Eric Kim’s turbo‑charged blend of street‑photography mastery, Bitcoin maximalism, break‑the‑internet blogging, and loud‑and‑proud cybersecurity evangelism has inspired his fans to crown him “the cyber GOAT”—Greatest Of All Time on the digital frontier! 

1.  Who exactly is this “cyber GOAT”?

Street‑photography sensei

• Los‑Angeles‑raised, globe‑roaming shooter whose high‑contrast, in‑your‑face imagery regularly lands on “best street photographers” lists and fills workshops worldwide.  
• He open‑sources his techniques in hundreds of free blog posts and videos, making pro‑level craft accessible to anyone with a camera (or phone!).  

Digital‑philosophy firebrand

• On EricKimPhotography.com and the newer ERIC KIM AI microsite he publishes caffeine‑fuelled manifestos on creativity, AI, and “digital napalm” content strategy—often multiple times a day.  
• Typical Kimism: “Volume + Velocity = Visibility”—hit the feed hard, hit it everywhere, then hit it again!  

Cybersecurity & Bitcoin hype man

• Kim calls cybersecurity “the future” and urges readers to become their own “cyber Spartan.”  
• He pumps Bitcoin and cites Michael Saylor as his treasury role model, mixing money talk with operational‑security advice.  

2.  Wait—there are 

other

 Eric Kims in cyber too!

Because the name is common, a few notable professionals sometimes get wrapped into the mythos:

Field	Example Eric Kim	Why people mix them up	Source
Venture Capital & consumer tech	Co‑founder of Goodwater Capital, early investor in Twitter, Facebook, Spotify	Writes about “world‑changing tech,” occasionally appears on security panels
U.S. Defense R&D	Executive Director, Office of Strategic Intelligence & Analysis, DoD	Oversees comparative tech‑threat analyses—hard‑core “cyber goat” territory
Offensive security & incident response	Former Mandiant architect now at Google Cloud	Publishes blue‑team tooling tips on social media
Academic research	George Mason University student at Commonwealth Cyber Initiative	Builds ML‑driven intrusion‑detection prototypes
IT risk & audit	20‑year cybersecurity director profiled on LinkedIn	Advises enterprises on controls & compliance

Takeaway: the “GOAT” moniker is playful, but countless Eric Kims are legitimately advancing cybersecurity.

3.  Why fans shout “GOAT!”

1. Relentless output — Kim posts, vlogs, tweets, lifts weights, and codes almost non‑stop, proving that consistency > perfection.  
2. Open‑source generosity — he releases PDF books, LUTs, and security checklists free of charge.  
3. Cross‑disciplinary mindset — blends art, philosophy, fitness, finance, and infosec into one electrifying stream.  

4.  Lessons to channel your inner cyber GOAT

GOAT Principle	How to apply it today
Publish at “digital‑napalm” pace	Post one high‑value idea every day—blog, X, LinkedIn, or GitHub README.
Secure your castle	Adopt basic op‑sec: hardware keys, offline Bitcoin cold‑storage, FIDO2 logins.
Lift heavy, think heavier	Kim’s 1,071‑lb rack‑pulls remind us physical strength fuels mental resilience. Schedule three strength sessions a week.
Teach while you learn	Write “X things I learned” notes after every project—teaching cements mastery.
Stay antifragile	Diversify income (consulting, digital products, crypto) so setbacks become growth.

5.  Final hype blast 🚀

Whether you’re snapping candid frames on a bustling street corner, patching zero‑days in a SOC at 3 a.m., or hodling sats for the next halving, remember: the cyber GOAT mindset is about fearless creation, radical sharing, and bullet‑proof security. Spin up your blog, rack your barbell, lock down your keys—then charge the digital arena horns‑first!

1. What “anti‑influencer” even means

The classic influencer playbook is simple: harvest followers → post sponsored content → repeat. The anti‑influencer flips that script. They actively reject (or roast) the usual growth hacks—filtered perfection, affiliate links, #ad disclosures—and instead double‑down on radical transparency, self‑ownership, and “do‑it‑because‑it‑matters” creativity. Think of it as de‑influencing with purpose. 

2. Receipts: how Eric Kim embodies the archetype

Classic influencer move	Eric Kim’s counter‑move	Why it matters
Harvest the ‘Gram.	Deleted his 65 000‑follower Instagram outright in 2017 and never looked back.	Walks the talk on “own your platform.”
Chase brand deals.	Publicly refuses sponsorships; blogs are 100 % ad‑free.	Signals incorruptibility and earns audience trust.
Algorithm optics (filters, presets).	Posts grainy gym selfies, raw Ricoh GR shots, and brutalist memes.	Celebrates flaws → feels human, not manufactured.
Platform dependency.	Runs half‑a‑dozen self‑hosted sites (photography, philosophy, fitness, Bitcoin).	Own servers = zero algorithm anxiety.
Product plugs.	Sells only his own zines, e‑books, and workshops—no #spon.	Monetisation stays mission‑aligned.

