Support NeoGAF

[Lord Error]

Leader / follower behaviour certainly exists even in casual social groups and among friends. I always assumed that was what is colloquially known as "Alpha" behaviour, and that the wolves thing was just a convenient phrase to grab onto.

 

[Mivey]

I think you just made that up.

You don't know how often they try to invade Russia. Luckily for them there is an ocean in between.

 

[Kinitari]

I have honestly never heard someone say "alpha male" or "beta male" out loud IRL, just seemed like a dumb internet thing.

It's kind of funny how the author who came up with it debunked it himself and yet people who believed this for so long can't come to accept they were ever wrong so they just keep on believing it by twisting coincidences to fit the narrative.

The author who came up with the idea of alpha wolves debunked it, but I don't know that people -specifically- and consistently reference wolves when they do an appeal to nature for 'alpha males'.

I think trying to dissuade people from alpha-idoltry by debunking the specific alpha wolf myth is going about it wrong. I think focusing on how human socialization is significantly more complex than alpha beta dichotomy implies is the better way

 

[Wilsongt]

So many beta cucks disliking that video?

 

[The Main Event]

In a real life situation, The Rock would rock bottom those Dungeon & Dragons players.

 

[ArgyleReptile]

In a real life situation, The Rock would rock bottom those Dungeon & Dragons players.

Is this one of those avatar quote deals I've heard about?

 

[-ImaginaryInsider]

Man, reading the comments, you'd think that the video was personally attacking some of these people. Do all these guys think they're alpha males?

They need a controllable easy to digest narrative as to why they aren't romantically or socially successful, so removing that framework is scary and means everything is more complicated and they have to go back to square one.

 

[Crossing Eden]

I have honestly never heard someone say "alpha male" or "beta male" out loud IRL, just seemed like a dumb internet thing.

It's kind of funny how the author who came up with it debunked it himself and yet people who believed this for so long can't come to accept they were ever wrong so they just keep on believing it by twisting coincidences to fit the narrative.

I've seen an irl GG say it once. Dude was pathetic.

 

[SomTervo]

Anecdotal, but I've honestly never once heard of the concept discussed non-ironically outside of the internet.

Comes up in reality tv a lot.

Um.

 

[Krev]

I don't think any society has coined Trump an alpha.

I have actually heard him described as an alpha male.

 

[TheMan]

Ok, I also know a self proclaimed alpha that has mentioned how soft his hands are compared to mine (which are beat up due to weightlifting). The fuck is this.

His name Curley?

 

[akira28]

I have actually heard him described as an alpha male.

in the negative context, for sure, and it's certainly something he aspires to. Not that he'a particularly successful. He's the tool of a real dragon type personality, so I'm not sure how far his alpha status extends beyond his ability to employ and fire people that work for him.

 

[cm osi]

stop trying to get me out of my beta status to normalize me please

 

[Famassu]

Nothing wrong with considering a confident, assertive, and physically dominamt person alpha.

A lot of problems with that, though.

 

[KalBalboa]

I remember someone on Gaf calling me beta in a thread maybe five years back. He was 100% sincere and trying to pick a fight.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

I have actually heard him described as an alpha male.

Person I quoted asserted a societally definition. I still doubt any society sees him as an 'alpha'.

 

[Altazor]

typical jealous beta cuck trying to undermine the truth of the glorious alpha males

 

[Random Human]

True alpha males whine in youtube comment sections about beta males. BRO FIST

 

[MattKeil]

I have actually heard him described as an alpha male.

If you really watch his body language, though, he's not a particularly confident or dominant person. Compare how he walks through a room to Obama or GW Bush. The latter two walk like they own the place, Trump sort of saunters awkwardly. Say what you will about Bush, the guy had confidence and poise that just isn't there in Trump's body language.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

If you really watch his body language, though, he's not a particularly confident or dominant person. Compare how he walks through a room to Obama or GW Bush. The latter two walk like they own the place, Trump sort of saunters awkwardly. Say what you will about Bush, the guy had confidence and poise that just isn't there in Trump's body language.

His handshake tho

 

[diablos991]

Person I quoted asserted a societally definition. I still doubt any society sees him as an 'alpha'.

Let me call some society and check.
I hear society likes to make explicitly statements.

an organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity.
"the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals"
synonyms: association, club, group, circle, fellowship, guild, lodge, fraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood, sorority, league, union, alliance "a local history society"

I'm sure some club somewhere sees him as an alpha. Pretty bold statement to make to assume every society's opinion.

A lot of problems with that, though.

What problems are those?

 

[Wallach]

Man, reading the comments, you'd think that the video was personally attacking some of these people. Do all these guys think they're alpha males?

No, some of them just think it is worth aspiring to. Which is as sad as it sounds.

 

[Sunster]

People like to use the fact that humans are animals to justify their bullshit.

I've seen it used to justify pedophilia a few times in my internet travels.

 

[ReplacementPelican]

Anecdotal, but I've honestly never once heard of the concept discussed non-ironically outside of the internet.

I think it's an American thing, maybe? I've seen it on the internet but it always seems to be Americans.

I always just assumed that calling yourself 'alpha' or using the term 'alpha' would be a rather self-disproving thing.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

Let me call some society and check.
I hear society likes to make explicitly statements.

an organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity.
"the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals"
synonyms: association, club, group, circle, fellowship, guild, lodge, fraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood, sorority, league, union, alliance "a local history society"

I'm sure some club somewhere sees him as an alpha. Pretty bold statement to make to assume every society's opinion.



