Eric Kim is a prominent street photographer and prolific blogger known for his candid writing on photography, life, and technology. In recent years he has become outspoken about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency on his blog, while also sharing insights into his approach to blogging and content creation. Below is a detailed look at Kim’s views on Bitcoin, his blogging philosophy, and some key quotes that encapsulate his perspectives.
Bitcoin Views
Eric Kim has devoted a significant portion of his blog to cryptocurrency topics – his site even features a Bitcoin symbol in the header and a dedicated “BITCOIN” category . Through numerous posts (often tagged “Crypto by Kim”), he lays out a passionate yet pragmatic view of Bitcoin and crypto. Kim finds crypto technology “fascinating because it is new, sexy, unorthodox, and interesting” . He is drawn to the edgy, optimistic, almost anarchic spirit around Bitcoin – describing crypto as “edgy, optimistic, radical, and bold. Also a bit reckless.” At the same time, he recognizes that many people are in it just to “get really really rich, really really fast,” a mindset he critiques since crypto wealth often remains only on paper until cashed out .
Investment Philosophy: Despite his enthusiasm, Kim preaches caution and long-term thinking in crypto speculation. His “general strategy towards crypto” is encapsulated in a simple rule: “Only put money into crypto, assuming that it will go to zero.” In other words, one should never invest more than one is willing to lose entirely. Kim cites Nassim Taleb’s barbell strategy – he keeps the bulk of his savings in safe assets (like high-yield savings) and only a small portion (around 10%) in highly speculative bets such as Bitcoin and other coins . In one post he recounts following this approach: initially dabbling in altcoins (Digibyte, Dogecoin, Chainlink) but eventually “transferring it all 100% back into Bitcoin” . He actually enjoys Bitcoin’s famous price volatility that many fear, noting that unlike stocks, with crypto “you will never see a 10X gain, a 100X gain, or even a 1000x gain” unless you embrace the wild swings . Rather than seeing volatility as danger, he views it as energy and opportunity – acknowledging you could “win it all, or… lose it all,” hence the importance of not over-investing .
Belief in Bitcoin’s Future: Kim’s writings convey a bullish outlook on Bitcoin’s long-term value and adoption. He encourages thinking on a 30-year timeline: “in 30 years, are people going to be using crypto more or less? … in 30 years, is the price of bitcoin going to go up or down? It seems pretty obvious that it will go up.” He points to societal trends toward a cashless, digital economy – noting the rise of digital wallets and the decline of physical cash in stores – as aligning with Bitcoin’s trajectory . By 2024 he also personally began to find crypto “very very useful” for everyday life, thanks to tools like the Coinbase Visa debit card that let him spend crypto gains on “real things like meat at Costco” or easily cash out to pay rent and bills . This practical utility strengthened his conviction that Bitcoin isn’t just speculative “fun money,” but has real-world relevance.
Bitcoin vs. Altcoins: While Kim is a self-professed Bitcoin believer, he is notably skeptical of most alternative cryptocurrencies. He bluntly advises, “Don’t trust altcoins, or alternative coins,” observing that many projects are driven by meme-hype (e.g. Dogecoin, Shiba Inu) and pump-and-dump dynamics . In his view, “everyone just wants to become the next Bitcoin” , but few altcoins have the fundamental strength or trust that Bitcoin has earned. He admits a personal fascination with Chainlink (even reading its white papers and blog) as a technology , but questions its mainstream potential. Its purpose and branding are too obscure for the average person, and even technical details like having a “version two” make him uneasy . Ultimately, Kim remains “still committed to Bitcoin” as his primary crypto holding .
Kim often draws colorful analogies to illustrate Bitcoin’s unique cultural advantage. He notes, for example, that Bitcoin’s brand is simple and strong: even his mother can pronounce “Bitcoin,” whereas “imagine them trying to pronounce ‘Ethereum’” – a testament to Bitcoin’s universal name recognition . He also remarks on Bitcoin’s signature color: orange – “the brightest and most eye catching color,” used by traffic cones, Nike boxes, Hermès, etc. – suggesting Bitcoin has an arresting presence in the public imagination . In one blog post, he quips that “Bitcoin is like Apple…Ethereum is more like…an ugly Google Pixel or some sort of generic Samsung”, meaning Bitcoin feels like the sexy, premium brand in crypto whereas Ethereum appeals mostly to techies . Even if Ethereum or others have technical merit, he argues, they lack Bitcoin’s mainstream appeal and elegance. Consistent with this, Kim’s writings imply he sees Bitcoin as the “last crypto standing” in the long run – the one coin that will endure when others fade. In his own words, “Bitcoin shall be the last crypto standing.”
Beyond finance, Kim muses on the philosophical and societal aspects of Bitcoin. He mused in one essay that Bitcoin’s fixed supply (21 million) and global nature give it a mythic quality – comparing it to rare “Dragon Balls” in a pop culture reference . In another post he even argued that “Bitcoin prevents war,” perhaps hinting at the idea that a decentralized, transparent monetary system could reduce geopolitical conflicts (though the full context of that claim is in a post we could not retrieve). Overall, Eric Kim’s perspective on Bitcoin is one of optimistic advocacy, tempered by realism. He embraces the bold vision of a crypto-powered future and has “skin in the game” himself, but he continually stresses personal responsibility, long-term perspective, and enjoyment of the ride rather than blind greed. As he writes, the promise of crypto is a “more brilliant future,” and he is excited to be part of it .
