Are our modern alpha and beta distinctions f*cked up by civilisation?

[AttackFormation]

You know, back when we lived in tribes and not cubicles an alpha was alpha *because* he was the best provider. Women had no problem finding alpha and beta in the same man because to be a provider you had to be alpha and vice versa.

So in the old days, you being alpha (basically a good physique, sex appeal to women) made you into a provider too because the best hunters, ie. the most alpha men, were the best providers. Being alpha enabled you to provide. But we live in a time in which being alpha doesn't mean being a provider and you can be a provider without being alpha. The only limiting factor would be if your genes were a bad match with hers (ie. incest).

Of course there are different mating strategies among animals, just look at the other great apes who have everything from (roughly summarised) alpha monopoly to free for all to promiscuous infanticide. But assuming that we used to run with alpha = provider = good mate, have we made ourselves go haywire?

 

[Shivastorm_88]

You know, back when we lived in tribes and not cubicles an alpha was alpha *because* he was the best provider. Women had no problem finding alpha and beta in the same man because to be a provider you had to be alpha and vice versa.

So in the old days, you being alpha (basically a good physique, sex appeal to women) made you into a provider too because the best hunters, ie. the most alpha men, were the best providers. Being alpha enabled you to provide. But we live in a time in which being alpha doesn't mean being a provider and you can be a provider without being alpha. The only limiting factor would be if your genes were a bad match with hers (ie. incest).

Of course there are different mating strategies among animals, just look at the other great apes who have everything from (roughly summarised) alpha monopoly to free for all to promiscuous infanticide. But assuming that we used to run with alpha = provider = good mate, have we made ourselves go haywire?

Who cares? Society changed, you can either go with the flow and adapt yourself to it, or reminisce about the past being the "good old days long gone" and stagnate.

 

[AttackFormation]

I don't care about the "righteousness" of either approach, I was just using harsh language.