It’s never too late. They can still be stopped before more people are hurt.

You’re allowed to identify with this description if you want to but it’s important to acknowledge that these social categories you’ve described are not reflective of reality. There are no alpha or beta males. Some people might be more or less likely to settle into those roles in particular situations, but they aren’t immutable personality types, nor even aspects of human nature. Rather, they are the result of unhealthy social structures that are forced on people and which they adopt in response. From what I’ve seen, “alpha” and “beta” in particular tend to be highly overlapping categories. A person who adopts a dominant persona in one context is often more likely to act submissive in another, usually because they’ve been indoctrinated into thinking these roles are inevitable or healthy.

If you are completely trapped in these extremely hierarchical social relations (or if you imagine that you are—online narratives about society are important here) then the sigma label might appeal to you. Acting “beta” is humiliating and acting “alpha” is sociopathic—or perhaps it merely seems out of reach if you have low self-esteem. So there was a need for another role for people who didn’t feel they fit into the alpha-beta dynamic, and it turns out this was most people.

But none of this is healthy human behavior. Just because alpha and beta don’t fit doesn’t mean you or anyone else is sigma. Most people I know don’t fall into any of these categories. They neither dominate, submit, or isolate. They are social, but in a supportive and collaborative way. In my view, this is how people are meant to relate to one another. The prevalence of these social hierarchies—or at least the belief in them—are symptoms of a deep sickness that has invaded our society. Rather than asking yourself which box you fit in, you should be asking yourself how you can free yourself and others of these boxes.

Interesting article, thanks for sharing.

Eh if you look at it as a hobby it’s not so bad. My only issue is that it rests on a certain mythology that you’ll survive collapse by holing up in some bunker by yourself which is complete nonsense. Strong community bonds will help people survive difficult times, not isolation.

Source? That’s higher than I would have guessed, honestly.

That’s already true. Stranger danger is a complete media fabrication.

Based on the news articles I’m seeing I’m forced to conclude it is.

Am I allowed to say Germany is a police state?

I mean probably none of the solutions to this conflict are going to happen but it’s theoretically possible that they could. Many people across the world have dissolved their own government under certain (usually extreme) circumstances.

I actually believe it’s a mistake. He seems like way too much of a pushover to come out swinging like that.

Did you find any? I didn’t this season. Was a dry spring and I have to drive to the mountains to hunt for them which I didn’t feel like doing.

Were they put up by decree of the king or by random citizens?

There have been signs and pictures of Trump around for years. The context is slightly different when he’s ordering federal employees to do this.

Citizens putting up these things is cringe, but not necessarily a sign of impending dictatorship.

Did you appeal? Their AI just flags random shit that’s sort of adjacent to things they don’t like. I got a warning for using an analogy that included vandalism but it was reversed on appeal so it could be worth asking if you want to continue posting there.

Or just hang out here. Some communities are lacking but plenty of Linux talk from what I’ve seen.

Did you read the definition above? None of this is relevant. At this point I can only assume this is an issue of willful ignorance.

Hamas’s actions have not been notably different towards civilians and soldiers they hold captive. Both are treated as hostages. There is really nothing further to discuss, and I already mentioned my view on Israeli hostages above as well.

It’s entirely possible to use POWs as hostages. They aren’t mutually exclusive categories. One has to look at the statements and behavior of the actors involved to assess their motivations. Is it merely to reduce enemy fighting forces or are they also used as leverage? Hamas’s actions and statements make it clear in this case that they are hostages.

Of course, Hamas also took non-combatants hostage so I don’t see why you are willing to die on this hill, it’s incontrovertible that they do take hostages.

That’s absolutely not what the word hostage means. A hostage is a prisoner used as a bargaining chip. The validity of the action has no bearing on it.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostage

No? Maybe you should read again.

Hostages are defined by their usage as pawns by their captors. Whether they are soldiers, children, or guinea pigs has little relevance to that.

Also, I would add that imprisoning people is almost always wrong, so the distinction between hostage and prisoner isn’t as morally significant as mainstream society believes.

There’s never going to be a president that liberates us. The office itself is tyrannical in nature.

We will need to liberate ourselves.

Hamas’s negotiating tactics make the term hostage applicable, even for soldiers.

The real question is whether Palestinians held by Israel should be called hostages. I would argue yes but they aren’t as open about the threats to them and their use as pawns in negotiations.

Nah he was always an opportunist who lacked any real convictions. Californians knew this already but now the national public is learning of it.