Blogging Philosophy
While known as a photographer, Eric Kim often emphasizes that first and foremost he is a blogger – in fact, he half-jokingly proclaims “I consider myself the best blogger of all time” . This bold statement reflects the pride and passion he has for blogging. He has built his career largely through relentless content creation and community engagement on his blog. By his own count, he had published over 7,000 blog posts by 2020 , and he continues to post regularly. In a 2013 interview, Kim explained he started his blog to share lessons he learned because “when I first started… I couldn’t find any information or resources on how to shoot street photography”, so he wanted to help others by filling that gap . This altruistic motive still guides his content: “I pour my heart and soul into serving the street photography community at large,” he said of his work . Indeed, Kim’s content strategy has long been to give away a wealth of information, tips, and personal insights for free, building trust and a loyal audience. (One profile of Kim summarized that he “blogs nearly every day, giving away free advice and raw insights, while selling high-value services (courses, workshops, prints) to a core fan base,” highlighting how his open-sharing approach drives his community and business in tandem .)
Open-Source Approach: A cornerstone of Eric Kim’s blogging philosophy is the belief that ideas and knowledge should be shared openly rather than hoarded. On his website he prominently declares “ALL OPEN SOURCE EVERYTHING!” – essentially his mantra that all his content is free and available to everyone . Kim detests paywalls and restrictive content gating. In a post about virality, he advises creators to “make it easy to share” by providing direct, ungated access: “Direct downloadable links, all open source everything. No fucking paywalls, or email newsletter walls… We all hate this. Attention > email subscribers.” . This blunt quote exemplifies his stance that one’s reach and impact (attention) are more valuable than trying to capture emails or micro-monetize content. Consistent with this, Kim has released many resources at no cost – from free e-books on street photography to countless tutorials on his blog – with no strings attached. He encourages other bloggers to “Keep your ideas ‘open source’” , believing that freely sharing knowledge ultimately benefits the creator and community more than clinging to ideas for personal gain.
Authenticity and Voice: Kim’s writing style is highly personal, unfiltered, and energetic. He often writes in a stream-of-consciousness manner, peppered with pop culture references and even profanity for emphasis. Far from academic or polished, his posts read like candid journal entries or friendly advice. Kim values authenticity above all – he writes for himself first and doesn’t shy away from controversial or contradictory thoughts. “First, 10000% authentic…you do the thing for the sake of it,” he says about creating content for intrinsic reasons . This authenticity is tied to his belief in autotelic creativity (doing it for its own sake). He openly acknowledges that over a long career, his opinions might change: “If you live long enough, and write for long enough… sooner or later you’re gonna contradict yourself.” Rather than seeing this as a problem, he embraces it as part of intellectual growth – echoing the Greek philosopher Heraclitus’ idea that all is in flux . This philosophy gives him freedom to explore ideas on the blog without fear of being wrong or inconsistent over time.
Kim’s posts often convey a sense of playfulness and courage. He encourages treating blogging as a creative playground rather than a formal duty. “Don’t take blogging seriously. Have fun, and treat yourself like a kid on a digital playground,” he urges fellow creators . This translates to a willingness to experiment, “fuck around” with ideas, and not obsess over perfection. In fact, one of his core tips is: “Don’t strive to make anything ‘good’. Just have fun with it! Freestyle it! Fuck around with it!” . By removing the pressure to be perfect or always profound, Kim maintains a prodigious output and an enthusiastic tone in his writing. He often writes as ideas strike him, even if that means publishing a half-finished thought. One technique he uses is to publish a new post as soon as he has a title or idea, then update it live: “I hit ‘Publish’ and continue to write and add to it, clicking ‘Update’ as I go… I treat blogging like live-mind-streaming.” . This spontaneity keeps his content feeling raw and real, like a conversation with the reader in real time.
Discipline and Process: Despite the carefree attitude, Eric Kim is very disciplined in leveraging his creativity. He mentions practical habits that support his blogging: using a standing desk to stay alert, typing extremely fast (120-150 WPM) so he can get ideas down as quickly as he thinks them, and even listening to music (like classic hip hop) to get into a flow state . Crucially, he recommends “get it 80% good enough, then hit publish” – quoting Steve Jobs’ adage that “Great artists ship.” . Spending endless hours to perfect a post yields diminishing returns; it’s better to put the work out at 80% and move on to the next idea than to chase an impossible 100% perfection . Kim practices what he preaches: he’d rather publish multiple posts per day, riding bursts of inspiration, than over-polish one piece. He also manages consistency by batching content – for example, writing 1–5 posts in a single inspired day and scheduling them to drip out daily . This creates a “steady stream of content” without forcing himself to write when he’s not in the mood . He advises creators that it’s okay to take breaks and let the mind “replenish” like fallow soil . In short, his approach balances prolific output with sustainable practice: write furiously when inspired, rest when needed, but remain present by using scheduling tools.
