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.
Great article. I have been into strength training since I was in my teens as a female athlete. However, my strongest muscle is my brain and my brains ability to analyze and empathize with those around me and afar.
I think Joe Rogan is over inflated and respected not because he is smart, just was able to influence just like so many who have been able to manipulate people for profit on social media platforms.
I do think Jordan Peterson is another story. I believe he is an educated clinical psychologist who tried to document what he saw going wrong within families and society. Including between the sexes and raising children to be good contributors to society, have self-esteem, and actually be liked by members of society. He has missed some key triggers with social media and that is because his education had no idea how to factor that into where we are today. I believe he has admitted that as well. I don’t believe he is anti-feminism as claimed and things he has learned from being married and only having a daughter.
I know it is not easy raising kids of both sexes and knowing do you treat them the same or different. Well I believe for the most part it is the same, but you have to know that their experience will be different. It is more about teaching them to use their best muscle to have compassion, empathy, and at least try to understand others lot in life is not like theirs.
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!
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.
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.
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)
The so-called Alpha network gets their strength from online communication. Pull the plug.🔌
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.
Great article. I have been into strength training since I was in my teens as a female athlete. However, my strongest muscle is my brain and my brains ability to analyze and empathize with those around me and afar.
I think Joe Rogan is over inflated and respected not because he is smart, just was able to influence just like so many who have been able to manipulate people for profit on social media platforms.
I do think Jordan Peterson is another story. I believe he is an educated clinical psychologist who tried to document what he saw going wrong within families and society. Including between the sexes and raising children to be good contributors to society, have self-esteem, and actually be liked by members of society. He has missed some key triggers with social media and that is because his education had no idea how to factor that into where we are today. I believe he has admitted that as well. I don’t believe he is anti-feminism as claimed and things he has learned from being married and only having a daughter.
I know it is not easy raising kids of both sexes and knowing do you treat them the same or different. Well I believe for the most part it is the same, but you have to know that their experience will be different. It is more about teaching them to use their best muscle to have compassion, empathy, and at least try to understand others lot in life is not like theirs.