Why so serious?

Actually, if you look at it… To be too serious about things, is perhaps like some sort of thing we are taught and socialize to be? To become grown-up or “adult“, is, to become morose,  dark, emo, taking things and life too seriously.

study children, and kids

If you look at kids, they don’t take anything too seriously. To them, life is simple, play, and opportunity! Even when kids get upset, they get upset for short periods of time, then quickly get over it, and it escapes their consciousness. It does not linger.

recovery

If you think about games, like video games, points, etc.… If your character dies, or whatever, we don’t take it too seriously, it might be a little bit, annoying that we sunk so much time into it, and that we have to start over again… But often, there is a simple joy to start a new character, a new class, a new something? 

A game without points?

If you think about Calvin and Hobbes, “Calvin ball”–> the general idea is… The game in which we played… Not to keep track with points, or numbers or whatever… But just to simply enjoy the game?

The philosophy of creation

The purpose of life to create?

The philosophy of wealth & power?

Wealth simply as a means to creation? And once you create something… You feel a surge of power? 

Always make it ever more, even more extreme?

Make it into its own character? Story telling

Scenarios?

The new Bugatti destrier–> Bugatti or nothing >

Whatever motivates you, irregardless of how strange, is good?

Every day, try to save a little bit more time

It’s just part of the routine, the same old routine,,, is good… doesn’t even matter the routine will always be a little bit different?

The invincible god

The goal!

ERIC

After-thrusters

Keep practicing, never stop practicing?

Life

To simply create one thing a day and share it every day… Maybe this is the purpose of life?

ERIC

START HERE, BOOKS, NEWSLETTER, WORKSHOPS

Why so serious?

Actually, if you look at it… To be too serious about things, is perhaps like some sort of thing we are taught and socialize to be? To become grown-up or “adult“, is, to become morose,  dark, emo, taking things and life too seriously.

study children, and kids

If you look at kids, they don’t take anything too seriously. To them, life is simple, play, and opportunity! Even when kids get upset, they get upset for short periods of time, then quickly get over it, and it escapes their consciousness. It does not linger.

recovery

If you think about games, like video games, points, etc.… If your character dies, or whatever, we don’t take it too seriously, it might be a little bit, annoying that we sunk so much time into it, and that we have to start over again… But often, there is a simple joy to start a new character, a new class, a new something? 

Health, chronic health & investing?

So, if I could promise you $600 million, but the strings attached are chronic depression, physiological depression, no desire to leave the house in the morning, no excitement or joy of waking up in the morning, going to sleep at night not knowing what the point of tomorrow is… Also aimless loss without a sense of purpose in life, would you take it?

the link between health physiological health and investing?

So I think a big connection that people do not make is the link between health physiological health and invest investing. Honestly, I might think that close to 99% of investing is simply physiological? 

For example, I’m sure there’s like 1 million cocktails of hormones that exist in your body when it comes to investing in terms of dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, and certainly there are a lot of things that does to your heart rate, adrenaline levels, etc. I think that’s also why the majority of investors and traders tend to be men… More testosterone, greater sensitivity to risk taking? 

Zen spartan stoic

So it seems that the truth is, in America and the Western world… We worship capital, capital is our new god. Even one way you could think about it is bitcoin as a digital god. 

If we take it back to ancient times, ancient sport times, it seems that the ancient Spartans only cared for freedom, individual liberty, and pride and glory in themselves. There were strict laws prohibiting amassing too much wealth and capital, and even each Spartan was restricted to just one plot of land, nothing more nothing less.

the nature of man

The desire to always want more, maybe it is a feature not a bug?

The more I get involved in wellness, Buddhist, Christian circles… Too much focus on gratitude gratitude practices, saying that desiring more is the root of all evil blah blah blah, I’m starting to get more and more suspicious of this line of thinking.

I think actually… It is a virtue to desire more. Otherwise, we would not have self driving Teslas and Waymo’s, and we would all still be munching acorns in a cave somewhere.

with greater upsides come greater downsides?

Nietzsche has an interesting idea–> in order to make man more “good”, you must also conversely make him more evil? Do you think that, we could have one without the other is nonsense?

Similarly speaking, I had a painful thought:

what if in order to maximize or Joy happiness, gratitude to life etc.… We must also conversely increase our suffering pain, all the bad stuff?

And that actually, if used correctly, maximizing your anxiety depression, and the depressive downward physiology things, we’re actually necessary for a greater upside?

life is all comparison and framing

What is more painful? Going from $1 billion down to $100 million, we’re going from $1 million down to $600,000?

Also, what’s a better situation? Going from $100 million down to $10 million, or, going from earning 60,000 a year to $120,000 a year?

We humans tend to always frame everything, and pin success or failure based on past anchoring numbers and or experiences. 

Making health your prime focus 

I think everyone has a different definition and or, way to health… What that means to them or how it is manifested in them, therefore, it seems… If you just prioritize your health, and then get your health in order… Everything else will take care of itself?

ERIC

So, if I could promise you $600 million, but the strings attached are chronic depression, physiological depression, no desire to leave the house in the morning, no excitement or joy of waking up in the morning, going to sleep at night not knowing what the point of tomorrow is… Also aimless loss without a sense of purpose in life, would you take it?

the link between health physiological health and investing?

So I think a big connection that people do not make is the link between health physiological health and invest investing. Honestly, I might think that close to 99% of investing is simply physiological? 

For example, I’m sure there’s like 1 million cocktails of hormones that exist in your body when it comes to investing in terms of dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, and certainly there are a lot of things that does to your heart rate, adrenaline levels, etc. I think that’s also why the majority of investors and traders tend to be men… More testosterone, greater sensitivity to risk taking? 

Zen spartan stoic

So it seems that the truth is, in America and the Western world… We worship capital, capital is our new god. Even one way you could think about it is bitcoin as a digital god. 

If we take it back to ancient times, ancient sport times, it seems that the ancient Spartans only cared for freedom, individual liberty, and pride and glory in themselves. There were strict laws prohibiting amassing too much wealth and capital, and even each Spartan was restricted to just one plot of land, nothing more nothing less.

the nature of man

The desire to always want more, maybe it is a feature not a bug?

The more I get involved in wellness, Buddhist, Christian circles… Too much focus on gratitude gratitude practices, saying that desiring more is the root of all evil blah blah blah, I’m starting to get more and more suspicious of this line of thinking.

I think actually… It is a virtue to desire more. Otherwise, we would not have self driving Teslas and Waymo’s, and we would all still be munching acorns in a cave somewhere.

with greater upsides come greater downsides?

Nietzsche has an interesting idea–> in order to make man more “good”, you must also conversely make him more evil? Do you think that, we could have one without the other is nonsense?

Similarly speaking, I had a painful thought:

what if in order to maximize or Joy happiness, gratitude to life etc.… We must also conversely increase our suffering pain, all the bad stuff?

And that actually, if used correctly, maximizing your anxiety depression, and the depressive downward physiology things, we’re actually necessary for a greater upside?

life is all comparison and framing

What is more painful? Going from $1 billion down to $100 million, we’re going from $1 million down to $600,000?

Also, what’s a better situation? Going from $100 million down to $10 million, or, going from earning 60,000 a year to $120,000 a year?

We humans tend to always frame everything, and pin success or failure based on past anchoring numbers and or experiences. 

Never stop stacking:

So I thought that I have with capital… What does capital want? It wants to keep indefinitely stacking. It is like the principle of growth.

I suppose the tricky thing is, thinking and considering… It is best to make micro gains indefinitely, rather than longer duration intermittent big gains?

Capital gains and physiological gains?

When you have a capital gain… You also feel a physiological gain? 

Then perhaps the inside is… It isn’t the capital gain we are seeking but the physiological high and gain? 

First do the physiological stuff, THEN do the financial stuff?

So there is a big hormonal surge which happens when you’re kind of doing anything financial money related whether it be investing stocks checking bitcoin prices whatever, there are two components: first, the technological issue and designed issue, if you see red on the screen, you’re going to feel the danger response. Red is the color of blood.

Pro tip, whenever you do anything finance or financial related, I always turn my iPad or iPhone into mono chrome mode so I am less affected by the physiological response of seeing red or green numbers.

Bitcoin zen

So a very very interesting use of grok build,,, essentially this amazing game changing feature in which, with Grok, the $30 a month version, you can instantly build and deploy a website that runs directly in your browser!

I built this bitcoin Zen website app, and the general idea is, certainly knowing the price of bitcoin and or your stocks is useful… but how to get the upside of knowing what the price is, without the emotional toil?

Check it out >

Zen capitalism, zen capitalist

Unaffected by losses or gains? 

Perhaps the principle of being a Zen investor or Zen capitalist is, you become unaffected by losses or gains, … and then the question becomes, what’s the point of stacking capital in the first place?

physiological happiness and wellness is the goal?


What’s the point of having $100 million in your capital stack if physically and physiologically you’re not joyful and happy?

Therefore it seems that the simple goal is physiological happiness over all!

ERIC

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So I thought that I have with capital… What does capital want? It wants to keep indefinitely stacking. It is like the principle of growth.

I suppose the tricky thing is, thinking and considering… It is best to make micro gains indefinitely, rather than longer duration intermittent big gains?

why do we have brains?

So… The purpose of having a brand isn’t too “think“… Rather, to coordinate movement. Being a biped , having two eyes for depth perception, balance, etc.

a hike a day keeps the doctor away

Now that I’m back in LA… I almost tried to religiously do my daily morning walk hike. To me it’s almost essential and critical?

to start thinking, start hiking

Assuming that thoughts, having interesting thoughts is our supreme joy and passion, then… Hiking and walking seems critical.

I’ve discovered for myself, walking around the block on flat surfaces is insanely boring, going on a walk in a slightly hilly area, with natural dirt and rocks, windy paths and elevation is 1 trillion times more interesting.

Even with homes, assuming you want to buy a house or something, it actually seems that the best piece of property is to buy it on a small hill or a small slope or elevation, it doesn’t need to be like super high up on top of the hills, but, living on a slightly windy road, with a bit of a elevation and a view seems preferable

Why? I think there is this uncanny Valley, of flat things surfaces elevations without any irregularity. Nothing in nature is 100% flat, if you’re on a hike even if you’re on a relatively flat surface, each step is a little bit different. With flat concrete, each step is the same.

Wellness?

A big thought I’ve been thinking about is in regards to wellness.

First, nobody on the planet wants to be unwell. So it seems that as a general tactic, trying to eradicate wellness from your mind body and soul seems to be the first step forward. However, the big thought is: once you are well, then what?

A useful thing to do is once you are well, helping other people who are unwell, which seems to be like Christian Jesus ethics.

More interesting on orthodox I have is, assuming you are 100% well, then, is the goal to become super well? Like… Rather than thinking about wellness as like a scale from 0 to 10, thinking of it like wellness… Like you could stack it indefinitely?

For example, let us say that zero is misery and unwellness, and 10 is at a point in which you have a clear mind, happy thoughts, you feel joyful, glad and clear… No mental disturbances or issues etc. Like some sort of perfect Zen tranquility. Then once you reach this goal… Could you then, increase your wellness level to hit 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 30 and beyond?

Like if you’re thinking about a video game… Like if life were like Diablo, you start off at level zero or level one, and the ideas you do not max out at level 10. That you can indefinitely increase your levels?

Never stop growing:

A very simple way to think about life is about growth. Like very very simple… getting married having kids, growing your kids growing your family etc.

I also had this idea of completion of being the goal. For example… When is nature ever “complete”? She keeps growing, no matter what.

Your body

I think one of the greatest virtues of building your body is it is more or less 100% in your control. You’re gonna decide what to consume what not to consume, whether to partake in physical activity weightlifting every day, hiking, putting on a weight vest etc. Sleep is a difficult one… But also, certainly there are certain things that you could do like turn off your phone or devices after 3 PM, if you have insomnia, reading paperback books, or in the evening, maybe getting into swimming or hot sun or cold plunges etc., sugar starches carbohydrates alcohol marijuana etc. Even this is an interesting idea, I think the reason why we are so into coffee and caffeine is we feel like we must always be productive, but now that we have the AI… And AI will be 1 trillion times more productive than us, then, we treat coffee and caffeine more like a luxury, rather than a stimulant to be productive. 

Feedback

Very simple idea, lift weights every single day, go heavy, one repetition maximum, and eat a shit load of meat beef, beef liver organs etc.… And try to sleep 8 to 12 hours a night, certainly you will see your muscles and your vascularity improve.  and the reason why this is so joyful is because, you’re essentially staring at yourself in the mirror all day, so any improvements you’ve seen in your body are immediate and rewarding.

Life as a video game

Typically we think that video games are bad. And for the most part, any sort of media or thing which discourages you to move and forces you to sit for long periods of time or certainly detrimental. Maybe an only type of video game which might be good is like having some sort of virtual reality goggles or augment to reality goggles on,.. and running around being fully physical in the real world?

Anyways… I think we tend to think of capital, capital accumulation also like a game. And certainly our self-esteem does get tied to this game.

Also what I discovered is… Maybe with capital, the goal is not to have a certain target and hit it, but rather, slowly, “kaizen capitalism” or “kaizen capital”–> it is more rewarding and motivating to slowly stack your stack indefinitely overtime, forever?

Like if you had 300 bitcoins, and then suddenly you lost it all, or you sold it all too early and now it is worth a lot more than it was in the past, certainly you will feel some regret. Or even imagine if you had 1000 bitcoins and you were reduced to 500 bitcoins 300 200 or 100 etc. The percentage loss is extremely painful and traumatic.

We are humans are tricky because we always anchor things to the past present and future, and everything is relativistic. Like for example it’s better for an ordinary person to slowly but surely and indefinitely keep growing their stack, forever… rather than a billionaire losing 80% of his stack, even though the billionaire would still be more financially well off being only worth $100M or $200M.  And I think this actually happens a lot.

No form is the best form

Be water – Bruce Lee

Do you think about water, it does not remain static it keeps flowing, taking whatever shape you put it into, and also changes form from gas to water to solid back to liquid etc. Or it fits whatever cup or vase you put it into.

A lot of people tried to pigeonhole Bruce Lee into some sort of martial art arts form or philosophy, but once again, this is bad because if people pigeon hold you into a certain style, whether karate or whatever… Then, you cannot evolve and change forms.

Therefore as a rule… When people ask me what I do or whatever, I think actually it’s kind of wise to be vague about things, rather than having some sort of pre-rehearsed answer each and every time. Because once you put on a new identity and suit, and circumstances change, you suffer extreme self identity loss, because you were tied to that certain identity.

