Eric Kim’s Perspectives on Economic Theory

From Photography Blogger to Economic Thinker

Eric Kim is best known for his blog originally centered on street photography, but over time he expanded into financial and economic topics. Up to 2016, his posts rarely touched economics at all . Around 2017, Kim began openly discussing money and personal finance – notably with a May 2017 post “How I Earn $200,000+ a Year From Photography,” where he detailed monetizing his passion and preached frugality (crediting his wife for teaching him that “the secret to getting ‘rich’… is to REDUCE YOUR EXPENSES”) . This marked a turning point toward economic thinking on his blog. In subsequent years, Kim’s interest in financial topics deepened, especially as he encountered cryptocurrency. By late 2018 he had become a self-described Bitcoin maximalist, even adding the Bitcoin symbol (₿) to his site’s branding . His content increasingly framed Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and a tool of personal freedom, aligning with his ideals of self-sovereignty and anti-establishment thinking . He began writing pieces that bridged his photography audience with economic ideas (e.g. “Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency for Photographers”) and drawing parallels between Bitcoin’s fixed supply and a creator’s limited time and attention . By 2023–2024, economics had become as prominent a pillar of his content as photography, with numerous economics-themed essays. In mid-2024 he even penned “Why Economics is So Fascinating to Me,” declaring that “Economics, money, the sociological and philosophical aspects of it are endlessly fascinating to me” . This evolution shows Kim transitioning from a niche photography blogger to a commentator on personal economics and broader economic theory.

Philosophical and Lifestyle-Oriented Approach

Eric Kim’s take on economics is unconventional and highly personal. Rather than formal theory or academic jargon, he brings a philosophical and lifestyle perspective to economic discussions. He often invokes Stoic philosophy and ancient wisdom to frame financial matters, emphasizing that wealth and material excess are not ultimate goals . In Kim’s view, money is primarily a means to achieve freedom – freedom from debt, from unwanted work, and from external obligations . This philosophical foundation means he evaluates economic decisions in terms of how they enhance one’s independence and life satisfaction, not just in dollars or GDP. For example, he advocates avoiding debt and measuring success by the freedom one gains rather than by accumulating commodities . A core influence is minimalism: Kim argues that chasing luxury and possessions can distract from life’s true purpose. By “stripping away unnecessary expenditures and focusing only on essentials,” individuals can attain financial independence faster and lead more fulfilling lives . This Spartan-like frugality is a recurring theme – indeed, Kim published an essay titled “Spartan Economics” (July 2024) urging a “pragmatic, frugal approach to life and investing” and criticizing mainstream economists for peddling “fake…pseudo scientific mysticism” divorced from practical reality . In his “Spartan Economics” philosophy, everyday choices (where to live, what car to drive, what to eat) and personal financial discipline matter far more than abstract models . Overall, Kim’s economic perspective is deeply interwoven with his personal philosophy: it’s about individual empowerment, simplicity, and aligning one’s finances with one’s values and lifestyle.

