Why abandon physical fitness and leave that to the right? We can have healthy, strong bodies and strengthen our minds while keeping them open. We can possess the good things that the right has claimed as theirs and more. Don't let the image they show, prevent you from doing anything good for yourself. Just be the best that you can in everything that you do. You'll always be better than the hateful on the right.
John, I don't think anyone is suggesting abandoning physical fitness here. Of course we need to be as healthy and strong as we can be. The issue is, rather, that we don't let the pursuit of strength bleed into belief that only the super-disciplined have the right to power.
Always a possibility. 😉 In which case, however, maybe it would be useful to examine your wording to see why it might have been so easily misunderstood.
David - This is such a thoughtful and insightful piece. It's something I wouldn't have thought about at all - but then again, I'm not a guy who might see this stuff online. I think your points are very well taken. The majority of us who do not equate physical strength with domination, truly do need to attract more of the "lost boys" to those things which we can accomplish together in peace and understanding. We need to provide them with a comfortable and inviting seat at the table.
I've noticed the more "macho" someone is, the more likely they are to be Trump supporters, which is really odd because he is the epitome of a weak, totally unfit person.
These “gym bros” subscribe to “might makes right” … how many CLAIM to be “Christian”?!?!? “Might makes right” is antithetical to Christ’s teachings, so this is ANOTHER HYPOCRISY of the right-wing … but the right-wing wears hypocrisy like a badge of honor because they buy into the Buckleyite “Us vs ‘them’” BULLSH!T that has destroyed decency in this nation …
I really enjoyed this article. I am a fitness instructor (Step, Spin and Group Strength) and am happy to say that the Y where I teach is such an inclusive and diverse atmosphere it brings me hope in this crazy wanna be one-color world.
I am an old man, and what I learned when I was young is that a good man:
Has Honor; Keeps his word, treats others fairly and with respect, protects the weak, provides for his family and protects them, teaching his children by example.
Has Integrity; Tells the truth, without being a jerk about it. Owns up to his mistakes and takes steps to correct them.
Other than giving his offspring money, and jobs in the family business, Trump does NONE of those, and so in my mind, he is not a good man. I do not know the 'philosophy' of these gurus teaching these young men how to be men, but from what was in the article, it sounds like they are teaching greed in every way including Greed for stronger body to ensure they can physically intimidate others. Greed by itself, in moderation does not have to be bad, but when it becomes the center of their goal, it can produce very bad results.
1. I am disabled and can't lift more than 10 pounds, my muscles can atrophy very fast. Physical therapy is critical for my treatment but most of influencers out there promote fitness routines I personally can't do. My physical therapist has told me multiple times that current fitness culture and personal trainers don't actually know anything about health and are actually harmful to the human body. Bench pressing 220 pounds is useless if you have no flexibility. You need more than just cardio and intensive routines that look miserable.
2. Like a lot of women I read smutty romance novels. The concept of the "alpha male" is also heavily present there, especially in the werewolf genre. The difference is in romance novels the emotionally detached tsundere alpha male always gets in touch with his emotions by the end of the story. The female protaganist is also lifted up during this process and nurtured by the alpha to fulfill her potential. Romance novels represent womens desires that we may not vocalise out loud. If the alpha male incels are actually interested in getting laid they should download apps like readink and ignore the fitness fascists.
Free-floating anger, rage, and aggression, and the compulsion to bulk up with unnatural and grotesque muscles, are pretty common indicators of anabolic steroid abuse.
That would explain a lot about what's going on with these men.
Thank you, David. I found this very interesting, yet somewhat disturbing. At just over 70 I've been around many people through the years, and firmly believe that anyone who gets all upset over someone else's ideas lacks self-confidence (like people sucking up to Trump-it's really true that "birds of a feather flock together"). And Trump himself has been pretty much used, as he doesn't have the intelligence to have written Project 2025, and given Stephen Miller, plus Trump's love for dictators, I find it very disturbing. Physical strength (which Trump clearly lacks) has nothing to do with the destruction of our democracy, constitution, and country. We need more people with good brains who can think for themselves yet are able to work with each other for the good of our country, not personal praise or recognition. It's going to take a group effort, with those of us willing to fight doing what we can.
BTW....how does this apply to Trump? He is the ultimate beta and a piss poor physical specimen. Why would these jacked up steroid junkies worship or choose this pindink as their "God"? Naw somethin' ain't right.
Why abandon physical fitness and leave that to the right? We can have healthy, strong bodies and strengthen our minds while keeping them open. We can possess the good things that the right has claimed as theirs and more. Don't let the image they show, prevent you from doing anything good for yourself. Just be the best that you can in everything that you do. You'll always be better than the hateful on the right.
John, I don't think anyone is suggesting abandoning physical fitness here. Of course we need to be as healthy and strong as we can be. The issue is, rather, that we don't let the pursuit of strength bleed into belief that only the super-disciplined have the right to power.
David wasn't suggesting that you become UNfit for goodness sake. Sorry, but I think that you may have missed the entire point of his article.