And interesting thing is, assuming you live to be 120… It is impossible for any human being on the planet, all 8 billion of us, to not at least suffer one extreme tragedy in our lifetime. It is almost part of the contract:

you are promised at least one or two or three or several extreme deep tragedies in life… yet, you will also experience several extremely euphoric experiences.

Nietzsche had a similar idea: his idea was, if out of all existence, you just had one insanely joyful or happy moment, all of existence was worth it.

The upside of extreme tragedy is extreme clarity?

Easier said than done, but the good idea is, extreme tragedy could be very very welcome if it actually gives you extreme clarity in life?

For example a lot of people in your death experiences, claim it to be the most grateful event ever, because it gave them extreme clarity but what is important in life and what isn’t. And assuming that your time your focus your attention is the most limited scarce desirable asset in existence, the magic trick we kind of need to do is try to think or give ourselves time to understand how extreme tragedy could be transmuted into our supreme benefit.

More turbo thoughts to come,
ERIC

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why traveling is so difficult

So back in LA after about 2 1/2 months abroad, the last three weeks in which I had no access to a gym or weightlifting. Now that I have my garage gym back, I definitely feel like 1 billion times happier.

I think the tricky thing is, we tend to think that, somehow there is a disconnect between the body and mind. I think the deep truth is, the mind is a fiction, the body is real.

physiological truth

I think the reason why insanely hot sauna’s baths, being in the water, swimming, being in the ocean… Or ice cold showers or ice, plunge or ice baths are so effective is… It certainly gives some sort of positive shock or distraction to your system, which is good for your emotional calibration and recalibration.

In fact, probably maybe 80% of the benefit of doing hot yoga is actually the fact that the room is insanely hot, in which… You literally cannot even think about all of your life, problems or issues, because… The heat gets you out of your mind?

access to weightlifting

For me, true happiness, enjoy is kind of simple… At least once, being able to lift weights, at least once a day? Even more fun when I am doing it with friends or buddies, etc.

If you think about the ancient Spartans, it seems like perhaps 95% of their socialization happen, during their military training, exercise exercises, I could imagine them topless in the sun or the shade, chatting in between target practice, weapons, training, etc. Recently, I’ve actually been training some local buddies of mine, and some new faces, I feel like I’m starting my own fight club, we call it “the lab.”

But anyways, I think one big thing that I overlooked in terms of happiness or optimal human thriving is actually some sort of social manly club Joy?

For example, should be told, funny enough some of the happiest moments of my life were probably in high school… When I had my tightly knit group of friends I would see every single day, multiple times a day, and we had that strong bond. College and university was great also in terms of social life, however… Funny enough high school feels a little bit more tribal, whereas University feels more cosmopolitan? Like in high school 90% of my friends were men, most of my close friends were men, and then once I went to college it was maybe like 50-50? Or because I studied sociology, maybe like 80% my friends were actually women?

the insight of fight club

My sister was telling me that apparently, the biggest issue in America is this male loneliness epidemic? My friend Chris also told me that, also apparently the amount of unhappy unmarried men are also at an all-time high?

why Social

This is actually the big thing that I have been thinking about and pondering recently, yes, what is the purpose of this all?

I think the biological physiological parts… It seems when we are social, there are certain positive bonding hormones which are emitted. Maybe with men it is testosterone, dopamine, and also… Some sort of hidden male bonding hormone? Some sort of masculine oxytocin? 

I think social skills are certainly the future, once you have the AI’s being able to solve all the difficult mathematical and scientific stuff and engineering stuff, certainly all the suicidal issues and human related issues will remain, if not become more exacerbated. This is why… Also with my son, I really try to prioritize social skills communication etc. Even our summer abroad, I’m so grateful that Seneca is learning about Khmer Cambodian culture, Hong Kong culture, Cantonese, Mandarin… As well as Japan and Japanese.

why does this matter

One interesting observation that I have made is if you think about all media, they always involve human beings. Even the cartoons are just animated versions of human social relationships.

So in some ways, when people watch media… What they really want is some sort of social connection.  this is why when you watch some sort of anime or long standing TV show series… These people actually in fact do become your friends. However the response is not reciprocal. 

is the purpose of life to be Social?

The tricky thing, once again… It seems that our supreme Joy is being social, being part of a society, having Social bonds, communities clubs etc., yet, is the goal to be Social?

My thought is, without some sort of social life, you will be quite unhappy and perhaps miserable. Even the interesting insight is, when we just are surrounded by people we actually feel more at ease, even though we may not necessarily interact with them.

However being Social for the sake of being Social, once again is kind of fun and playful, but not the end goal?

a higher purpose

“for a man who has a WHY in life can always figure out a HOW to life”- Nietzsche

I think what we are all searching for is some sort of higher purpose to life. Even Elon Musk, his grand life mission is to make humans interplanetary go to Mars etc. Capital is jet fuel, simply as a means to get there.

Another big thought that I have is, your life purpose doesn’t need to be connected to your economic output purpose. For example, it’s probably better to be some sort of investment banker and do 100% volunteering work on the side rather than being some sort of underpaid and overstressed and overworked social worker?

Cindy says in Vietnamese culture there is the left-hand job and the right hand job. The left-hand job is I think what pays the bills, the right hand job is your passion?

So now what

If we think about memento mori, the fact that, you might die today, and or, To output at least once a day, your life passion?

I think for myself, perhaps the greatest contribution I could make to humanity is perhaps philosophical, that involves these essays, or attempts of gaining deeper insights about life etc.

Therefore as a practice, my simple tactic is first thing in the morning, after I have my morning coffee, are you intentionally try to start the day without any sort of external media or information to enter my short-term consciousness, to use this valuable mind space time to think, recollect, and also write and voice dictate these essays? To also Vlog, and to propagate these ideas? Perhaps in terms of a good day, at least one hike, at least one propagation of thoughts, weightlifting, then my life should be good?

discovering your deeper life purpose

Honestly I think we all know what it is, but we always try to justify it, in terms of the economic output? However, once again… I think it is a good idea to separate the two.

The purpose or way of life is growth

Overcoming setbacks, and once again, growing and growing is perhaps the way of life and nature.

For example, imagine a tree, a huge sequoia or pine tree or even a weed, you chop it in half, 70%, 90%, or even to the bottom of the stump, and what happens? It always grows back! Whether we try to force it or not?

The stamp or the tree or the shrub or the weed, will start to regrow, have new tender shoots, and start to regrow again?

Also something I have discovered in life is, maybe a lesson from weightlifting is it is not about hitting a certain number, or after getting injured, regaining your old personal records, but rather, using the injury and pain as information to pioneer a new technique and approach, which doesn’t cause pain, but rather, increases your strength and power, simply by innovating the technique, leverage and form?

For example, I’ve certainly messed up my back my lower back, my spine several times, from dead lifting off the floor. First from conventional, then I injured myself, then, this was the stimulus to having to switch to sumo, then, another very major injury from sumo dead lift off the floor, and then after much experimentation, discovering the rack pull, then some minor injuries from using mixed grip, which caught me to using simple dead lifting straps, and then once I snapped those twice, to the figure 8 dead lifting straps?

Therefore as a principle, the big idea is, whenever you get injured, whether a small or minor, or extremely big injuries, which take months, if not years of recovery… Rather than feeling regret, instead, gaining insight wisdom and the opportunity for innovation, Like if I never injured myself just doing traditional conventional deadlifts off the floor, I would have never been able to lift 1,323.43108 KG / 2,917.19 LBS–> video link.

is the purpose of life pain avoidance?

My idea is, it’s like not paying or tragedy or all these negative emotions for the sake of things, but rather, having some sort of very grand life mission and goal, and thinking about everything in life just like a minor setback or delay or interesting challenge opportunity.

If you’re like 85, 90, 95, 100, 120 years old  and you’re on your deathbed, you probably would not care about your capital stack, whatever that number is, also I think it is fine to die with the regrets, because it is impossible for any human being on the planet to survive that long, without at least one or several deep tragedies and regrets? Perhaps the only regret we can have in life is the regret of knowing what your life passion admission and goal is, but, not adequately devoting enough energy or focus to it?

Like if Elon dies and we do not make it to Mars, certainly it will be the worst death, but at least… He knew that he gave it his all?

And maybe, the only thing which should be expected of us, is to ascertain your life mission, and to simply give it your all? And success and failure doesn’t really matter, but rather the grandeur of the attempt?

ERIC

cyber training


I’m currently pulling with the idea of maybe doing some sort of cyber online coaching for fitness health, or philosophy etc. If you’re interested, email me at eric@erickim.com

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As of yesterday only three left in stock. Don’t miss your opportunity to grab the perfect shirt, of a lifetime.

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

Conquer it all:

• September 5th: ERIC KIM Introduction to Stoicism Online Workshop – Brand New, Live!
• November 11: First-Ever IN-PERSON CONQUER YOURSELF // ERIC KIM STOICISM WORKSHOP NYC 2026

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NOVEMBER 11, 2026
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
NEW YORK CITY — IN PERSON
LIMITED TO ONLY 10 PEOPLE

NORMAL PRICE: $1,500 USD

EARLY BIRD: ONLY $695 USD

Early-bird deadline: October 28, 2026 — two weeks before the workshop.

REGISTER NOW

Secure your seat via PayPal:

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Only 10 spots are available.

THE ULTIMATE VICTORY IS VICTORY OVER YOURSELF.

What is Stoicism?

Not becoming passive.

Not becoming emotionless.

Not sitting quietly while life happens to you.

Stoicism is training for reality.

It is the art of becoming so strong internally that the outside world loses its power to disturb you.

Money rises and falls.

People praise you and criticize you.

Plans succeed and collapse.

You gain.

You lose.

You are loved.

You are rejected.

Yet you remain standing.

THIS IS POWER.

On November 11th in New York City, I am bringing together only 10 insanely motivated individuals for an intense four-hour, in-person introduction to Stoicism.

Not an academic philosophy lecture.

Not a history class.

Not four hours of sitting around talking about Marcus Aurelius.

We are going to USE STOICISM AS A WEAPON FOR MODERN LIFE.

THE GOAL

By the end of this workshop, I want you to walk through New York City with a fundamentally different relationship to:

Fear.

Anxiety.

Money.

Status.

Rejection.

Failure.

Uncertainty.

Other people’s opinions.

Death.

And most importantly—

YOURSELF.

The goal is simple:

Become harder to disturb.

You cannot completely control the economy.

You cannot control Bitcoin.

You cannot control the stock market.

You cannot control your boss.

You cannot control your spouse.

You cannot control strangers.

You cannot control whether somebody loves you, hates you, praises you, ignores you, follows you or unfollows you.

But you can increasingly master:

Your judgments.

Your actions.

Your courage.

Your attention.

Your response.

This is the beginning of freedom.

WHAT WE WILL EXPLORE

1. THE STOIC OPERATING SYSTEM

We will strip Stoicism down to its essential principles and rebuild it for modern life.

Marcus Aurelius.

Epictetus.

Seneca.

But more importantly:

YOU.

How do these ideas actually change the way you live tomorrow morning?

2. THE DICHOTOMY OF CONTROL

Perhaps the single most powerful mental model ever created:

What is actually under my control?

And—

Why am I wasting my precious life worrying about everything else?

We will practice separating signal from noise.

Action from anxiety.

Reality from imagination.

3. CONQUERING FEAR

Fear of embarrassment.

Fear of strangers.

Fear of losing money.

Fear of making the wrong decision.

Fear of being disliked.

Fear of uncertainty.

Fear of failure.

Most human beings build their entire lives around avoiding discomfort.

We will explore another path:

VOLUNTARILY WALK TOWARD IT.

STOICISM IN THE STREETS OF NEW YORK

This will not merely happen inside four walls.

NEW YORK CITY ITSELF BECOMES OUR STOIC TRAINING GROUND.

We will go into the streets.

Walk.

Observe.

Interact.

Experiment.

We can borrow techniques from street photography—not necessarily to make great photographs, but to train something even more important:

COURAGE.

Approach strangers.

Become comfortable being seen.

Become comfortable being rejected.

Become comfortable with uncertainty.

Become comfortable taking action without knowing what will happen next.

The city becomes the dojo.

4. REJECTION TRAINING

What happens when somebody says no?

Nothing.

You survive.

And every time you survive rejection, its psychological power over you becomes smaller.

Imagine becoming the type of person who is no longer terrified of hearing:

NO.

How much more boldly would you live?

5. STOICISM AND MONEY

How much money is enough?

Why does gaining more often fail to eliminate fear?

Why can somebody with millions still feel poor?

Why can somebody with far less possess enormous psychological freedom?

Money is useful.

Capital is useful.

But there is a critical question:

DO YOU MASTER YOUR CAPITAL—or does your capital master you?

Stoicism helps us separate wealth from slavery to wealth.

6. NEGATIVE VISUALIZATION

What if you lost it?

Your money.

Your possessions.

Your reputation.

Your comfort.

Your status.

Stoicism asks us to occasionally contemplate loss—not to become pessimistic, but to become fearless and grateful.

When you stop requiring permanence from an impermanent universe, you become much harder to shake.

7. AMOR FATI

Do not merely tolerate your fate.

LOVE IT.

The obstacle.

The setback.

The humiliation.

The loss.

The unexpected detour.

Instead of asking:

“Why did this happen to me?”

Ask:

“How can I USE this?”

Everything becomes raw material.

8. MEMENTO MORI

You will die.

I will die.

Everyone around us will die.

Good.

Because this means—

THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE.

No time for petty resentment.

No time obsessing over strangers’ opinions.

No time living somebody else’s life.

Death clarifies.

Death concentrates.

Death gives urgency to life.

9. BUILD YOUR PERSONAL STOIC CODE

At the end of the workshop, you will begin creating your own personal Stoic operating system.

Your principles.

Your rules.

Your mental models.

Your standards.

A philosophy designed not merely to sound intelligent—

but to help you LIVE BOLDLY.

WHO SHOULD COME?

Come if you want to:

Become more courageous.

Become less socially anxious.

Stop obsessing over what other people think.

Become more decisive.

Become mentally stronger around financial uncertainty.

Develop greater emotional independence.

Turn setbacks into fuel.

Become more comfortable with rejection.

Take bigger risks.

Live more boldly.

Think for yourself.

And cultivate a philosophy capable of surviving contact with reality.

WHY ONLY 10 PEOPLE?

Because I do not want this to feel like a conference.

I want intensity.

Conversation.

Interaction.

Experimentation.

Individual attention.

Ten people is enough energy to create something electric—

while remaining small enough that nobody disappears into the crowd.

You will participate.

You will speak.

You will move.

You will challenge yourself.

THE EXPERIENCE

10:00 AM — STOICISM: THE FOUNDATION

What Stoicism actually is and why it matters now.