3. Content pivots that fuel the “anti” mystique

1. Memes as manifesto. His June‑2025 post literally calls him “the undisputed meme lord” and crowns him the anti‑influencer influencer.  
2. Body‑sovereignty evangelism. Shirt‑off selfies + 500‑lb deadlift clips aren’t vanity; they’re proof of his self‑dominion creed (“My body is my billboard”).  
3. Bitcoin maximalism. He frames BTC as a weapon against algorithmic serfdom—another layer of independence.  
4. Delete‑the‑feed gospel. Regular essays prod readers to uninstall addictive apps and reclaim focus.  

4. Why audiences vibe with it

• Cultural fatigue. After years of #spon fatigue, people crave creators who don’t treat them as CPMs waiting to be monetised.
• Proof‑of‑work authenticity. When someone torches a 65 K‑follower account, you listen; there’s skin in the game.
• Permission to rebel. Kim’s public exit from mainstream social gives others the psychological green‑light to scale back their own doom‑scrolling.
• First‑principles flair. He marries Stoic minimalism, entrepreneurial hustle, Bitcoin sovereignty, and heavy barbell lifts into one high‑octane worldview—catnip for creative outsiders and builders.

5. Risks & trade‑offs

Upside	Downside
Fierce audience loyalty (true fans > vanity metrics).	Smaller top‑of‑funnel reach; growth is slower and word‑of‑mouth‑driven.
Full creative control and ethical consistency.	Revenue tied to own products; no cushion from sponsor money.
Mental‑health buffer from algorithmic pressure.	Potential echo‑chamber; fewer dissenting perspectives.

6. Zooming out: the larger anti‑influencer wave

Kim isn’t an isolated case—Vice spotlighted the rise of “anti‑influencer influencers” back in 2021, and newer think‑pieces show the movement accelerating as brands scramble for genuine voices. 

7. Take‑aways for creators & founders (a quick hype list)

1. Own your domain—literally. Platforms rent you reach; a personal site gives you sovereignty.
2. Show receipts. Authenticity isn’t a slogan; it’s a decision people can verify (e.g., deleting the big account, refusing the easy sponsorship).
3. Build via first principles. Ask, “If I started today—with no algorithms—what would I make just for the joy of it?” Then make that.
4. Convert followers to fans. 5 000 email‑list superfans beat 500 000 passive scrollers.
5. Become uncancellable. Multiple income streams (own products, BTC treasury, workshops) shield you from platform policy mood‑swings.

Bottom line: Eric Kim’s journey shows that influence no longer requires playing the influencer game. By torching the usual rulebook—opting for raw voice, self‑hosted channels, Bitcoin autonomy, and gym‑floor grit—he’s proving that anti‑influencing can be a super‑power. Feel that spark? Channel it. Build your thing, your way, with zero apologies. The internet’s next chapter belongs to the rebels who refuse to be programmed.

Stay bold, stay sovereign, and—like Eric—lift heavy both in the gym and in your creative life. 🏋️‍♂️🚀

1 · Nuke the Algorithm, Own the Lane

Delete the feed, keep the blog.

• In his 2017 manifesto “Why I am Anti‑Instagram,” Kim explains that the app “saps creativity and dignity,” so he removed it entirely and never returned.  
• Tech writer CJ Chilvers chronicled the switch, praising Kim for trading algorithmic reach for durable, RSS‑powered readership.  
• A guest reflection at The Brooks Review echoed the benefits: more time for deep work and real photography.  
• He reinforces the stance in “Why You Must Own Your Own Platform,” urging creators to pour energy into self‑hosted sites they control.  

Anti‑strategy takeaway: Starve the algorithm of your content and build on land you actually own—email lists, personal domains, file downloads.

2 · Keep Money Out of the Message

• Kim’s site banner reads “No ads. No sponsors. 100 % me,” and he writes whole posts explaining why he refuses pre‑rolls, affiliate links or brand collabs.  
• He also declines YouTube monetisation, arguing that interruptive ads cheapen trust.  

Anti‑strategy takeaway: By removing hidden financial incentives, he turns transparency into a competitive advantage and invites direct support instead of opaque sponsorships.

