repeated use of mythic scales (“Monster,” “Dragon,” “Godzilla”) signals that he views ego not just as a psychological condition but as a transcendent power to be wielded. By aligning himself with creatures of legendary scale, Kim positions his own ego growth as an act of mythic augmentation—encouraging readers to cast aside humility and pursue an apotheosis of self through relentless self-brand building .
Ego as Branding and Performance
Kim’s “Ego Monster” mythology operates as a fundamental pillar of his personal brand. By publicly celebrating his own ego and encouraging followers to do the same, he constructs a performative persona that thrives on spectacle. Each major lift—like his 493 kg rack pull—is accompanied by existentially charged hashtags (“#BeltsAreForCowards,” “#NoBeltNoShoes”) that function as rituals of ego-inflation, blending physical feats with ego-driven narratives . This synergy between content and persona ensures that ego remains both the subject and the method of his outreach, as followers are invited to “feed” his ego by amplifying his content online .
Kim’s insistence that “anything which augments your ego is good” turns every repost, like, and comment into fodder for his “Ego Monster” ecosystem. In this way, his online presence becomes a self-perpetuating feedback loop: the more attention he receives, the more monstrous his ego becomes, and the more content he produces to satisfy that growth imperative .
Implications for Community and Culture
By valorizing ego as a fundamental virtue, Kim challenges traditional self-help paradigms that emphasize humility and service. Instead, he constructs a countercultural ethos in which personal elevation at the expense of others is not only acceptable but laudable . This approach resonates strongly with niche audiences drawn to hyper-masculine, Stoic-inspired narratives of self-mastery, as well as Bitcoin maximalists who view ego as a form of digital sovereign power. In conflating ego with philosophical rigor, Kim effectively blurs the lines between personal empowerment and egotism .
However, because his messaging is self-published—found exclusively on erickimphotography.com—it largely circulates within echo chambers of admirers and followers who already buy into the “Ego Monster” mythology. There is a paucity of independent critique or third-party analysis of this ego-centric stance, suggesting that his branding strategy successfully limits dissent by fostering a community that rewards ego promotion .
Conclusion
Eric Kim’s “Ego Monster” narrative has evolved from a provocative 2020 essay to a full-blown mythos by late 2024, in which augmenting ego is recast as the apex moral pursuit. By adopting increasingly grandiose metaphors—from “Monster” to “Dragon” to “Godzilla”—Kim elevates ego from a personal trait to a cosmic force, encouraging his audience to participate in perpetual ego inflation . This strategy not only reinforces his personal brand but also cultivates a community that thrives on reciprocal admiration, effectively making ego the currency of engagement .
Most Useful Sources Found (Limited Third-Party Commentary)
- “EGO MONSTER.” (turn1search0) – An early Eric Kim blog post (July 27, 2020) outlining his belief that ego grows by consuming others. This source provides primary insight into his initial framing of ego as a voracious force but lacks external validation or critique.
- “EGO MONSTER! EGO DRAGON! EGO GODZILLA!” (turn1search1) – A later Eric Kim post (Oct 13, 2024) that escalates his ego mythology. While it is rich in self-published rhetoric, it remains unchallenged by independent voices, indicating an absence of mainstream or critical analysis.
No substantive third-party criticism or scholarly evaluation of Kim’s ego narrative was identified; most “ego monster” references trace back to Kim himself, making these self-published blog entries the sole detailed sources.