That's something entirely different. You were arguing there isn't a proper definition at all. I also see little serious use for categorizing men as primarily alpha or beta
Like most other things about people, it is a sliding scale. Roughly men fall into either alpha, beta or faux alpha.
Roughly perhaps, depending also on which aspect we're talking. I mean equating the pack leader with for example a leading function as has been done as well in this thread, is not always useful.
Born leaders. There are people who from day one other people gathered around. People just naturally see them as authority. As an employer for many years, I certainly look for that when hiring in management positions. It is not hard to detect. It's called confidence.
It could potentially be useful in understanding hierarchical social structures, but that would likely be relegated to a limited group of sociologists, anthropologists, etc. Perhaps the layperson could utilize such information in some way but more than likely they aren't going to want to feel reduced to a lesser role if they don't exhibit character traits of an Alpha.
I can just imagine... Narrator: "In human society, there are many alphas. Here is a group of alphas talking about a luxury sedan. Look at the way the alpha on the left wears his suit and tie. Prim and proper. This suggests to the other alphas that he is capable of dominating others."
Simple. We place labels on common things so we can easily refer to them when talking about it. Imagine if we didn't, and you had to describe every time what you are talking about rather than simply saying a single word.
Or how about this... Here a young male performs in front of others to display and demonstrate his assertive Alpha abilities and skills, he hopes to increase his status amongst the group. Soon, he hopes, the people will accept him and grant his aspired status by providing him lots of money, that he can then utilize to increase his mating pool exponentially as well as to possess a lot larger amount of territory and goods.
Well that's silly. But funny, because i thought of those ridiculous Lincoln commercials with Matthew McConaughey. God I hate those commercials.
I don't know how "alpha" is going to simplify things. "Yes, I'd like to speak to the alpha please." "Oh, the alpha? He's right over there." At least it wouldn't simplify things for the guy calling himself the alpha. I'm sure there's a reason why all of you alpha males don't have placards on your doors that read "alpha." But if you're SO so confident, why not?
Love your avatar btw... good ol' bubbles. I don't remember people talking about it much at all. Or use t it to describe someone with any degree of commonality. Usually the word is only used when describing types of men. And for that, it is useful. You can't really deny that there are alphas. (Both male and female). Just like there is no denying there are betas.
I suppose if I were to study men like gorillas, there might be some self-evident hierarchy. I just wouldn't say that being an alpha man is a great thing to be. Or that's it's any worse to be a beta. I suppose I would be judging by who gets the most women, primarily. I'm personally not impressed.
I don't really know any mentally healthy women who think about men in terms of alpha or beta, if that makes you feel any better.
I don't feel bad. That's the thing, it's assumed that if someone genuinely doesn't give a shit that they must secretly be crushed. In reality...I just do not give a shit. It doesn't impress me, neither do I desire it for myself. You see, it's all a crock of shit as far as I'm concerned. So I don't want to identify as an alpha or a beta, because I certainly want no part of it, and on the other hand...I'm not subservient to any of it, either. It's just a world of horseshit.
I mean, congratulations, you're the kings of horse shit. It's already horse shit, but to define it in terms of alphas and betas? Even better.
It also means you're not a fucking animal and don't prefer to live like one. I'm continually amazed at how anyone thinks a human "alpha male" would be a good thing.