Introduction
This is a piece in response to a comment in another post condemning the OP for not having any idea on what a Red Pill is. They went so far to say that there is no socially acceptable Plato's Cave, which was, at first, an apt metaphor. However, they were incorrect. After some thought, it is the application of Plato's Cave by feminists, SJWs and their ilk that has made them so dangerously effective. In a way, it is their Red Pill, a painful and inconvenient (if misleading) truth. The angry response of this group fits well into the narrative, an emotional response to a thought or idea that ran very contrary to their own.
Plato's Cave
Plato's Cave is allegorical. Its application to the lives of men is simple in thought and in practice. The example is not socially acceptable, but the message behind it is. As you are (or should be) well aware, you only know what you experience, and it is in that experience that your entire existence is shaped. If one endeavors to think about what is beyond that experience, what could cause that experience, or what else could exist beyond what I know, then one begins to free themselves from the chains of mental servitude. This is critical thinking. Plato's Cave exemplifies this by claiming that there is a higher truth behind the truth you know. A Red Pill.
Plato's cave touches upon the notion that there is a gradient of knowledge, a quality to it. At the one end, you have "pure fact", the unopposed, unbridled, undeniable knowledge of things. Pure objectivity. As you move away from this pure objectivity, it gets tainted by the subjective knowledge and experiences we all have. It is through critical thinking, and critical thinking alone, that we expose the subjectivity in our thoughts. Critical thinking is almost always socially acceptable. However, the results obtained from it may not be. Such results will sometimes, by necessity, challenge the status quo.
Inconvenient Truths
Many here at the Red Pill like, or at least would like, to believe in their own superiority. The application of critical thinking and rationality has shown so much of the world to us all. It makes us feel superior to those who have not seen, or refuse to see, this higher truth of our natures. Critical thought has exposed and laid bare many ugly truths of our societies and of the people we interact with every day. However, that feeling of superiority may leave some thinking that there is nothing else to learn, or that there isn't more behind it, or that the thoughts of others who are different are wrong and stupid. This is simply blue-pill thinking at it's finest.
There is a cultural battle being waged in the western world right now. We Red-Pilled men will admit it, and, like many men, most have chosen to do nothing about it. Some don't out of apathy, some don't out of (justified) fear, some don't because they feel no responsibility for their fellow men. This is an inconvenient truth. It is so prevalent in the thinking here, that any notion of doing more than bettering oneself is met with hostility and blatant disregard. This is, again, dangerous and anti-critical blue-pill thinking. Feminists and SJWs are famous for disregarding the truth because it challenges everything they know, their very fucking existence. It is the perfect example of the modern Plato's Cave.
The unfortunate part? They believe the same about us. That we disregard the truth because it challenges everything we believe in. Critical thinking is a powerful and dangerous tool, capable of deluding it's wielders if they are not careful.
Where Does It all Fit in?
Feminists have been using the guise of critical thinking for decades to advance the cause of female empowerment over generations. Critical thinking is encouraged in schools, at work, and even in relationships. We are taught from a very young age to not believe everything you hear. It is exactly this thinking that has enabled the feminist movement to undermine and gain control of so much in society today. We would be amiss in thinking that anyone would automatically believe in the feminist movement's ideals and positions in society.
People who are deeply indoctrinated into the feminist imperative believe, truthfully, that their eyes have been opened to the world. They believe that they have swallowed a Red Pill, and understand exactly why society is crumbling even as they advance the female cause and destroy the lives of men and women alike. Even though it is only women that benefit, and benefit alone, they believe that they too will benefit from these changes. Even if it is just the scraps handed to them in their deluded, blue-pilled state.
This fanaticism is carefully developed and nurtured over time. Feminists and SJWs are given emotional rationale, false premises, and logical fallacies that are inserted into the engine of critical thought. They invariably develop a flawed reasoning, that, by all appearances, appears to be well thought-out, and completely understandable. It is even accompanied by an anger-phase, where the newly christened Feminist/SJWs rail against the "patriarchy", angry that they have been deluded for so, so long. The even remain oblivious to the sexist hypocrisy that they are engaging in a battle to do the same, establish a matriarchy. It should come as no surprise that these Feminists/SJWs are so blind and adamantly devoted to their cause. They believe, unflinchingly, that their cause is just, rational, and devoid of subjectivity.
