“Finding Yourself” Is a Crock
April 17, 2008
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Cameron Ming. Check out his last guest post on Grilling the Perfect Steak.
I was watching a program on Caligula the other night. Most should remember Caligula as one of the most inhumane, blood-thirsty, and psychotic of all Roman emperors. On the program they pointed to a turning point in his reign where he sort of just cracked. He had started out fine but about six months in he turned wacko. Some of the more notable acts of lunacy included ordering the deaths of tons of people (including his cousin), proclaiming himself a god, and wanting to make his horse a consul. As most of these programs do, there were various experts and professors that gave their commentary on Caligula’s life. One gave her opinion as to why Caligula lost his marbles. She said - and this is the kicker - he never had a chance to “find himself.”
How To Snag a Souvenir Baseball
April 15, 2008
Photo by luca.nassini
Baseball season is once more upon us. Millions of Americans will be heading to stadiums across the country to root for their team. At the game you’ll find hundreds of souvenir options: pennants, programs, jerseys, and the like. These will all cost you an arm and a leg, and they’re not even that great.
The best souvenir to bring home is a baseball you caught. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and it was actually used for play. It comes with real memories attached. But a ball isn’t going to simply fall into your lap; catching one takes a bit of finesse. Here’s how you can walk away from a ballpark with a souvenir baseball:
The Virtuous Life: Sincerity
April 13, 2008
This is the seventh in a series of posts on Ben Franklin’s 13 virtues.
Photo by klbndc
SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
These days, “sincerity” has come to be narrowly defined and almost entirely associated with “earnestness” and the state of being truly interested in what you profess to be interested in. But Ben’s definition is a bit broader. The dictionary adds clarification as it defines “sincerity” as: “freedom from deceit, hypocrisy, or duplicity; honesty in intention or in communicating; earnestness.” At the heart of sincerity is honesty in all your conduct and especially your communications. Honesty and integrity are the marks of true men. Seek sincerity in all your communications by becoming a man who keeps confidences, curbs his sarcasm, and avoids dishonesty.
Streamline Your Next Camping Trip
April 10, 2008
Photo by SnapShot1951
Last week we encouraged men to spend time in the great outdoors. It’s a thought that surely has occurred to many of you before, but it seems most of us can’t find the time to do it. According to a recent study, Americans are spending 25% less time in the outdoors than they did in the 1980’s. People are glued to their
The great thing about camping is that it is the most economical way to get away from it all, and even a weekend can do wonders for your spirit. But just planning for a weekend trip seems like too big of a hassle sometimes. In truth, it always seems like a bigger hassle in your head than it turns out to be. And there are several things you can do to make camping trips easier, and consequently more frequent. Here are 5 ways to streamline your camping trip and keep it hassle free:
How To Break Down A Door
April 8, 2008
Alright, let’s get this out of the way first: kicking down a door is not the best option for opening a locked door. It will damage the door and cost you lots of money to fix it. It is better to call a locksmith, pick the lock, or attempt to crawl in a window.
But let’s say it’s an emergency. You’re in a burning house and you need to escape and the door is on fire. Or your loved ones are in a burning house and you’re locked out. You can’t stand there fiddling with the lock, you’ve got to break it down! Or perhaps a loved one is stricken with a medical emergency and is locked inside a room or in their house. What to do? Be a man, dammit! Break down that door! You know you’ve always wanted to.
The Virtuous Life: Industry
April 6, 2008
This is the sixth in a series of posts on Ben Franklin’s 13 virtues.
Photo by Lewis Hine
Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
If you spend any time on the web, you probably have heard of Tim Ferris‘ book “The Four Hour Work Week.” In the book, Mr. Ferris sets out to show people how they can spend far less time working and thus have the freedom to design the lifestyle of their dreams.
Basically, what this entails is outsourcing as many menial tasks as you can to some person in India so you can have time to travel the world pursuing your passion. While I think Mr. Ferris makes some good points about being more effective during your time at work, his premise that people should seek to avoid work completely through lifestyle design never sat well with me. Here are five of my beefs with “The Four Hour Work Week:”
The Art of Manliness Weekly Roundup: Chilifest Edition
April 5, 2008
Last night I attended the annual Chilifest put on by my law school. Lots of great chili this year. I definitely ate too much. An organization that I’m a part of at school was defending their two year winning streak. Unfortunately, we lost. There’s always next year.
Now for some links:
Saving face - not just for the Japanese (@ just like a man) No one wants to look like an ass in front of people. Saving face is a phrase imported from China. In China people try to avoid making the other person look bad when engaged in a disagreement. This post puts a Western spin on the concept.
25 Ways to Simplify Your Life with Kids (@ zen habits) If you have kids, this is a great resource how to make your life easier.
The First Money Talk: The When and How of a Conversation Every Couple Needs to Have (@ the simple dollar) Studies have shown that money is one of the leading causes of divorce. Do some preemption by sitting down with your wife and have a frank discussion about your finances. The earlier the better.
Powerful Networking Through Business Card Etiquette (@ just a guy thing) This is a great post from Ian on the etiquette of business card use. He also explains how you can use business cards to advance your career.
4 Ways Nature Restores Your Manly Vigor
April 3, 2008
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul. Keep close to Nature’s heart…and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.~ John Muir
To care for their health and well-being, many men carefully watch their diet, take supplements, exercise, and go for regular check-ups at the dentist and the doctor. Some even supplement this routine with visits to a masseuse or a therapist. But many men are skipping out on something essential to their manly vigor-spending time in the great outdoors.
Great men from Theodore Roosevelt to Ralph Waldo Emerson loved to tear out into nature. Yet today men see activities like hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping as hobbies to be enjoyed by some and not by others. They’ve become just another recreational opportunity: you can take it or leave it.
But spending time in the outdoors is essential for every man. It will strip off the stale, sissified patina that civilization has covered you in and renew your soul in 5 crucial ways:
Every Man Should Carry a Pocket Knife
April 1, 2008
Photo by Zoltron
It used to be that a pocket knife was an essential item that a man carried with him. You had your wallet, your keys, and your trusty pocket knife.
The History of the Pocket Knife
1st Century Romans created the first folding pocket knife. They made for easy carrying for soldiers and other explorers on their journeys and conquests. However, as the use of sheathed knives became more popular, the use of pocket knives fell somewhat into disfavor.
By the late 16th Century, pocket knives began to regain popularity. They were especially popular in the American colonies. From farmers to lawyers, men from all walks of life started to carry them. The ultimate portable tool, the pocket knife was a useful aid in various tasks, including eating on the go.
Pocket knives have been an essential tool for soldiers throughout American history. New York and New Hampshire required their militias to carry pocket knives during the American Revolution. Even George Washington toted one around as he led his troops. The U.S. Navy began issuing pocket knives to sailors during the Civil War. During WWII, the pocket knife was standard issue for American GIs.
Men have been carrying pocket knives for centuries. But with increased security at the airport and other buildings, knives have been disappearing from men’s pockets. Yet these minor obstacles are not sufficient reason to give up carrying a knife completely. The carrying of a pocket knife is a man tradition that should be continued.
Best of Art of Manliness, March 2008
April 1, 2008
March was a good month for the Art of Manliness. We’re almost up to 6,000 subscribers. Thanks to all you awesome readers for spreading the word about AoM.
For those of you who who missed them, here were the 5 most popular posts for March 2008 based on traffic.
The Warrior’s Guide to True Manliness (This was a guest post by Evan and Spencer Burton from Living Indubiously)
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