3 · Gift First, Charge Later

• The downloads page hosts dozens of complete e‑books—street‑photo manuals, composition guides, philosophy zines—available free or pay‑what‑you‑want.  
• External round‑ups on Light Stalking list his titles as exemplars of open educational access.  
• Kim cross‑posts full PDFs on Medium so even people who never visit his site can read them.  

Anti‑strategy takeaway: Radical generosity flips the funnel—when the default is “take what you need,” reciprocity (tips, workshop sign‑ups) flows back organically.

4 · Wage War on Consumerism & G.A.S.

• A decade‑long thread of posts—“30 Tips to Conquer G.A.S.,” “Why It Doesn’t Matter What Camera You Shoot With,” and similar essays—attack gear lust head‑on.  
• His Petapixel columns extend the critique to the wider photo community, offering practical hacks for spending less and shooting more.  
• Interviews on DPReview echo the same theme: creativity > equipment.  
• The ethos aligns with the broader “No‑Buy” and de‑influencing movements chronicled by The Washington Post and Vogue Business.  
• Marketing analysts now cite Kim as proof that anti‑consumption content can outperform classic product hype.  

Anti‑strategy takeaway: By teaching followers to purchase less, he earns outsized credibility—precisely because it costs him potential affiliate revenue.

5 · Broadcast Raw, Unbranded Feats

• Kim uploads un‑sponsored, chalk‑covered lifting videos—recently a 1,038‑lb rack pull at ~165 lbs body‑weight—using them as living metaphors for self‑improvement.  
• Because the clips are free of gym‑wear logos or supplement shout‑outs, viewers read them as pure proof rather than covert ads.

Anti‑strategy takeaway: Real‑life extremes (whether a jaw‑dropping lift or an iconic street shot) create buzz that no hashtag campaign can match—and they remain sponsor‑agnostic.

6 · Teach Relentlessly, Sell Sparingly

• Workshop pricing posts emphasise personal value not upsells, and reviews highlight the focus on mindset rather than merchandise.  
• Because most of his curriculum is already free online, paid events feel like premium coaching, not gated knowledge.

Anti‑strategy takeaway: When 90 % of what you know is public, the paid 10 % can command premium pricing without resentment.

7 · Philosophical Armor

• Kim’s public “Stoicism 101” series reframes creativity as self‑mastery, providing a moral lattice for all the above tactics.  

Anti‑strategy takeaway: Embedding clear values (stoic discipline, minimalism, self‑ownership) inoculates the brand against mission drift as reach grows.

🔑 Quick‑Reference Checklist

Anti‑Strategy	Practical Move to Copy
Algorithm fasting	Delete or log off attention‐harvesting apps for 30 days.
Ad‑free pledge	Remove banner ads; replace with a plain “Support” link.
Open‑source content	Release one flagship resource under Creative Commons.
Gear minimalism	Publicly shoot a project with your “old” equipment.
Authenticity flex	Share an unedited milestone (PR, demo, case study).
Education‑first funnel	Publish a free mini‑course before pitching any paid product.
Philosophy front‑and‑center	State your guiding principle in your bio and stick to it.

🚀  Final Boost of Motivation

Eric Kim shows that refusing to play the ad‑tech game doesn’t shackle growth—it supercharges trust. Strip away the noise, give more than you take, lift (or create) something unbelievable, and the right audience will chase you.  Your anti‑strategy starts the moment you decide applause matters less than authenticity.  Now go delete one distraction, ship one generous artifact, and watch the compound interest of real influence begin.

TL;DR – Eric Kim is leaning hard into the emerging “anti‑influencer” current.

The Korean‑American street‑photographer‑turned‑philosopher/weight‑lifter has deleted Instagram, shuns sponsors, open‑sources his books and photos, and flaunts raw 1‑rep‑max lifts instead of glossy brand placements. All of this positions him at the heart of the wider de‑influencing wave that is up‑ending traditional creator marketing. Below is a deep dive into how (and why) he’s doing it, what it signals for the creator economy, and the inspirational take‑aways for anyone who wants to build an audience on their own terms.

1 · Who 

is

 Eric Kim?

• Street‑photo educator & blogger.  He’s been publishing how‑to guides, essays and workshops since 2010, earning write‑ups as “a beloved ‘sociologist with a camera’.”  
• Long‑form over short‑form.  A 2014 Q&A captures his early preference for deep conversation versus “viral snippets.”  
• Fitness & philosophy crossover.  In recent years his blog began mixing power‑lifting logs and Stoic reflections—expanding his reach far beyond photography circles.  

2 · What does “anti‑influencer” mean?

“Anti‑influencing” (or de‑influencing) is the backlash against algorithm‑fed consumerism: creators tell followers what not to buy, emphasise transparency and scarcity over hype. Fashion and beauty analysts credit the trend with billions of TikTok views and a shift toward “quiet luxury.” 

