Damus
Lyn Alden profile picture
Lyn Alden
@LynAlden
Masculinity is under attack lately. But I like masculinity actually.

I know, shocker.

The fact that so few U.S. presidential or vice presidential candidates have had beards in modern history is funny to me. I think men usually look better with facial hair, and the older they get the more likely that is. 20-somthing or 30-something strong jaw dudes often look great without facial hair. But when men are 50 or 60 or whatever, that salt-and-pepper beard is so rad and almost always beats the no-beard weak-chin look. I actually think it's weird that neither Biden nor Trump have a beard. JD Vance looks like shit without a beard. Growing a beard is the best move he ever made, imo. And yet the media is like, "A vice president candidate with a beard?"

Masculinity can be rough around the edges, but that's what we need sometimes. It's usually balanced by other societal aspects. In some societies it gets extreme and needs to be pushed back on. My husband has a temper, but his temper is part of his power and why he impacts the world to the extent that he does. So when I interact with his temper, it's not about eliminating it, but rather it's about appreciating it but making sure it's directed in the right direction.

Masculinity and femininity are good. They don't need to be forced. Nature is diverse but society tries to categorize nature into narrower categories. Feminine men and masculine women are cool too. But that doesn't change the fact that masculine men and feminine women are also cool.

I grew up kickboxing and submission grappling. I'm a tomboy. I'm a feminist in terms of promoting equal gender rights. But at the end of the day, I appreciate masculine men. I was never attracted to men who were weaker than me in any capacity, but rather was always attracted to men with gravitas.

The easiest approach to life is to 1) respect biology as it is but then 2) also appreciate the divergences that inherently exist within it.

Trying to equalize nature is to fight against it. And yet trying to eliminate the diversify of nature is also to fight against it.

Nature is fascinating, and I do my best to appreciate it.
5119❤️125🤙46❤️10👍9💯4🚀4
nostrich · 77w
https://image.nostr.build/0e59cd3896045fddbb6913108733fcf49bd8777bc8e9b550f9b4698750ac59d7.jpg Thanks Lyn😬.
Phil · 77w
Such a good take. Really wish I could grow a proper beard!
PreKick · 77w
We agree fully! Well put!
SATSMAN · 77w
💜🧡
Mysth · 77w
Literally me having a beard and lifting stuff. Doesn’t take much more to make a guy happy. https://nostrcheck.me/media/d920bbbdef05491eaf72de8827ca788bc03542fc482c89f8beb58b965213849e/4b3febbd9680dcd339f727b8e30cf049409f708214f9348fd108bbf170d64075.webp
Adrian M Lopez · 77w
My GF always hates it when guys shave, “they look like little boys!”
Dexter · 77w
You’re the best Lyn. And it’s not just because of the salt and pepper beard appreciation.
Adam · 77w
Improvement yes? https://image.nostr.build/1531fcfa4519fc66c07a48640b27287d0a8ac401cdac2bf12bf0821ba5407b16.jpg
SweedWick · 77w
There are widely different takes on this concept- culturally and biologically. Agree in general, but think too many people think masculinity means physical force over others. Some tough-guy BS… is not masculinity. At least for me. Pretty sure “nature” is so fucking nutz you can find an examp...
mcshane · 77w
what if we neuter the patriarchy with microplastics & soy
Pleb34 · 77w
https://m.primal.net/LYCz.jpg
FEW_BTC · 77w
Very nice... and refreshing to see in written from a female. Kudos and thank you for the post. These are the kinds of thoughts that you don't see in the current msm. It doesn't fit the many narratives being crammed down our throats... i.e. that masculine men are the problem to be avoided at all c...
Adam · 77w
Well said.
My Team Valuation · 77w
But if fashion means beard, tatoo or socialism, let's do the opposite! : )~
Derek Ross · 77w
Lyn, I haven't shaved in a couple weeks, growing out my salt and pepper beard. Just staying 🥵🥵🥵
zyrotin · 77w
The last time I was actually totally clean shaven was like 7 years ago? My wife took one look at me and was like "No. Never do that again"
Macro_Jack · 77w
nostr:npub1s5yq6wadwrxde4lhfs56gn64hwzuhnfa6r9mj476r5s4hkunzgzqrs6q7z when beard?
Brett · 77w
I don’t think that’s a shocker.
Rojo · 77w
Yikes. JD Vance without a beard is a tough look. Just had to do a quick google search.
𝔼𝕣𝕪𝕟 𝔹𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕠 · 77w
The maturity to say “this is what I like, but there’s nothing wrong with other things” is sadly rare these days. Thank you for laying this out so perfectly ❤️‍🔥
Rand · 77w
Jique
Cykros · 77w
I'm doing my part to bring back the mutton chops. Just because the monetary environment isn't mimicking the 70's doesn't mean I can't. Though I can say that, or I can just admit that the goatee I used to have which was once red is now grey, while the chops are brown, and while I'm not hellbent on st...
PerlStalker · 77w
I'm in my late 40s and started growing my first full beard about a month ago. I liking how it looks now that it's starting to fill in. I'm still getting used to the beard life. My wife doesn't like it, though, which puts a damper on my excitement.
Currency of Distrust · 77w
I’ve shaved my beard once in ten years. My wife cried when I did. Never again.
Clarkian · 77w
Based
Kendy · 77w
thanks for reminding me to be thankful for my beard when White Dudes for Harris struggle to grow one
SemcoMama · 77w
It so much easier to respect a man with a beard. I prefer a beard!
Hoshi · 77w
didn‘t expect this take from someone who likes activism that much. This network of attacks across media, information structures, science, education and work places would still be wrong even if you disliked masculinity.
Lukas · 77w
I really like what you are saying and.. I have a beard 😜
Ben Ewing · 77w
I appreciated women at judo because I could always beat them easily but they tried so hard, and they had to take it without complaint☺️🤷‍♂️
Deleted Account · 77w
Bearded men - United! 🤣
roadx · 77w
haha, amazing beard pilling
darnzen · 77w
I grew this epic beard. My wife concluded I looked homeless and too old. In a brief survey of people I know, 90% of dudes thought it was awesome, and all of the ladies I know told me to shave. I ended up shaving it and live full of regret. Though my face is less itchy and there is less problems wit...
Horszt · 77w
Why should a president look masculine or feminine? And why should presidents look like your taste?
Sydney Bright · 77w
The dichotomy of the masculine and feminine is a beautiful thing
metalhead.btc · 76w
100%! I’m not masculine and I look like and act like a pushover. But fuck it. It’s what’s in my head.
DOUG WILSON · 76w
Gotta be careful, stubble can ruin a well planned attack on a clit 🫘
nostrich · 76w
When I was a teenager, I looked like a girl. So as soon as I could grow facial hair, I did and kept it. It's very much a symbol of masculinity for me, and I take the suggestion that I should shave as an insult.
Bitcoinessa · 76w
I loved your book, newsletter, and find you generally brilliant. So the fact that your brilliance spans to the personal is so cool. Great points, beautifully said.
curt finch · 76w
facial hair is the only thing men have left