This is what sigma looks like
August 2, 2012 24 Comments
I first heard the term sigma reading Vox Day’s blog when he tried to unpack Roissy’s definition of the male hierarchy, believing the latter had over-simplified things. The defining essence of the sigma is fierce autonomy. He alone stands outside the male domination hierarchy. It’s easier to show examples of sigma rather than explain
- Sigma: Han Solo, Bobo Fett, Wolverine, Batman, Sherlock Holmes, Tyler Durden (early movie), James Bond
- Alpha: Yoda, Luke Skywalker (trainee), Darth Vader, Cyclops, Tyler Durden (late movie)
A sigma, wandering
It’s harder to find alpha movie characters because sigma is waaaaaay cooler. Whereas an alpha goes into a social situation expecting to dominate it, like an irresistable force, the sigma resists being drawn into any situations, like an immovable object. He is transient and self-absorbed.
Lately I’ve been thinking sigma and alpha are really just the introversion and extraversion ends of the same spectrum. The sigma mostly wants to be left alone to forge his own path and is troubled by society’s constant attempted to draw him back in, imposing restrictions and demands on his time and freedom. The alpha actively engages in society to create or subvert these restrictions for his own gratification. Considered another way, the sigma is channelling Warrior energy and the alpha is channelling King energy.
We were just watching A Fistfull of Dollars in our cinema room this evening and I was reminded what a perfect outline of the sigma archetype Clint Eastwood paints with his character. Just watch these opening scenes. Slow movement, disinterest, self-absorption, wanderlust, reluctance to get involved….. all so effortlessly cool.
I like the idea (like everyone else) but the fact that every dipshit and his uncle now feels the need to claim SSSigMAAA status, it makes me cringe whenever I come across it.
And you left out the greatest sigma of them all:
Edmond Dantes.
‘Madam, I never eat muscatel grapes.’
Words to live by.
I realised not that long ago that I’d never be an alpha. I’m just not social enough, and care very little for being part of the silly games of the male dominance hierarchy, but at the same time I react quite strongly if anyone tries to dominate me.
Work is a prime example. It’s like a stricter more well defined version of a social hierarchy, and this is what I hate about. I see so many women and beta men at work who seem happy to be a part of this hierarchy and feel the need to try and draw me into it, and I hate it.
>The sigma mostly wants to be left alone to forge his own path and is troubled by society’s constant attempted to draw him back in, imposing restrictions and demands on his time and freedom
I’d say that sums me up fairly well. I’d say once I used to be a bit of an Omega. I would distance myself from the social hierarchy, but was an Omega rather than a sigma because I was lacking in confidence and self esteem, and resented those who thrived within the hierarchy. Now my self esteem and confidence are better, I no longer resent these people, I’m just disinterested. I’d say learning game is turning me into a sigma.
Who cares about your particular case? If you are going to comment at all, at least make sure you say something that is of potential interest to others. [Actually, I am interested in his particular case and would approve the comment even if I wasn't. K.]
“Lately I’ve been thinking sigma and alpha are really just the introversion and extraversion ends of the same spectrum”
I thought this was pretty well known. Most people who think they are sigmas are simply omega losers who have no friends. John Wayne is a good example of an actor who plays both alpha and sigma roles (IRL he was an alpha). His most sigma role would be Ethan Edwards in The Searchers, and I’m not sure of his most alpha role but McClintock would be an example.
Come on man, we all know Sigma is some bullshit term game guys made up to refer to themselves so they don’t call themselves “omegas who learnt how to approach women”, which is largely the truth. The invention of the “weird loner pulling girls” archetype lol. More like bitter omegas trying to convince themselves that they can get girls without actually having to become sociable people. I’m not saying you can’t be introverted and get laid, but introverts who can’t make friends or get on with the vast majority of people should admit to having poor social skills and a counterproductive mindset towards other people. [You're an idiot. Introversion/extroversion is about where you get your energy, not social skills. Many introverts have strong social skills and lots of friends. K.]
I wasn’t saying all introverts have poor social skills and have a negative attitude towards others, its an energy related thing as you say – just that the ones that do should admit it and not pretend that it isn’t a problem for them. That’s why I said it’s possible to be introverted and get laid (and have a the social life you want). [That I agree with. Every omega wants to think he's a sigma. K.]
Sigma traits relate to inner attitudes towards the male domination hierarchy. Nietzsche was very sigma. But in terms of relationships with women he was probably very omega at the same time. It’s not either-or.
I was getting caught up in this, thanks for reminding me. I hate the game bullshit along with ALPHA BETA ZETA OMEGA stuff. It doesn’t exist in humans. Men have dominant and submissive tenancies. it’s as simple as that.
I agree with the whole pickup artists are just “omegas” who learned to pick up women. I see them and most of them seem like insecure and awkward people. they never quite seem in place.
Extroverted dominant guy could be an alpha(not always a obnoxious, just a stereo type, but defiantly domineering and wants recognition)
Extroverted but more submissive guy would be Beta(prefers to take orders is more passive. typically laughs at unfunny jokes by their alpha friend sort of thing{generalising here})
Omega would be the cast away. i can’t really pinpoint it or why.
a real “Sigma” would be introverted guy who doesn’t want to lead but resists those who try to lead him. Typical “Lone wolf” in pack animal terms. Leaves the pack because it get’s fed up with the politics of the pack. Mates with the females of other packs while the alpha/betas are fighting over it. Takes over the pack when necessary, otherwise doesn’t care. follows the pack when it’s wiser than going alone due to food shortages but leaves again when it get’s fed up with the pack politics again.
give or take, that is it, in a broad generalisation.
