So a big idea that I’ve been thinking about a lot is, transcendence. To go above and beyond, but what does that really mean?
First, I think the big idea is to get rid of bulk. I think anything that is bulky, kind of gets you in your way in a bad way. The real good goal is, to strip away all unnecessary bulk to the maximum.
Second, I think the idea is also, to ascend to the greatest heights, practically and literally. To spend more time on mountain tops, overlooking the city perspective.
why bulk is bad
So I think the proper goal is maximum mobility. And in order to achieve maximum mobility, you need the minimum amount of bulk.
So for example a very simple one is clothing… I’ve discovered the optimal outfit is to always wear like some sort of sleeveless shirt, and if it gets really cold, a down vest on top of it. It gives you the maximum mobility in your shoulders and your arms and your limbs, this is also why I prefer wearing shorts, even in the winter.
Another option is, if you are going to be wearing long pants, to wear a really really baggy pants but ideally, cinched at the bottom? Once again, allowing you maximum mobility.
Compact and Mobile
So I’m currently testing out the new Ricoh GR four, and, it’s kind of amazing that, how we reducing the bulk, making it more slim and compact, really does make your photographic life like 1 billion times better. For example, even making it about like 10% slimmer and more compact and lighter… It really does help a lot with economics. If it’s even more seamlessly in your front pocket, and when it comes to photography you just don’t have to think.
Also a thought about vehicles… Ideally the best vehicle would be the maximally compact. Even a thought about sports cars, maybe some sort of compact Porsche 911 would still be better than some sort of widebody variant, and also perhaps better than a Lamborghini because… At the end of the day, you’re going to want to park it somewhere, and also, when there’s like a big garbage truck blocking the lane, having a maximally compact and thin body, not super wide is better.
Technically in terms of performance, the wider and lower to the ground the vehicle is, the better it will perform on the track. But once again, assuming your daily driver is not a race car, and it shouldn’t be… Then, once again, opting for the maximally skinny body is the best.
I also think this is where, even with phones, the max compact and slim phone is probably the best. Even if you’re like an Elon Musk, sooner or later somebody is going to get carpal tunnel in their thumbs by having to use a phone that is too big and too heavy and too wide.