Chinese AI Comprehends the Sigma

Deepseek provides examples of Sigma Males from the past

Given the way in which many grifters, self-help service providers, and other attention-seekers have attempted to redefine the concept of the Sigma, I thought it would be interesting to see if their collective attempts have had any effect on the AI systems grasp of the concept or not. Based on the response of Deepseek, the new Chinese AI that threatens to revolutionize the economics of artificial intelligence, it would appear not.

I asked Deepseek to provide 10 examples of Sigma Males, seven from Hollywood before 1970 and three from classic Chinese literature, without providing any definition of the concept at all. Its response:

Here’s a curated list of Sigma Males, featuring seven characters from pre-1970 Hollywood films and three from classical Chinese literature, emphasizing their independence, self-reliance, and outsider status:

---

Hollywood Pre-1970 Examples

1. The Man with No Name (A Fistful of Dollars, 1964)
   Played by Clint Eastwood, this enigmatic drifter operates outside societal norms, driven by personal code rather than allegiance to others.

2. Shane (Shane, 1953)
   Alan Ladd’s titular character is a lone gunslinger who aids a threatened community but remains emotionally detached, ultimately leaving without attachment.

3. Philip Marlowe (The Big Sleep, 1946)
   Humphrey Bogart’s hardboiled detective solves mysteries on his own terms, rejecting corruption and societal expectations.

4. Ethan Edwards (The Searchers, 1956)
   John Wayne’s morally complex Civil War veteran embarks on a solitary quest, alienated by his obsession and inability to reintegrate into society.

5. Cool Hand Luke (Cool Hand Luke, 1967)
   Paul Newman’s Luke Jackson defies prison authority with quiet rebellion, embodying nonconformity and individualism.

6. Frank Bullitt (Bullitt, 1968)
   Steve McQueen’s stoic detective works alone, prioritizing justice over bureaucracy in a gritty San Francisco.

7. Will Kane (High Noon, 1952)
   Gary Cooper’s sheriff stands alone against outlaws, abandoned by his community but resolved to uphold his principles.

   

   Clint Eastwood has often portrayed archetypical Sigmas.

---

Classical Chinese Literature Examples

1. Lin Chong (Water Margin, 14th c.)
   A skilled martial artist forced into outlawry after being framed, Lin Chong operates as a solitary figure before joining the Liangshan rebels, retaining his moral code.

2. Sun Wukong (Journey to the West, 16th c.)
   The rebellious Monkey King defies heavenly authority, relying on his wit and power to navigate challenges independently before reluctantly joining a pilgrimage.

3. Zhuge Liang (Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 14th c.)
   A genius strategist who begins as a recluse, Zhuge Liang (aka Kongming) masterminds victories with minimal reliance on others, blending intellect and detachment.

It appears they even got the eyes right when casting Lin Chong.

---

Key Sigma Traits Highlighted

• Lone Wolf Mentality: All avoid group dynamics unless necessary (e.g., Shane, Sun Wukong).

• Moral Autonomy: They adhere to personal ethics over societal rules (e.g., Will Kane, Lin Chong).

• Enigmatic Presence: Their mystery and unpredictability define their influence (e.g., The Man with No Name, Zhuge Liang).

These characters resonate as Sigmas due to their outsider status and quiet defiance of systems, making them timeless archetypes of individualism.