My Learnings: #34

Throughout history, those in positions of power have sought to maintain their dominance by controlling others, often employing tactics to render people docile, weak, or overly compliant. This is not merely a modern phenomenon but a reflection of human nature, where individuals protect their status by leveraging the labor and acquiescence of those beneath them. To live a fulfilling life as a sovereign individual, one must recognize and resist these subtle mechanisms of control.

I find inspiration in observing Mother Nature and the lessons of 4 billion years of evolution, which offer a lens to understand today’s world. Consider the current cultural narrative decrying “toxic masculinity.” While not the sole explanation, I propose a perspective rooted in logic and natural principles: the weaker and less assertive you are, the easier you become to manipulate. In the wild, apex predators—equipped with sharp teeth, powerful muscles, and a carnivorous diet—reign at the top of the food chain. These creatures, like lions or wolves, are nearly impossible to subdue without significant risk. Attempt to control them, and you’re likely to face fierce resistance or death.

Contrast this with the animals humanity has domesticated—cows, sheep, pigs—typically large herbivores. These species posed less danger during the taming process, making them ideal for control. Intriguingly, their plant-based diet allowed us to exploit their labor, forcing them to plow fields and grow the very food that sustains them until we slaughter them for protein. This dynamic mirrors what some in power desire from society: a compliant workforce that unwittingly supports the system, pays taxes, and sustains the elite, all while remaining too weak or submissive to rebel.

This pattern explains why strength, independence, and self-defense are often discouraged. A strong, free-thinking individual—armed and unafraid—is a threat to tyranny, much like a lion resists domestication. Yet, many fall into the trap, lured by promises of safety and comfort, akin to lobsters thriving in a cage until they’re ripe for the pot. When you hear messages shaming your strength, wealth, or autonomy, question the intent. It may well be a strategy to soften you into submission, transforming you into a modern equivalent of a domesticated beast—pliant, productive, and ultimately expendable. Nature teaches us that no one farms lions for a reason. Hold fast to your sovereignty; it’s your greatest defense against being reduced to a cog in someone else’s machine.