Recently, I’ve been thinking about how I can contribute to this sub. Like all you RPW, I came here with a thirst to learn, to improve myself. I wanted answers, step-by-step guides, how-to action plans. But the problem is – things are never that easy. There are no blanket rules or guidelines that will work for everyone.

The stickys are brilliant; these were what I came looking for. However, I wanted more content like this. So how can we encourage more of it? Speaking for myself, I’m certainly no expert and I find myself doubting my ability to contribute because I feel that the more I learn, the less I know; classic Dunning-Kruger effect. But although we all have different situations, if we shared insights about what works in our own lives, other RPW can take from it what they choose. So rather than sounding like a master teacher imparting knowledge to students, we just put our observations out there for comment. This sub lacks robust debate to flesh out ideas, most likely due to our natures as RPW. I lurk other subs for more balanced, relativist content but am interested in RPW ideas as they tend to be so different from the norm.

I started writing things of my own to share, but noticed that it sounded cold, calculated, clinical, devoid of feelings. I realised it sounds this way because I’m looking back at my past behaviours analytically, using RP as a schema/framework to deconstruct things. It wasn't something I was consciously doing at the time… in the moment I was just doing what felt right.

I think this may be why many people seem to hate TRP – some content sounds almost sociopathic (granted some of it actually is) in the way ideas are discussed. I am interested in TRP because it doesn't deny biological components of human nature and isn't scared to explore them further via practical application. Political correctness muffles this discussion in everyday life. I also think people find it distasteful to their egos to think of human beings as animals, moulded by the same evolutionary pressures as other mammals.

My eyes were opened in wonder years ago after reading Konrad Lorenz’s On Aggression –it completely changed the way I looked at animal (including human) behaviour. No matter how complex, layered and convoluted its expression, human behaviour serves to meet the same basic instinctual needs as fish, geese, or any other living creature (he studied these in depth in his book). Then, when I read about Plutchik’s theory of basic emotions it just made complete sense to me – particularly when he covers how emotions serve survival goals http://thumbnails-visually.netdna-ssl.com/robert-plutchiks-psycho-evolutionary-theory-of-basic-emotions_50290c02eeb7e_w1500.jpg .

I guess I’m writing this to try and encourage you other RPW to share what works in practice in your own lives. Case studies. Your theories. Don’t be worried if it sounds blunt, harsh, methodical, strategic, or calculated. I’m keen for ideas and I, for one, would love to hear them!