Becoming a man is not tied to age but to reaching a point of "surplus value," where one objectively contributes more to society than they extract. This can be economic, emotional, or social, marking a shift from a net consumer to a net producer.
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Curtis Sliwa argues that true masculinity isn't defined by symbols of power like guns but by a commitment to protecting the vulnerable—the poor, elderly, and infirm. He frames it as a moral responsibility to risk one's life for strangers, a form of humanitarian service that stands in stark contrast to conventional notions of strength.
Male sexual urges are a powerful, natural force. Rather than viewing them as problematic, they should be framed as a core motivator. Women naturally set a high standard for sexual access, creating a dynamic where men must improve themselves—building character, discipline, and value—to become worthy partners.
The fundamental male desire to increase value in the sexual marketplace is a core driver for self-improvement, ambition, and societal contribution. Men who voluntarily opt out of this system remove a primary incentive for personal growth, leading to unpredictable social outcomes.
A core masculine drive is to achieve and provide *for* a partner, not just for oneself. A relationship is at risk of implosion if the female partner views this ambition as selfish or rejects its rewards, as it invalidates a fundamental aspect of the male psychological need to contribute and protect.
When you trade labor for money and save it, you contribute goods or services to society without yet consuming an equivalent amount. This increases the world's net productive output. Saving is therefore not just a personal financial strategy but a fundamentally moral, pro-civilizational act.
Manhood isn't an age but a state of being generative: producing more jobs, love, and care than you consume. This reframes masculinity around contribution rather than status or age, offering a clear, actionable goal for young men to strive for.
Elon Musk's advice for entrepreneurs is to focus on being a 'net contributor to society' by making more than you take. Financial success is a natural consequence of providing useful products, not something to be pursued directly, much like happiness is a byproduct of a fulfilling life.
Society values men and women differently based on biological realities. A woman's value, tied to beauty and fertility, is highest when young and must be preserved. A man is born with little inherent value and must spend his life building it through achievement and competence.
The ultimate purpose of achieving strength, wealth, and influence is to graduate from protecting oneself and one's family to protecting the wider community and even those you'll never meet. This selfless act of protection is described as "planting trees the shade of which you'll never sit under."
True maturity isn't defined by age but by the creation of "surplus value." This is the point where you contribute more economic, emotional, and social value than you consume from your community and society. It marks the transition from a taker to a giver.