Key Themes in Eric Kim’s Economic Perspectives

• Digital Scarcity and Cryptocurrency: Kim places heavy emphasis on the idea of digital scarcity as a driver of value in the modern economy. He frequently cites Bitcoin’s hard cap of 21 million coins as an example of how limited supply creates value in a digital era . A believer in cryptocurrency, he views digital assets as tools for achieving economic independence in a decentralized world. His forward-thinking commentary links technology to economics – for instance, highlighting how Bitcoin and blockchain represent new frontiers of value akin to digital gold. This adoption of crypto is not purely technical but ideological: Kim sees it as aligned with personal freedom and self-sovereignty, often championing Bitcoin as an alternative to fiat money and banking systems .
• Personal Economics and Self-Sufficiency: A recurring message in Kim’s writing is that individuals should become their own “creditors.” In practice, this means taking charge of one’s personal finances: maximizing one’s resources (money, knowledge, time) and not over-relying on employers, banks, or government institutions . Kim encourages intense self-reliance, from building one’s skills and income streams to avoiding the shackles of debt . He often frames financial choices in terms of personal agency and control. This theme of economic self-sufficiency ties into his broader vision of autonomy and echoes the anti-debt, live-free ethos of both Stoic minimalism and crypto-anarchism.
• Time as the Ultimate Currency: Kim frequently reminds readers that time and energy are more valuable than money. He posits that economics isn’t just about dollars and cents, but about how you allocate the finite hours of your life . True wealth, in his view, is having control over your time. This leads him to advise prioritizing work that you find meaningful and maintaining a lifestyle that affords you freedom over your schedule . By treating time as the most precious resource, Kim’s perspective shifts economics into the realm of personal productivity and life design. It resonates with readers interested in work-life balance and freedom from the 9-to-5 grind .
• Creative Capitalism: With his background as a photographer and creator, Kim introduces a unique “creative” lens to economic thought. He argues that creativity and entrepreneurship go hand in hand, coining the idea of “creative capitalism” . This means approaching one’s economic activities as a form of artistic or creative expression – for example, treating a business venture or investment like an art project that reflects one’s passion. Kim suggests that innovative thinking and creativity are central to economic success, blurring the line between traditional economic roles and artistic endeavors . This theme encourages individuals to leverage their creative skills in pursuit of financial independence, aligning one’s creative passions with economic goals.
• Critique of Conventional Theory: While Kim is enthusiastic about economics, he does not engage in traditional economic theory analysis (he has no formal economics training). In fact, he often critiques academia and “99.9% of economists” for being detached from reality . He dismisses a lot of orthodox economic modeling as “fake science” and instead focuses on pragmatic decisions that affect one’s day-to-day economic life . Rather than debating Keynesian vs. Austrian theory, Kim’s critiques are aimed at what he sees as complacency or irrelevance in mainstream economics. He prefers to talk about concrete factors like cost of living, investment pragmatics, and personal finance hacks over abstract equations. That said, his writings do touch on big-picture ideas at times – he muses on capitalism’s nature and even references historical economic thinkers in passing . But these references serve to bolster his personal viewpoints (for instance, underscoring why he favors bitcoin over “fiat” money) rather than to engage in scholarly debate. Essentially, Kim presents original economic concepts in a personal way (e.g. calling for “infinite economic density” to imagine a future of limitless digital innovation ), but he’s not proposing formal new economic theories in the academic sense. His originality lies in applying economic reasoning to personal lifestyle and modern trends, and in coining his own terms or mantras to communicate those ideas.

Clarity and Accessibility of His Explanations

One notable aspect of Eric Kim’s economic writing is its accessibility. Because he approaches economics as a self-taught blogger rather than an academic, his explanations tend to be clear, conversational, and rooted in everyday experience. He often illustrates economic ideas with relatable examples: housing costs, grocery bills, choosing where to live, etc., making abstract concepts concrete for readers . By integrating economic thought into daily lifestyle decisions – for instance, discussing how to eat affordably or whether to own a car – he offers a “grounded, approachable take on economics” that readers can easily apply to their own lives . His writing style is informal and personal; he shares anecdotes (such as learning frugality from his family or mentors) and straightforward advice in plain language. This means even complex ideas like investment strategy or the value of Bitcoin are explained in a down-to-earth manner, without jargon. Importantly, Kim’s emphasis on principles like freedom, time management, and minimalism helps demystify economics by tying it to intuitive human goals (freedom, happiness, creativity). Readers who might be intimidated by traditional economic discourse often find his posts engaging and understandable because they focus on practical takeaways and philosophical insights rather than data or theory heavy-lifting. In summary, the clarity of Kim’s economic thought comes from his ability to boil concepts down to simple truths (e.g. “time is more valuable than money”) and his willingness to challenge norms in plain terms. This accessible style has made his economic musings popular among creatives and laypersons seeking financial wisdom without wading into academic texts .

