clarification of term: "omega male"

[Luthor Rex]

Ok I've seen the term "omega male" thrown around. Urban dictionary gives two very different takes on it.

Definition 1:

omega male

The polar opposite of the Alpha Male. Omega Males can have friends and close acquaintances but prefer to accomplish things on their own without the help of a group. Omega Males generally don't belong to any cliques and have no desire to be the leader or most outstanding of said clique. Omega Males have relations with people from all groups and carry a resourcefulness and cunning (sometimes strength) to get a job done with their own skill. This being said, an omega male can have great pride without it manifesting as "ego." (There are always exceptions.

An Alpha Male MUST absolutely be perceived by his peers as the toughest, most popular, and smartest. An Omega Male cares little for this recognition...but knows that he is all those things and more.

Alpha males must have the support of his "boys." This can be the foundation for many shallow and superficial relationships. An Omega Male needs support from time to time, but has few true friends who know him intimately and generally shuns shallow acquaintences.

Two sides of the same coin....both being very effective in accomplishing goals.

Definition 2:

omega male

Male in a group who is least likely to take the initiative and lead, due to a lack of esteem, ability or interest.

So is the omega male the bottom of the pecking order, or the last man standing?

 

[Hughman]

I'm inclined to say the second one - the 'alpha' in the first one isn't an alpha by the DJs definition.

If you have ever read/seen Fight Club, the 'average joe' on the street is described as the omega. Nothing to shout about, no real drive, happy to coast along, but a vital cog in society.

 

[Maxtro]

I have never heard of the term Omega Male before.

Based on the first description two immediate example of omega males came to mind; James Bond and Batman. Both of them aren't team players yet display very masculine characteristics.

Basically they can lead...if they wanted to be a part of a group but it's not important to them.

So is the omega male the bottom of the pecking order, or the last man standing?

Ever heard of the Omega Man?

That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the title.

 

[Luthor Rex]

Ever heard of the Omega Man?

That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the title.

Yeah I was thinking about that movie actually.

I guess for the most part when people say "omega male" they mean a guy who is at the absolute bottom of the mating pecking order.

But that first definition from urban dictionary does bring up a good point: we don't really have a clear cut name for the lone-wolf-type men who are dominant but not social. As far as fictional characters go Bond was actually a good example you used, he doesn't travel with a group, or at the most with one or two women.

 

[6-heads lewis]

http://www.1pstart.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/mega-man-cosplay.jpg

 

[taiyuu_otoko]

I'm not sure, but I think the term "Omega Male" was a term thought up by this guy, which is basically a combination of Alpha and Beta males. I'm sure he was trying to capitalize on the Charleton Heston/Omega MAN idea.

Kind of like being an "Alpha" without actually having to step out of your comfort zone of being a "Beta." Sounded more like a marketing gimmick more than anything else, to get more people to buy his ebooks and programs. He piggy backs a lot on DeAngelos stuff.

If you can only sell your ebooks to true "Alpha Males" you don't have that wide of a market. But if you can convince guys that they can be "alpha" without letting go of their comfortable beta lifestyles, you can sell a lot more crap to a lot more people.

 

[Hughman]

A lone Alpha? A lone wolf, no?

 

[theunflushables]

To me the term Omega male fits the first definition better than the second. Remember, that Jesus bloke everyone is on about once said he was the alpha and the omega, the first and the last.

It's almost a Nietzschian ubermensch.

 

[Taviii]

I don't know if anyone watched OZ but an omega would be Ryan Oreily and and alpha would be Said Kareem.

First one is a lone shark with no real followers and the latter the leader for the Muslims in the prison who leads by personal example and always wants to help the ones around.

Both are very tough.

 

[SickAgain]

Lol I didn't know anyone else watched Oz. Kareem was a bad ass. Too bad the show was pretty much a soap opera for men.

 

[Interceptor]

"The omega male is below the Beta male!"


This is what Dr. Paul Dobransky has to say about it:

Dr. Paul Dobransky: According to biology, not modern culture. Taken from the Urban Dictionary:

“An Alpha Male MUST absolutely be perceived by his peers as the toughest, most popular, and smartest. An Omega Male cares little for this recognition… but knows that he is all those things and more.”