11:00 AM — FEAR, CONTROL & FREEDOM

Applying Stoic principles to anxiety, rejection, money, status and uncertainty.

12:00 PM — NYC STOIC STREET CHALLENGES

We take the philosophy into reality through walking, observation, social interaction and practical courage exercises.

1:00 PM — BUILD YOUR STOIC OPERATING SYSTEM

Integration, discussion, personal principles, action plans and the philosophy you take home.

2:00 PM — FINISH

But ideally—

the real workshop begins when you walk back into your life.

INVESTMENT

NORMAL TUITION

$1,500 USD

EARLY BIRD

$695 USD

Register by October 28, 2026 to receive the early-bird price.

After October 28:

$1,500 USD.

There are only:

10 SEATS.

PAYPAL REGISTRATION

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/V2AYSCGUN8TEW

Payment secures your spot.

Once all 10 seats are filled, registration closes.

WHY STOICISM?

Because the ultimate luxury isn’t a Lamborghini.

It isn’t a Rolex.

It isn’t a bigger house.

It isn’t another million dollars.

The ultimate luxury is:

NOT BEING CONTROLLED BY FEAR.

Imagine walking through life knowing:

I can lose and rebuild.

I can fail and continue.

I can be rejected and remain strong.

I can be criticized without collapsing.

I can face uncertainty without paralysis.

I can endure discomfort.

I can think for myself.

I can act courageously.

I can create my own values.

I can master myself.

That is wealth.

That is freedom.

That is Stoicism.

NOVEMBER 11 — NEW YORK CITY

10 AM–2 PM

ONLY 10 PEOPLE.

$695 EARLY BIRD.

$1,500 NORMAL PRICE.

REGISTER:

Come prepared to think.

Come prepared to walk.

Come prepared to confront yourself.

Come prepared to become stronger.

CONQUER YOURSELF.

ERIC KIM STOICISM WORKSHOP — NYC

what this means

Perhaps the bigger challenge that we have to grapple with is discovering some sort of higher purpose to life. And this is very difficult because… I think it takes an insane amount of deep introspection, thinking, and consideration to get to this point. And truth be told, because a lot of us are dealing with the daily grind of everyday life, etc.… We don’t have the time to think about this critically.

Also, maybe they’re just too many distractions. I thought is capitalism could be very productive, simply if you think of capital as a means to an end rather than the end in itself.

I came across this guy and his thought, “the dharma of money”–> it is a pretty interesting idea because I’ve never heard the word Dharma used in the context of money and or capital before. I’m more of a Zen digital cyber monk, rather than a Buddhist, so I don’t really use or think about the word, Dharma… But, let me across this interesting path, to once again think more critically about things. 

Thinking about the end and the destination in mind

As much as people like to hate on Elon Musk, I still think he is a great role model in the sense that, he could really care less about money and capital… His money and capital is simply a means to achieving some sort of greater life. Mission: interplanetary, travel, colonizing, Mars, etc. And I think everything is doing with building Starlink, grok AI, X etc ,,, is centered around this idea. Simply as a means to the final destination.

So for example, it’s not about stacking money to become worth 100 million 1 billion 1 trillion whatever… the number is actually not that important. Once again, let us say that you have a spaceship or a fighter jet, and your capital is just fuel, if you have too much fuel which is not necessary for your flight or your destination, it is superfluous.

upgrade the human race

One idea from Michael Saylor that I love is the idea of upgrading the human race. I also know for myself, perhaps ultimately… My main goal is philosophy, thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, empowerment, art, the human race. Having kids, raising kids, family, deeper thoughts to life.

all the thoughts are a bit flawed

Recently, I’ve been going to this mindfulness meditation thing every Wednesday, and I think it’s pretty productive… But, also a lot of it is flawed. For example, I don’t think any of the practitioners truly read, philosophy, or think philosophically, would rather, more traditional media, typically liberal, well educated, and more Buddhist in nature. Also, for the most part mindfulness seems like a good idea… But upon deeper thought, I realize I don’t really care about mindfulness as much. I care more about overcoming, power, strength, the Dionysian will to power. 

The hydra

I’ve recently been thinking about these kind of mystical metaphors like the Hydra, the Phoenix… Quite good ideas of anti-fragility. I think what binds all of Stoicism is the idea of transforming adversity into jet fuel, for lift off, breaking through the atmosphere?

I think it’s also difficult because to exit atmosphere or the orbital powers of gravity, requires an insane amount of thrust. Hundred percent fine robusta, intermittent fasting, extremely heavy, weightlifting, deep sleep, beef, liver, and carnivore diet, maximum time in the outdoors, walking, hiking, riding your bike, etc.… I think are the means to get you there.

The purpose of life is activity?

When do we think about depression, perhaps the only critical way I could think about it is like physical and physiological depression. Like not having the inner motivation to wake up, act do anything. Perhaps this is different than misery angst mental conflict.

Like for example… If you were a king Leonidas or John Wick… Imagine how much is unsaid, in terms of how they experience, regret, misery, fear, anxiety, but still… On the outside, staying cool and collected.

Also, I think a big hugely critical thing I’ve discovered: which I think kind of goes against all modern notions of therapy…

typically talking about what’s on your mind or your problems, rather than deep introspection… Continues to give your negative thoughts, fuel and fire?

Like for example… Typically when I’m upset or sad about something… And I talk about it… I’ve actually found that either it makes me more angry or more miserable rather than making me feel better? Which is the paradox.

Also, taking it back… I think it’s fine to have all these negative insanely miserable emotions as long as you’re still outside doing stuff. 

Like if you think about all the great entrepreneurs, or the great performers of life or whatever… And this is where maybe sports is a good analogy because if you’re like Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant, Messi, LeBron James, Tiger Woods anybody… Typically athletes only care about winning their sport rather than money and fame and capital etc. So for example, I think most people in the NBA or whatever sport, would prefer to be number one and the most dominant, rather than having the most capital?

For example, it’s better to be number one being the Michael Jordan, but having a lot less money and capital than being number two…

So for example, better to be a poorer Messi, rather than a richer Ronaldo? 

Poor but sexy

The Berliner saying: poor but sexy.

Maybe this is also the motto of the ancient Spartans, they all admired their beautiful physical bodies, their manliness, their courage, they’re beautiful, long flowing hair, and they’re simple austere lifestyles, rather than being like a richer, but more enslaved Persian?

American values

Another interesting thought about American values, here we worship capital above all… Beyond everything. Like for example… From the outside, we would seem to admire the 5 foot two fat balding old billionaire driving the Ferrari, rather than the young handsome tall fit, but poorer alternative?

To a certain extent, you cannot really control the amount of capital you got. Certainly, you could work harder, but it doesn’t always necessarily lead to having more capital.

Perhaps I’ve lived the most interesting life of all time?

I think the grid upside of deep deep deep, dark, dark dark tragedy is… When things do turn around… It brings you 1 trillion times more Joy, then if you had stayed constant the whole time?

Also… Deep, deep deep tragedy also makes you more interesting? 


Deep thoughts

So maybe the first big idea I have is, honestly… The truth is, all of us at one point or another, has probably dealt with deep insane amounts of tragedy, hardship, terrible terrible things, whether it be economic financial, human life, even one of my kids old parkour teacher, dealt with the loss of his young child maybe at the age of seven? And discovered the hand pan drum as a way of soothing his pain, he told me in the early days he would play it like eight hours a day?

I think the very very difficult thing to understand from a long enough time horizon is that even the world’s worst tragedies, magnified by 1 billion… Will not last forever.

more turbo thoughts to come,
ERIC

Stoic workshop

If you want to learn more about stoicism or need a refresher, to empire yourself, check out my first upcoming online Stoicism workshop >

Stoic articles

Stoicism 101

Free introduction to Stoicism ebook >

what this means

Perhaps the bigger challenge that we have to grapple with is discovering some sort of higher purpose to life. And this is very difficult because… I think it takes an insane amount of deep introspection, thinking, and consideration to get to this point. And truth be told, because a lot of us are dealing with the daily grind of everyday life, etc.… We don’t have the time to think about this critically.

Also, maybe they’re just too many distractions. I thought is capitalism could be very productive, simply if you think of capital as a means to an end rather than the end in itself.

I came across this guy and his thought, “the dharma of money”–> it is a pretty interesting idea because I’ve never heard the word Dharma used in the context of money and or capital before. I’m more of a Zen digital cyber monk, rather than a Buddhist, so I don’t really use or think about the word, Dharma… But, let me across this interesting path, to once again think more critically about things. 

Thinking about the end and the destination in mind

As much as people like to hate on Elon Musk, I still think he is a great role model in the sense that, he could really care less about money and capital… His money and capital is simply a means to achieving some sort of greater life. Mission: interplanetary, travel, colonizing, Mars, etc. And I think everything is doing with building Starlink, grok AI, X etc ,,, is centered around this idea. Simply as a means to the final destination.

So for example, it’s not about stacking money to become worth 100 million 1 billion 1 trillion whatever… the number is actually not that important. Once again, let us say that you have a spaceship or a fighter jet, and your capital is just fuel, if you have too much fuel which is not necessary for your flight or your destination, it is superfluous.

upgrade the human race

One idea from Michael Saylor that I love is the idea of upgrading the human race. I also know for myself, perhaps ultimately… My main goal is philosophy, thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, empowerment, art, the human race. Having kids, raising kids, family, deeper thoughts to life.

all the thoughts are a bit flawed

Recently, I’ve been going to this mindfulness meditation thing every Wednesday, and I think it’s pretty productive… But, also a lot of it is flawed. For example, I don’t think any of the practitioners truly read, philosophy, or think philosophically, would rather, more traditional media, typically liberal, well educated, and more Buddhist in nature. Also, for the most part mindfulness seems like a good idea… But upon deeper thought, I realize I don’t really care about mindfulness as much. I care more about overcoming, power, strength, the Dionysian will to power. 

The hydra

I’ve recently been thinking about these kind of mystical metaphors like the Hydra, the Phoenix… Quite good ideas of anti-fragility. I think what binds all of Stoicism is the idea of transforming adversity into jet fuel, for lift off, breaking through the atmosphere?

I think it’s also difficult because to exit atmosphere or the orbital powers of gravity, requires an insane amount of thrust. Hundred percent fine robusta, intermittent fasting, extremely heavy, weightlifting, deep sleep, beef, liver, and carnivore diet, maximum time in the outdoors, walking, hiking, riding your bike, etc.… I think are the means to get you there.

The purpose of life is activity?

When do we think about depression, perhaps the only critical way I could think about it is like physical and physiological depression. Like not having the inner motivation to wake up, act do anything. Perhaps this is different than misery angst mental conflict.

Like for example… If you were a king Leonidas or John Wick… Imagine how much is unsaid, in terms of how they experience, regret, misery, fear, anxiety, but still… On the outside, staying cool and collected.

Also, I think a big hugely critical thing I’ve discovered: which I think kind of goes against all modern notions of therapy…

typically talking about what’s on your mind or your problems, rather than deep introspection… Continues to give your negative thoughts, fuel and fire?

Like for example… Typically when I’m upset or sad about something… And I talk about it… I’ve actually found that either it makes me more angry or more miserable rather than making me feel better? Which is the paradox.

Also, taking it back… I think it’s fine to have all these negative insanely miserable emotions as long as you’re still outside doing stuff. 

Like if you think about all the great entrepreneurs, or the great performers of life or whatever… And this is where maybe sports is a good analogy because if you’re like Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant, Messi, LeBron James, Tiger Woods anybody… Typically athletes only care about winning their sport rather than money and fame and capital etc. So for example, I think most people in the NBA or whatever sport, would prefer to be number one and the most dominant, rather than having the most capital?

For example, it’s better to be number one being the Michael Jordan, but having a lot less money and capital than being number two…

So for example, better to be a poorer Messi, rather than a richer Ronaldo? 

Poor but sexy

The Berliner saying: poor but sexy.

Maybe this is also the motto of the ancient Spartans, they all admired their beautiful physical bodies, their manliness, their courage, they’re beautiful, long flowing hair, and they’re simple austere lifestyles, rather than being like a richer, but more enslaved Persian?

American values

Another interesting thought about American values, here we worship capital above all… Beyond everything. Like for example… From the outside, we would seem to admire the 5 foot two fat balding old billionaire driving the Ferrari, rather than the young handsome tall fit, but poorer alternative?

To a certain extent, you cannot really control the amount of capital you got. Certainly, you could work harder, but it doesn’t always necessarily lead to having more capital.

Perhaps I’ve lived the most interesting life of all time?

I think the grid upside of deep deep deep, dark, dark dark tragedy is… When things do turn around… It brings you 1 trillion times more Joy, then if you had stayed constant the whole time?

Also… Deep, deep deep tragedy also makes you more interesting? 


what this means

Perhaps the bigger challenge that we have to grapple with is discovering some sort of higher purpose to life. And this is very difficult because… I think it takes an insane amount of deep introspection, thinking, and consideration to get to this point. And truth be told, because a lot of us are dealing with the daily grind of everyday life, etc.… We don’t have the time to think about this critically.

Also, maybe they’re just too many distractions. I thought is capitalism could be very productive, simply if you think of capital as a means to an end rather than the end in itself.

I came across this guy and his thought, “the dharma of money”–> it is a pretty interesting idea because I’ve never heard the word Dharma used in the context of money and or capital before. I’m more of a Zen digital cyber monk, rather than a Buddhist, so I don’t really use or think about the word, Dharma… But, let me across this interesting path, to once again think more critically about things. 

Thinking about the end and the destination in mind

As much as people like to hate on Elon Musk, I still think he is a great role model in the sense that, he could really care less about money and capital… His money and capital is simply a means to achieving some sort of greater life. Mission: interplanetary, travel, colonizing, Mars, etc. And I think everything is doing with building Starlink, grok AI, X etc ,,, is centered around this idea. Simply as a means to the final destination.

So for example, it’s not about stacking money to become worth 100 million 1 billion 1 trillion whatever… the number is actually not that important. Once again, let us say that you have a spaceship or a fighter jet, and your capital is just fuel, if you have too much fuel which is not necessary for your flight or your destination, it is superfluous.

upgrade the human race

One idea from Michael Saylor that I love is the idea of upgrading the human race. I also know for myself, perhaps ultimately… My main goal is philosophy, thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, empowerment, art, the human race. Having kids, raising kids, family, deeper thoughts to life.

all the thoughts are a bit flawed

Recently, I’ve been going to this mindfulness meditation thing every Wednesday, and I think it’s pretty productive… But, also a lot of it is flawed. For example, I don’t think any of the practitioners truly read, philosophy, or think philosophically, would rather, more traditional media, typically liberal, well educated, and more Buddhist in nature. Also, for the most part mindfulness seems like a good idea… But upon deeper thought, I realize I don’t really care about mindfulness as much. I care more about overcoming, power, strength, the Dionysian will to power. 

