Alpha isn't a real thing in the way it was originally described, wolf packs are a family stricture not a group of random dudes following the toughest ones. The "alphas" so to speak, are the parents and the "betas" are the children. We need to stop using outdated terminology from a retracted study in common language.

[–] queermunist@lemmy.ml 32 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

That's why we should normalize asking "is it a furry thing?"

Dressing up in animal costumes to fuck has as much to do with real wolves as alpha/beta pack dynamics.

[–] Draconic_NEO@pawb.social 6 points 6 days ago

Very true, would probably get them to drop it quickly too.

[–] PeachyMcPeachface@lemmy.blahaj.zone 21 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Good luck convincing the manosphere to drop it

[–] NateNate60@lemmy.world 37 points 6 days ago

Calling it a "furry thing" is very likely to be successful if done in sufficient quantity

[–] Draconic_NEO@pawb.social 9 points 6 days ago (1 children)

They'd do it in a heartbeat if people started thinking it was a furry thing.

[–] lambalicious@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

They’d do it in a heartbeat if people started ~~thinking~~ saying it was a furry thing.

In particular, once women start calling openly them out for being furries , they'll drop the issue. XD

[–] NateNate60@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Since when have these people cared about the opinions of women

[–] Draconic_NEO@pawb.social 2 points 4 days ago

Since they enjoyed heterosexual sex with them, and only if it could lead to the possibility of having sex with them. Actually they only ever care if there's potential for them to have sex (if they consider the lady attractive) otherwise they couldn't care less.

[–] TotallynotJessica@lemmy.world 7 points 5 days ago

"Alpha/Beta" kinda makes sense to describe the manosphere when you consider the context of the study. If you force a bunch of unfamiliar wolves together in an abusive environment, cruel hierarchies can develop. If you live in a society that alienates, dehumanizes, and forces inhumane scarcity, people might find comfort in hierarchical power dynamics. It's not natural to desire to be an alpha, but the result of a manufactured environment.

[–] samus12345@lemm.ee 1 points 5 days ago

I think the term as they mean it originated from wolf behavior in captivity rather than in the wild.