ERIC KIM

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Real goals

-https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2024/07/31/spartan-freedom/

Audio: https://erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SPARTAN-FREEDOM.m4a

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PDF- https://erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/KING-OF-THE-STREETS-2.pdf

# KING OF THE STREETS

Recently, I embarked on an adventure with Seneca, my son. We visited the central library in downtown LA, a magnificent place. If you drive to downtown LA, park at the central public library, and with a valid Los Angeles public library card, parking costs just one dollar with validation for two or three hours at the information desk.

We explored downtown LA, including the Apple Theater (with great public bathrooms in the Apple Store on the bottom level). We walked by my old haunts on Hope Street and Broadway in front of ilcafe. We tried to visit Santee Alley in the fashion district, but it was too hot, and another event was happening at the library, so we decided to visit next time.

During our walk, I captured a street photo I was proud of—a tattooed man smoking a cigarette in front of a muscle car. I put down Seneca for a moment, grabbed my camera, took a few shots, and continued our walk.

While on Broadway, I saw a group of street photographers with Fujifilm X100 cameras and a film Hasselblad X panoramic camera. One of them might have even taken a photo of me and Seneca. I felt a sense of pride seeing street photography alive and well, knowing that I had contributed to its popularity through my blog, work, YouTube videos, and e-books.

## The Death of Slim Shady

A fellow rap and hip-hop enthusiast told me that Eminem released a new album. I was impressed by Eminem's longevity in the music industry. The greatest of all time (GOAT) is the most durable of all time, the one whose name will live on the longest.

At a public library event near the Otis School of Design, I met a man who recognized Seneca's name from the Roman Stoic philosopher. It reminded me that names last. Choosing a meaningful name for your child can be significant, like naming them after someone who had a major impact on your life.

## The Path Forward

Perpetually restarting with a fresh slate is essential. Don’t be constrained by your past self or old styles. In photography and life, evolve and try new things. Seeing artists who never change their style becomes boring. Aim to evolve like a Pokémon, from Charmander to Charmeleon to Charizard, or from Magikarp to Gyarados.

## Random Pokémon Thoughts

If you’re born around 1988, you probably played or watched Pokémon. Today’s kids still know what Pokémon is. Thinking of yourself as a high-level Snorlax can help you ignore annoying behaviors. Asking someone about their favorite or spirit Pokémon reveals a lot about their personality.

## Being the Number One Person in Your Niche

It's better to be number one in a small, specific niche than to be number two or three in a broader field. For example, in photography, focusing on street photography rather than general photography helped me find my place.

## The Planet is Big Enough

With over 8 billion people, even a small niche can have a significant impact. In photography, although many have iPhones, the community of dedicated photographers is still relatively small. Being part of a small, exclusive club is desirable.

## Pick a Fight

Inspired by a scene in Fight Club, sometimes it's beneficial to stand up for yourself and make a fuss. If you suspect someone is trying to bully or disrespect you, react strongly. This applies to various situations, such as when employees treat you poorly based on appearances.

## Vanity Objects

Despite not using my film Leica MP camera for years, it's a valuable vanity object I plan to pass down to Seneca. Film Leica cameras, like the MP or MA, might be the only cameras that can last 300 years. In contrast, digital Leica cameras are more vanity objects today.

## Bitcoin and Street Photography

In the modern era, making money from art through traditional methods like selling prints is outdated. Instead, invest in Bitcoin.

PDF - https://erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Spartan-Way-4.pdf

post- https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2024/07/26/the-spartan-way-vlog/

# The Spartan Way

## Radical Ideas on Money

A revolutionary idea is the opposite of what our capitalistic society encourages: **NOT** spending money. This concept is substantial as it challenges the central tenet of our economic system, which revolves around spending.

### Spending Money: Easy but Unwise?

Spending money is easy, even for a chimpanzee or a three-year-old child. Teaching kids, and maybe even adults, not to spend money could be a more beneficial strategy.

## Propaganda of Spending

An encounter at JP Morgan Chase illustrated this concept when they provided a children's coloring book that still focused on spending money, albeit indirectly. This instance reflects how society conditions children from a young age to become consumers.

Parents often bemoan their children's addiction to presents, games, and gadgets, but they fail to recognize their role in this cycle. Kids mirror their parents, who themselves are often addicted to similar consumerist behaviors.

