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alpha? - 12/4/2004 9:29:00 PM

willing2serve

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Can someone please tell me about the alpha male...Do you consider yourself to be one, why or why not?

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RE: alpha? - 12/4/2004 9:45:43 PM

Lordandmaster

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I don't really think of myself as an alpha-male because I'm not a wolf and I don't live in a pack. The nomenclature comes from wolves, and although I actually am interested in the social lives of wolves, I don't think their system is complex enough to be applied to human beings.

(in reply to willing2serve)

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RE: alpha? - 12/4/2004 10:23:11 PM

cariad

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please forgive this slave for posting here.......but she believes that the "alpha male" is the male who is more predominant in the household, meaning that if there are 2 or more male slaves one is known as the "alpha male" meaning he is the main slave of the household and the others are below him...meaning that he has more seniority (spelling)... "JMO"

this slave hopes this helps Y/you a bit.

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RE: alpha? - 12/5/2004 12:43:29 AM

BeachMystress

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cariad is correct when it is termed with sub or slave. An alpha is the highest ranking sub in a household. That is the most common BDSM use I've seen. I often hear Domme with a stable refer to their alpha. In the vanilla world an alpha male is the male in charge of the other males in his social group. .. a quote from a Harvard Business review article; Coaching the Alpha Male ( May 1, 2004)

"Highly intelligent, confident, and successful, alpha males represent about 70% of all senior executives. Natural leaders, they willingly take on levels of responsibility most rational people would find overwhelming. But many of their quintessential strengths can also make alphas difficult to work with. Their self-confidence can appear domineering. Their high expectations can make them excessively critical. Their unemotional style can keep them from inspiring their teams. That's why alphas need coaching to broaden their interpersonal tool kits while preserving their strengths"

I think that is what most of us call a total jerk. *smiles*

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RE: alpha? - 12/5/2004 5:31:32 AM

LordODiscipline

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The term "alpha" in relation to aimal species was first utilized by animal "sociologists" (If you will excuse the expression) to denote the animal that was predominant and overtly 'in charge' of a group of animals that were present at an interaction.

Utilizing it as a statement of 'predominance' with humans is tricky as we are more complex in our interaction in many ways, and do not necessaruily follow instinctual physical and psychological clues that are given by someone who (otherwise) might be considered and "Alpha" in a grouping.

We tend to communicate a dominance or submission through the "normal" (read: Like the animals do) means, but we may not be willing to accept the inference given or the clues thrown out - and, rather than fight it out to determine dominance (at that point) the other is generally willing to concede something rather than assault the other.

In use for the "Lifestyle" - it is generally a weak comparrison, simply denoting someone who considers themself in charge of one or more submissives and not demonstrating anything significant beyond that - or - in rare instances, the person elect who heads a household. (as it is "elect", it is not necessarily an overt machismo that put them there)

~J

OH... and, no - I do not consider myself an "alpha" male - as it is another nonsensical label placed by people upon themselves in order to feel better about who they are (we have a lot of those in leather). I am the grand puuba and omnipotent grand vaziir of the plethorian empire of Gaiia - "Alpha" is so passe.

< Message edited by LordODiscipline -- 12/5/2004 5:34:05 AM >

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RE: alpha? - 12/5/2004 7:20:00 AM

masterLon3446

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Of all the posts here, I see only one that is correct the others..well, another story, read what BeachMystress has to say she is truthful....

MasterLon

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RE: alpha? - 12/5/2004 12:03:06 PM

LordODiscipline

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quote:

ORIGINAL: masterLon3446

Of all the posts here, I see only one that is correct the others..well, another story, read what BeachMystress has to say she is truthful....

MasterLon

Perhaps I am reading you incorrectly, but might be specific about where I erred.

I did (after all) read the question (it is not answered as asked in several of the posts - it asked about an "alpha male' - not about an alpha submissive... and, (if you desire) I can provide scientific reference(s) for what I stated.

(Well -with the exception of the "Grand Puuba" thing

).

But, (in a nutshell) - it appears that you are calling all but M. Beach "liars".

If I am wrong in my impression, I am sure it is easily corrected. Please feel free to do so.

~J

(in reply to masterLon3446)

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RE: alpha? - 12/5/2004 5:20:36 PM

Lordandmaster

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How can someone be incorrect about whether they consider themselves an alpha male? That was the original question.

Besides, if ANYONE is incorrect, it's BeachMystress. "Alpha male" referred to the dominant male in a pack of wolves long long LONG before it referred to a slave who was ranked higher than other slaves. BeachMystress is confusing "alpha male" with "alpha slave."

Lam

quote:

ORIGINAL: masterLon3446

Of all the posts here, I see only one that is correct the others..well, another story, read what BeachMystress has to say she is truthful....

< Message edited by Lordandmaster -- 12/5/2004 5:24:42 PM >

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RE: alpha? - 12/5/2004 11:12:23 PM

BeachMystress

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As the woman is in a BDSM forum asking about MEN, how is my answer incorrect? Inquiring minds want to know. I covered both the accepted BDSM meaning and the alpha male meaning. She in no way asked about animals. Perhaps you should read more closely next time....

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RE: alpha? - 12/6/2004 12:05:19 AM

EStrict

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Alpha:

2 : socially dominant especially in a group of animals (adverb)

2 : something that is first : BEGINNING (noun)

Actually all of the posters seem correct, it just depends on on if you are speaking of alpha as a noun or an adverb. An alpha-slave would be the first, not a *dominant* and as this definition is from the 13th century, it certainly isn't a *new* thing.

As far as the first one goes, it's only from 1863, but does not necessarily apply to wolves... after all,,, HUMANS are animals too...

On a side note,, since this was asked of MASTERS, I do see it asking more of DOMINANT so it would be the first definition that would be more accurate. Unless your male subs/slaves dominate you Beach?

< Message edited by EStrict -- 12/6/2004 12:06:52 AM >

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RE: alpha? - 12/6/2004 2:56:47 AM

BeachMystress

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quote:

ORIGINAL: EStrict

Unless your male subs/slaves dominate you Beach?

My cats are the only ones to Dominate me...

I'm horridly pussy whipped!

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Beach Mystress
*Do not threaten the weak. Intimidate the strong. ~ Stevenson*
http://beachmystress.jigsy.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beachmystress/

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RE: alpha? - 12/6/2004 4:54:45 AM

willing2serve

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Would alpha males tend to have more charisma, since they portray social dominance?

Always wanting to learn more,
Willing2serve

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RE: alpha? - 12/6/2004 2:22:07 PM

masterLon3446

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I come here to post a reply, To help in any way that I can. It is therefore just my own opinion. Not meaning to signify everyone is either wrong or right. Excuse me for my hasty words, LordandMaster, we all are different of course and each have our own opinions. I just felt that the question was not about animals and their is such a thing as an alpha slave in a polyamourous affair, again depending on the Master they are with. One could also be called prime, As well as alpha, Always meaning First...of course all Dominants could be called alpha....Would alpha males tend to have more charisma, since they portray social dominance? I do not think charisma is the term I would have choosen, but for a lack of a better word, I would say it depends on the person, not in what that person is..

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