I like this sub. I really do.

I came here after seeing it referenced by some other bullshit I read somewhere. I expected to see a new version of pick-up artistry that I used to laugh at in the early 2000s.

Let me be clear on something. Pick up artistry is what people need when they are not the real deal.

There is some of that here, but you guys have a much more thorough knowledge base and are quite correct on many points.

But, unfortunately, I see a lot of advice on how to "become alpha." Guys, this is bullshit. A second tier man cannot become a first tier man any more than an individual with a IQ of 90 can become a nuclear physicist.

Here's how to know if you're an alpha. If you ask yourself whether you are acting alpha or acting beta, you are not an alpha. Period. Sorry.

Here's another test. If someone threatens you, do you become scared, or enraged? Don't bullshit yourself. Most people flee. Don't take my word for it. Read Grossman's "On Killing" for a good assessment.

The split between alphas and betas, or whatever words you choose for the phenomenon, is a lot deeper than, "can you score chicks."

Those things which make a person an "alpha" are largely innate. And, they are not always conducive to living in modern society. My father is, without any doubt, an alpha. So is his brother. One is an executive for a Fortune 500 company; the other is a vagabond. Alpha traits create high-risk humans. These traits include risk-taking, aggression, and an inherent desire to dominate. I can very much assure you that society is very hostile to these traits.

If you want more than just anecdotal evidence, have a read about things like "the warrior gene" or "dark triad" traits. Do you really think you can cultivate these things in a fucking bar, or by reading material online?

This doesn't take anything away from improving oneself, which is a big part of this sub. Nor does it take anything away from a lot of the other honest assessments that are made here. And, in fact, some people who are indeed "alphas" can benefit from some discussions here, as they are likely to have had years of conditioning counter to their nature.

But, for the vast majority of people, this doesn't apply. Read things here. Observe. Be smart. But don't buy some snake oil and think that you can lift some weights, learn some lines, and magically transform yourself into a silverback. It's bullshit.