I see arguments on this sub all of the time on what it means to be Alpha. Some guys think being an Alpha means that girls want to fuck you.

Some go further and say it means girls want to fuck you for fun, as opposed to resources. AF vs BB.

Some say it means that you are in the top 20 percent of the SMV.

And some say that Alpha simply means that you have a number of characteristics that you embody.

So is there a set rule? A line you can cross that says, I am Alpha?

I can only give you my opinion, which I have yet to see on this sub. You of course can disagree, but I still think it is an a opinion that will be worth your time to listen to.

I believe that just like Sexual Market Value, there is a related but separate Alpha Value. The higher your AV is, the higher is will make your SMV, but the two are not the same.

Because, at least to me, an Alpha is a leader, and your Alpha Value is your ability to both lead people and resist being lead by them.

In other words, it is the control you have over your own life and the influence you have over your environment.

Take a look at Alphas outside of the human species. At first, it will seem simple. There is one Alpha male who runs the pack and has sex with a majority or the females.

But research has shown this to be far more complex. There is often lower status males who also have influence. Going even further, scientists have even noted rivalries that split into "tribes" and eventually ended in a war. This was observed in Gorillas, some of our closest ancestors.

So is the second in command an Alpha? Shouldn't there be only one, by definition? Or does everyone have Alpha potential? Does the Alpha change depending on the situation?

I've seen these questions posed on here many times. And I believe that putting an Alpha Value into the equation solves all of these questions.

Let's say five men are in a room. One man, with a high Alpha Value, takes control of the conversation. His opinion is listened to and his reaction is watched to see if whatever is said by the lower value men is interesting or funny.

There is a man who is just underneath him. This man excepts the Alpha as leader, but there is one person in the group who is more loyal to him, having judged him higher.

Now let's say another man enters the room. This guy has a ridiculously high alpha value. He goes for the position. So will the group follow him, or split off into two separate conversations? Will the man just underneath the value of the original man stay loyal, switch sides, or make his own bid for power?

All of these men are Alphas, but can only one be leader? Can they be allies? Take turns leading? I've seen all of these scenarios play out.

So what values go into making an Alpha?

From what I have observed:

Non Compliance

This man does what he wants to do, not what anyone else wants to do.

Independence

Able to take care of themselves and take action without taking anyone else's advice.

Charisma

Can get people to like him and socially punish those that dont. Cuts people off instead of getting cut off.

Knowledge Base

Is reliable and knows what he talks about.

Experience

Has experience to back up his opinions.

Boldness

Not afraid to take risks.

Intimidation

This man is intimidating to other men.

Now it is true these Alpha traits that factor into SMV, but remember, Beta traits can factor into SMV as well. Hence we have desirable Beta Bucks who still manage to reproduce.

So you cannot snap your fingers and "become an alpha" over night. But you can slowly watch your Alpha Value grow, and notice that you are now taken more seriously than the man who used to talk over you. You can now rip on the guy who used to rip on you. And while you may never have the potential to reach the top of the Alpha Value scale, you can be happy that you are now given respect and are taken seriously, even by greater Alphas.

So, I am not looking to redefine the sidebar or anything, but thinking of Alpha Value as a separate thing to SMV, and realizing that there is no huge divide between Alpha and Beta, but a fluid scale, has drastically increased my understanding of group and business dynamics.

It allows for a more fluid and in depth look at social power. Maybe give it a try and see if it works for you.