Main Platforms and Notable Posts

Eric Kim’s primary platform is his personal website/blog, Eric Kim Blog (found at erickimphotography.com). This is where he publishes his essays on photography, economics, and philosophy. In fact, by 2024 his blog header even incorporated the Bitcoin symbol “₿” – underscoring his dual focus – alongside a tongue-in-cheek motto, “When in Doubt, Buy More Bitcoin!” . His content is also cross-posted or discussed on platforms like Medium and YouTube, but the blog is the definitive home of his writing. Over the years, he has written numerous posts that showcase his economic perspectives. Some notable posts include:

• “How I Earn $200,000+ a Year From Photography” (2017): An early foray into financial topics, explaining how he monetized his photography career. This post blended personal finance advice (e.g. pricing strategy, cutting expenses) with his creative journey, signaling his first major analysis of money matters on the blog .
• “How to Accumulate Capital” (2018): A follow-up financial essay that delved into the meaning of capital and offered advice on building wealth. It continued his pattern of sharing practical tips (like saving and investing) and philosophical reflections on what “capital” truly signifies for personal freedom .
• “Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency for Photographers” (2018): An example of Kim applying economic reasoning to a specific community. Aimed at his photographer readership, this piece explained cryptocurrency concepts in plain terms and drew parallels between the economics of Bitcoin and the realities of a photographer’s life (such as the scarcity of one’s time/attention) . It exemplifies his talent for making new economic trends accessible to non-experts.
• “Why Economics is So Fascinating to Me” (2024): In this reflective essay, Kim explicitly professes his fascination with economics, describing the sociological and philosophical appeal the field holds for him . He discusses everyday economic questions like the cost of living and the purpose of money, embodying his style of tying theory back to daily life.
• “Spartan Economics” (2024): A manifesto-style post where Kim critiques conventional economists and advocates for Spartan frugality and pragmatism in personal finance . He shares his long-standing interest in investing and reiterates themes of minimalism, independence, and skepticism of orthodox economic “science.” This piece encapsulates many of his core viewpoints – urging readers to “think Spartan” about money and life .

Each of these posts highlights a different facet of Eric Kim’s economic perspective, from practical money-making advice to big-picture philosophy. Through his blog and related platforms, Kim has created a niche for himself as a blogger who merges creative entrepreneurship with economic theory. His key viewpoints – such as valuing freedom over luxury, embracing technology like Bitcoin, and treating one’s personal economy as an extension of one’s life philosophy – recur throughout his writing and have influenced a community of readers seeking an alternative take on economics . Ultimately, Eric Kim does not present economics in the traditional academic sense; instead, he offers a highly accessible, original synthesis of ideas, showing how economic reasoning can be applied to improve one’s life and understand the modern world .

Eric Kim 508kg rack pull online thermonuclear holocaust

Eric Kim’s 508 kg (1,120 lb) rack-pull—hoisted raw, barefoot, and belt-less at just 75 kg body-weight—didn’t merely bend a barbell; it triggered an online chain reaction fierce enough to feel like a thermonuclear holocaust in the attention economy. Within hours, the lift’s POV footage surged across YouTube, TikTok, and forums, racking up millions of impressions and spawning reaction clips, memes, and think-pieces on strength science and algorithm design.

1.  The Lift That Cracked Physics

• 6.8 × body-weight: Kim’s 508 kg pull equals 6.8 × his mass—pound-for-pound power that vaults him into mythical territory. 
• Mid-thigh rack-pull setup: The bar rested just above the knees, the zone where maximal mechanical tension converges with reduced lumbar shear, letting lifters overload 20–40 % heavier than a full deadlift.
• Historic context: For comparison, strong-man legend Paul Anderson’s famed back-lift topped 6,270 lb—but used a fixed platform, not a free bar. Kim’s free-standing overload slots him into the same “impossible” conversation while remaining reproducible in any modern rack.

2.  Thermonuclear Fallout Across the Web

The hashtag #HYPELIFTING trended for twelve straight hours, funneling new eyeballs into Kim’s blog and podcast ecosystem—a self-reinforcing traffic vortex he calls the “carpet-bomb loop.”

3.  Strength Science Meets Spectacle

• Posterior-chain overload: Rack-pulls spike glute, hamstring, and upper-back recruitment, offering hypertrophy with less lumbar mileage than full pulls.
• Neural shock therapy: Heavy partials train the CNS to accept supra-maximal loads, priming carry-over PRs in conventional deadlifts, rows, and even grip benchmarks.
• Carnivore-fasted engine: Kim credits 20-hour fasts capped with steak & liver for the hormonal clarity to attack singles at dawn—fuel mythologized in every share of the footage. 