“Alpha males must have the support of his “boys.” This can be the foundation for many shallow and superficial relationships. An Omega Male needs support from time to time, but has few true friends who know him intimately and generally shuns shallow acquaintances.”

We’re rephrasing it.

Basically, Dr. Paul is clarifying this definition, and stating that his ideal for a man should be an Omega male.
Which is not the same as the biological/animal kingdom manner in which we use it as. So basically, not to be confused with.



Essentially, it is transcending the whole competition dynamic pretty much (although not denying a man's need and capacity for competition, and being a competetive man) , and being a man who doesnt have to fight to keep his position, he endures, and his power and status is lasting. Thus, the concept of using the term Omega, meaning a lasting and enduring position of power, an internal power, not necessarily a manipulated power over others. He's looking at creating a Win/Win mindset for men to maintain. There's an emphasis on higher character.
So yes, last man standing.

(I was just trying to clear up what the source of this term comes from.)





EDIT: Edited for clarification.

 

[Ganondorf]

Who cares?

 

[piranha45]

apparently we do, maybe you didn't notice?

 

[Interceptor]

Who cares?

Hopefully you should too, brother.

 

[Ganondorf]

What, are you gonna lead your wolf pack around somewhere?

you guys take this alpha males sh1t waaaay to seriously. Just live life and stop worry about being alpha or "Omega"

Ironically, the people who you would define as "alpha" are those who do just that. They don't give a sh1t, they do there thing, they have confidence in what they do, they don't take sh1t from others or let some "dating guru" or some sh1t tell them how they should act, they are who they are and are proud of it. They don't run around worrying how alpha they look to some random chick or anyone else. That is confidence

 

[Howardgrif]

I can identify myself with the first definition to some extent, but thats because it's written in such a positive way, the second defintion is much more negative and short. I would say omega males are the last man standing! I bet the alpha male falls apart when he doesnt get the support of his people

 

[Rollo Tomassi]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dobransky

I'm not so sure I'd consider "Dr. Paul" an authoritative unbiased expert in defining defining terms like Alpha or Omega.

 

[Interceptor]

I think the guy's great. But he's no Corey Worthington I'll give you that.

 

[Interceptor]

What, are you gonna lead your wolf pack around somewhere?

No.

you guys take this alpha males sh1t waaaay to seriously.


I take it 'seriously', but not "waaaay to(o) seriously".



Just live life and stop worry about being alpha or "Omega"


I happen to be doing just that, why would you assume otherwise?



Ironically, the people who you would define as "alpha" are those who do just that. They don't give a sh1t, they do there thing, they have confidence in what they do, they don't take sh1t from others or let some "dating guru" or some sh1t tell them how they should act, they are who they are and are proud of it. They don't run around worrying how alpha they look to some random chick or anyone else. That is confidence

There are men who want certain things in life, and look for information on how to achieve those things in life and then act on that information they feel is pertinent and helpful. Others apparently dont.

...

 

[Colossus]

I like the definition of an Omega Male (the first one), and I would actually relate myself to that, but IMO guys are wayyy to concerned with the binary alpha/beta designations. The fact of the matter, and Ive said this before, is that alpha/beta is totally relative. Say Johnny Sosuave fancies himself an alpha male within his social circle. He's good-looking, ****y, and has a loud personality that drowns out everyone else. He gets laid with ease, and generally gets respect because of his perceived status. Now say Johnny Sosuave and I go to the same gym, and whenever he sees me he gives me a quick nod and steps out of the way. See Johnny knows I outweigh him by 50 solid pounds and always stops to watch when I bench or squat. He may even approach me for a little lifting advice or try to make pals and joke around. In that instance, who is the alpha? Me, of course. He is seeking my approval, or at the very least avoiding my disapproval. Now, if I were to show up at Johnny's favorite bar, not knowing him, and step into the circle with him and his crew, who would be the alpha in that context? Johnny would, because I don't know anyone and that's his turf, his friends.

You see how retarded this is?? I understand alpha/beta in the context of Game and it's use as a teaching tool, but don't be defining yourself by this terminology. We arent fvcking dogs. IMO, anyone who needs to puff his chest with "alpha" proclamations has patent insecurity issues. Leave that sh!t to frat boys and PUAs.