The hydra

I’ve recently been thinking about these kind of mystical metaphors like the Hydra, the Phoenix… Quite good ideas of anti-fragility. I think what binds all of Stoicism is the idea of transforming adversity into jet fuel, for lift off, breaking through the atmosphere?

I think it’s also difficult because to exit atmosphere or the orbital powers of gravity, requires an insane amount of thrust. Hundred percent fine robusta, intermittent fasting, extremely heavy, weightlifting, deep sleep, beef, liver, and carnivore diet, maximum time in the outdoors, walking, hiking, riding your bike, etc.… I think are the means to get you there.

The purpose of life is activity?

When do we think about depression, perhaps the only critical way I could think about it is like physical and physiological depression. Like not having the inner motivation to wake up, act do anything. Perhaps this is different than misery angst mental conflict.

Like for example… If you were a king Leonidas or John Wick… Imagine how much is unsaid, in terms of how they experience, regret, misery, fear, anxiety, but still… On the outside, staying cool and collected.

Also, I think a big hugely critical thing I’ve discovered: which I think kind of goes against all modern notions of therapy…

typically talking about what’s on your mind or your problems, rather than deep introspection… Continues to give your negative thoughts, fuel and fire?

Like for example… Typically when I’m upset or sad about something… And I talk about it… I’ve actually found that either it makes me more angry or more miserable rather than making me feel better? Which is the paradox.

Also, taking it back… I think it’s fine to have all these negative insanely miserable emotions as long as you’re still outside doing stuff. 

Like if you think about all the great entrepreneurs, or the great performers of life or whatever… And this is where maybe sports is a good analogy because if you’re like Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant, Messi, LeBron James, Tiger Woods anybody… Typically athletes only care about winning their sport rather than money and fame and capital etc. So for example, I think most people in the NBA or whatever sport, would prefer to be number one and the most dominant, rather than having the most capital?

For example, it’s better to be number one being the Michael Jordan, but having a lot less money and capital than being number two…

So for example, better to be a poorer Messi, rather than a richer Ronaldo? 

Poor but sexy

The Berliner saying: poor but sexy.

Maybe this is also the motto of the ancient Spartans, they all admired their beautiful physical bodies, their manliness, their courage, they’re beautiful, long flowing hair, and they’re simple austere lifestyles, rather than being like a richer, but more enslaved Persian?

American values

Another interesting thought about American values, here we worship capital above all… Beyond everything. Like for example… From the outside, we would seem to admire the 5 foot two fat balding old billionaire driving the Ferrari, rather than the young handsome tall fit, but poorer alternative?

To a certain extent, you cannot really control the amount of capital you got. Certainly, you could work harder, but it doesn’t always necessarily lead to having more capital.

Perhaps I’ve lived the most interesting life of all time?

I think the grid upside of deep deep deep, dark, dark dark tragedy is… When things do turn around… It brings you 1 trillion times more Joy, then if you had stayed constant the whole time?

Also… Deep, deep deep tragedy also makes you more interesting? 


This is four hours of pure social combat in one of the highest-energy people zones on the planet.

You will not sit in a conference room taking notes.
You will be on the actual streets, sidewalks, and plazas surrounding Bryant Park — where the energy is dense, the faces are endless, and every approach is live fire.

The Mission

Use the exact same street photography techniques that force you to get close, read energy, and act without permission… and turn them into unbreakable social courage.

By 2:00 PM you walk away with a new nervous system. One that no longer freezes when a stranger looks at you. One that knows how to initiate, hold presence, and treat rejection like oxygen.

Schedule (Tight. Intense. No fluff.)

10:00 – 10:45 AM | The Armory
Mindset ignition + the Eric Kim Approach Protocol.
How to open, how to hold eye contact past the discomfort, how to make “no” feel like data instead of death.

10:45 AM – 1:15 PM | Live Fire on the Streets
Multiple waves of real approaches in the Bryant Park orbit (park, surrounding sidewalks, transit nodes, high-traffic edges).
Escalating difficulty. Real-time coaching. Immediate feedback. You will approach. You will get rejected. You will approach harder.

1:15 – 2:00 PM | Integration & Identity Lock
Rapid debrief. Personal Social Operating System. Public declaration of the new standard you now hold for yourself. You leave different.

Investment

EARLY BIRD: $495
Secure your spot right now with the official PayPal link:
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/HJRCK55953TH2

Regular price: $1,295
If you submit payment within 2 weeks of the workshop, the price jumps to full rate.

This is not just photography or street photography.
This is a short, violent upgrade to how you move through the world.

Limited spots, only to 10, brave intrepid individuals who desire to go beyond themselves.
Bryant Park does not care about your comfort zone.
Neither do we.

November 11. 10 AM. Bryant Park.
Show up ready to conquer.

ERIC

A place of boundless creativity

So Japan is kind of a magical place, especially after visiting the studio Ghibli museum the other day with the family. It’s kind of been a while since I’ve witnessed magic and awe, especially with the short film of the “boro” (caterpillar), and also the magic of seeing Seneca going on the catbus for the first time. 

 I suppose the interesting paradox of Japan is… In some ways, there is like strict regularity and conformity which bond society, yet, it is a place of great creativity. 

Theories

So the first interesting theory I have is, because there is so much conformity here… People actually want to stand out, but they do it in subtle ways.  for example, in fashion, in music art aesthetics, even their vehicles if they own one.

innovation in simplicity and conformity

For example, if you ride the subway in Tokyo…  or visit any secondhand clothing store, it is almost like 95% black and white clothing. But the innovation happens in the cuts, the silhouettes, the accessories and style. 

Simple life and living

Something very interesting about Tokyo is life here is actually very simple… You ride the subway to get to where you need or the bus, you walk a lot, there’s a lot of freedom in terms of public transportation. You definitely do not need a car.

And if you actually look at the roads… There are actually very very few cars on the road, and what’s also interesting is that… it Seems like 90% of the cars are all Toyota?

Happy?

So I think the biggest constraint about life in Japan is… Maybe the big existential question is what people should live for.

For example I’m very lucky to be doing a home exchange in which the apartment is insanely huge, also with the patio… And a great view, but ultimately for myself… I just kind of miss my home garage gym and the privilege of having my own weights to do weightlifting.

They also do have very good gyms here, 24 hour places… But for my level of weights, it does not support me.

for photo

Tokyo is amazing for photography and street photography because you’re just constantly surrounded by people whether in the metro on the way to the metro in the bus, in the park shopping or just walking around. It’s almost hard not to take photos here.

Cost of living

Right now for us Americans, it’s really really good, I think ¥1000 is only like maybe six dollars or seven dollars? And for example if you stop by at 711, you could just get chicken Karage for your kid for only like 200-300 yen,,, which is like 1-1.5 dollars?

Also if you just get a bowl of Ramen it’s like maybe 400 yen,,, like 3 bucks?

 Food options are so abundant, and everything here is so insanely convenient. It’s impossible to starve here and food prices feel like they’re almost like a 10th of what they cost in the states.

 Perhaps things get expensive in terms of housing and apartments, but in terms of just like day-to-day living for food it’s really cheap.

an ideal place to live?

If you’re like a digital nomad or you don’t really need to work in person at a certain office or whatever, and you just prefer a simple life in which you do a lot of walking thinking and photography, Japan and Tokyo seems great.

However I suppose if you want more flexibility in terms of your living housing situation or things to purchase or built, America is preferable.

Looks like there are lots of kids

Going to a lot of children museums and train museums…Eh,,, looks like there’s actually plenty of kids, also saw a lot of Japanese families with like two or three kids. Some even with four. I wonder if this whole like people aren’t having kids narrative is just some overhyped media stuff to get clicks.

independence

Another interesting new ones is seeing all these like maybe seven year-old kids, with a transit card and a smart phone around your neck, just taking the subway by themselves with their buddies, 100% independence without their parents, seems like a great way for a kid to grow up. 

adults?

Maybe if you’re an adult with kids, your life has purpose and meaning… But maybe if you’re a single salary man… Life kinda sucks?

America or Japan?

 all things considered… I think Japan is a great place to visit travel to or even semi nomadically live in, but probably at the end of the day… Living in the states is probably better in terms of personal freedom, and optional, probably even starting your own business.

What should a nation or nation state should be for?

Perhaps maximizing economic opportunities?

ERIC

CYBERLINEN SLEEVED TANK HAS ARRIVED.

 After about a year and a half of hard-core testing, traveling the planet with it, constantly editing the design, CYBERLINEN SLEEVED TANK MARK II has arrived, in an insanely limited quantity of only 4 units.

 Imagine the perfect shirt. The perfect shirt to wear every single day and, to always stay dry, cool, and also warm when it needs to be. 100% fine linen, with a glorious matte black sheen on it,,, which is undeniably beautiful.

Conquer the planet, conquer the world, conquer yourself with CYBERLINEN SLEEVED TANK >

Conquer reality

Also hyped that my first online introduction to stoicism workshop is now live!

Essentially the idea is, a highly practical, highly actionable workshop about stoicism which could essentially help you conquer anything in life. Essentially a distillation of like 15+ years of stoicism that I’ve personally learned things that have worked well for myself, and things that I think can help you as well. 

Learn more >

Secure your spot here, only 99 USD founder price >

now what?

Imagine your 12-year-old self again, or your five-year-old self… How would you approach life?

ERIC

START HERE, BOOKS, NEWSLETTER, WORKSHOPS

BECOME UNSHAKEABLE.

Saturday, September 5, 2026
12 PM–2 PM Los Angeles Time
Live Online via Zoom

What is the ultimate purpose of Stoicism?

FREEDOM.

Freedom from fear.

Freedom from regret.

Freedom from anxiety.

Freedom from needing everybody to like you.

Freedom from wishing the past were different.

Freedom from worrying about the future.

Freedom from being emotionally yanked around by money, markets, status, other people, random circumstances, or bad luck.

My thought:

THE WORLD DOESN’T HAVE TO BECOME EASIER.

YOU BECOME STRONGER.

This is the Stoicism I am interested in.

Not sitting around memorizing quotations from dead philosophers.

Not trying to become some emotionless robot.

Not passivity.

Not resignation.

STOICISM AS POWER.

Stoicism as courage.

Stoicism as self-command.

Stoicism as a practical operating system for living an insanely great life.

WHY STOICISM?

The funny thing about life:

You cannot control most of it.

You cannot control what already happened.

You cannot control the economy.

You cannot control the market.

You cannot control whether somebody likes you.

You cannot control what somebody says about you.

You cannot control random fortune and misfortune.

You cannot control the universe.

So why waste your precious life energy attempting to control the uncontrollable?

Instead:

MAXIMIZE WHAT IS ACTUALLY YOURS.

Your courage.

Your actions.

Your decisions.

Your attitude.

Your interpretation.

Your response.

Your body.

Your mind.

Your will.

This is where your power lives.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT?

Imagine becoming 10x harder to disturb.

Somebody insults you?

Interesting.

Something doesn’t go according to plan?

Adapt.

You lose something?

Begin again.

You make a mistake?

Learn.

The future becomes uncertain?

Good.

Now you have an adventure.

Instead of asking:

“Why did this happen to me?”

Ask:

“HOW CAN I USE THIS?”

This might be one of the most useful questions in life.

TURN YOUR PAST INTO POWER

One of the worst things we do to ourselves:

We mentally attempt to rewrite history.

“If only I had…”

“If only I hadn’t…”

“If only things went differently…”

Why?

The past has already happened.

You cannot renegotiate with yesterday.

So perhaps the superior strategy is:

AMOR FATI.

Love your fate.

Not merely tolerate it.

Not merely “accept” it.

PREFER IT.

Take everything which has happened to you—the victories, failures, losses, stupidity, pain, embarrassment, mistakes—and digest all of it into greater strength.

Turn tragedy into fuel.

Turn mistakes into wisdom.

Turn loss into rebirth.

Turn the past into your advantage.

FEAR LESS.

Most anxiety is not about what is happening.

It is about what might happen.

Your imagination creates some horrible hypothetical future and then your body starts suffering from something which doesn’t even exist yet.

Why suffer twice?

If something bad happens tomorrow, deal with it tomorrow.

Today?

ACT TODAY.

The Stoic advantage:

Do not demand certainty before acting.

Have confidence in your ability to adapt.

Maybe the ultimate confidence isn’t:

“Everything will work out perfectly.”

Maybe it is:

“EVEN IF IT DOESN’T, I’LL FIGURE IT OUT.”

Now that is confidence.

STOP BEING A SLAVE TO OTHER PEOPLE’S OPINIONS.

Praise feels good.

Criticism feels bad.

But if praise controls you, criticism controls you too.

This is the trap.

The more your self-worth depends on applause, likes, money, followers, prestige, reputation or status…

…the less free you become.

What if you could simply ask:

Did I act according to my own principles?

Did I do what I believed was right?

Did I act courageously?

If yes—

Good.

Keep going.

SELF-APPROVAL OVER EXTERNAL APPROVAL.

ADVERSITY IS TRAINING.

I love weightlifting because the concept is simple:

Without resistance there is no strength.

So why should the mind be any different?

Difficulty is resistance.

Uncertainty is resistance.

Failure is resistance.

Annoying people are resistance.

Loss is resistance.

Chaos is resistance.

Therefore:

LIFE IS THE GYM.

Every difficult situation becomes another opportunity to practice your philosophy.

Anybody can be calm when everything is perfect.

The interesting question is:

Who are you when things go wrong?

WHAT WE WILL EXPLORE

AMOR FATI

How to love your fate—and potentially even prefer the unexpected path your life has taken.

MEMENTO MORI

Why remembering that you will die can make you radically more alive.

THE DICHOTOMY OF CONTROL

How to stop wasting energy fighting things outside your control.

VOLUNTARY HARDSHIP

Why deliberately choosing difficulty can increase your courage and reduce fear.

NEGATIVE VISUALIZATION

How contemplating loss can make you appreciate what you already have.

DETACHMENT FROM STATUS

How to stop living for applause.

THE OBSTACLE AS TRAINING

How to transform setbacks into strength.

FORGETFULNESS

How forgetting insults, annoyances, failures and stupid little grievances can become a superpower.

ACTION

How to stop thinking endlessly and simply move forward.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT BECOMING PASSIVE.

I think people misunderstand Stoicism.

Stoicism doesn’t mean:

“Oh well, nothing matters.”

No.

To me Stoicism means:

MAXIMUM ACTION, MINIMUM ANXIETY.