First time I read the definition of sigma I knew that’s what everyone would diagnose themselves as because it sounds the coolest, but it’s a proper label for many. Maybe we should develop some sort of Meyers-Briggs type man classification test. We could do it next time we all meet up and plot how to reduce women’s wages, avoid “manning up” and promote rape culture.
I agree. When you understand Jung/ Myers brigs you will see the whole Alpha/Beta things with a deeper understanding.
I look at the personality types and you combine them with if said individual is has a dominant or submissive nature.
Your classic “alpha” macho obnoxious guy would be an ESTP/ although not always, because you have to also consider if they are dominant or submissive, their interests and their values. Generally that would be the right ingredients if you know what i mean, though.
I couldn’t picture an INFP as being an stereotypical ALPHA. Wrong ingredients if you know what i mean.
ISTP/ISTJ is what i picture as stereotypical “Sigma” as it has the right core elements. They could also be alpha, or beta, or omega. but they are less likely.
It’s just way to deep to make generalizations, to many variables. this is why it’s a topic i dislike lol!
I don’t think anyone can definitively classify themselves on the alpha/beta/sigma/whatever spectrum. We’re all too biased. By definition, the only people who can accurately say where any one person stands on a social spectrum are other people.
I think it’s much more useful to classify behaviors, or patterns of behaviors, than people. People are all over the place.
Good point.
Good post and good link. I was thinking about this today. My thought was that the characteristic of a sigma is his readiness to break away from group norms and beliefs; while alphas tend to align themselves with groupthink more (but with more leeway than betas). An alpha is more like a high ranking officer, a marine, a flying ace; a sigma is more like an outlaw. In this sense there are specific alpha traits that a sigma holds much stronger than alphas, e.g. refusal to give in the frame. Sometimes politicians like Berlusconi or Obama are mentioned as alphas, and they are in the sense that they dominate their groups, but at the same time they are trapped in the politics game where they continously say shit they don’t believe just to get votes. In politics sigma is completely hardcore outsider stuff like Evola or Zerzan.
The best example of sigma I have read is Jacques Mesrine, the films are worth watching but the book written by the man himself is even better for a look at how a sigma positions himself against the world.
One way you can tell whether a guy is Sigma or Omega, the Omega will either fear the presence of an Alpha or defer to him. Whereas a sigma will get along with whatever he was doing, a bit like Clint Eastwood at a bar, he’s simply there to get a drink.
It’s funny that in all his spaghetti westerns (I’m a die hard fan) its the Alpha that gets pissed off when he comes to town, like the lack of deference is a threat.
I’m one of those who would like to embrace the concept of sigma, but I wonder if others would consider me omega. In any event, as an improving omega or a low-functioning sigma, the sigma ideal is what resonates with me as rather than the alpha. It is a journey of self-improvement – from beta to alpha, or from omega to sigma as the case may be- and these concepts can be useful tools if not overly reified.
Clint eastwoods character in high plains drifter would be another good example of sigma.
Clint rules as a cowboy!., I have a few t-shirts with his print on it. Got nothing but compliments to them. I’m loving the movies too.
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I’ve been reading this stuff for fun and found this gleaming example of an omega that fancies himself a sigma.
John Says:
January 23, 2013 at 11:16 pm
The saddest thing about women in today’s culture. Whether they are feminist or not. They’ll all find a way to turn this against you and say see that’s why you’re single when it is the simple truth. Then they’d say oh he may have been nice but he didn’t have all the qualities I was looking for that corresponded to my life or my goals. Then they date a guy who treats them like crap. I’d rather date a nice person wo didn’t seem to match up to all the qualities corresponding in my life than someone who treats me like crap and guess what ( is probably still just living each day to get laid, drunk as hell, to party 24/7, and eventually have no future). Then there’s a fact that if you don’t date by a certain age people act like there is something wrong with you. I stopped caring about dating, and cut off all physical, sexual and emotional attraction to the opposite sex (not attracted to anyone) and decided to just worry more about my life. Yes it would be nice to have a decent relationship with somebody but that seems to be nearly impossible. If you ask girls out constantly you’re desperate and nobody wants you but guess what there jerks girls love to date seem to do it all the time. Still though it seems as soon as I just stopped caring and showing attraction women seem to give me blushes when I look at them, seem to smile and wave and notice me more, seem to have a lot more interest and seem to act like I’m somehow this guy they just want to be around. I bet if I started caring again they’d all just back off. Sigma males are loners that still seem to get attention from girls like alphas or more then alphas (doesn’t mean they take it). Gammas are more of the kind of guy who’s always around but never noticed. Delta males are average guys. Beta males are “nice guy” (jerks). Alpha males are the true d-bags and most pick-up artists. Omega males are the stereotypical nerd/geek. I would consider myself a Sigma male. I’m not opposed to dating, finding love or caring. I know there are good girls out there who have a sense of logic. A lot of girls don’t. I date for personalities and care extremely little for looks. When I find a logical need to ask someone out who’s showing interest I will. But truthfully this societal view of dating is screwed up and I definately won’t follow it’s ways.
[definitely. K.]
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