The Red Pill's Teachings
The disillusioned, hurt, disenfranchised and ruined, come here seeking answers. They learn that their sexual instinct is co-opted by the female mindset; they learn that they've been used, treated like playthings, and disregarded. And even we Red-Pilled do not cast them aside without help or assistance. We offer guidance and advice to these new men, and we give them guidelines that help them on their journey to become strong men, and not fall back into the ways of women. Among these bits of advice are absolutes:
Don't attempt to save the blue-pilled. Spin plates to avoid "oneitis". Never apologize.
These are off the top of my head. And they are critical pieces of advice that should be followed by the newly-initiated. They protect them from themselves in moments of weakness, or prevent harm from coming to them. This is because they are unsafe, and do not have the skills necessary to make completely wise choices.
Saving the blue-pilled, for example, is a noble endeavor. However, if one engages blindly and doesn't wisely discern who can be shown the truth, then they risk significant harm. In the Matrix, where the Red Pill symbol comes from, Neo asks why they don't just unplug everyone. He is told, "You have to understand. Most people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured and so hopelessly dependent on the system that they will fight to protect it." This is what we experience when we attempt to do what is right without tempering that action with patience and wisdom. The road to hell IS paved with good intentions.
Spinning plates. We espouse this wisdom because it helps to prevent new men from becoming victim to the behaviors that dominated and controlled their lives before. It protects them from themselves. It helps nuture and develop a new paradigm, that I am valuable and important, and that people should work hard for me, not the other way around. It is the beginning of learning how to maintain Frame.
Never apologizing. Like all things, there are appropriate and inappropriate times for this. When new, it is better to err on the side of caution and never apologize, because you probably apologize way too often. Apologizing too frequently destroys your self-empowerment, and ruins your frame. You threaten your new-found development by unintentionally supplicating oneself.
Eventually, they become more than they were and will not fall prey to their old ways. But, in the beginning, they are just as angry, devoted, and stalwart as their SJW counterparts, and even take what is said without thought or reason under the banner of "critical thinking". And it is as they should. Only later are they able to completely unplug themselves and stand against forces out to disempower them.
Conclusion
Never assume your version of the truth is the only truth. The world is just as subjective as it was before you swallowed your first Red Pill. You must be vigilant against the blue-pill mentality that becons you to think lazily and take things for granted. Never assume that what you know is everything. Never assume that others cannot teach you. Beware of emotional outbursts when people argue. If it sounds reasonable, it may be coming from a false premise. Always be on the lookout for the next Red Pill.
blackjackANDplates 5y ago
The Blue Pill conditions men to base their understanding of sex on a transactional paradigm. It’s all scarcity, and luck or providence that a woman might want to fuck them. This is why women get aggravated by the presumption that men might feel they are ‘owed sex‘ in exchange for what they do for them. And why wouldn’t men feel that way? They’ve been conditioned for half a life to believe that they should follow the old social contract and become a man with a lot to offer a woman, a wife. This is the transactional paradigm; I build my life to better accommodate a woman and she reciprocates with sex. Women know this too, so all pretenses of indignation about are complete bullshit. What upsets women is that a Beta man would feel entitled to her sexuality for having accommodated her. Alpha men are entitled to it, accommodations be damned, because he’s the man they want to have sex with.
hbss 5y ago
Any logic can be reversed. Every story can be told several different ways without lying. Perspective, relativity, and emotional intelligence are a must in your social skills. Trying to get laid, or not
a_passager 5y ago
The red pill is a staircase, not a room. When you take the pill you are taking an uncomfortable step upward.
chocolatebones 5y ago
I agree with this. After reading TRP I took the plunge a couple weeks back and went out and did some serial approaching, something I've never done before. Nothing too amazing happened but I did it. The next week I went out and did some more approaches and actually had a couple decent conversations. You feel uncomfortable as you go through this process.. but little by little I feel like I'm changing how I've lived my life.
