Ask the Sigma: Sigma Self-Improvement

Every man can be a better version of himself

I know you’ve said that questions like these aren’t the point of the SSH. I know that the answer is irrelevant to most men, and I imagine it even be harmful to gammas to publish the answer…

But, I’m curious.

You’ve said that all the ranks of the SSH can become better versions of themselves. How do you think sigmas can become the best version of themselves?

First, I could not care less if Gammas or anyone else publicly self-declares themselves to be Alphas, Sigmas, or Mars Bars. Just yesterday we had one here declaring that he’s a Sigma now… after eight years of fruitlessly orbiting some woman. Very Sigma, much wow. Most Gammas and others prone to self-delusion are never going to understand the SSH or utilize it to their actual advantage, so there is no point in modifying our actions for fear of them doing what they’re going to do anyhow.

Second, the Sigma’s socio-sexual success doesn’t mean that he is a good man, a satisfied man, or that he is maximizing his potential. As with every other behavioral pattern, self-improvement for the Sigma means exercising self-discipline and restraining some of his natural instincts, even if they have served him well in the past in various ways.

For example, even if it made me more initially attractive to her, I have to wrestle with my natural inclination toward indifference in regards to my wife; if I want her to be happy, then it is necessary for me to learn to care about things that are important to her even if I could not possibly care less about them a priori. And developing a conscious ability to not be indifferent at will not only helps our marital relationship, but also helps me work more effectively with my work colleagues, our business partners, our suppliers, and our customers.

Whereas a Sigma will likely struggle with indifference and narcissism, the Alpha will struggle with his appetites and his pride. The Bravo with pettiness and cruelty, the Delta with taking responsibility, the Gamma with dishonesty and malice, the Omega with apathy and despair.

Third, to become the best version of himself, the Sigma has to learn to serve God. Stoic philosophy and benevolent humanism are not enough. Human nature is too fallen, our desires are too base, and the destructive temptations of sin are too sweet for mere behavioral patterns to save us from them. And it is impossible to resist either the pull of evil or the actions of the wicked while rejecting that which gives us the capacity and framework to distinguish between good and evil.

And the only way to God is through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Being an East Asian Studies major, I’m fairly well versed in the various Eastern religions and philosophies. Those who have been following along with the serialization of the 1911 edition of The Cambridge Medieval History at Castalia Library will know that I am at least modestly familiar with both the historical pagan religions and pagan neoplatonism. And as an American Indian, I even know a bit about my tribe’s religion, which has nothing to do with Coyote or the Great Spirit. And none of these various religions, philosophies, or thought models are capable of accounting for, or even describing, anything that we can call evil, with one notable exception.

This is a deeply evocative image for anyone familiar with the ancient history.

Ergo the fundamental necessity of Christianity for the man who wants to become the best version of himself, whatever SSH rank he might be or whatever he might wish to call himself.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”