Nebulasaurus
2 min readJan 30, 2024

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I think it's true that it's good to have balance. But I think it's ultimately confusing and therefore also ultimately problematic and counterproductive to continue trying to label different "energies" as "masculine" and "feminine".

What men (but really all people) really want is just a path towards acceptance - both from their community at large, and, ideally for most people, from a romantic partner (or multiple partners).

Men, in this society, are often incentivized to be strong and aggressive, both because that can yield success in a capitalist society, and because women / potential partners often claim to find it attractive. But men are also, more and more, expected to carry the benefits of strength and aggression without being dangerous.

I don't think it's an impossible demand, and it's also something that we MUST demand - that men (or anyone with strength or power) not be dangerous. But at the same time, I also think it's counterproductive not to acknowledge that strength, aggression, and danger do tend to grow together, are part of the same "energy", so to speak.

When I was a kid, there was this Norman Rockwell picture in the bathroom, portraying a rugged-looking farmer holding a small bird, with the quote, "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, Nothing so gentle as real strength": https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2014/81/126673734_1395624280.jpg

I think that quote represents the type of balance that is needed. If we can show men that that is one way to be both respected in their community, and sought after by romantic partners, then a lot more men will have a lot better direction - which will make a better world for everyone.

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Nebulasaurus
Nebulasaurus

Written by Nebulasaurus

I think most people argue for what they want to believe, rather than for what best describes reality. And I think that is very detrimental to us getting along.

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