Dearest readers, hope you're taking the last few days before Labour Day to wear white since that's all over right after haha. Or is it? Maybe it's a myth. Speaking of, there are so many myths we've grown up with and unfortunately continue to believe. Lately, I've been in quite a myth-busting phase and have spent a freakish amount of time pouring over the Internet in pursuit of a more objective truth. I've also been talking with my friends from all different walks of life because too much screen time is not very healthy anyways. What's cool is that people who are specialists in different fields know so much about myths related to their areas of expertise. For example, my Game of Thrones friends who happen to be well educated or informed in the field of History have informed me that medieval European sword fighting (like the one in the show) is actually not what the movies and shows portray; study of training manuals from places like medieval German states has shown that medieval sword techniques were on the level of Japanese samurai, if not higher. Another thing I found out is that gladiators rarely killed each other in the arenas and were more like athletes. In terms of tech, I learned that even five years old flagship phones can handle the majority of apps out there that most of us use.
But, the most interesting thing I found out is that there is no such thing as an alpha male. Or, that the concept is a decades long mistake, false advertising and misinformation. Since most of us have a general idea of what an alpha male is supposed to be, I'll jump right into why it's a total myth. I think most of you, dearest gentlemen, will actually like reading this because it's yet another great equalizer. :)
The whole idea about the alpha male started from a book published by a scientist who observed the behavior of dominant wolves at a national park. As it turned out later, it was a mistake and the scientist has tried to correct it ever since. Sadly, his alpha male theory exploded beyond any way to contain it. Too many people found it to be a convenient excuse for certain behavior patterns and otherwise inexcusable actions.
Many people point to monkeys and apes as examples of animals close to us who have alpha males. As it turns out, bonobo monkeys who are closest to us genetically have matriarchal societies. As for chimps, sometimes those who serve others a lot by grooming them and bringing food raise higher up than those being served. This is the concept of servant leader that keeps popping up in human societies as well. So, upon closer examination we see no evidence of the alpha male here either.
Finally, many people out there take athletes, pickup artists, celebrities and other such people as examples of alpha males. For example, when we see an accomplished bodybuilder, we cannot help but feel someone like this is clearly an alpha male. However, the fact of the matter is that human societies are much more complex and that every single human being has multiple roles. Not only that, but every single one of us can be dominant in one thing yet submissive in another. Case in point, that body builder may totally suck at military training and shooting a bulls eye on moving targets with a standard M16. Or, he may suck in a yoga or pilates class. Therefore, this man who is dominant and accomplished in his field is submissive, not up to task and has to accept other people's leadership in areas where he doesn't excel. An alpha male is supposed to be one everywhere and in everything, and that is clearly impossible. Thus, the alpha male truly does not exist.
So, let's see here. The alpha male doesn't exist, astrology is a total crock, there are more than a few personality types and so on. Bottom line, many old school attempts to know something about a person WITHOUT ACTUALLY GETTING TO KNOW THEM are all useless myths. That said, what are we to do once we reject all these myths? My solution is to be genuinely curious about another person and ask lots of questions. In order to understand someone, you need to put in the work, assume less and find out more hard facts about that person. That seems to be the best way to go. :)
But, the most interesting thing I found out is that there is no such thing as an alpha male. Or, that the concept is a decades long mistake, false advertising and misinformation. Since most of us have a general idea of what an alpha male is supposed to be, I'll jump right into why it's a total myth. I think most of you, dearest gentlemen, will actually like reading this because it's yet another great equalizer. :)
The whole idea about the alpha male started from a book published by a scientist who observed the behavior of dominant wolves at a national park. As it turned out later, it was a mistake and the scientist has tried to correct it ever since. Sadly, his alpha male theory exploded beyond any way to contain it. Too many people found it to be a convenient excuse for certain behavior patterns and otherwise inexcusable actions.
Many people point to monkeys and apes as examples of animals close to us who have alpha males. As it turns out, bonobo monkeys who are closest to us genetically have matriarchal societies. As for chimps, sometimes those who serve others a lot by grooming them and bringing food raise higher up than those being served. This is the concept of servant leader that keeps popping up in human societies as well. So, upon closer examination we see no evidence of the alpha male here either.
Finally, many people out there take athletes, pickup artists, celebrities and other such people as examples of alpha males. For example, when we see an accomplished bodybuilder, we cannot help but feel someone like this is clearly an alpha male. However, the fact of the matter is that human societies are much more complex and that every single human being has multiple roles. Not only that, but every single one of us can be dominant in one thing yet submissive in another. Case in point, that body builder may totally suck at military training and shooting a bulls eye on moving targets with a standard M16. Or, he may suck in a yoga or pilates class. Therefore, this man who is dominant and accomplished in his field is submissive, not up to task and has to accept other people's leadership in areas where he doesn't excel. An alpha male is supposed to be one everywhere and in everything, and that is clearly impossible. Thus, the alpha male truly does not exist.
So, let's see here. The alpha male doesn't exist, astrology is a total crock, there are more than a few personality types and so on. Bottom line, many old school attempts to know something about a person WITHOUT ACTUALLY GETTING TO KNOW THEM are all useless myths. That said, what are we to do once we reject all these myths? My solution is to be genuinely curious about another person and ask lots of questions. In order to understand someone, you need to put in the work, assume less and find out more hard facts about that person. That seems to be the best way to go. :)