“In a bar that’s always closing; in a world where people shout…”
To begin:
I write this for the simple reason that I despise acrimony in our corner.
Not disagreement.
Thus, I say:
[ http://the3bromigos.com/2013/12/22/manosphere-unmasking/ ]
The 3 bromigos have fair point, in that there are many posers, frauds, charlatans and other unworthy personages in our ‘sphere.
[My concurrence/non-concurrence with their choices as to whom they may be is irrelevant.]
They’ve also conceded the fact that not all men need be taught the same lessons.
Now, I’ll put my spin on it all.
The very fact we have these disagreements is a testament to our strength:
True, healthy diversity.
This grants us means to give to each according to his need.
(So long as the recipient knows what he needs and who is best to give such.)
Were we to make ourselves monolithic, we’d become the equivalent of McDonalds.
Cheap, fast and nothing but the very basics.
Far beneath the level of nourishment we now offer, in the larger sense.
To make it personal, I’m [by all appearances] the very last person anyone should heed.
I’ve made my flaws and failings public.
Many times.
Yet, throughout history, the preponderance of True prophets have been the lunatics, dregs, flotsam and jetsam of society.
And, although few in number, there are men that value – very highly – what I have to say.
Just remember:
The ‘sphere is fertile ground [and we should give thanks for its bounty]-
But it’s not the soil’s responsibility to weed the garden.
It’s yours.
Ω
December 29, 2013 at 6:22 am
John the Baptist comes to mind.
Even though Jesus said he was the greatest man that lived on Earth…you’d never know it by how he looked.
Also to put the Catholic spin to your last statements:
The ‘sphere is fertile ground [and we should give thanks for its bounty]-
(Eucharist)
But it’s not the soil’s responsibility to weed the garden.
It’s yours.
(Confession)
December 30, 2013 at 1:42 am
Earl,
Brilliant as usual.
I hope one day to grab a drink with you.
So long as you don’t mind being around an ol’ sinner like me.
December 30, 2013 at 7:53 am
Nah…we’d be two peas in a pod.
December 29, 2013 at 6:23 am
You have a very positive view on arguing and dissent. I kind of like that. Won’t lie, it’s partially because I sometimes causes arguments and annoyance. Now I don’t need to feel too guilty.
December 30, 2013 at 1:43 am
Thanks, Emma.
That view has served me very well.
December 29, 2013 at 7:36 am
Find order in the chaos. Disorder brings about growth. Growth brings stability. Stability degenerates to stagnation. Stagnation causes collapse. Collapse ushers in disorder. And thus do we reach higher. We fall, that upon rising we can know what we have lost and what we have yet to receive. The fires of conflict and discord burn away the dead wood and brush, leaving space for renewal. Find the beauty in the cycle, find the pattern in the noise.
The Shadowed Knight
December 30, 2013 at 1:44 am
TSK,
http://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/KuhnCycle.htm
December 29, 2013 at 9:47 am
OK, I just read the post…and it appears there is a concept that seems a bit juvenile, kinda when I used to go to bars in my 20’s and see the “older guys” there hitting on the ladies (with some success) and we’d get all bent out of shape.
There is always going to be a mentality of “if found this first, but now all these other people found it, and it’s just not the same” — we have all been there.
The MS is just an easy classification. And blogs/blog writers are not necessarily teaching/teachers. And it appears that Matt has a very narrow world view – I guess he probably hasn’t had his ass kicked enough by life yet, but it will happen – it happens to everyone.
One other thing…you can learn anything from anybody – even if it’s what not to do. Lessons are everywhere we only decided to open our eyes, shut our mouths and become aware.
BTW…love your blog.
December 29, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Could you elaborate more on this please, mate?:
“And it appears that Matt has a very narrow world view – I guess he probably hasn’t had his ass kicked enough by life yet, but it will happen – it happens to everyone.”
December 30, 2013 at 10:02 am
Matt…you blog, your post, your life, your rules. What I meant by that statement is this…you’re still a young man and personally, I applaud you for helping other young men. I’m a bit older and seen both the highs and lows of life – personally and from those around me. I have had my share of ass kickings in life – the majority I brought on myself, by my own decisions – those are the times you understand who you really are and what you are really capable of doing in your life. My point is…although age doesn’t magically give you wisdom, it does give you perspective. In 20 years, you’ll think differently than you do today…that’s all I meant.
Look, we don’t know each other. If you passed me on the street, I wouldn’t know who you were. You have a great voice and a significant amount of knowledge to share – you decide how you want to share it. I wish you nothing but success, you succeed and in a very general way, all men succeed. We lift each other up – we learn from each other…every Man gets his chance to take point.
December 30, 2013 at 1:46 am
Tin Man,
“One other thing…you can learn anything from anybody – even if it’s what not to do. Lessons are everywhere we only decided to open our eyes, shut our mouths and become aware.”