What problems are those?

I'm sure his supporters would happily get in line to lap at his crusty arse hole. But they are hardly a contribution to society.

 

[freethoughtbubble]

I'm old. If these self-styled Alphas are drowning in money and tail then why are they so mad over a youtube video? Why are they so mad at women? Is that where the feminism hate comes from? "In a world without Feminists, the Alphas reign." And the Betas are like collaborators or something. Is that the lore?

 

[ezrarh]

I'm old. If these self-styled Alphas are drowning in money and tail then why are they so mad over a youtube video? Why are they so mad at women? Is that where the feminism hate comes from? "In a world without Feminists, the Alphas reign." And the Betas are like collaborators or something. Is that the lore?

Turns out the biggest snowflakes in our society are alpha males and conservative white people.

 

[Einchy]

Some dudes sure are pissed.

 

[shawnbuddy]

I don't get why this riles people up.

If alpha wolves and monkeys don't exist it doesn't mean a human with alpha behavior cannot exist.

Society has coined leadership and aggressive tendencies as alpha therefore humans can portray alpha behavior.

Some mates are attracted to alpha behavior and some are not.

None of this negates humans can act agressively or in a "alpha" manner.

Yes it does. Theses concepts were extrapolated from a misunderstanding of animals, and they fit humans much, much worse. The only people pimping this stuff are scammers like Mike Cernovich who seek to exploit the stupid. This topic shows people will cling tenaciously to lies if they're part of their self-image, though.

 

[Famassu]

What problems are those?

Well, confidence in one's skills is good (though over-confidence often goes the way of narcissism & being an asshole), but attributing "physical dominance" as an alpha (and thus, desireable & good) trait is a pretty typical example of what is or can lead to all things toxic masculinity. In modern society there's no reason to assert physical dominance over anyone. Being assertive in itself can also easily lead into this mindset that you can act like a huge dick towards people to get your way. Rather things like compassion, empathy, communication skills, ability to cooperate & such be given more of an "alpha" status.

 

[StoneFox]

Time to embrace the spotted hyenas and their alpha females.

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

In a real life situation, The Rock would rock bottom those Dungeon & Dragons players.

Not what comes to mind when I think alpha male

 

[Einchy]

Anecdotal, but I've honestly never once heard of the concept discussed non-ironically outside of the internet.

I knew a guy who was all about being alpha, he'd like to yell and get "pissed off" at the smallest things to show how aggressive and alpha he was. It was really fucking weird.

 

[Ashodin]

Some dudes sure are pissed.

the mantears, I love it

 

[wandering]

Nothing wrong with considering a confident, assertive, and physically dominamt person alpha.

Why am I not surprised

 

[AlexFlame116]

Oh I always thought that Alpha Wolf was a term for a parent in the wolf family. Oops.

 

[akira28]

I've seen it used to justify pedophilia a few times in my internet travels.

its how i explain poop eating and baby eating.

 

[CazTGG]

Hbomb did it first.

Gotta love how fragile self-proclaimed "alphas" can be whenever they learn the truth about the term.

 

[Soren_lost]

Is this one of those avatar quote deals I've heard about?

Is a reference to the fact the the rock plays DnD in real life?

 

[ISOM]

In normal life this isn't an issue but alpha male terminology is definitely part of the red pill, alt right, pua community especially the pua community. Asserting dominance, women love strong males etc.

 

[SaviorX]

Not what comes to mind when I think alpha male

Don't look good, don't play good, don't Alpha good

Keep that elbow clean

 

[Compsiox]

Dream daddies IRL

 

[curiouscharles]

Wow, look at all those confident, dominant self-proclaimed alphas in the comments attacking a Youtube video for going after their precious, fragile masculinity.

lol, yup.

have been trying to convince my parents regarding the Alpha wolf / dog thing for years, they STILL don't believe me [they never do].

/sigh

get fucked "alpha males".

 

[Opto]

So you're saying we should be calling them daddies

 

[uncelestial]

Even if it we're true I don't think YouTube and 4chan commenters are the first place I would look for paragons of masculinity.

 

[blame space]

everything and everyone is awful

 

[ClayKavalier]

Is Adam suggesting that this guy based his worldview off bad science?

I don't come close to caring enough to fact check this, but I always thought the alpha male idea was based off apes, not wolves.

I don't get why this riles people up.

If alpha wolves and monkeys don't exist it doesn't mean a human with alpha behavior cannot exist.

Society has coined leadership and aggressive tendencies as alpha therefore humans can portray alpha behavior.

Some mates are attracted to alpha behavior and some are not.

None of this negates humans can act agressively or in a "alpha" manner.

So I can continue basing my self-worth on my ability to have meaningless sex with strangers as shallow as I am?

 

[Madame M]

But how will I feel superior to the Betas??

It's simple science here people! It has greek letters even!

 

[Messofanego]

I knew a guy who was all about being alpha, he'd like to yell and get "pissed off" at the smallest things to show how aggressive and alpha he was. It was really fucking weird.

But surely an "alpha" shouldn't be so emotional all the time

 

[Messofanego]

In normal life this isn't an issue but alpha male terminology is definitely part of the red pill, alt right, pua community especially the pua community. Asserting dominance, women love strong males etc.

There's something a bit rape-y about "alpha males"