Attack what you can change.

Ignore what you cannot.

Work hard.

Think independently.

Take risks.

Create.

Build.

Fight.

Love.

Live.

And when reality refuses to obey your wishes?

Laugh.

Adapt.

Keep moving.

WHO SHOULD JOIN?

Anyone who wants to become:

More courageous.

More independent.

More focused.

More grateful.

More difficult to disturb.

Less afraid of losing.

Less obsessed with status.

Less controlled by other people’s opinions.

Less haunted by the past.

Less anxious about the future.

More capable of handling uncertainty.

More capable of beginning again.

More free.

Essentially:

STRONGER.

BRING YOUR REAL PROBLEMS.

This is live.

I don’t want this to be some boring prerecorded philosophy course.

Bring your questions.

Bring your fears.

Bring the thing you regret.

Bring the decision you’re struggling with.

Bring the person who annoys you.

Bring the setback you cannot mentally get over.

Bring the uncertainty you’re confronting right now.

And we will attack it together through a Stoic lens.

Because philosophy should not merely be something you read.

PHILOSOPHY SHOULD CHANGE HOW YOU LIVE.

ERIC KIM STOICISM WORKSHOP

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026

12 PM–2 PM LOS ANGELES TIME

LIVE ONLINE VIA ZOOM

NORMAL PRICE: $250 USD

FOUNDER PRICE: ONLY $99 USD >

Why the founder price?

Simple:

This is the founding group.

I want people who are curious, hungry, open-minded, ready to participate, and interested in building something new together.

Normal price is $250 USD.

Founder price is only:

$99 USD.

You save $151.

JOIN THE FOUNDING GROUP

Pay via PayPal >

Saturday, September 5, 2026
12 PM–2 PM Los Angeles Time
Live on Zoom

Come with your problems.

Leave with greater courage.

Greater clarity.

Greater freedom.

And perhaps the most useful belief of all:

WHATEVER HAPPENS TO ME, I CAN USE IT.

WHATEVER HAPPENS, I CAN HANDLE IT.

BECOME UNSHAKEABLE.

Life is all upside. No downside.

the ultimate question:

What can I become?

no regrets, join now. Want to submit your tuition your spot is 100% locked in, and a few days prior to the workshop I’ll send you a private Zoom link.

get ready to conquer together!

ERIC

What’s really fascinating is when you uproot and move a bit… It gives you a totally new perspective. You see novel sites, which gives you novel thoughts, novel ways about thinking about the world.

I think this is also a big thing because… Getting stuck in your old ways of thinking is actually quite detrimental and holds you back.

Breaking into new thinking

I think for myself at the end of the day, what I value the most our thoughts, novel thoughts, Turbo thoughts, god thoughts ,,,, Which stimulate my mind body soul and physiology to go beyond.

How and why

I thought this maybe like five years ago and I still think it is true that the best life is like a kind of seminomadic life… A Hybrid… Having a foundation somewhere, and also spending the rest of the year on the road. I wonder if this is how ghenghis khan , the Mongolians, Julius Caesar, Napoleon kept so lean and fit –> typically being rooted for anywhere for too long is quite degenerative.

Thoughts on the road

The first thought is, perhaps the principle of life is movement, both metaphorical literal… And also physiological.

For example, nobody would want to live in a glass cube high-rise condo for the rest of their lives, without having the privilege of just going outside and walking.

And I think this is also where photography is so fast because it deals with embodied reality and movement. The math and calculus is simple:

Move more, see more, witness more, experience more,,, have more opportunities for the desire to make photos.

 Also typically… I think there is a deep link between movement and thoughts. Even Nietzsche said,

Trust no thought which doesn’t come to you by walking!

Even nassim Taleb says,

To become a philosopher, first start by walking … very slowly.

Why thoughts and thinking?

I think for us philosophers, to think, to have novel thoughts, or even have the mental and physical physiology to think might be one of the greatest privileges on planet earth. No thoughts, no life…. a kind of spiritual death.

 I think the whole thing about Zen Taoist stoic practice is… getting rid of BS noise and thoughts, in order to give more room energy and mental space for your own novel thoughts.

thoughts and ideology rule the world

This is the big idea and unlock, everything that runs you and the planet is actually based on ideas and ideology.

For example, capital, capitalism says, acquire more capital and build more capital and accumulate more capital by any means possible for the sake of it.

Consumerism says work hard harder to earn more money in order to earn more spending power to buy more things, with higher quality rank and caliber.

What do you truly prize?

Every single society has a different value system. Whether it be freedom (America), Social order (Japan), peace and harmony (Cambodia) etc.  and typically wherever you live does breed that kind of ideology in you. So choose carefully where you decide to live, spend your time … because where you live, experience life etc… determines much of your life!

A very very exciting advancement: first prototypes of ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN MARK I are now live!

Why

So the first thought… Why?

I might be the only one who thinks this but, I actually think that your clothes are actually more important than your iPhone. Why?

First, your body your human body is like 1 trillion times more important than the newest generation phone, and also… Assuming that happiness is physical, physiological… what that means is, anything that improves your bodily wellness is good for you.

Why linen

Linen might be the magical fiber, one of the most godlike fabrics on the planet. I’m sure Zeus wore linen, especially in Ancient Greece.

 What’s first thing about linen is that first, it is insanely strong you don’t have to baby you could just throw it in the wash, hand wash it when you’re on the road, hang dry it in it like magically dries overnight. I’m also a big fan of merino wool, yet the problem is anything that you get from merino wool ,,, might only last like six months or a year tops. Sooner or later it falls apart and then you just have to buy a new item.

Linen in some ways is antifragile –> the more you wear it, the softer it becomes, the more it molds with your body… And the more beautiful patina it develops.

Last year I made my first prototype 100% HYPERLINEN black tank top, and I’ve literally wore every single day for the last year, never babied it, threw it in the wash in the washing machine dryer or whatever… And it’s like invincible.

new concept

So I probably spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars in like all this cheap over marketed Lululemon fitness branded apparel,,, which is essentially like well designed polyester derivatives… And the big problem is, you just cannot make good products out of it because of the fabric. Polyester simply cannot make good products. in fact upon critical thinking… I’m actually not really sure what polyester is good for. 

My vision is to bring the elegance of linen, but, pairing it with fitness, photography, travel, active lifestyle stuff… Whether it be rock climbing, hot yoga, hardcore one rep max weightlifting powerlifting, travel, nomadic living etc.

Why hasn’t anyone done this before?

It seems that one of the big issues is… linen is like practically absent from the states. everyone either wears cotton or polyester, even the linen stuff that you find in the states is always a cotton linen blend, which is always a poor compromise. I’m also not sure what cotton is good for, besides being readily available. It takes forever to dry, and it’s maybe like medium-okay in terms of breathability.

Why linen wins

You cannot fool physics. The way that the flaxseed fibers work is like very fascinating and elegant, you hang it up and you shine it to the sun, and you could see the linen pattern gently lets in air, no two weaves are alike.

My pursuit

Ever since I was like a teenager, I’ve always been like insanely into clothes, even in my nomadic years in my 20s and 30s, I spend far too much time thinking about clothing, in terms of designing the perfect shirt, tank top, shorts, pants, shoes etc. It is a constant obsession of mine.

Simply put my ambition is to create design and engineer the best clothes on the planet. Bar none. The most innovative designs, and also the most supreme fabrics.

Ultimately, the motivation for the clothes is, to benefit enhance and turbo charge you:

1. To travel more, with less weight, less baggage
2. To feel more energetic and happy with your clothes
3. To derive aesthetic enjoyment from witnessing how elegant you look in the clothes
4. Clothes which improve overtime rather than typical clothes which become more boring overtime
5. To have the supreme confidence that the clothes you’re wearing isn’t in fact, the best on the planet.

Prototypes

I kind of been like a mad villain, experimenting with all of these interesting new clothes.

Some of the things that I’ve been experimenting with:

1. ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN PHANTOM SHORTS

100% HYPERLINEN, matte wabi-sabi black. Double layered for your most hardcore lifts, it loves the barbell, abrasions from rock climbing, everyday living etc.

No obstructions, maximum freedom. No pockets to weigh you down, maximum focus and zen. The summit of elegance in tailoring, elegant side cut, slightly longer in the black. Makes a statement, you could probably just wear these with the blazer, and go out for a date in them.

Essentially it is the shorts to conquer all shorts. Perfect room in the thighs, you could squat in them lunge with them, go climbing in them, travel in them, hike in them, it goes with everything,  if you wanted to travel the world in them, you could just literally bring this one pair.

2. ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN SHIRT

This one is quite ambitious, ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN SHIRT. honestly I kind of love and prefer tank tops or sleeveless shirts, but I started to experience in LA… The sun is actually unusually strong. I kept getting sunburn in my shoulders, even when applying SPF 50 sunblock. So after about a year of experimentation and thinking about it, I thought… Maybe it is a good idea to bring back the sleeves.

Anyways, the interesting design challenge was, how to design a 100% linen shirt, without buttons in the front. An elegant, one piece design, that is easy to slip on and off, and also provide provides enough mobility in the shoulders, if you wanted to do yoga or lift weights or whatever. And once again… A neck line elegant enough to go eat at a fancy restaurant in. Also a design that is totally unique and makes a statement? 

After mindful experimentation and prototyping, we finally nailed it. Maximum mobility in the shoulders in the back, killer neck line, curved with elegance also in the shoulders. Perfect length in the front and back, so the fabric doesn’t get in the way of your active life.

When you walk with it it flows with you, it is so beautiful.

3. EXPERIMENT: 100% HYPERLINEN BLAZER & HOOD

This one is kind of a random experiment, I just made a one off for myself but, if you’re interested, email me at eric@erickim.com with your size, height, etc.

Essentially, I really like the idea of a sports coat or sports blazer… Essentially for me to be able to be John Wick whenever I want. Yes the problem is… It’s just really hard to find a good blazer that looks good and once again is not some random polyester blend.

I know in France it is quite chic to have like 100% white linen blazer for formal events, but I’ve never seen a 100% black linen blazer?

Then on top of it, an interesting idea… Having a 100% linen hood attached to it, something that could either hide or you can activate it, just in case you want to protect yourself from the sun? Or actually stay warmer from the cold wind? Or something that just looks cool, unique and street?

Anyways, it’s like practically done, extremely versatile, two front pockets, you could probably fit two RICOH GR’s in them, each front pocket on the left and the right, and also a front left chest pocket.  if we think about mythical armor, or a magical item,,, putting it on feels like a cloak of invisibility? When I was trying on the prototype for myself, the thing I kept saying (to myself): “This is so cool,,, this is so cool!!”

how to order

Frankly speaking, i’m actually not 100% sure whether this is worth my time, as clothing and apparel is not really an economically good one, but… I think I care enough or I’m passionate enough about this to pursue it anyways.

1. BUY HYPERLINEN SHIRT

If you’re interested in the HYPERLINEN SHIRT, founders price is only 99 USD, you can submit payment here via PayPal >

After you submit payment just either write a note or email me at eric@erickim.com with your sizing, height etc or other specifications.

You can see HYPERLINEN shirt photos and videos here > and YouTube short video here for sizing and fit vision.

2. BUY HYPERLINEN PHANTOM SHORTS

Buy PHANTOM SHORTS 129 USD PayPal here >

Also you can write a PayPal note or just email me your sizing waist size in inches or cm etc to Eric@erickim.com

See more photos here, or a YouTube short video for sizing and fit vision here.

Now what?

Being here in Cambodia Phnom Penh is super fascinating because… essentially I’ve been using this time to just question everything. Questioning the value of things life etc. Kind of like a deep introspective period for myself.

I think the big idea is Autotelic entrepreneurship: innovations and things that you want to experiment simply because you’re interested in it… Even though from a financial economics perspective it doesn’t really make sense nor is it very profitable? To simply experiment because you’re curious about the outcome?

And become interesting because notions of successor failure don’t really matter because you’re more interested in the sake of the experiment itself?

CONQUER ON!

ERIC

STRATEGIZE WITH KIM

If you want a more tactical vision for your life, shoot me an email at eric@erickim.com so we can conquer the world together.

ERIC

START HERE, BOOKS, NEWSLETTER, WORKSHOPS

INTRODUCING ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN

Dear friends,

A very very exciting advancement: first prototypes of ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN MARK I are now live!

Why

So the first thought… Why?

I might be the only one who thinks this but, I actually think that your clothes are actually more important than your iPhone. Why?

First, your body your human body is like 1 trillion times more important than the newest generation phone, and also… Assuming that happiness is physical, physiological… what that means is, anything that improves your bodily wellness is good for you.

Why linen

Linen might be the magical fiber, one of the most godlike fabrics on the planet. I’m sure Zeus wore linen, especially in Ancient Greece.

 What’s first thing about linen is that first, it is insanely strong you don’t have to baby you could just throw it in the wash, hand wash it when you’re on the road, hang dry it in it like magically dries overnight. I’m also a big fan of merino wool, yet the problem is anything that you get from merino wool ,,, might only last like six months or a year tops. Sooner or later it falls apart and then you just have to buy a new item.

Linen in some ways is antifragile –> the more you wear it, the softer it becomes, the more it molds with your body… And the more beautiful patina it develops.

Last year I made my first prototype 100% HYPERLINEN black tank top, and I’ve literally wore every single day for the last year, never babied it, threw it in the wash in the washing machine dryer or whatever… And it’s like invincible.

new concept

So I probably spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars in like all this cheap over marketed Lululemon fitness branded apparel,,, which is essentially like well designed polyester derivatives… And the big problem is, you just cannot make good products out of it because of the fabric. Polyester simply cannot make good products. in fact upon critical thinking… I’m actually not really sure what polyester is good for. 

My vision is to bring the elegance of linen, but, pairing it with fitness, photography, travel, active lifestyle stuff… Whether it be rock climbing, hot yoga, hardcore one rep max weightlifting powerlifting, travel, nomadic living etc.

Why hasn’t anyone done this before?

It seems that one of the big issues is… linen is like practically absent from the states. everyone either wears cotton or polyester, even the linen stuff that you find in the states is always a cotton linen blend, which is always a poor compromise. I’m also not sure what cotton is good for, besides being readily available. It takes forever to dry, and it’s maybe like medium-okay in terms of breathability.

Why linen wins

You cannot fool physics. The way that the flaxseed fibers work is like very fascinating and elegant, you hang it up and you shine it to the sun, and you could see the linen pattern gently lets in air, no two weaves are alike.

My pursuit

Ever since I was like a teenager, I’ve always been like insanely into clothes, even in my nomadic years in my 20s and 30s, I spend far too much time thinking about clothing, in terms of designing the perfect shirt, tank top, shorts, pants, shoes etc. It is a constant obsession of mine.