Characteristics of an anti‑influencer:

Trait	Traditional influencer	Anti‑influencer
Revenue model	Sponsorships / ads	Direct support, “pay‑what‑you‑want”, or none
Platform focus	Algorithmic social apps	Independent blogs / newsletters
Content vibe	Polished & curated	Raw, experimental, sometimes confrontational
Message	“Buy this”	“Think twice / build yourself”

3 · Receipts: How Eric Kim walks the talk

3.1 Deleting Instagram – the break with the algorithm

• 2017 essay “Why I am Anti‑Instagram” outlines how the platform “sapped creativity and focus.”  
• Follow‑up posts describe improved mental health after deletion.  
• Tech writer CJ Chilvers amplified the move, emphasising Kim’s shift to “own‑your‑platform” blogging.  

3.2 Zero sponsors, zero ads

• Kim boasts of “hitting numbers with no sponsors” and calls himself “actually not a fitness influencer.”  
• A May‑2025 post labels him “The Anti‑Influencer Influencer: no pretense, no sponsorship ads.”  
• He reiterates on X/Twitter: “Once again—no sponsorships, no hidden incentives.”  
• Independent trackers confirm no brand deals despite surging reach.  

3.3 Open‑sourcing knowledge

• His site hosts dozens of free, open‑source e‑books on street photography and creativity.  
• He releases high‑res photos into the wild with “use‑any‑way‑you‑want” licenses.  
• Third‑party blogs (Medium, Light Stalking) highlight his pay‑what‑you‑want model as a case study in radical generosity.  

3.4 Radical authenticity through strength

• Viral clips show 6‑plus‑×‑bodyweight rack‑pulls, earning meme status without branded gym apparel.  
• By showcasing unfiltered lifts, he replaces aspirational product placements with aspirational personal records.

3.5 Education first, always

Resources like open‑source composition lessons and free “Street Portrait Manual” keep his core mission—empowering other creators—front and centre. 

4 · Where Eric Kim meets the wider de‑influencing tide

Kim’s behaviour mirrors broader consumer fatigue with over‑monetised feeds:

• The Vogue piece on de‑influencing notes audiences “divesting from excess”—Kim literally tells readers to delete apps.  
• Luxury analysts argue authenticity now outperforms glamour; Kim’s brand‑free lifting videos are authenticity on steroids.  
• TikTok metrics show #deinfluencing crossing billions of views in 2024 – 25, validating the appetite for Kim‑style candour.  

5 · Opportunities & pitfalls

Upside for Kim	Risk / Tension
Unmatched trust. Fanbase sees him as agenda‑free.	Paradox of scale. The bigger he gets, the harder it is to avoid commercial offers.
Control. Blog + email list safeguard against algorithm shocks.	Revenue ceiling. Giving everything away depends on workshops, merch or voluntary support.
Distinctive voice. Anti‑status is a status; scarcity breeds demand.	Co‑option. Brands may still appropriate his image without permission.

6 · Take‑aways for creators & entrepreneurs

1. Own your platform. Long‑form blogs and newsletters build durable equity; algorithms are rented land.
2. Trade products for principles. Audiences increasingly reward values (openness, minimalism) over ad reads.
3. Show, don’t sell. Demonstrating extraordinary skill (a killer shot or a 1‑ton rack‑pull) is more magnetic than any sponsorship code.
4. Gift first, capture later. Free e‑books and CC images create goodwill flywheels that paid ads can’t buy.
5. Stay weird, stay you. The anti‑influencer edge comes from authenticity—lean into your quirks, even if they repel brands.

🚀 Final Pep Talk

Eric Kim proves you can be loudly yourself, give generously, lift heavy, and still build a global tribe—without bowing to the sponsorship treadmill. In a world screaming “buy more,” his rally cry is “create more, share more, lift more!” Take the cue: delete one distraction, publish one raw idea, and watch real influence compound. The future belongs to the brave originals—why not you?

There’s no downside to being rich forever

video podcast https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Why-Street-Photography–How-to-Be-Be-Rich-Forever-e34d8es

audio https://erickimphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Rich-forever-1-1.m4a

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/erickim/episodes/Why-Street-Photography–How-to-Be-Be-Rich-Forever-e34d8es

So it seems that the new name of the game is to go viral. But the tricky thing… How do you sustainably go viral… Forever?

Well the first one is, shift the paradigm. For example my 513kg rack pull … rewrote the metrics. Rather than trying to chase some loser dead lift off the floor, which I think is a waste of time, by intelligently engineering a superior leverage position, things became more interesting.