Ask the Sigma: Giving the Gamma a Chance

Does it make sense to give a suspected Gamma the chance to prove himself

I run a local discord for a group of dads in my town. We are all white, all have kids in the same age range and do a lot of activities.. recently someone invited a new guy who is quickly giving off “smart boy” vibes. Red flag in my mind. Looked at his work profile and it says he “cares deeply and empathizes” when talking about his medical patients. Pretty sure we have a gamma here. Should he be removed instantly? This isn’t a work scenario.

Always, and I mean always, keep the Gammas out if it is even remotely possible. While there are scenarios where expelling a Gamma isn’t viable for various familial, business, and subject matter expertise-related reasons, a social group isn’t one of them.

While most people will be inclined to give the man a chance, or to give him the opportunity to prove that he isn’t a Gamma, this ignores the damage to the group that will inevitably result from allowing him entrance to it. It’s never easier to get rid of someone after he has been admitted into the group than it is before he is accepted by its members.

Remember, Gammas know they are generally unwanted, so once they manage to get into a group, they seek to entrench themselves. In most cases, it is the higher-status individual who is most bothered by the Gamma’s behavioral shenanigans who will end up leaving the group, not the Gamma. And if his example is followed by others, it’s not long before the group ceases to function properly, leading eventually to its failure.

Boundaries exist for a reason. Those who fail to defend them will lose the organization as a direct result of failing to keep out those whose objectives are not fully compatible with those who make the organization viable and worth joining in the first place.

Hey guys! I’m just like you! Just ignore the red shirt…