The Alpha Male

The definition of alpha male is a domineering man, the dominant member of a group of male, especially animals. The alpha is derived from the Greek alphabet "alpha' often used to describe males and females of species who rank first in a group. 

According to Wikipedia, Quote "in social animals, the alpha is the individual in the community with the highest rank. Where one male and one female fulfill this role, they are referred to as the alpha pair. Other animals in the same group may exhibit deference or other symbolic signs of respect particular to their species towards the alpha. The alpha animals are the first to eat and the first to mate; among some species they are the only animals in the pack to mate. Other animals in the community are usually killed or ousted if they violate this rule. Animals tend to live in groups with a specific social order due to their natural tendency. The leader of the pack is called the alpha male; there may also be am alpha female depending on the species.

The alpha achieves its status by means of superior physical prowess though it can also employ social efforts and build alliances. The individual in the alpha position usually changes when another challenges it to a fight and wins. In some species the fight may be to the death. Alphas may have to individuals in their own group several times to maintain their position throughout their lifetimes, though they do not live under constant attack from challengers." 

"Meantime, there are other ranks in animals like beta and omega. Beta is second in command to the alpha and will act as a new alpha if the old alpha dies. Omega is an antonym used to refer to the lowest caste of the hierarchical society. Omegas are subordinated to all others in the community. They might be used as scapegoats and are commonly the last allowed to eat." Unquote.

In our animal kingdom, oops! I mean in the mundane world of humans, we too have our kinds of alpha male or female situation in various aspects of life. Steve Jobs became jobless (no pun intended) at one time due to various reasons surely one of them could be the alpha male syndrome. You see this in corporate life everywhere. Apple was in trouble when Jobs returned. Big risks were needed as they have nothing else to loose. The genius of Jobs were there for all to see but to work for and of course under Jobs is another thing. There were reports that he berated people mercilessly for of course in this case, he was the alpha male in capital letters.

It is common for the alpha male to dominate the opposite sex too even for humans between husband and wife or sexual escapades. Sometimes, vice versa for the alpha female. Some are alpha "Romeo" not the car but the characteristics of a Romeo as you can see in recent relentless spate of cases involving sex scandals. Others like to dominate even when golfing, they just have to win!

When the alpha male of lions and wolves gave a signal, the whole pride or pack quietens to total silence. However, when an individual or organisation become hugely successful, they take on a new identity and adopt different strategies and philosophies. There are sacred cows and cash cows. Everybody wants to be the alpha male and it is Apple's turn to protect its turf in their patent litigation brought against Samsung. Google, an ally is now considered a rival in their decision to replace Google's map app. In human relations, some people view things the same way. My way or the highway. Either you are with me or you are not. Friends become rivals. The worst thing to be would be to be the omega - last to eat and trampled on and finally used as a scapegoat. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfb0-U0ydj8

In this clip from the movie "The Grey", they killed and chopped off the head of a big wolf but it was only the omega. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W72jMpnHDJA

In the final scene, the man was exhausted and all his compatriots has died only to realise he has landed into the wolves' den. Face to face with the alpha male wolf, he recalled his father's poem: "Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day." 

Man live and die by the sword but we are superior beings to animals. Still nations will rise against nations, Man will seek superiority, supremacy and dominance over others. At the end of the day, we are just like animals. Animals fight themselves to death to be the alpha male. So do some people. Some people will try to dominate - at work, at play, even when having a drink among friends. Some even before they start drinking. Their voices are heard even before you see their physical presence on arrival. How can that be?

Light travels faster than sound so you will always see a lightning first way before you hear the clap of thunder. Ditto for fireworks. I read that light travels 670,619,880 miles per hour in space while sound travels through air at 770 miles per hour. So it is amazing that you can hear some people before they arrive. Beyond logic and science and truly the alpha male? 

Like it or not, the alpha male will lose its strength gradually and eventually and will at times feel insecure. This is inevitable. They may even view friends and alliances as foes. They may feel a sense of vulnerability.   This is because lots of people do not see that as the earth is rotating, being in front can also mean being behind depending on the time of day, well or even night and also the tide. One day you are ahead another day behind. So be kind with your words, so that when you have to swallow it back, it is gentle to your throat.

Alpha male and female in humans can be all IQ and no EQ. This is equal to being too clever by half. Animals are sometimes also referred to as beasts and savages. We humans, I believe are a classier act or ought to be. If we behave like beasts and savages, I...I...I really don't know what to say.

In religion, the Quran has reference to the first and the last. So does Judaism. Alpha and Omega are the last letters of the Greek alphabet. In Christianity, Jesus said "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end". 

Sometimes, we need the alpha. We need a strong and charismatic leader. Over time and space, alpha and omega becomes one and the same thing. Some famous sportsmen, pop stars, etc. ended with a tragic life drinking themselves silly, got into drugs or kill themselves as they found out that they do not have friends, true friends. They have just become the omega. Victims of their own success. If you screwed yourself 3 times then you become Omega-3. 

Everybody should learn from mountain climbers. Or else everyone has a plan on only how to ascend, to summit but no one knew how to descend. You may climb up a tree in euphoria but don't know how to come down. Have you seen a cat stuck high up on  a tree and can't get down? It just meows and meows.

A cat has nine lives but human life does not have dress rehearsals. Do not just plan for your ascend but also the descend. Do not forget that when you summit, there were folks that helped carry your equipment, your oxygen canisters, your tents. They were your guides, your companions, your friends and your Sherpas. They have helped watch over you and others who prayed for you. Most importantly, enjoy the journey!

Be like an eagle, get into a cave at the top of a mountain, use your beak to remove worn out feathers and claws. Then renew the beak. You may not be able to hunt for awhile but once you come out from that cave, you would have become an eagle that soars again with renewed strength and confidence! I do not care if you are the alpha male but be nice.

Forget alpha male, enjoy Alphaville. You wanna be Big In Japan?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c98qdFQF7sw

Or Forever Young - (Official video and "live")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1TcDHrkQYg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eux3dT3tLf4&feature=related

...some are like water, some are like the heat. Some are a melody and some are the beat.

I want life that Sounds Like A Melody. Wunderbar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO3IEDRsP2Q

Wunderbar!