Simply put my ambition is to create design and engineer the best clothes on the planet. Bar none. The most innovative designs, and also the most supreme fabrics.

Ultimately, the motivation for the clothes is, to benefit enhance and turbo charge you:

1. To travel more, with less weight, less baggage
2. To feel more energetic and happy with your clothes
3. To derive aesthetic enjoyment from witnessing how elegant you look in the clothes
4. Clothes which improve overtime rather than typical clothes which become more boring overtime
5. To have the supreme confidence that the clothes you’re wearing isn’t in fact, the best on the planet.

Prototypes

I kind of been like a mad villain, experimenting with all of these interesting new clothes.

Some of the things that I’ve been experimenting with:

1. ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN PHANTOM SHORTS

100% HYPERLINEN, matte wabi-sabi black. Double layered for your most hardcore lifts, it loves the barbell, abrasions from rock climbing, everyday living etc.

No obstructions, maximum freedom. No pockets to weigh you down, maximum focus and zen. The summit of elegance in tailoring, elegant side cut, slightly longer in the black. Makes a statement, you could probably just wear these with the blazer, and go out for a date in them.

Essentially it is the shorts to conquer all shorts. Perfect room in the thighs, you could squat in them lunge with them, go climbing in them, travel in them, hike in them, it goes with everything,  if you wanted to travel the world in them, you could just literally bring this one pair.

2. ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN SHIRT

This one is quite ambitious, ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN SHIRT. honestly I kind of love and prefer tank tops or sleeveless shirts, but I started to experience in LA… The sun is actually unusually strong. I kept getting sunburn in my shoulders, even when applying SPF 50 sunblock. So after about a year of experimentation and thinking about it, I thought… Maybe it is a good idea to bring back the sleeves.

Anyways, the interesting design challenge was, how to design a 100% linen shirt, without buttons in the front. An elegant, one piece design, that is easy to slip on and off, and also provide provides enough mobility in the shoulders, if you wanted to do yoga or lift weights or whatever. And once again… A neck line elegant enough to go eat at a fancy restaurant in. Also a design that is totally unique and makes a statement? 

After mindful experimentation and prototyping, we finally nailed it. Maximum mobility in the shoulders in the back, killer neck line, curved with elegance also in the shoulders. Perfect length in the front and back, so the fabric doesn’t get in the way of your active life.

When you walk with it it flows with you, it is so beautiful.

3. EXPERIMENT: 100% HYPERLINEN BLAZER & HOOD

This one is kind of a random experiment, I just made a one off for myself but, if you’re interested, email me at eric@erickim.com with your size, height, etc.

Essentially, I really like the idea of a sports coat or sports blazer… Essentially for me to be able to be John Wick whenever I want. Yes the problem is… It’s just really hard to find a good blazer that looks good and once again is not some random polyester blend.

I know in France it is quite chic to have like 100% white linen blazer for formal events, but I’ve never seen a 100% black linen blazer?

Then on top of it, an interesting idea… Having a 100% linen hood attached to it, something that could either hide or you can activate it, just in case you want to protect yourself from the sun? Or actually stay warmer from the cold wind? Or something that just looks cool, unique and street?

Anyways, it’s like practically done, extremely versatile, two front pockets, you could probably fit two RICOH GR’s in them, each front pocket on the left and the right, and also a front left chest pocket.  if we think about mythical armor, or a magical item,,, putting it on feels like a cloak of invisibility? When I was trying on the prototype for myself, the thing I kept saying (to myself): “This is so cool,,, this is so cool!!”

how to order

Frankly speaking, i’m actually not 100% sure whether this is worth my time, as clothing and apparel is not really an economically good one, but… I think I care enough or I’m passionate enough about this to pursue it anyways.

1. BUY HYPERLINEN SHIRT

If you’re interested in the HYPERLINEN SHIRT, founders price is only 99 USD, you can submit payment here via PayPal >

After you submit payment just either write a note or email me at eric@erickim.com with your sizing, height etc or other specifications.

You can see HYPERLINEN shirt photos and videos here > and YouTube short video here for sizing and fit vision.

2. BUY HYPERLINEN PHANTOM SHORTS

Buy PHANTOM SHORTS 129 USD PayPal here >

Also you can write a PayPal note or just email me your sizing waist size in inches or cm etc to Eric@erickim.com

See more photos here, or a YouTube short video for sizing and fit vision here.

Now what?

Being here in Cambodia Phnom Penh is super fascinating because… essentially I’ve been using this time to just question everything. Questioning the value of things life etc. Kind of like a deep introspective period for myself.

I think the big idea is Autotelic entrepreneurship: innovations and things that you want to experiment simply because you’re interested in it… Even though from a financial economics perspective it doesn’t really make sense nor is it very profitable? To simply experiment because you’re curious about the outcome?

And become interesting because notions of successor failure don’t really matter because you’re more interested in the sake of the experiment itself?

CONQUER ON!

ERIC

STRATEGIZE WITH KIM

If you want a more tactical vision for your life, shoot me an email at eric@erickim.com so we can conquer the world together.

ERIC

START HERE, BOOKS, NEWSLETTER, WORKSHOPS

INTRODUCING ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN

Dear friends,

A very very exciting advancement: first prototypes of ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN MARK I are now live!

Why

So the first thought… Why?

I might be the only one who thinks this but, I actually think that your clothes are actually more important than your iPhone. Why?

First, your body your human body is like 1 trillion times more important than the newest generation phone, and also… Assuming that happiness is physical, physiological… what that means is, anything that improves your bodily wellness is good for you.

Why linen

Linen might be the magical fiber, one of the most godlike fabrics on the planet. I’m sure Zeus wore linen, especially in Ancient Greece.

 What’s first thing about linen is that first, it is insanely strong you don’t have to baby you could just throw it in the wash, hand wash it when you’re on the road, hang dry it in it like magically dries overnight. I’m also a big fan of merino wool, yet the problem is anything that you get from merino wool ,,, might only last like six months or a year tops. Sooner or later it falls apart and then you just have to buy a new item.

Linen in some ways is antifragile –> the more you wear it, the softer it becomes, the more it molds with your body… And the more beautiful patina it develops.

Last year I made my first prototype 100% HYPERLINEN black tank top, and I’ve literally wore every single day for the last year, never babied it, threw it in the wash in the washing machine dryer or whatever… And it’s like invincible.

new concept

So I probably spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars in like all this cheap over marketed Lululemon fitness branded apparel,,, which is essentially like well designed polyester derivatives… And the big problem is, you just cannot make good products out of it because of the fabric. Polyester simply cannot make good products. in fact upon critical thinking… I’m actually not really sure what polyester is good for. 

My vision is to bring the elegance of linen, but, pairing it with fitness, photography, travel, active lifestyle stuff… Whether it be rock climbing, hot yoga, hardcore one rep max weightlifting powerlifting, travel, nomadic living etc.

Why hasn’t anyone done this before?

It seems that one of the big issues is… linen is like practically absent from the states. everyone either wears cotton or polyester, even the linen stuff that you find in the states is always a cotton linen blend, which is always a poor compromise. I’m also not sure what cotton is good for, besides being readily available. It takes forever to dry, and it’s maybe like medium-okay in terms of breathability.

Why linen wins

You cannot fool physics. The way that the flaxseed fibers work is like very fascinating and elegant, you hang it up and you shine it to the sun, and you could see the linen pattern gently lets in air, no two weaves are alike.

My pursuit

Ever since I was like a teenager, I’ve always been like insanely into clothes, even in my nomadic years in my 20s and 30s, I spend far too much time thinking about clothing, in terms of designing the perfect shirt, tank top, shorts, pants, shoes etc. It is a constant obsession of mine.

Simply put my ambition is to create design and engineer the best clothes on the planet. Bar none. The most innovative designs, and also the most supreme fabrics.

Ultimately, the motivation for the clothes is, to benefit enhance and turbo charge you:

1. To travel more, with less weight, less baggage
2. To feel more energetic and happy with your clothes
3. To derive aesthetic enjoyment from witnessing how elegant you look in the clothes
4. Clothes which improve overtime rather than typical clothes which become more boring overtime
5. To have the supreme confidence that the clothes you’re wearing isn’t in fact, the best on the planet.

Prototypes

I kind of been like a mad villain, experimenting with all of these interesting new clothes.

Some of the things that I’ve been experimenting with:

1. ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN PHANTOM SHORTS

100% HYPERLINEN, matte wabi-sabi black. Double layered for your most hardcore lifts, it loves the barbell, abrasions from rock climbing, everyday living etc.

No obstructions, maximum freedom. No pockets to weigh you down, maximum focus and zen. The summit of elegance in tailoring, elegant side cut, slightly longer in the black. Makes a statement, you could probably just wear these with the blazer, and go out for a date in them.

Essentially it is the shorts to conquer all shorts. Perfect room in the thighs, you could squat in them lunge with them, go climbing in them, travel in them, hike in them, it goes with everything,  if you wanted to travel the world in them, you could just literally bring this one pair.

2. ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN SHIRT

This one is quite ambitious, ERIC KIM HYPERLINEN SHIRT. honestly I kind of love and prefer tank tops or sleeveless shirts, but I started to experience in LA… The sun is actually unusually strong. I kept getting sunburn in my shoulders, even when applying SPF 50 sunblock. So after about a year of experimentation and thinking about it, I thought… Maybe it is a good idea to bring back the sleeves.

Anyways, the interesting design challenge was, how to design a 100% linen shirt, without buttons in the front. An elegant, one piece design, that is easy to slip on and off, and also provide provides enough mobility in the shoulders, if you wanted to do yoga or lift weights or whatever. And once again… A neck line elegant enough to go eat at a fancy restaurant in. Also a design that is totally unique and makes a statement? 

After mindful experimentation and prototyping, we finally nailed it. Maximum mobility in the shoulders in the back, killer neck line, curved with elegance also in the shoulders. Perfect length in the front and back, so the fabric doesn’t get in the way of your active life.

When you walk with it it flows with you, it is so beautiful.

3. EXPERIMENT: 100% HYPERLINEN BLAZER & HOOD

This one is kind of a random experiment, I just made a one off for myself but, if you’re interested, email me at eric@erickim.com with your size, height, etc.

Essentially, I really like the idea of a sports coat or sports blazer… Essentially for me to be able to be John Wick whenever I want. Yes the problem is… It’s just really hard to find a good blazer that looks good and once again is not some random polyester blend.

I know in France it is quite chic to have like 100% white linen blazer for formal events, but I’ve never seen a 100% black linen blazer?

Then on top of it, an interesting idea… Having a 100% linen hood attached to it, something that could either hide or you can activate it, just in case you want to protect yourself from the sun? Or actually stay warmer from the cold wind? Or something that just looks cool, unique and street?

Anyways, it’s like practically done, extremely versatile, two front pockets, you could probably fit two RICOH GR’s in them, each front pocket on the left and the right, and also a front left chest pocket.  if we think about mythical armor, or a magical item,,, putting it on feels like a cloak of invisibility? When I was trying on the prototype for myself, the thing I kept saying (to myself): “This is so cool,,, this is so cool!!”

how to order

Frankly speaking, i’m actually not 100% sure whether this is worth my time, as clothing and apparel is not really an economically good one, but… I think I care enough or I’m passionate enough about this to pursue it anyways.

1. BUY HYPERLINEN SHIRT

If you’re interested in the HYPERLINEN SHIRT, founders price is only 99 USD, you can submit payment here via PayPal >

After you submit payment just either write a note or email me at eric@erickim.com with your sizing, height etc or other specifications.

You can see HYPERLINEN shirt photos and videos here > and YouTube short video here for sizing and fit vision.

2. BUY HYPERLINEN PHANTOM SHORTS

Buy PHANTOM SHORTS 129 USD PayPal here >

Also you can write a PayPal note or just email me your sizing waist size in inches or cm etc to Eric@erickim.com

See more photos here, or a YouTube short video for sizing and fit vision here.

Now what?

Being here in Cambodia Phnom Penh is super fascinating because… essentially I’ve been using this time to just question everything. Questioning the value of things life etc. Kind of like a deep introspective period for myself.

I think the big idea is Autotelic entrepreneurship: innovations and things that you want to experiment simply because you’re interested in it… Even though from a financial economics perspective it doesn’t really make sense nor is it very profitable? To simply experiment because you’re curious about the outcome?

And become interesting because notions of successor failure don’t really matter because you’re more interested in the sake of the experiment itself?

CONQUER ON!

ERIC

STRATEGIZE WITH KIM

If you want a more tactical vision for your life, shoot me an email at eric@erickim.com so we can conquer the world together.

ERIC

START HERE, BOOKS, NEWSLETTER, WORKSHOPS

 so one of the big benefits of modular clothing, like using merino wool leggings paired with shorts, or even wearing vests, blazers, layers, linen long sleeves, linen tank tops or even linen shirts, is that… They are modular. You can mix and match as you want, when it gets too hot you could just take off modular layers, when it gets cold you can add on modular layers, button zippers, interchangeable things makes sense.

Even I’m having a problem with my lumix S9 camera,,,  mysteriously another day, the camera started to make a strange responsive clicking sound, and then it gave me an error message that I had to turn off the camera and then turn it on again. It’s essentially broken, not sure if a lens issue or a body issue or whatever… but at least the upside is, in theory… If it was just a lens issue I could just buy another lens which is a cheap fix, the body is a bigger issue… But at least you could break it down.

Vehicles

Once again this is the issue with the electric car or a Tesla or whatever… You cannot detach the engine from the body, it is all one modular system. Kind of like an iPhone with wheels.

And this is still where… I am very suspicious of iPhone, because once again… Once you purchased it you can’t upgrade it anymore, you cannot swap out the parts or whatever… you’re essentially stuck.

Therefore the ideal strategy with iPhone is, in theory purchased the cheapest iPhone like the iPhone E,,, but, have like the maximum storage because down the road you’re probably going to run out of storage. And actually storage issues are a bigger issue than processing power. For example on my iPhone SE,,, I got the middle option which was 128 GB, 164 GB was the base… And already I hit the limit so many times. I should’ve just spent a few extra hundred bucks and got the maximum storage knowing that down the line… Storage would be an issue.

Modular capital

I think this is also where bitcoin is fascinating because… You could infinitely break down bitcoins into Satoshi’s or any infinitely small amount. Like for example, you cannot break down 1/10 of an apartment on fifth Avenue to sell or rent out or use as collateral… But you could do it with bitcoin.

So with bitcoin it becomes fasting because… Whether you have .1, .5, 12345678 910, 1112 1314 1516 1718 1920, 21 2223 2425 316 728 2930, 42, 84, 164, whatever… You could break it down infinitesimally.

