In many modern, Western democracies, individualism reigns supreme. The goal of life is to be a man who marches to the beat of his own drummer and is unencumbered by others. Individuals who prefer tribalism or group belonging are either looked at with suspicion or disdain. But what if our quest for hyper-individualism is actually making us miserable?
What if belonging to a tight-knit group that requires loyalty and self-sacrifice is the key to feeling fulfilled and wholly human?
That's the argument that my guest makes in his latest book. His name is Sebastian Junger. You may have read his account of being embedded with an Army platoon serving in Afghanistan in his must-read book War, or seen his visceral documentary about battle in the Korengal Valley called Restrepo.
In his latest book, Tribe, Junger uses his firsthand experience as a war reporter as a starting point in exploring the vital human need to belong to a group. In today's show, Sebastian and I discuss how humans are wired for tribalism, how males bond, and whether or not it's possible to recapture tribe in a large and prosperous society.
Show Highlights
The most surprising thing Sebastian learned about war after being embedded in an army platoon for a year
Why men miss combat
Why men need a challenge or enemy to tightly bond
Why sharing feelings among men actually gets in the way of male bonding
Why early white settlers in America would run off with Indian tribes
How humans really react during societal breakdowns
Is it possible to create tribe during a time of prosperity and peace?
What the Amish can teach us about creating tribe in modern life
Why community has declined in the West during the past century
Why mental illness goes up when prosperity increases
Why mental disorders went down during the London Blitz
Tribedeftly synthesizes a lot of the arguments we've been making the past few years on the Art of Manliness about the importance of community in our lives. Pick up a copy of it today on Amazon.
RHONE Apparel. RHONE makes stylish and functional activewear for men. Get 15% off your first order by visiting rhone.com/manliness and entering code MANLINESS at checkout.
Harry's. Harry's makes shaving more comfortable and affordable. Get $5 off your first purchase by using code MANLINESS at checkout.
Outdoor Voices. Outdoor Voices makes rugged yet stylish outdoor wear for men. Get 15% off your first purchase by visiting outdoorvoices.com/manliness and entering code MANLINESS at checkout.
It's time for Huckberry's summer clearance sales! If you need tees, short-sleeve button-ups, sandals…now's the time to stock up.
The muted, earthy tones of the Rivieras make for a great summer shoe no matter what you're wearing. Check out those and more in Clearance Shoes.
Huckberry teamed up with Iron & Resin to create some awesome graphic tees. Find those in the Clearance Tees.
And in Clearance Shirts, you'll find a wide array of higher quality tops, including some bold Hawaiian-esque patterns that only the most courageous man can pull off.
The Prize
Any item currently available on Huckberry (up to a value of $500). Be sure to check out the current line-up of items as it changes every week.
Enter the Giveaway
If you are an email subscriber, do not reply to this email to make your entry. You must click on the title of this post, which will take you to the post on our web page where you can make your entry. Use the form below to enter. Don't forget! You have multiple ways to enter! The more of them you do, the better your chances are!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Gimme your 2 cents!