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Why the Word "Alpha" Turns People Off
On the topic of the labels alpha (in particular), sigma, gamma and omega, they're just a naming convention for the sake of convenience. The use of the word alpha has been played out more than "the red pill," as if that should even be possible. I'll try to explain to the few readers I have left where this came from, what it means and its importance in improving at being effective socially.
There's a spectrum of alpha and beta, and most people make the mistake of judging actions by saying doing X is alpha or doing Y is beta. This is not the correct use of the terms. The alpha/beta spectrum is just as much an evaluation of the context (also known as frame) of the action and not just the action itself. In fact, almost any single action can be considered extremely alpha or extremely beta depending on the surrounding circumstances. While it applies to all social interaction, there are always times to perform things in an alpha way, and there are always times to perform thing in a beta way. This balance should typically be more in favor of the alpha by approximately a 2:1 ratio as a general rule to give you an idea of what you're aiming at. When this gets too out of balance in either direction, you start running into certain types of problems no matter the situation, but the "correct" balance could change depending on circumstances.
Quick example: In the context of seduction specifically, alpha actions build attraction, and beta actions build comfort. A man's wife completely bitches him out for 30 minutes because he left a plate on the table? Too much beta and not enough alpha. A man's wife constantly worries that he's going to cheat on her and feels completely neglected like he doesn't care about her at all? Too much alpha and not enough beta.
Along these lines, you can have ideas of "good alpha," "bad alpha," "good beta" and "bad beta." Good alpha usually has a touch of comfort, and bad alpha is typically pure asshole. Good beta typically has a touch of attraction, and bad beta is usually pure supplication.
In game (aka the study of social prowess or applied charisma), the context of your actions is known as frame. You can have either a weak frame or a strong frame. A weak frame means that you're doing something from a position of weakness, and a strong frame means that you're doing something from a position of strength. Frame can drastically change whether an action is good or bad inside of the context of alpha or beta. Generally speaking, a strong frame will lead to a good action, and a weak frame will lead to a bad action.
Another quick example: In the context of a marriage, if a man gets his wife flowers because she bitched about him never getting her flowers, then that's a weak frame that makes getting flowers bad beta. However, if a man gets his wife flowers just because he fucking feels like it, then that's a stronger frame, and that can very easily be good beta. While most people would think of getting flowers as an inherently beta action, there is still a correct and incorrect way to do it.
Since I just gave an example of good/bad beta, I'll do the same thing with alpha. Being a total asshole for the sake of being an asshole (ie: push-push-push-push instead of push-pull-push-pull) is bad alpha when it's done over the top for too long. Basically it turns you into a bully instead of a leader. Being an asshole at moments with playful teasing that isn't taken too far, on the other hand, is good alpha.
I've already typed entirely too much, but maybe that will clear some things up for the 2 people still reading this far.
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