Agreed 100%.
I say such often.
“BTW…love your blog.”
Many thanks.
Truly.
January 1, 2014 at 4:45 pm
I thought that’s what you were getting at Tin Man. I just wanted to clarify to be sure.
I think that you’re 100% right. As time goes on, we evolve and different things matter to us which are influenced by our experiences. What’s important to me now *may* not be imporant to me in 10 years’ time.
I’ve had my fair share of ass kickings in life too, even though I’ve only just turned 25 in the past few days, and what is important to me now that I’m focusing on is with the intention of shaping my life to how I want it to be in the next 5 years or so.
As you said, you don’t know me and nobody on here really does. So it’s easy to assume (as I have with others) what people are like. My post suggests that I’m quite flippant in regards to the advice I’m happy to receive/actively seek, though I’m a bit more educated and open minded as the post makes me out to be.
I’m all for giving things a chance, but when it’s quite clear to me something is going to aid me any further, whether right now or in the future, then I’ll cut it loose.
I actually wrote a follow up to my post in the comments section of Jeremy Sploosh’s latest (at the time of writing this) post which would probably give a better perspective on this whole episode.
January 1, 2014 at 4:46 pm
I meant “…something ISN’T going to aid me…”
December 29, 2013 at 9:57 am
“But it’s not the soil’s responsibility to weed the garden.
It’s yours.”
What if I’ve never gardened before, and I lack the knowledge to differentiate weeds from flowers? And in doing so fill my garden with weeds, which when I eventually realise, take years to clear?
Some people are intuitively talented at gardening. Others need to be taught.
December 30, 2013 at 1:48 am
YSW,
A friend of mine asked me to reply to you thusly:
You so would- it’s your responsibility to determine for yourself what is weeds and what is useful. Lamb’s quarters are considered weeds, but can be used like spinach and grow easily of their own volition. Artichokes, however, require a great deal of time, effort and know-how to bring to fruition, so may just take up space in the novice gardener’s plot.
As for myself:
Some things must be learned the hard way.
Even we can’t help.
December 30, 2013 at 9:46 am
Wishing to avoid the risk of turning the discussion into a horticultural debate, I shall resist the temptation to reply in a similar manner, and merely leave it at – I regretfully see your point.
January 4, 2014 at 6:04 pm
YSW,
I never ask anyone to like what I say.
Merely, to seriously consider its merits.
Hell, I don’t like much of what I say.
December 29, 2013 at 10:21 am
Its always been that way, on the manosphere and off. People need to pay more heed to who they listen to and why.
Most of the people that found the manosphere are sheep that simply got prodded hard enough to wake up for a short time.
Now they’re back asleep and merely following a different flock under a different set of orders.
Dont be sheep
December 30, 2013 at 1:49 am
Leap,
A fair – if tragic – point.
December 29, 2013 at 1:40 pm
I think the best way to understand the manosphere is to remember the purpose of the Red Pill in the Matrix. The Red Pill didn’t provide truth, it only showed how the world that Neo lived in was a lie.
For those who break into the manosphere, this is what they need to learn; that all they were taught by those around them was a lie. Once a man realizes that, it is up to him to learn the truth for himself. Perhaps he can use some of what others have learned, or think they have learned, along the way. But ultimately it is a journey of self-discovery, at least, that is how it is now.
December 30, 2013 at 1:50 am
DG,
You state the case very well.
Although, I’m more of a fan of using ‘Inception’ or ‘They Live’ as a model.
December 30, 2013 at 10:10 am
I’ve thought the same things…”They Live” (btw, great John Carpenter movie for anyone that hasn’t seen it) is a much better example…because everytime you take the glasses off, even for a second, you are lured back onto the world “they” want you to perceive – I love the scene where Nada (Roddy Piper) is on the street and puts the glasses on and then takes them off about 6 times. He’s stunned, confused and bit disoriented. Kinda like real life.
And I agree with others here – people are sheep – which is why they need shepherds.
January 4, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Tin Man,
Great point with ‘They Live’.
Also, recall the fight that had to take place for his friend to even consider changing his perspective.
I’ll start using that more often, if necessary.
December 30, 2013 at 6:56 am
The toxic bitterness poisons even the most prepared of survivalists.
It enters your system unknowingly.
You find out about it. Too late, the seeds of the poison have spread.
And you wonder how on Earth you can cure yourself from this.
…
With regards to the Bromigo saga, hustler’s gotta hustle. Why bother coming back to something which isn’t helping him?
January 8, 2014 at 1:05 am
[…] here’s a small rundown: Seems it started at 3 Bromigos, not a blog I read regularly. Ace thinks disagreement is good and even dregs can be prophets. Sploosh plans to stay […]