Why modular?

Goals?

So the first insight: certainly number go up is a great feeling. To see your Whether you measure it in US dollars or bitcoins or whatever.

However, if we think about this critically… Typically the idea is that the more wealth you have the more you have the more powerful you feel, the more happy and joyful you feel, the more secure you feel, the more pride you feel etc. but is this the case? 

Numbers

For example, let us say that you have $500, thousand dollars, $5000, $10,000, $20,000, $40,000, $80,000, $100,000, $200,000, 20 $50,000, $500,000, 700,000, 800,000, 1 million, 2 million, 3 million, 4 million, 10 million, 20 million, 50 million, 100 million, 200 million, 500 million, 1 billion, 2 billion etc. At what point do you feel strong and prosperous?

Framing

Certainly it is all a framing and inquiring thing. For example, once you hit a certain number, you become fixated on that number, and truth be told… It is very difficult to shake yourself from that number. I know this especially in bodybuilding and weightlifting and powerlifting, it is all about numbers. Like bodybuilders want to weigh 200 pounds with a six pack, power lifters want to dead lift over 1000 pounds etc., numbers matter.

Why? Typically the numbers and the feeling of progress is happiness. Yet, consider;

What’s better? Somebody who starts with $500 in their checking account and then gets $10,000, or somebody who has $50 million in their Investments and sees it go down to like 9 million?

The person in the first scenario because, once again… It is like the relative growth and the percentage growth up or down which matters the most.

Spartan grim perspective

We Spartans don’t ask how many are the enemy… We ask where they are.

a man once telling the Spartans, the enemy is close by! In the Spartan smiles and says, then also… they are close to us.

towards a more Dionysian line of thinking, perhaps some sort of grim and dark humor is actually beneficial?

a Persian emissary saying — “our arrows shall blot out the sun!” Spartan: “Then we shall fight in the shade”.

If you think about it, life real life, assuming that you’re an entrepreneur, risk taker, and or risk loving human being… It’s impossible to go throughout all of life without some sort of damage or wounds, or to suffer in injuries from attacks?

Hyper growth

 I actually had a really optimistic thought last night, the idea of hyper growth. That deep severe wounds are actually insanely desirable because… They are the hyper stimulus to our hyper growth and that is what matters the most?

ERIC

I’m never satisfied can’t match my hustle.

Perhaps this is the funny thing about… Sometimes when you have enough, it’s not enough. And sometimes when it is not enough, actually… It is enough?

what’s in your power and what is not in your power?

So certain things which are not in your power: macro economics, the stock market, bitcoin, price, etc. Therefore, as a simple principle… Economic, wealth, and power is maybe like 50% in your control? Because you do have agency you do have a choice in control, however… You do not have 100% power over it.

What do you have 100% power over?  you have 100% ambition, and control of your hustle.

The principle of life

I think the principle of life is overcoming any and every obstacle, the deepest of hells, the most sublime tragedies.

Dionysian ecstasy

OK, I’m not gonna lie… This might be one of the most difficult points to make:

What if… The worst most extreme tragedies in real life, magnified by 1 million… Or in fact, the stimulus is for supreme Joy gratitude and Thanksgiving…?

is life about gratitude?

In some ways… There are many unknown unknown… Unknown tragedies, like the loss of life… Which is in fact, the most supreme tragedies of them all.

I used to think that economic loss was the worst, but it is not. Human life is the worst.

Even Marcus Aurelius meditated much on this –> apparently he had like, lost almost all 10 of his kids , and if you think about it… Being emperor is no easy task.

do you want to be the emperor?

I suppose the big question is… whether you would want to be emperor or not.

I suppose the good thing is when you think about the treasury of the empire… You depersonalize it… It is not your treasury or your wealth, but the both of the empire. And therefore, it is your task to manage it as Wesely as possible, not for your own benefit, but for the benefit of the empire.

a wise empire?

Marcus Aurelius was the last good emperor, maybe the only one.

I think the reason why his meditations are so pure is because he just wrote them for himself, Autotelic, in order to give him some personal tranquility. Therefore everything he writes is raw and honest because these were not intended to be published, it was kind of more of like a private journal or diary he wrote for himself.

hyper stimulus

The other day I did a trap bar deadlift of over 1000 pounds, and, obviously, I am very sore, the evening of, and onto the next day. Fortunately, I ate well, got some good digestive movements this morning, slept well, etc.

So the first thought is, the supreme thing to monitor is health, biological health.

When we think about money and wealth… It is almost like tokens or points or a measure of health.

So when we established or frame a certain amount of wealth, as being like 100% health and vitality… That becomes our new anchor point, and any deviation from that weather up or down is seen as gain or loss.

According to Nietzsche ,,, if we think about this more deeply or more critically… Assuming a world of no gain or no loss. This is a powerful idea.

how to reframe or re-anchor your thinking

I think this is where supreme thinking, philosophy comes into play.

Honestly, I don’t really have a clear answer for you… The only advice I could give is try to walk 30,000 steps a day, think deeply about it, right about it, jot down some notes, maybe even vlog about it ,,, give yourself at least a month or two or three, or even more… Six months, nine months, a year… Four years, a decade or two. Maybe you’ll never get over it and that is OK.

I think the grounding principle is, how to transform suffering pain into a positive obstacle for both and strengthening.

Weightlifting is an interesting metaphor because… You actually need a grand dosage of pushing yourself to the limit and also exceeding your limit, and then the pain actually ends up feeling good?

For example, as a bodybuilder… Bodybuilders only ever really feel satisfied if the next day they feel sore, delayed onset muscle soreness.

However, maybe then it is a reinterpretation of our pain. That, whenever we feel deep pain, or tragedy… For us to transform that into a Dionysian smile,,,, And the truth is, perhaps a little bit of madness, disconnection with reality, or sort of grim optimism is necessary here?

the more extreme the circumstance, the more extreme the remedy?

Another thought from Marcus Aurelius ,,, honestly at the end of the day… You’re not that important, nor does your biological flesh body self need much.

It’s kind of interesting how a lot of our pain and suffering is situated in our brain, which I suppose is connected to the nerves, it must be 100% physiological in the body, our nerves, our hormones, our blood, etc.

Therefore, I don’t really think that thinking away your problems is actually an effective solution. It must be bodily and physiological. Once again, 30,000 steps today, insanely heavy, weightlifting every day, fasting, strong, coffee, and stimulants in the morning, 100% robusta or some really strong green tea or Matcha, sun exposure, heat exposure, cold exposure, hot sauna, hot yoga, cold showers, jumping into a swimming pool etc.

Ambition for what

I think the desire to desire to be the best is a noble one. This ambition is what drove me to become the number one street photographer blogger on the planet.

When you exceed a certain goal, then the next step is, maybe discovering or uncovering new domains to conquer.

I think a lot of people know me now as a philosopher and follow me for my stoicism, which I made a strong impact in, I’m certainly not number one in this domain, but maybe I should strive to be?

hustle

Hustle is interesting because, it’s like having that burning ambition and fire, to do something grand, to do something great, to exceed yourself in your own expectations, for the sake of it? Once again… Autotelic. 

are goals a trap?

I think, having some sort of general realistic goal or guiding principle is a good one… But certainly… Lacks something.

Even with economic financial goals, I could personally attest… Even when you set an ambitious goal, and you hit it, ,,, You never satisfied, you’re not satisfied. You will always want more.

Obstacles, loss, downsides… Drawdowns, are precisely what you desire?

For example, bitcoin… Without a violent 50% drawdowns, you cannot have a violent 50% rise.

Maybe also thinking about this from a life, philosophy idea, we actually desire the drawdowns, the supreme tragedies, in order to hyper stimulate our growth?

Dionysian gratitude 

So I suppose the closing thought is this: a Dionysian sense of gratitude is, tragic, but in a beautiful, joyful way? 

LOVE THE PAIN & TRAGEDY!!!

ERIC

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Beyond the sake of extracting maximum economic value from yourself

So I think this is a big thought especially while leaving the states –>

So the first big idea is, in America… Essentially we quantify our value in terms of economic value. I think structurally the reason why this is the case is because,… The truth is, America’s actually kind of a middle class society… And also the truth is, even the act of living and paying the bills is actually very difficult. And actually the true insight I have is it doesn’t matter how rich you are in America… You will always feel poor because there’s somebody far more rich than you… Or even worse, somebody who seems richer than you because they have more expensive vehicles or whatever’s, but in fact, you actually may be richer or wealthy or better often than them. 

Asia

So I just met some 23 year-old International Khmer-Cambodian-Canadian kids, more or less we’re raised here, in the elite illuminati. And rich Khmer Cambodian people make American rich people look poor. For example, one of the 23-year-old guys that I met, one of his friends from school who is also like 23 years old… Owns a Bugatti Chiron, and also, his other friend just bought seven Rolls-Royce cullinan suv cars ,,, all in each color tone, with his moms written on the side of it.

Also… It seems that he has at least five friends with Lamborghini Aventador’s, and growing up was super normal for him to ride around in Lamborghinis with his buddies.

Even the gym that I go to every day here in Cambodia, just saw a Lamborghini urus casually parked in front.

why does this matter

So I think in America… Our sense of self-worth is typically assigned to some sort of economical numerical value. And this seems to be a very very fragile position to be in because, like if the markets are up or down or whatever… These are things which are outside your control, so from a stoic perspective, it doesn’t really make sense to outsource your self-esteem to the markets because once again… You could be the most insightful trader or investor in the world but, Black Swan events like a random war or other random happenings… These things are outside our control.

doing things for the sake of it or investing in ourselves

So I’m currently prototyping some interesting 100% all black linen clothing, shirts tank tops and also shorts because… The first motive I have is for myself, like I wanna make insanely great or the best possible clothing items that best suits my fitness lifestyle every day needs.

I spent like hundreds of thousands of dollars on stupid Lululemon clothing, and other elite fitness brand attire,  and it’s funny because… I think the traditional thought is, clothing attire stuff like that as soon as very very unimportant and superficial but, I actually think, the clothes that you wear actually may be more important than your iPhone, your iPad, your laptop, your car, your watch etc. After your clothing, perhaps your shoes, ideally some sort of zero drop minimalist Vibram five finger style shoes, is more important.

So the first thought: create the products and the services which you desire to see manifested in the world, the first motive is to just serve yourself. 

Also, I think when you are starting off and prototyping things, I don’t think that the economic motive is actually the primary driver because… The truth is, prototyping new products or trying to introduce you products to the world or the marketplace, it is impossible to know that there will be any demand or people are actually willing to pay money for it. But I guess… If you’re curious enough to find out, or you know… You simply do it for the sake of it.

towards Autotelic self development

What is the most important thing for us to invest in? Not the markets but ourselves.

I think an American Society… Our economic value is more important than our self value or our self-determined value. That idea is investing time into ourselves to either build up our philosophical thinking… Or our bodily fitness is seen as a waste of time unless it equates to some sort of economic output. For example… Exercise is only justified if it helps “reduce our stress levels“, in order for us to work harder and earn more capital.

Same thing goes with philosophy… Even though philosophy may be the supreme field, higher than economics, to study philosophy or to be a philosopher or whatever… Is seen as wasted effort unless once again, it equates to some sort of economic output value.

end games and goals

On a base basic level, certainly there are simple things we gotta do like pay the rent, pay for groceries, pay the mortgage or whatever. But beyond this… It actually seems more important for us to preserve our freedom. If there’s a certain point in which earning more money or capital … Leads you to enslaving yourself, it actually is not worth it. 

For example… If you think about the ancient Spartans, what did they care for? All they care for was their freedom, their small lots of land, and just spending the rest of their time and the day on military exercises, presumably working out topless outside, during target practice with helots, playing music reading poetry philosophy related stuff, and that was it. It seemed that they limited their acquisition goals, like when each Spartan just owned a small plot of land, that was it, that is all he needed, and then they just kind of stopped at that point.

In America… There are no limits, it doesn’t matter if you have 1 million 2 million 5 million 10 million 100 million 1 billion 500 billion whatever, enough is never enough.

Life goals

According to Nietzsche, the purpose of life is for more power. I do think that this is pretty accurate, but, maybe it’s not just economic power but other types of power.

For example, physical physiological fitness power, art artistic creative power, philosophical mind power, and also more Zen power, tranquility power. 

Also the power to be present.

Why does this all matter?

Concentration and focus. Like for example in Los Angeles… Just thinking consider, how much mind soul time attention power is wasted on thinking about the automobile you drive?

In Asia, Cambodia Phnom Penh in particular, this is essentially a non-thought. Like literally… If someone just gave me a free Lamborghini Aventador here in Cambodia I would probably refuse it because, A: functionally speaking it’s just kind of impossible to drive on the streets, 2) I don’t really trust myself driving is here anyways because the visibility is so poor, and 3)–> I actually love riding in a ramorque tuk-tuk open aired, skinny tiny vehicle, rather than being in a stuffy car with no view and the air-conditioning on?

Centering and focusing on yourself

I think spending large chunks of time abroad, in Asia southeast Asia wherever… Maybe 3 to 6 months, maybe even a year… Is very formative because once again, you could just like focus 100% of your energy into self development and self advancement.

For the year that I went off the grid in Vietnam, just reading philosophy for like eight hours a day and spending all my time writing and thinking, was probably one of the most formative years in my life because, it caused me to question everything, and to evolve my thinking and my soul? 


End goals?

I think on the super basic level… The purpose of life is, like getting married having kids, making sure your kids thrive, because the life of your children is far more important than your own life. And even if you decide not to have kids, or cannot or are in a position in which it just doesn’t happen, that’s cool too because you could always adopt, foster, or just turn your artwork or your writing into your metaphorical children. I think ultimately mankind we seek some sort of legacy or thing that outlives us? 

ERIC

supreme robusta 100%

So one of the best ways to conquer boredom, for the strong man you need strong stimulants. 100% fine robusta, 100% supreme Robusta coffee.

The general idea is Robusta coffee is at least twice as caffeinated…  and gets you a faster kick in the pants when you start in the day.

Autotelic goals

So a lot of people have certain goals whether they be financial economical or success based, based on metrics.  However, the true thing to track is, your own autotelic specifications.

For example for myself, honestly at this point… The only thing I care for is, the desire to wake up, and feel inspired. Or at least have interesting thoughts, thoughts that I could jot down, thoughts that I could share.

If anything I actually had this interesting vision is, maybe before I came to Phnom Penh Cambodia for the summer… I’ve actually honestly been maybe more bored in LA. That life in America is pretty boring. There’s nothing really there to aspire towards… besides basic consumerist desires and or goals.