Philosophy and Motivation: Underlying Eric Kim’s blogging practice is a set of motivational and philosophical principles he often shares with readers. One recurring theme is courage – he implores creatives to have the courage to express their ideas and stand by them . He also emphasizes self-empowerment: the idea that you shouldn’t wait for anyone’s permission or approval to create. (One of his blog post titles is literally “ASKING FOR PERMISSION IS FOR SUCKERS.” ) Kim often tells his audience to “choose yourself” and take control of their creative destiny, rather than hoping for external validation. He also speaks about information and knowledge sharing almost in moral terms. For Kim, spreading knowledge freely is a virtuous cycle; he once wrote that he’s “passionate about information” and the free flow of ideas (a concept tied to his open-source ethos).
Another principle Kim shares is the idea of blogging as a tool for thinking and personal growth. Writing, for him, is not just about broadcasting ideas but clarifying his own thoughts. “As I blog, I am better able to think, and explicate my thoughts…. Blogging is augmented thinking.” He often encourages readers to start their own blog as a form of self-discovery and empowerment. In a crypto-related essay, after giving life advice like walking 50 miles a day and lifting weights, his next tip is simply: “Start blogging! Bluehost.com and install WordPress.org…” – as if blogging were as essential to a good life as exercise and sunlight. This reflects how strongly he believes in the value of sharing one’s voice online.
Finally, Kim’s blogging philosophy circles back to community and generosity. He frequently features other photographers on his site and has organized meet-ups and workshops to bring people together. In his interview with PetaPixel, he clarified that “My blog isn’t me talking from a throne, pretending like I am the best and know everything…. What I do offer in my blog is my personal real life experiences… my personal difficulties, doubts, and what I have learned” . This humility and openness to learning is key to his approach: he positions himself as a fellow traveler on the creative journey, not an untouchable expert. By sharing failures and doubts along with successes, he makes his content more relatable and useful. He even describes himself “less of a teacher and more of a facilitator” in the community , showing that his goal is to inspire and enable others rather than simply build his own fame. This philosophy of servant leadership in blogging has helped Eric Kim cultivate a dedicated following. Readers see his blog as a trove of free knowledge and an invitation to engage, rather than a one-way lecture or a sales funnel. In summary, Kim’s blogging ethos is about fearless creation, radical openness, and empowering others through sharing. It’s a blend of hustler energy (posting daily, building a brand) and almost idealistic generosity (information wants to be free) – a combination that defines his unique voice online.
Key Quotes
Below are some notable quotes from Eric Kim’s writings that highlight his perspectives on Bitcoin and blogging, in his own words:
- “Only put money into crypto, assuming that it will go to zero.” – Eric Kim’s rule of thumb for investing in Bitcoin/crypto, emphasizing one should only invest an amount one is prepared to lose entirely.
- “Crypto to me is interesting because it is edgy, optimistic, radical, and bold. Also a bit reckless.” – Kim on why cryptocurrency fascinates him, capturing the maverick spirit that attracts him to Bitcoin and crypto technology.
- “Bitcoin is like Apple… having the newest iPhone… Ethereum is more like Android, having an ugly Google pixel or some sort of generic Samsung smartphone.” – His analogy about Bitcoin vs. other cryptocurrencies, suggesting Bitcoin has the mainstream appeal and branding of a top-tier product, whereas Ethereum/altcoins lag in allure (despite their technical merits).
- “I consider myself the best blogger of all time.” – Kim’s confident self-identification as a blogger, reflecting the pride he takes in blogging and the persona he projects to energize himself. (He follows this by sharing his blogging philosophy with readers.)
- “Don’t strive to make anything ‘good’. Just have fun with it! Freestyle it! Fuck around with it!” – Kim’s advice on content creation, urging creators to relax and play with their work instead of chasing perfection. This quote exemplifies his informal tone and emphasis on creative freedom.
- “Blogging is augmented thinking.” – His view on blogging’s purpose, meaning that the act of writing a blog helps amplify and clarify one’s own thoughts. Kim sees blogging as a form of active mental processing, not just publication.
- “Direct downloadable links, all open source everything. No fucking paywalls, or email newsletter walls… We all hate this.” – Kim’s stance on sharing information freely, showing his no-nonsense rejection of content barriers. He believes in providing content with zero friction for the audience.
- “My blog isn’t me talking from a throne… What I do offer in my blog is my personal real life experiences: my personal difficulties, doubts, and what I have learned.” – Kim on the ethos of his blog, stressing humility and authenticity. He positions his content as a sharing of experiences and lessons learned, rather than a top-down “expert” lecture, which resonates with his community-driven philosophy.
Each of these quotes offers a window into Eric Kim’s mindset: whether it’s the cautious optimism with which he approaches Bitcoin or the passionate, open-hearted approach he brings to blogging. Together, they paint the picture of a creator who is equal parts entrepreneur and philosopher – fiercely enthusiastic about new ideas (from street photography techniques to digital currency) yet grounded in a belief that knowledge should be shared freely and creatively with the world.