Post: #1

[I know 'alpha' is overused - so apologies...]

There is a rare type of alpha which is rarely discussed or seen. But it is something that I find fascinating.

Maybe because it is the type of alpha which is a real inspiration to intelligent men. And isn't so related to wordly success or looks...

What I am getting at reminds me of the distinction Don Draper makes between novelty and nostalgia. It is one of my favourite scenes from TV.





Sorry for the sidetrack.

Now - in more recent times. This sense of alpha has popped up in the media in the wonderful series of adverts featuring 'the most interesting man in the world'.





When these adverts first came out, slate.com did an interesting article praising them as a refreshing image for modern men to aspire to.

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/a...world.html

Now - I am always fascinated when I come across examples of this Hemingwayesque type of alpha. I am an expert in magic (apologies if that sounds like a boast) and I have sometimes seen interesting characters like this in my field.

As well as being (in my opinion) the highest form of alpha there is. It is also one of the few you can hope to aim for as you age. And I guess this can't be stressed enough. But - you older guys - you need to have really really good threads. So many great clothes only look good on older guys. So you really should cover this area well.

I guess the late Christopher Hitchens had this going for him as well (although I happen to prefer the writings of his brother, Peter).





Another character who exuded this from of alpha was Orson Welles (who also happened to be an amateur magician - yeah!). By the way - the following anecdote from Orson gets my nomination for the best story ever.





And coincidentally (since Orson mentions him in the clip above), Winston Churchill would be another guy who fits this bill as well. I guess Gerard Depardieu in France would be another example.

There is some mixture of wisdom, interesting stories, great clothes and powerful voice which some guys can pull off. One of the younger guys who did this was the late Patrice O'Neal in the following show where he is wearing the clothes that I feel perfectly fit the message he was trying to deliver.

I mention this since he was often quite poorly dressed (in my opinion). But his look here fits perfectly with his attitude.





So - I guess the message is this. If you are old and fat. Don't worry - there is still a powerful niche you can try and fill.

Anyway - I would be interesting in hearing about other examples of this more mature type of apha. I am sure I have left many out.

Post: #2

Beta

Post: #3

Intellectual ability and conviction in your ideas will always be alpha because they are leadership traits. One thing that always impesses me about each of these characters is that they have a commanding voice (especially Orson Welles). I'm thinking of taking speaking lessons to develop that kind of commanding voice. I think it's an important and overlooked skill.

Post: #4

I have often wondered about speaking lessons.

But - is it possible to develop a commanding voice. I thought that was related to the length of your vocal cords?

Post: #5

(01-13-2013 06:55 PM)cardguy Wrote:  I have often wondered about speaking lessons.

But - is it possible to develop a commanding voice. I thought that was related to the length of your vocal cords?

I'm pretty sure it's possible to work on your voice. I was recently at a presentation skills class for work and we worked on projecting our voices. Then it hit me that this skill would garner respect in any conversation in any setting. For the noisy bar scene, this is gonna be huge. I love yelling my drink order over the crowd at the bar.

I don't know why but after I drink whiskey, my voice is more commanding for about 24 hrs. Nice avatar by the way.

Post: #6

I drink bourbon everyday and it doesn't affect my voice. Unless I get really drunk and am hungover the next day. There is a change then.

Maybe your vocal cords are dehydrated when that happens?

Post: #7

(01-13-2013 06:55 PM)cardguy Wrote:  I have often wondered about speaking lessons.

There are no born physical limitations in developing good voice. It's all technique. It's not difficult to learn. It just takes putting in the time and be willing to change yourself as part of improving. Which most people are too lazy to do, or too attached to their old flawed ways to give up.

"Command voice" is different from "sales voice" from "announcer voice". It's considered the most confrontational, and it's used by the middle class to control the lower class. Hang around a gym or coaches and you'll quickly learn the cadence of command voice. While useful, you need multiple tools in your vocal toolbox.

Learning to be a smooth talker with a sexy phone voice is more useful for getting girls. Partially it's phrasing and cadence, but it's also tone, vocal placement, resonance, and an almost musical pitch variance (not monotone!). Traditionally, cutting your teeth on reading out loud Shakespeare monologues in iambic pentameter to learn proper phrasing teaches this.

Acting classes have always helped people learn how to communicate in a more mesmerizing, carrying the room by themselves, way.

Post: #8

For a more commanding voice, speak from your diaphram, don't care how loud you are being (obviously calibrate to your situation), and I picked up a quick tip from postmasculine.com:

Hold your nose closed while you say a normal sentence. If it sounds nasally, that is not your optimal pitch. Speak from your diaphram in a low, powerful voice and try it, and your voice will not change at all. Use that voice.

Speak slowly and with intent. Think about what you are saying instead of fast-talking verbal diarrhea. Take short, contemplative pauses. We live in an era where people just "want to express themselves" and don't put any thought into what they are saying they just want to be heard so they speak fast to get their point across. Do the opposite of what they do and people will actually listen.

Poster above brings a good point about being expressive. I know a guy with a deep voice, but it's just so boring and monotone. I would just watch scenes of movies where the dialogue or monologue got your attention. It can even be something ridiculous as Heath Ledger's Joker.





It can be that novelty vs nostalgia clip that was shown on the forum.





Or Morpheus







Or Tyler Durden






Watch it and if it helps you, try to imitate those monologues and others that are out there. It's all about range of expression. Eventually you'll get confident and develop your own groove. I also agree with another poster on here that when you have 100 percent belief in what you are saying, those traits will naturally flow out of you.