I think I read maybe two of your posts—no more than three—and thought—well, fuck; now I have to subscribe to this big thinker often unwieldy writer or go crazy.
We need to normalize this kind of honesty in everyday life instead of playing along with the games that everyone only plays because they don't know they're playing.
I know that's not super specific, but this is my unpolished immediate reaction.
I've thought about the law of accumulation quite a lot. Those who need something the most have the least access to it, in a cruel and perverse and yet completely natural irony. And those who need something the least are literally swimming in it: who gets offered free meals more often, rich people or the lower middle class?
I've always thought of status as something like "the absence of need for status." Just as in your logic here, it's a self-referential and almost self-dissolving concept. Those who seek it the most not only don't have it, but actively stop themselves from having it. And those who don't pursue it not only don't need it, but naturally accrue more of it.
I've seen a lot of ostensibly high status people say (or imply) things like "I'm above being a dishwasher" or "I have too much experience to waste my time on things like xyz menial task." And to many people, that is what high status looks like. But I don't agree. In my eyes, the highest status person is the person who doesn't have any qualms about rolling his sleeves up and doing whatever needs to be done. He's not protecting anything. He's more worried about results and cooperation than signifying his own importance - which is how he became high status in the first place.
I always assumed "faith in God" meant "It is certain that when I die i will exist in a pearly white, cloudy paradise", but I've recently reframed it to be closer to "There is nothing to worry about" and I feel like it solves everything
JBP is/was such an interesting character. He sounded like a dad for guys without a dad, at least that was my read. “Clean you room and get a job” is solid life advice. Which was really admirable in my estimation. But idk if he was ready for the scrutiny that came with fame over 40. Right message wrong messenger, maybe?
If you're truly worried about being too short for hot women, I can assure you from a lifetime of being tall that it doesn't count for much. Back in the mid-20th-century, judging by movie stars, it did. But look at who we've got in the last few decades. Is it that women's standards have declined along with the average height of male leading actors? Or has height always been just fleeting fashion?
In my own general experience, high status people treat me as high status, their equal; low status people are the more likely to see me as in some way less than themselves. Not sure how the larger equation works for that.
Came for the essays in the body, liked for the essay in the upgrade button.
Tangent! You’re so right about JBP - how did it become so low status… his falling off needs to be studied….
I am subscribed, and had a good time plowing through the neurotic stuff to get to the last line: pay me.
I already pay you, just because the value you provide for me is worth the monthly fee.
“Had a good time plowing through the neurotic stuff” would be a good blurb.
Thanks for the support man.
I think I read maybe two of your posts—no more than three—and thought—well, fuck; now I have to subscribe to this big thinker often unwieldy writer or go crazy.
Only substack I’ve ever subscribed to…
We need to normalize this kind of honesty in everyday life instead of playing along with the games that everyone only plays because they don't know they're playing.
I know that's not super specific, but this is my unpolished immediate reaction.
I will say, putting a Jordan Peterson quote on my dating profile (unintentionally) got me some great intro's with some great guys :D
Self-help v Saint-help: discuss. (All four of us). Soon?
Absolutely
Definitely want to hear all about the summit
Ok! What time after mass/noon? We can send you a zoom link. Are you two or three hours ahead?
We are en route back to Jackson as we speak and would love to set something up when we get settled. We’re two hours ahead
Would love to
I've thought about the law of accumulation quite a lot. Those who need something the most have the least access to it, in a cruel and perverse and yet completely natural irony. And those who need something the least are literally swimming in it: who gets offered free meals more often, rich people or the lower middle class?
I've always thought of status as something like "the absence of need for status." Just as in your logic here, it's a self-referential and almost self-dissolving concept. Those who seek it the most not only don't have it, but actively stop themselves from having it. And those who don't pursue it not only don't need it, but naturally accrue more of it.
I've seen a lot of ostensibly high status people say (or imply) things like "I'm above being a dishwasher" or "I have too much experience to waste my time on things like xyz menial task." And to many people, that is what high status looks like. But I don't agree. In my eyes, the highest status person is the person who doesn't have any qualms about rolling his sleeves up and doing whatever needs to be done. He's not protecting anything. He's more worried about results and cooperation than signifying his own importance - which is how he became high status in the first place.
I always assumed "faith in God" meant "It is certain that when I die i will exist in a pearly white, cloudy paradise", but I've recently reframed it to be closer to "There is nothing to worry about" and I feel like it solves everything
The being 40 and not famous line was hysterical.
JBP is/was such an interesting character. He sounded like a dad for guys without a dad, at least that was my read. “Clean you room and get a job” is solid life advice. Which was really admirable in my estimation. But idk if he was ready for the scrutiny that came with fame over 40. Right message wrong messenger, maybe?
If you're truly worried about being too short for hot women, I can assure you from a lifetime of being tall that it doesn't count for much. Back in the mid-20th-century, judging by movie stars, it did. But look at who we've got in the last few decades. Is it that women's standards have declined along with the average height of male leading actors? Or has height always been just fleeting fashion?
In my own general experience, high status people treat me as high status, their equal; low status people are the more likely to see me as in some way less than themselves. Not sure how the larger equation works for that.
I’m about 6 foot so I’m right at the threshold of it not being an issue, but I hear a lot of talk online about it.