Ignoring the whole alpha wolf thing that’s been proven false by the very man who wrote about this.
But most other predators like bears, lynx’s, pumas and big cats in general are all solitary.
Why don’t they just choose an actual animal that matches their “I want to be alone” phase?
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I think the whole point is that wolves are typically pack animals. A lone puma is just a regular puma.
Wolves are pack animals so a lone wolf is one that is outside the pack and that is unusual. Humans are also pack animals so one that is outside the pack is also unusual – the analogy fits.
Bears, pumas etc are always “lone” so there is nothing unusual about that. You wouldnt say “lone puma” because thats what all pumas are. It would be like saying “long-necked giraffe” or “legless snake”.
way to much thought for a stupid question
If i called myself a “bear” people would have a different impression of me.
The “I want to be alone” phase is actually the “I’m alone because I’m insufferable to my family and former friends so I’m here ranting my incel screed on a podcast before I slam a Monster energy drink and slap a confederate flag on my truck” phase.
I think you’re missing the point. Humans are social creatures and wolves are social creatures. It’s an anomaly for a wolf to be solitary, just as it is for a human. “Lone bear” would be redundant.
Hint: “One Wolf”
Who wore the jacket?
Because it’s an acknowledgement that he’s a loner despite being an inherently social animal.
A lone puma would just be a puma.
Because they have been rejected by their family and their peers for reasons they see as unrighteous. For example a person who grows up surrounded by a conservative community and family who succeeds in school and becomes liberal because of their education teaching them to let go of the prejudice they have been taught will likely be rejected by that community and their family. A sense of righteousness compels them to go it alone rather than revert to a more primitive way of life. Of course this phenomena is just as likely to happen in reverse with the cause being religion and propaganda rather than education. It’s pretty easy to figure out which is which though because they tend to be proud of their decision regardless of which type they are.
Because the lone wolf is an outcast. An exception to the rule.
Cringe dudes like that are usually pretty dumb too.
Becuase the operate off out of date and poor wolf science.
Wolves are pack animals. When a wolf becomes sick or injured to the extent that they can no longer contribute to the pack’s survival, they will separate from the pack so they don’t become a liability to the pack.
A “lone wolf” is thus one who can’t contribute, a liability to the greater good, that recognizes this and pulls away to die in solitude.
I actually like the sound of “lone lynx” btw
Same reason people call themselves black sheeps.
I prefer to use the term “one man wolf pack”
This is why I like elephants
Because those animals dont normally live in groups
I met a loan shark, once.
I can’t answer on why other men call themselves this and that
But the “Lone Wolf” thing is based on factual behavior. Young male wolves can start to cause headaches within their birthed pack.
They try to fuck their sisters and other wolves they don’t have permission to and they try to lead the pack when they are not the pack leaders.
Sometimes, they fall in line and listen to their elders.
Sometimes, they go their own way to find a female and start their own pack as a new Alpha. This is where the “Lone Wolf” trope comes from.
When you no longer fit in at home as a growing adolescent male, sometimes you’re not wrong but neither are your parents. The solution is to make your own path and own way. You cannot change your parents in their established household if they do not want to change. You must go out into the world and make your own household.
The internet probably thinks it means you pop your collar or something.
Lone Wolf is usually a way of saying someone outside of the norm. The US Media uses it a lot for mass shootings as a way to paint the person as an outsider and not part of a prevailing social or political movement. I think parts of the manosphere have co-opted it as a way to identify as ‘free thinkers’ or ‘unique’, but also still being scary and capable of violance. It’s honestly a great summary of the idiocy of MRA goofballs who think they are much more important than they ever are.
Thats the point; a lone wolf is out of the ordinary.
Because they think it sounds cool and makes them more manly.
It’s a commentary on their status in the society they’re in.
A lone wolf doesn’t mean the person is living in the woods alone defending themselves from the elements alone.
It usually means they just navigate their life within society on their own. Little or zero friends and family to help them or socialize with. This is often times exaggerated tho.
Bears and pumas have regularly been used as names for types of gay men, I think many other lone animals may be used as well. The type of guy that would refer to himself as a lone wolf likely wouldn’t want to be perceived as gay by telling everyone he is a bear. People are silly.
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Because “lone wolf” just sounds cooler than “lone bear” or “lone lynx.” It’s branding, not biology.
Wolves have that edgy, mysterious vibe in pop culture. Bears just sound like they want a nap and honey.
It’s all about the aesthetic. “Lone wolf” fits the brooding anti-hero trope way better than “lone puma.”
People pick wolves ’cause of how movies and games portray them. Accuracy was never the point 😂.
BECAUSE wolves are typically social like humans.
You’re viewing it as the statement being incorrect , rather than what it implies.
A lone wolf is improbable and likely wouldn’t survive. However in being a lone wolf and getting the job done , he’s succeeding at the impossible. Hence the saying.
I’m a lone tortoise.