## The Matrix of Consumerism

We are metaphorically living in a Matrix, where we toil away to power an economic system that ultimately makes us weaker and sicker. Products like marijuana and alcohol, while dulling our senses, are prime examples of this. They are detrimental, especially for those already struggling with mental and physical health issues.

## Purpose of Money

The common mistake is living to make money, instead of using money to serve our needs, desires, and goals. Money has become an end in itself, rather than a means to an end.

## Minimum Viable Income

A radical concept here is the minimum viable income, where the goal is to minimize expenses to the bare minimum and focus energy on true life goals. This idea contrasts sharply with the mentality of accumulating wealth for its own sake.

### Avoiding the Pitfalls of Consumerism

Personal experiences reveal the pitfalls of consumerism. The example of being drawn to camera gear highlights how the desire to spend often masks the true desire for experiences, such as making photos. The true value lies in the action, not the gear.

### The Best Camera is the One You Have

The advice for photographers is to use a small, reliable camera, like the Ricoh GR, analogous to John Wick's trusty pistol. It's a precision tool that is always ready, unlike bulky equipment that hinders spontaneity.

## Physical and Mental Strength

### Importance of Leg Day

A funny yet insightful thought is that if men want to increase their testosterone and manliness, they should focus on working out their legs. Legs are far stronger than the upper body, and daily leg workouts could significantly boost testosterone levels, confidence, strength, and overall well-being.

### Hormonal Attraction

Men often believe that building an upper body will attract women, but the true attraction might lie in hormonal levels. Increased testosterone, often influenced by physical activity and sun exposure, could play a significant role in attractiveness.

## Conclusion

The Spartan Way advocates for a minimalist approach to life, focusing on reducing unnecessary expenses, avoiding consumer traps, and prioritizing physical and mental health. This approach encourages living a life centered around true goals and personal fulfillment, rather than being a slave to consumerism and material wealth.

Audio: https://erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MORE-LEG-THOUGHTS.m4a

**Leg Thoughts: The Significance of Strong Legs in Health and Wealth**

Legs often reflect an individual's health and vitality. Observing someone's legs can offer insights into their overall fitness and well-being. This emphasis on leg strength is prevalent in both men and women, highlighting the cultural importance placed on the appearance and robustness of legs.

**The Attraction of Legs**

Men frequently assess women's attractiveness by examining their legs, considering factors like length, skin health, and overall shape. Similarly, as people age, strong and muscular legs signify good health and an active lifestyle. Maintaining strong legs can enable older individuals to continue engaging in physically demanding activities, like hiking and backpacking, as demonstrated by the author's 69-year-old mother.

**Evaluating Health Through Legs**

Bare legs reveal much about a person's health, including skin quality and muscle tone. Younger individuals tend to have firmer, more youthful skin compared to older adults. However, leggings often obscure these details, making it harder to judge leg health.

**Leg Shaming and Fashion**

Capitalism and consumerism often promote clothing that covers legs, possibly to create a sense of body shame. Men, in particular, are expected to wear long pants, even shorts that rarely expose much leg. This trend is not only cultural but also practical, as evidenced by the rarity of men wearing speedos in the U.S., contrasting with their prevalence in Europe.

**Chicken Legs in Fitness**

Strong legs are uncommon even among fitness enthusiasts. The author notes that powerlifters often have formidable legs, but many are short, stout, or have higher body fat. Truly lean and muscular legs are rare, reinforcing the need for consistent leg training.

**Parental Leg Strength**

For parents, especially those raising active children, strong legs are crucial. Training legs can also indirectly strengthen the upper body, as exercises like squats and atlas lifts engage multiple muscle groups. Achieving feats like lifting heavy weights requires both lower and upper body strength, highlighting the interconnectedness of physical fitness.

**The Obsession with Upper Body Strength**

Modern media and cinema have fueled an obsession with upper body strength, often neglecting the importance of leg strength. Yet, in activities like tennis and weightlifting, leg drive is essential for power. The focus on upper body aesthetics is driven by visual media, where close-up shots emphasize muscles above the waist.

**Fashion Trends: Leggings vs. Biker Shorts**

In recent years, a shift from yoga leggings to biker shorts has been observed, particularly in places like Orange County. The choice of attire in activities like yoga can influence comfort and performance, with speedos being ideal for hot yoga due to their minimal coverage.