You're diving into the unknown, something you haven't tried and its damn scary. But suffice it to say, it feels like I'm slightly closer to my goal of being able to pick up girls.
trest764 5y ago
Very interesting read, thank you. Personally I would agree from reading about the personality of a Red Pill, that I have unknowingly been walking this path my whole life all the while being labelled independent, chauvinistic, driven and stubborn. Words spoken by those that have achieved very little in their lives. Again, thank you for sharing and the enlightenment.
Entropy-7 5y ago
There is right and wrong, there is good and there is bad. To the extent that I am wrong, it is only to an extent.
Don't get emotional, but do not be clinical.
I teach, and my students teach me as much as I teach them.
red_philosopher 5y ago
Right and wrong are subjective constructs. Likewise, good and evil are also subjective constructs. We use them to form order and structure in societies, but do not be fooled into thinking they are anything other than falsehoods used to control people and behavior.
Entropy-7 5y ago
That is one view, and it is wrong, lol.
red_philosopher 5y ago
Right/Wrong are moralistic. Unless you are talking about correct/incorrect. In that case, your entire statement from the beginning is flawed. Further, your position is a subjective opinion. Feel free to reject the truth, it's still true whether you do or not.
zhou111 5y ago
I think he knows that it is merely an interpretation, which he deems wrong. People don't need to say "I think" to give a subjective or opinionated statement.
Cultist_of_Mars 5y ago
You both are using language, and all language is a social construct.
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csqr 5y ago
Good post, but you seem to be conflating critical thinking with critical theory.
Critical thinking is the basis of the scientific method and falsification (see Karl Popper). Critical theory emerged from the Frankfurt school of sociology in the last century and is the favorite tool of post-Modernist Marxists. Here is a good write up on the distinction: http://archive.today/16N84
Red pill is about critical thinking, this includes being aware of when critical theory is being used to drive a feminist anti-patriarchy/ anti-men message.
Its important not to conflate these two.
red_philosopher 5y ago
After doing some additional reading (thank you for mentioning Critical Theory, it was very interesting), I would agree that my post would seem to conflate the two concepts. I believe this is largely because of two factors: no prior knowledge of the Critical Theory concept, and the lack of definition when discussing my takeaway of Plato's Cave.
First, let me explain my takeaway of Plato's Cave. As an existentialist piece, I was more informed by the process of obtaining access to "higher knowledge". To me, it seemed that critical analysis was key to recognizing the existential existence and breaking free of it.
I would argree that the feminist message is most definitely a form of Critical Theory. However, where we may differ as a matter of opinion, TRP is also a form of Critical Theory. Both are "social theories oriented towards critiquing and changing society as a whole".
Feminism focuses on the benefit of the female and the destruction of masculinity. Feminism ALSO uses critical thinking processes to reach pseudo-objective conclusions. They are not wrong when their arguments are examined in their own context of advancing female power. This is what makes feminism dangerous, and even RATIONAL to blue-pilled men.
TRP also advances a cause, it brings awareness to men who are increasingly becoming victims of a system that is increasingly hostile towards men. The critical thinking in TRP focuses on the impact of Feminism, and what can be done about it. The parallels between the two are pretty strong.
I hope that clarifies the post a little bit.
red_philosopher 5y ago
Thanks for the critique, I'll read up on this body of thought.
GodOfDinosaurs 5y ago
Anyone who thinks TRP is anything more than sexual strategy plus some decent self-help is delusional.
red_philosopher 5y ago
Anyone who thinks that TRP knowledge is limited in scope has a limited mind.
djh860 5y ago
Noob here. Looking for core reading. Any suggestions? Currently reading no more mr nice guy. Ordered the game. What else should I read?
JamesP2018 5y ago
The sidebar along with Rational Male by Rollo Tomassi. The latter comes in audible format with a pretty good narrator.
Pdq516 5y ago
He’s kind of slow—listening to it at 1.25 speed was perfect.
[deleted] 5y ago
What is "spinning plates?"
Sorry, I'm a bit new
Great post btw
[deleted] 5y ago
ok, ill bite...
Spinning a plate is when a man and a women enter into a non exclusive relationship, typically this is started and maintained by the man.
If you are legit new here, im going to say my favourite saying in the world "Side bar please".
red_philosopher 5y ago
Read the sidebar. It's having multiple sexual options available at a given time.
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