Because lone bear sounds kind of gay
Poetic license.
Humans are social by nature, just like wolves. So a lone human would be more akin to a wolf that is isn’t currently a member of a pack than an animal that is by nature alone.
And while the alpha/beta/etc. structure is an artifact of wolves creating new packs in captivity, lone wolves do indeed exist in nature.
Because they are very very lonely.
Because they don’t hang around with enough people to learn the sort of facts that people tell each other offhand, like, did you know wolves aren’t lone and lynxes, bears, and pumas are.
my cat is an alpha diva. he has so many preferences I created a cheat sheet for guests.
when you don’t honor his preferences, he’ll let you know
So it sounds like you know exactly how it came about, and your question is actually, “why don’t other people know the things I know?!” And this is all completely disingenuous, and you’re upset with someone who you know, who is having a “phase”, as you call it
Cats are seen as feminine, and bears are a term for gay people, so can’t use that lol
Bear has been pretty solidly spoken for by a certain group of men already so that one is off the table
Because they feel alone, and many are. They glorify fictions of strong independent animals because they need hope that they can survive without help, cuz they don’t got none.
Cos it’s a muthahumpin choice AwooOooo
Wolves are pack animals and have a social structure. Lone wolves while being part of the pack typically don’t engage with the pack as often. While they are accepted by the pack they often do their own thing.
Oftentimes they leave the pack to explore or patrol the edges of their packs territories to protect their pack. Their contributions to the pack help to guarantee their safety and security. Their solitude supports the hierarchy in atypical ways.
Most men who are in positions of power are “lone wolves” they’re often outside of typical social norms. Many people are free to engage in social activities with co workers for pure enjoyment. People in power have to consider optics and appropriateness.
People may ask a co worker to hang out after work. A boss asking a subordinate to hang out is inappropriate. It’s unlikely they will be asked to join social events planned by people who hold lesser status in their groups as well. Even if you are you must distance yourselves from them.
The only option for social networking for higher status individuals in any network is to host social events that include lesser status individuals and even then they will be on the fringe of the group. Alone.
You have the option of seeking social networks outside your subordinates and superiors. But most low level employees engage with their own groups. This means finding people of similar hierarchical positions outside of your normal peer group.
That being said that requires significant effort to accomplish and the options decrease as your status increases. Some men have to typically date down because their status increases faster than women and some women tend to date up to increase their status. However even outside of your social network this can still be dangerous for men who may lose influence, power, and social standing if accusations are levied… true or untrue.
Some men due to this tend to separate themselves from social circles and live on the cusp of their social environment to protect themselves from that same social structure while simultaneously guiding and protecting it.
From my own experiences it’s better for me to avoid anything but professional engagement in my work setting. I don’t go to social functions unless they’re outings planned by upper management. Even then it’s usually just to show support for the community. Even then I have 1-2 cocktails and some food. Then spend my time engaging in small talk. If something more interesting or serious comes up I’m happy to offer my opinions.
I’m comfortable being alone surrounded by 100s of people.
A man unironically calling himself a lone wolf is the same as a woman unironically calling herself a boss bitch or something like that.
I think that’s the point is that typically wolves are not alone animals and so like many other metaphors they are essentially the cool one for going against the crowd so to speak
Lone Bear sounds sad and cuddly.
Lone Lynx sounds a bit feminine.
Lone Puma sounds off. Aren’t they mostly lone already?
Lone Wolf sounds just right. They can be in a pack naturally but can survive being alone because of their strength.
If only you thought for 3 seconds longer
Because the whole point of the expression is that one has strayed from the pack, you silly goose!
Wait a minute! Geese aren’t actually silly! 😉
I do be calling myself a bear ngl.
Wolves are social animals. Humans are social annimals.
If a wolf breaks from the pack for any reason its seen as a”lone wolf”. Its a closer analogy to the human experience than a cat which isn’t a social animal in the sense that they don’t exist in packs.
Because to be a lone wolf is to run separately from the pack.
Because wolves are better with packs so is man.
Because if they called themselves “dispersers” nobody would know what they’re talking about.
Cause lone puma doesn’t have any razzle dazzle.
Well I’m more of a twink than a bear.
Exactly. A man isn’t supposed to be lone. Much the same as a wolf. So when they are, they’re essentially damaged goods who have turned their back on “the pack. ” It’s meant to be a warning that trust isn’t given and rarely earned with that guy.
Because, just like wolves, these men aren’t actually “lone.” If they were, we would never hear them call themselves ‘lone wolves’ because they wouldn’t be around us talking to us.
Because dogs are “more manly” than cats
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I’m not a lone wolf Im a lone dragon
Hasn’t the meaning of the phrase kind of shifted over time? I feel like it didn’t used to be a positive/badass thing. But more like someone is untrustworthy or antisocial?
I think there was a comedy movie with this.
A really stupid image thing. Fits though, since lone Wolves are disfunctional.