**Beach Volleyball: The Happiest Sport**

Beach volleyball players often exhibit the most joy and physical fitness, enjoying the social aspect, outdoor environment, and barefoot play. Sun exposure contributes to their tan and overall happiness. Working remotely from the beach could enhance well-being, despite potential envy from coworkers.

**Economic Perspectives and Spending**

The author reflects on economic principles and the importance of wisely managing and growing money. Instead of spending on luxury cars, investing in assets like bitcoin can provide long-term financial security. Maintaining a low-profile wealth, such as driving a Lexus, can also enhance safety and avoid unwanted attention.

Ultimate Leverage: Strong Legs**

Your legs- https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2024/07/15/what-is-the-most-important-thing/

PDF- ⁠https://erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Legs.pdf

# Leg Leverage: Your Legs Run the World

## Everyday is Leg Day

Instead of spending money on luxury cars like Lamborghinis, Porsches, or Ferraris, consider investing in your legs.

## Your Legs: The Ultimate Lever and Leverage

There's a popular meme in fitness circles about "skipping leg day," which highlights how many men focus on their upper bodies—biceps, chest, deltoids—for the sake of appearance, especially in the age of social media and cameras. Before the advent of cameras and mirrors, show muscles were less of a priority. In ancient times, like in the Iliad, the key question was who could defeat whom in battle, not who had the most impressive physique. The ancient Greek heroes, like King Leonidas and the Spartan 300, likely had powerful muscles, but these were concealed by armor and served as a source of physical strength and lethality rather than for display.

## Chest Muscles?

Ever since acquiring a 60-pound weight vest, which instantly added several inches to my chest, I've pondered the value of chest muscles in combat. In reality, chest muscles don't contribute significantly to fighting prowess.

## Posture and Sexiness

Both men and women aim to look sexy, as evident in formal events like weddings. In marketing, the adage "sex sells" holds true. Brands like Reformation and ALO Yoga capitalize on this by promoting their products as ways to enhance sexiness. Despite ALO Yoga's inferior material quality compared to Lululemon, it appeals to a younger demographic due to its sexier image.

## The Decline of Focus on Sexiness

Today's fashion trends often emphasize ugliness over sexiness. However, in places like Los Angeles, sexiness still thrives. As an undergraduate at UCLA, I found LA's emphasis on attractiveness appealing compared to the grungier vibe of UC Berkeley.

## The Importance of Sexiness

Sex is crucial for procreation and the continuation of the human race. Intelligent families understand the importance of having children for maintaining their legacy.

## Children are Recession-Proof

Contrary to the belief that recessions deter people from having children, families generally continue to have kids. This trend is supported by cities like Irvine, which encourage family growth.

## Privilege of Your Legs

Archimedes famously said, "Give me a place to stand, and I shall move the world!" The emphasis is on standing, not sitting.

## Taiko Drumming and Leg Power

During a Taiko drumming performance, it was evident that the drummers' power came from their leg stance, highlighting the importance of leg strength.

## Weightlifting that Utilizes Leg Drive

Innovating weightlifting techniques that incorporate leg drive could revolutionize upper body workouts.

## Don’t Be the Cripple in the Rolls Royce

Imagine being bound to a wheelchair for life but owning an unlimited collection of luxury cars. The trade-off isn't worth it, emphasizing the value of mobility.

## Consumerism and Sacrificing Your Legs

Many marketed products, like sofas and chairs, promote a sedentary lifestyle, leading to the neglect of leg health.

## The Ultimate Fitness

The best exercise is simply moving—walking and staying active. With a 60-pound weight vest, I've mastered this and aim to increase the weight further.

## Generate New Ideas with Your Legs

Walking can stimulate creative thinking and innovative ideas. Productive conversations and presentations are often better outdoors while walking.

## The Privilege of Your Legs

Mobility is crucial, especially for activities like travel and street photography. Many people work hard to retire and travel, but poor leg health can impede these plans.

## Appreciating Health

Health is often underappreciated until it's lost. At a friend's wedding, I realized the true wealth of being healthy.

## Judging Strength: Look at the Legs

When evaluating strength, first look at the legs. Real men glorify their leg strength.

Go! https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2024/04/26/the-megagod/

it real

THE MEGA BEAST