4.  Algorithmic Chain Reaction

YouTube’s recommendation AI prizes extreme watch-time spikes and rapid comment velocity—the very metrics a 1,100-lb raw lift detonates.   Viral lifts historically snowball because each additional view and replay teaches the model that the clip “must be shown.”   Kim amplified the blast by releasing five formats inside one hour (YouTube long-form, Short, TikTok, X-thread, blog essay), saturating every feed before skeptics could blink.

5.  Cultural & Historical Ripples

• New benchmark: Lifters now talk in body-weight multiples; “7 × or bust” memes circulate, nudging gym culture toward pound-for-pound feats over absolute tonnage.
• Partial-range renaissance: Debates around Mark Rippetoe’s “inappropriate use” critique have resurfaced, but this time celebrated as a path to super-physiological loading.
• Attention-economy lesson: The lift is a live case study in converting spectacle into cross-platform influence, underlining YouTube’s role as the nucleus of virality. 

6.  Join the Fallout—The Rack-Pull Challenge

1. Set pins mid-thigh; warm-up to a confident single.
2. Film multiple angles; show every plate.
3. Post with #RackpullChallenge + #HYPELIFTING inside 60 min across at least three platforms.
4. Tier table:
   
   • 4 × BW = Bronze
   • 5 × BW = Silver
   • 6 × BW = Gold
   • 6.8 × BW+ = “DEMI-GOD”

First lifter to breach 7 × BW wins an autographed 25 kg plate—and eternal bragging rights in Kim’s next podcast roast.

Hard-Core Takeaway

Eric Kim’s 508 kg rack-pull isn’t merely a PR; it’s proof-of-work that extreme, well-documented feats can hijack the modern algorithmic landscape, compressing physics, media, and culture into a single detonation.  Step under the bar, light your own fuse, and ride the shockwave.

Eric Kim HYPELIFTING challenge 

I just ripped 508 kg off the pins—raw grip, barefoot, zero belt—and the internet bled views. That savage moment is now your invitation to the HYPELIFTING CHALLENGE: overload the bar, overload the algorithm, and watch weak mind-sets evaporate. Below is the battle plan—science-backed, spectacle-tested, and dripping with Eric-Kim-level ferocity.

⚔️ What HYPELIFTING Actually Is

• Partial-range carnage.  Rack-pulls at mid-thigh let you express 20–40 % more force than a floor deadlift—verified by isometric mid-thigh pull research .
• Proof-of-physics marketing.  My 508 kg pull (6.8 × body-weight) bends the Eleiko 1 500 kg-rated bar exactly the 4 cm engineers predict at the one-ton threshold .
• Movement, not meme.  #HYPELIFTING already powers thousands of tagged clips and even spawned its own guide on my blog .

🩸 Rules of the Bloodbath

1. Pins at mid-thigh—no quarter squats.
2. One rep, raw hands.  Calluses are credit cards—swipe hard.
3. Film a continuous shot showing every plate; Eleiko colour codes make fakery impossible .
4. Five-format carpet-bomb: post the clip to YouTube, TikTok, X, your blog, and your newsletter inside 60 min so every feed feels ambushed .
5. Tag #HYPELIFTING + #RackpullChallenge.  First lifter to breach 7 × BW wins an autographed 25 kg plate and a public salute—or roast—from me.

🧬 Why This Isn’t “Fake Strength”

• Hardware honesty.  IPF-spec Eleiko plates are certified to ±0.25 % tolerance; cheap hollow discs wobble or mismatch diameters—none appear in the footage .
• Peer-review consistency.  Bar-whip, speed curves, and lock-out angles match biomechanical data on 1 000-lb pulls .
• Historical context.  Anthony Pernice’s 550 kg silver-dollar deadlift (higher pin) and Paul Anderson’s legendary 2 800 kg back-lift prove extreme partials have precedent .
• Documented progression.  My 471 → 498 → 503 → 508 kg staircase is public; hoaxes don’t age that gracefully .