Maybe it was you who misunderstood my comment.
Always a possibility. 😉 In which case, however, maybe it would be useful to examine your wording to see why it might have been so easily misunderstood.
I'm more worried about strength of character in a politician than how much they can bench press. But then I'm not a man.
Well said. Too bad there is not a way to measure it when running for office. We now know that the voters are not a good judge of that.
I am 68 years old. I weightlift and bench 220 pounds three days a week. Joe Rogan is a pussy!
David - This is such a thoughtful and insightful piece. It's something I wouldn't have thought about at all - but then again, I'm not a guy who might see this stuff online. I think your points are very well taken. The majority of us who do not equate physical strength with domination, truly do need to attract more of the "lost boys" to those things which we can accomplish together in peace and understanding. We need to provide them with a comfortable and inviting seat at the table.
Alpha
*
His offroad truck is customised
With personal number plates
A bulging bull bar at the grill
Huge tow-bar at the gates.
He parks in the Disabled zone
He's bare five foot tall
The bristling beard the balding pate
The picture says it all.
He struts with arms akimbo
A swagger in his stride
The fortyfive beneath the bulge
Is always at his side.
The gold stud in his ear lobe
And the blue tat on his calf
The image does at least provide
Some reason for a laugh.
But when that mirth is over
And there's no more breaking bad
The selfies on his smart phone
Are really rather sad.
This is why we have war.gov https://thistleandmoss.com/p/when-fascist-fuckwits-fetishize-war
I've noticed the more "macho" someone is, the more likely they are to be Trump supporters, which is really odd because he is the epitome of a weak, totally unfit person.
Back in the ‘80s some of us in the Gay community called them Gym Nazis. I guess that was rather prophetic.
These “gym bros” subscribe to “might makes right” … how many CLAIM to be “Christian”?!?!? “Might makes right” is antithetical to Christ’s teachings, so this is ANOTHER HYPOCRISY of the right-wing … but the right-wing wears hypocrisy like a badge of honor because they buy into the Buckleyite “Us vs ‘them’” BULLSH!T that has destroyed decency in this nation …
/s/ USMC (Retired)
I really enjoyed this article. I am a fitness instructor (Step, Spin and Group Strength) and am happy to say that the Y where I teach is such an inclusive and diverse atmosphere it brings me hope in this crazy wanna be one-color world.
.. this is a brilliant article, dude 🧐👍😅
I am an old man, and what I learned when I was young is that a good man:
Has Honor; Keeps his word, treats others fairly and with respect, protects the weak, provides for his family and protects them, teaching his children by example.
Has Integrity; Tells the truth, without being a jerk about it. Owns up to his mistakes and takes steps to correct them.
Other than giving his offspring money, and jobs in the family business, Trump does NONE of those, and so in my mind, he is not a good man. I do not know the 'philosophy' of these gurus teaching these young men how to be men, but from what was in the article, it sounds like they are teaching greed in every way including Greed for stronger body to ensure they can physically intimidate others. Greed by itself, in moderation does not have to be bad, but when it becomes the center of their goal, it can produce very bad results.
2 points i want to make.
1. I am disabled and can't lift more than 10 pounds, my muscles can atrophy very fast. Physical therapy is critical for my treatment but most of influencers out there promote fitness routines I personally can't do. My physical therapist has told me multiple times that current fitness culture and personal trainers don't actually know anything about health and are actually harmful to the human body. Bench pressing 220 pounds is useless if you have no flexibility. You need more than just cardio and intensive routines that look miserable.
2. Like a lot of women I read smutty romance novels. The concept of the "alpha male" is also heavily present there, especially in the werewolf genre. The difference is in romance novels the emotionally detached tsundere alpha male always gets in touch with his emotions by the end of the story. The female protaganist is also lifted up during this process and nurtured by the alpha to fulfill her potential. Romance novels represent womens desires that we may not vocalise out loud. If the alpha male incels are actually interested in getting laid they should download apps like readink and ignore the fitness fascists.
Free-floating anger, rage, and aggression, and the compulsion to bulk up with unnatural and grotesque muscles, are pretty common indicators of anabolic steroid abuse.
That would explain a lot about what's going on with these men.
Thank you, David. I found this very interesting, yet somewhat disturbing. At just over 70 I've been around many people through the years, and firmly believe that anyone who gets all upset over someone else's ideas lacks self-confidence (like people sucking up to Trump-it's really true that "birds of a feather flock together"). And Trump himself has been pretty much used, as he doesn't have the intelligence to have written Project 2025, and given Stephen Miller, plus Trump's love for dictators, I find it very disturbing. Physical strength (which Trump clearly lacks) has nothing to do with the destruction of our democracy, constitution, and country. We need more people with good brains who can think for themselves yet are able to work with each other for the good of our country, not personal praise or recognition. It's going to take a group effort, with those of us willing to fight doing what we can.
BTW....how does this apply to Trump? He is the ultimate beta and a piss poor physical specimen. Why would these jacked up steroid junkies worship or choose this pindink as their "God"? Naw somethin' ain't right.