A greater vision

 I felt this very strongly when I was in Vietnam mostly, when I first had my first philosophical awakening, knowing that just with $500 US a month, I could live indefinitely like a king. Being in Phnom Penh Cambodia is actually similar… Because there are fewer distractions … you could focus more on your true talents your true core competencies, things that only you could do on the planet?

Like for example… I think maybe the things in which I could really deliver to mankind is like this combination philosophy life, aesthetics, life goals, practical and functional philosophy stoicism, etc.  practical matters, that could help individual individuals thrive on a day to day.

Perhaps the truth is, my economic value that I could deliver to society is less, but the upside is… My philosophical value is more?

This is also the difficult thing… If you think about planetary global capital, the truth is, he or she with the most economic power is actually the most powerful. Yet, if he truly think more critically about capital… Once you could purchase seven Rolls-Royce is all in different colors, without concern, or once you purchase a Bugatti Chiron or whatever ,,, apparently Cambodia has the largest number of Koenesigg cars in Asia ,,, then what?

Beyond Capital

So once again… There are many virtues of capitalism in terms of freedom, opportunity choice, etc. Yet I think the difficult and tricky nuance is, are there certain limits? Or a certain number in which you could maximize the upside while minimizing the downside?

In America, enough is never enough. In Asia Southeast Asia, Cambodia… Even $2000 a month or $5000 a month or $10,000 a month is like infinitely more than you will ever need. I feel like in America, even earning $20,000 a month USD… It’s kind of like middle class upper middle class income at this point assuming you live in a big city. 

Startup Capital and costs

Have you talked to any ambitious 23 year-old… As I have here in Cambodia ,,, it is pretty awesome. For only like $5000-$10,000…. you could start a fully fledged business like opening up a hot yoga studio, hiring programmer for your new tech software startup etc. Rent for a studio is only like $200 a month or something.

So the first thought is… Startup costs for America is just too obscenely high. I frankly think it is too risky, especially when a physical studio space might cost five to $10,000 a month.

Otium

So Seneca the philosopher, and all the wise Stoic sages… what is it that they all desired? They wanted creative leisure, peace of mind, peace of soul.

Because the truth is, if your mind is always preoccupied by business, random matters etc.… You will never get the razor like clarity and supreme focus and concentration you need in order to philosophize. So a simple thought:

Does this ADD or SUBTRACT from my focus and concentration?

I think like almost 100% of politics, social matters that do not include your own bloodline,.. certainly social media and entertainment is like beneath you. 

The way to think like a philosopher is to think lofty, once again, you kind of do need to be a little bit pompous and high minded in order to focus. 

Abroad

Physical spaces and thinking differently.

I do honestly believe that coming to Asia or just somewhere that is radically different is a great undulation to get your mind going. Because, certain routines and habits that we have back home make it difficult for us to break outside the box, and also think outside the box. Once again being here in Cambodia, I feel like I’ve gained at least three or four hours a day because life is so much more straightforward and simple.

satisfaction?

I think the best marker success is… Whether you go to sleep tonight, feeling successful and triumphant, and that you maximize your creative abilities in a meaningful matter? Let this be in her scorecard and measure for success!

ERIC

WORK WITH ERIC

TO sharpen your thinking and your soul, if you wanna book a private one-on-one with me, email me at eric@erickim.com

WORKSHOPS

• zen Tokyo, August 8-9th 2026
• NYC Sept 26-27th workshop, CONQUER STREET PHOTO WORKSHOP – New!

Also, I’ll be in Hong Kong July 29 to August 3, and Tokyo August 3-17.

For a private 1:1 street photo workshop around my location or dates email eric@erickim.com

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FEAR ANNIHILATION
Approach strangers like a Stoic warrior. No more hiding. No more “what if.” Direct. Bold. Ethical. Free.

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WHO THIS IS FOR

• You want to conquer fear once and for all — on the streets and in your soul
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Once you submit your tuition, you’ll get a personal email from me outlining further details in terms of location, time, how to prepare etc.

For further questions email me at eric@erickim.com

ERIC KIM
Street Photographer • Philosopher • Fear Conqueror
The Streets Are Waiting.

That which threatens to destroy you only makes you stronger:

 Perhaps, being the Uber stoic, ultra Stoic, hyper stoic. This will be my life legacy:

First, it seems that everyone just wants a purpose to life. Something that will outlive them. Not taking in consideration the ones and zeros in your bank account, and also… Becoming a little bit more careless about yourself your life your life situation, whatever. In some ways, getting over yourself.

Focus and concentration

We cannot control the external world, but in some ways, with enough training and discipline… We can control our inner world.

Reading the meditations by Marcus Aurelius is so honest and pure because, he was not writing for an audience. He was fleshing out his own thoughts, for himself by himself. That the act of writing itself was therapeutic. 

Perhaps this is a good insight, at this point with ChatGPT, writing doesn’t really have an economic value anymore. In the past, writing 1000 words a day was seen as good, now… There is like zero utility to it.

Even with art, philosophy and aesthetics, AI has no interesting. Unorthodox thoughts. Reading a little bit of nietzsche is a quadrillion times more interesting than anything from Grok, etc.

Why

The first thought is memento mori… not even your own life, but the life of your spouse and your children. To live a life with radical hyper presence, seems to be an interesting Zen practice.

Also, this is where photography is very helpful: by putting away your phone and only having your camera, I believe that you could actually live more fully in the moment, to enjoy and appreciate each moment with your kids, being alive, etc.

And then, photography as a meditative practice, rather than an economic one? 

That which threatens to destroy you only makes you stronger

A touch of madness is also wise.

Assuming that life is war, then, we need to build our soul like the military. The military soul. 

That, life is not necessarily seeking ease, but productive pain, resistance, training, askesis.

Trauma could be productive, if, you have the right physiological approach. 

There is an idea of post traumatic growth , the idea that a great wound stimulates your bodies, growth and recuperative processes.

Also, an idea, a life without trauma is not a life worth living. That ironically, if you want to maximize your pleasure, joy and happiness in life, you also need to maximize the trauma? 

It is not trauma for the sake of it, but, a traumatic thing happens, and by necessity… Your body and your mind and your soul grows a thick stoic armor. This is what happened to me when I was 12 years old, and I suppose I stuck with Me until now.

necessity is the stimulus and mother of all innovation.

What is the worst life? A life of boredom and lack of purpose. Even Nietzsche says,  if a man has his why in life, he could easily figure out the how.

 Therefore, a big thing to consider is, the why of your life. Your life purpose, your life goals, etc. 

Thinking beyond yourself?

The truth is, the bare bones, spartan necessities of life, super simple… Enough meat for the evening, 12 hours a night of glorious godlike, and a mind savage with purpose. Also some great coffee doesn’t hurt. I recommend 100% supreme robusta, in fact I’m actually starting a new coffee boutique called ZEN COFFEE , email me at eric@erickim.com if you want to register intent 

In fact, the more you got to lose, the more fearful, you become.

What’s interesting is whenever I think of all the great entrepreneurs history… Like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, etc., they have all essentially taken a vow of poverty, in which literally nothing holds them back? 

What’s also refreshing about living in Phnom Penh Cambodia ,,, I feel like I finally been freed from the matrix. That like, literally, all services products, and things, are within reach,,,, And if you magically want an infinite bank account, living here makes the most sense.

In fact, I’m trying to critically think more about America, what the upsides are. Certainly having America as an economic base, and where you make money makes sense, but in terms of living and spending the money, living in Asia makes more sense. I’m also interested in perhaps visiting Shanghai or Beijing perhaps next summer, if you want to connect this way also email me Eric@erickim.com 

Autotelic innovation

Creating things products and services which you desire to see manifested in the world.

I’ve had this problem where I literally cannot find the perfect fitness workout shorts, and so I designed it myself: double layered 100% godlike black linen, hand woven here in Phnom Penh Cambodia.  Clean like a Rolls-Royce, no additional pockets or unnecessary features. The PHANTOM SHORT.

Essentially, the only short you will need for the rest of your life, I’m currently prototyping them in men’s medium, around a 31 inch or 32 inch waist, the founder price will only be 99 USD, email me your size at eric@erickim.com if you’re interested.

 honestly at this point, there’s not really a strong economic incentive for myself anymore because, living here in Cambodia is infinite.

Then I guess the big idea is, knowing that your beer necessities, and your business needs recovered, what you desire to initiate and create?

The Takeaway point: creating for the sake of it, whether physical mental information, ideas, etc., and share them and ship them with the world!

ERIC

For private one on one consulting about stoicism or philosophy, share your ideas and concerns and things you would like to focus on to eric@erickim.com

 Perhaps, being the Uber stoic, ultra Stoic, hyper stoic. This will be my life legacy:

First, it seems that everyone just wants a purpose to life. Something that will outlive them. Not taking in consideration the ones and zeros in your bank account, and also… Becoming a little bit more careless about yourself your life your life situation, whatever. In some ways, getting over yourself.

Focus and concentration

We cannot control the external world, but in some ways, with enough training and discipline… We can control our inner world.

Reading the meditations by Marcus Aurelius is so honest and pure because, he was not writing for an audience. He was fleshing out his own thoughts, for himself by himself. That the act of writing itself was therapeutic. 

Perhaps this is a good insight, at this point with ChatGPT, writing doesn’t really have an economic value anymore. In the past, writing 1000 words a day was seen as good, now… There is like zero utility to it.

Even with art, philosophy and aesthetics, AI has no interesting. Unorthodox thoughts. Reading a little bit of nietzsche is a quadrillion times more interesting than anything from Grok, etc.

Why

The first thought is memento mori… not even your own life, but the life of your spouse and your children. To live a life with radical hyper presence, seems to be an interesting Zen practice.

Also, this is where photography is very helpful: by putting away your phone and only having your camera, I believe that you could actually live more fully in the moment, to enjoy and appreciate each moment with your kids, being alive, etc.

And then, photography as a meditative practice, rather than an economic one? 

That which threatens to destroy you only makes you stronger

A touch of madness is also wise.

Assuming that life is war, then, we need to build our soul like the military. The military soul. 

That, life is not necessarily seeking ease, but productive pain, resistance, training, askesis.

Trauma could be productive, if, you have the right physiological approach. 

There is an idea of post traumatic growth , the idea that a great wound stimulates your bodies, growth and recuperative processes.

Also, an idea, a life without trauma is not a life worth living. That ironically, if you want to maximize your pleasure, joy and happiness in life, you also need to maximize the trauma? 

It is not trauma for the sake of it, but, a traumatic thing happens, and by necessity… Your body and your mind and your soul grows a thick stoic armor. This is what happened to me when I was 12 years old, and I suppose I stuck with Me until now.

necessity is the stimulus and mother of all innovation.

What is the worst life? A life of boredom and lack of purpose. Even Nietzsche says,  if a man has his why in life, he could easily figure out the how.

 Therefore, a big thing to consider is, the why of your life. Your life purpose, your life goals, etc. 

All right… I’m back in the fucking game:

Phnom Penh state of mind

Back in Cambodia just for about a month… Then a week in Hong Kong and also Tokyo… If you want a private 1:1 hit me up at eric@erickim.com

no limits

So the first very interesting thought about Cambodia is… There’s like no limits. Like a 90 minute massage is only like 20 bucks, you don’t really need to tip, but even five dollars more than enough… All good in services are affordable.

What’s also interesting is… There’s no real additional upside to capital accumulation here. For the most part… Once you got your apartment building that you’re living in… And, your kids in school or whatever… And you got enough food, you got your coffee… There’s no real tangible upside to having additional money here.

The big downside of America… No matter how much wealth you got you’re always going to feel poor. Because there are no caps to wealth there. 

Like for example… Here, you could call a tuktuk a mini motorcycle carriage taxi that takes you anywhere in the city for like a dollar. It’s the preferred motive transit because you don’t get stuck in traffic, and also… You don’t have to drive yourself. What’s interesting is in America… It seems that we all want to purchase an expensive vehicle, but here… You never really think about your vehicle because first it is not practical nor does it offer you any real utility.

a new mindset

I think I first had this epiphany when I was in Vietnam, in which I realized I would never run out of money, living expenses were only like $500 a month. This is the first time I was able to devote myself fully to philosophy, thinking writing, art. 

Living here, there are fewer distractions, which means, you can finally focus focus on greater order things rather than your survival and wealth accumulation?

philosophy and art

I think these are the two domains which are like kind of 100% in your realm of possibility. That irregardless of the outside world… You can focus on these things.

Also being here in Phnom Penh Cambodia , it is like essentially a photography and street photography paradise because, you’re like walking at at least 15,000 steps a day… Always camera around your neck, and there’s like a quadrillion interesting things happening every single moment of the day?

why this matters

I think the stoic idea is, you cannot change the outside external world… But you could change your internal mindset and internal world. 

I think stoicism is all about becoming less emotional about things, and actually… Experiencing the deepest abysses ,,, like the loss of a child, I think this happened a lot to Marcus Aurelius ,,, and still in the midst of that… To be happy and joyful.

Sour grapes?

This is something that I’m trying to think about, to have true insight rather than sour grapes fallacy?

I’m trying to think about this critically… How much of our thinking is based on a way that your mind is just trying to trick you to feel better versus, feeling a deeper joy and gratitude?

mindset and AI

what’s interesting about AI is that it kind of becomes like a virtual sounding board. And the truth is… AI will never give you a satisfactory answer because, it knows nothing. Only a human could think, I think AI is just very good at processing information.

How does one thing? Walking three hours a day… Letting your mind go empty.

Also… If you think about it, maybe a philosopher is just a walking thinking machine. That the more he walks, the more he thinks, and the more interesting thoughts are given birth. 

Also, this is where street photography is so fascinating because you could kill like three birds with one stone, you think, you create artwork, you interact and engage with the world, etc.

The globe

To live in America, for the rest of your life is tragic, but also… To never have the privilege of being in America is also disadvantageous.

I think the true inside is… A true Hybrid, and barbell between America and Asia, the east and the west… The Yin Yang Tao ,,, is supremely desirable.

Spending too much time in America does weird things to your brain, but also… Assuming that the supreme motive force in life is ambition… To simply live in Cambodia for the rest of your life… There are upper ceilings.

This is why, I’ve been kind of curious more to perhaps visit mainland, China, Shanghai, Beijing, etc.… Maybe for some sort of Autotelic entrepreneurship -> sort of opportunity seeking?

 life is all about opportunity? 

The supreme upside of America is that literally is the land of opportunity. America in terms of opportunity is definitely the most free open, the greatest number of opportunities that present yourself.

But maybe the more supreme insight: irregardless of where you are… Create your own opportunities? 

ERIC

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