🥩 Fuel Protocol: Carnivore-Fasted Core

Twenty-hour fast, steak-and-liver feast. Studies show intermittent fasting rarely hurts maximal strength, especially for single-rep efforts , and high-protein carnivore approaches keep powerlifters anabolic .  Translation: you’ll survive—your excuses won’t.

📈 Algorithmic Shockwave Formula

1. Extreme watch-time clip → YouTube recommends endlessly .
2. Duets & stitches on TikTok spike hashtag velocity .
3. Reddit debate threads lock under traffic strain—free PR .
4. Cross-link loop drags viewers into your blog, newsletter, and merch funnels—permanent attention equity.

🛡️ Safety & Recovery Cheatsheet

• Strap warm-ups: a few lighter sets with straps to save grip skin.
• Isometric holds: 3 × 10-second mid-thigh squeezes on non-max days to wire the neural pattern.
• Posterior-chain TLC: Nordic curls + hip thrusts twice weekly keep hamstrings bulletproof—rack pulls load them brutally.

🚀 90-Day HYPELIFTING Sprint

Log everything, publish everything—each failure clip is pre-viral B-roll for your eventual conquest.

🎤 Final Rally Cry

The world rewards spectacle and punishes hesitation. Rack-pull the impossible, carpet-bomb the content, and carve your name into the algorithm’s skull. Gravity is negotiable; obscurity is fatal. Load the bar, load the feed—let the HYPELIFTING bloodbath begin.

Skepticism is wisdom: we new skeptics shall win!

How Eric Kim is destroying all the algorithms right now.

ERIC KIM CARNAGE.

Bottom-line up front: Eric Kim’s headline 508 kg rack-pull looks legitimate because (1) the un-edited POV footage shows plate counts, calibrated hardware, and bar-whip behaviour that match known 1-ton lifts; (2) the equipment he uses is IPF-spec Eleiko steel that can’t be hollow-faked without obvious tells; (3) independent strength nerds have frame-by-frame-checked the video and found the physics consistent with peer-review data on mid-thigh pulls; and (4) his lift progression (471 kg → 498 kg → 503 kg → 508 kg) is documented across years, making a one-off hoax highly improbable. Below is the evidence chain—and the few caveats—so you can judge for yourself.

1. Raw Footage & Plate Visibility

• The original YouTube upload is a single-take shot: you hear plates clank, see the bar bend, and watch Kim pan the camera over ten 25 kg reds, two 20 kg blues, collars, and the 20 kg bar for a total of 508 kg.
• A follow-up blog post zooms in on each plate stack and addresses “fake-weight” accusations head-on.

Quick visual tests

2. Hardware You Can’t Fake Cheaply

• Eleiko IPF plates are guaranteed within ±0.25 % of stated weight.
• The Eleiko power-bar he uses is rated to 1 500 kg—plenty of headroom for a 508 kg overload; counterfeit bars this stiff would cost more than real ones.
• Reddit gear-heads note that low-quality bumpers wobble or spin erratically—none of which appear in Kim’s clip.
• Spotting fake plates? Tell-tales include mismatched diameters, off-brand fonts, and shallow bar whip—all absent here.

3. Physics & Biomechanics Check Out

• Engineering analyses show a 1 000 lb deadlift bends a 29 mm bar 3-4 in before the plates leave the floor—identical to the flex visible in Kim’s pull.
• Peer-review work on the Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull (IMTP) confirms that mid-thigh positions allow athletes to express 20-40 % more peak force than from the floor, explaining the huge overload.
• Health-line and other strength resources list rack-pulls as a safe, legitimate tool for posterior-chain overload.

4. Consistent Lift Progression

A forger normally fakes a single monster lift; a multi-year staircase of ever-heavier pulls is harder to counterfeit without slipping.

5. Third-Party Scrutiny & Historical Context

• Strength forums compare Kim’s feat to Anthony Pernice’s 550 kg silver-dollar pull (a higher pin height) and find the loading believable.
• Historians recall Paul Anderson’s 2 800 kg back-lift, but that was on a fixed platform, not a free bar; Kim’s mid-thigh rack-pull sits well within known human capability once range of motion is factored in.
• Viral Reddit threads were so heated moderators locked comments—classic sign that thousands of skeptics ran the math and couldn’t disprove the footage.

6. Biological Plausibility

Kim’s 20-hour fast / 100 % carnivore protocol is extreme but not unheard of; athletes using similar diets have maintained or increased maximal strength.

7. Remaining Caveats

• No calibrated weigh-in is shown, so the widely quoted 75 kg body-weight relies on Kim’s word.
• The lift isn’t sanctioned by a federation—there’s no referee or competition scale.
• One-angle footage can hide clever plate swaps, though multiple older clips use different cameras, increasing confidence.

8. How Future Lifts Could Be Bullet-Proof

1. Live-stream with multi-angle feeds and a scrolling timestamp.
2. Weigh every plate on camera, then zoom back to show continuous setup.
3. Third-party witnesses (coaches, IPF refs) sign an affidavit.
4. Post the raw file plus bar-deflection measurements for open-source analysis.

Verdict

Given the unbroken lift progression, calibrated hardware, realistic bar whip, and the absence of red-flag anomalies caught by thousands of eagle-eyed viewers, the balance of evidence supports that Eric Kim’s 508 kg rack-pull is almost certainly real. Skeptics still have fair questions, but the physics, equipment specs, and public scrutiny all line up on the side of authenticity.

I just ripped 508 kg (1,120 lb) off the pins—raw grip, barefoot, zero belt—at 75 kg body-weight. That’s 6.8× BW and it detonated the timeline like digital TNT. The lift is live on the blog, the views are mushroom-clouding, and the hashtag #HYPELIFTING is surging past 28 million eyeballs. This post is the fallout—my voice, my rules, no survivors.

☢️  WHY 508 KG MATTERS (AND YOUR EXCUSES DON’T)

• Proof-of-Physics Smash: Mid-thigh rack-pulls let you overload 20–40 % heavier than a floor deadlift because the hip-torque demand plummets at that joint angle.  Science backs the reliability of the isometric mid-thigh pull for max strength assessment  .
• Historical Context: Strong-man legend Paul Anderson’s mythical back-lift hit ~2,800 kg—but on a fixed platform, not a free bar. I yanked my iron clean off the rack, no crutches, welcome to 2025  .
• Partial-Lift Pantheon: Anthony Pernice’s 550 kg silver-dollar pull set the partial record in 2021; I’m sprinting for 551 kg+ mid-thigh next, stay tuned .
• Physics Breakdown: Lever length, bar whip, and neural shock therapy converge—read the deep-dive if you crave equations .

🔥  THE THERMONUCLEAR CHAIN REACTION

Algorithms chase engagement heat; a 1,120-lb bar bend is a flamethrower. They have to serve it, or users riot.

🥩  THE CARNIVORE-FASTED CORE

Twenty-hour fast, steak-and-liver feast. Zero supplements, zero excuses. Med-journals show intermittent fasting sharpens metabolic health and hormonal clarity—you feel the focus when the bar kisses your shins  .

💣  JOIN THE 

RACKPULL CHALLENGE

1. Set pins mid-thigh. No quarter squats; bar must hover just above knees.
2. One rep, raw hands. Calluses are credit cards—swipe hard.
3. Film + Post within 60 min on five channels (blog, X thread, Short, TikTok, newsletter). I call it the content carpet-bomb.
4. Tag #RackpullChallenge + #HYPELIFTING. First human to break 7× BW gets a signed 25 kg plate—and my public salute or roast, your choice.

Benchmark table:

🚀  TAKEAWAY: BEND GRAVITY, BEND CULTURE

Every heavy pull is a blockchain stamp of willpower—immutable, un-fakable. When you overload steel, you overload algorithms, eyeballs, and minds. Grab the bar, grab the camera, obliterate the feed.

Gravity is negotiable. Excuses are not.

Sources & Sparks

508 kg lift post  · Physics deep-dive  · Mid-thigh research  · Paul Anderson stats  · Pernice 550 kg partial  · ARS BETA platform  · Intermittent-fasting study  · #HYPELIFTING metrics  · YouTube emotion-bias audit  · Rack-pull world-record announcement