Interesting philosophies YLJ… I can’t necessarily say I disagree with them in the right or wrong sense because I understand the logic and perspective behind them, but I think some of the philosophies might be a little limiting. I definitely understand them because I used to live by a lot of these codes, but I definitely expanded my philosophies a great deal. I know you said this is a work in progress, so these are my thoughts on what you have so far.
- Family aren't those who share your blood by default. You choose who to trust in based on who you can actually trust to have your back when the shit hits the fan.
Yeah, I agree with this one. I’m always trying to explain this to people actually. I don’t really have anyone I consider family except for my mom and a few close friends. I have other blood related family members, but I don’t necessary consider them ‘family.’ Family is a strong word to me and just because someone is related to me by blood doesn’t mean that I consider them ‘family.’
- 99.9% of all people are shitheads. They do not deserve respect by default.
That’s a pretty high percentage YLJ. A lot of people are shitheads, true, but that number seems a little steep. One problem I can see with this one though is determining who in fact the shitheads are. I have been wrong at times about who’s a shithead and who’s not and I have pretty damn good Ni. Sometimes people turned out to be completely different than I thought. So not respecting someone by default can probably cause some problems because then it’s harder to remain objective as you gather more information.
I’m curious to the extent of what you mean exactly by not respecting them though. Normally I try to treat everyone with respect unless they force me to treat them otherwise. Then there’s also the issue that I know a lot of people that are shitheads, but they still treat me with respect, so this rule could create a little bit of conflict there. Usually everyone I know treats me with respect, even the shitheads, so in turn I treat them with respect. So what specifically do you mean by the second part of that sentence?
- Totalitarianism as well as democracy are stupid ideas, since people are shitheads who can't tie their own shoelaces. Choose a group of individuals like you and work for your mutual benefit as brothers.
Haha..well, based on your shithead percentage above… I understand where you’re going with this. I suppose this is why people join things like SoA right? (Which it sounds like what you’re leaning towards.) ..haha… As long as you’re willing to deal with the consequences of this one then I guess it’s up to the individual.
- Be healthy and true to yourself in mind, body and soul. Do not deny who you are, work constantly to make yourself sharper and more knowledgeable as well as physically fit and skillful.
Completely agree. Can’t really argue with this one.
- Life won't give you any free tickets, you must pry everything from the hands of others who most of the time work towards other ends than you.
Well, I’m sure you realize the first part of this one is a little flawed. There are some free tickets in life as long as you know how to work the system.
Hmm… “Prying†sounds a little harsh. Most of the times I don’t have to pry anything out of the hands of others, they usually hand it to me. So I’m curious what you mean by prying. Because I have learned that the opposite works most of the time.
- Meekness is seldom rewarded. Be kind and generous to those who do not go against you, and those who help further your goals.
I can understand why you would want to limit your kindness to those specific groups, but limiting those acts could probably limit how much your goals are furthered depending on what they are.
Crush those who oppose you, disregard them and discard them.
It sounds harsh, but I understand it. Sometimes opposition is good though, it keeps you on your toes. So trying to crush all that oppose you might be an impossible task. People that oppose you can also help you further your goals, even the 48 Laws of Power states that a person should learn how to use their enemies. So this philosophy should probably be broadened up a little.
- People are just human, and you can be stronger and meaner than they can ever hope to be as long as you put your mind to it. Fear none.
Well, I definitely agree with the mind being powerful and the fear none part. But the truth is a person can only reach a certain point as to how strong and mean they actually are. I’ve seen a lot of people walk into jail with that mentality and they usually leave with the motto of, “No matter how tough someone thinks they are, there is usually somebody tougher.†A lot of these philosophies have an empahsis on pride when one of the most important lessons I have learned in life is humility.
Mental and physical brutality can take you anywhere as long as you are past the point of constitution where only you dictates where the boundaries of your personal strength ends.
Same as one of the philosophies listed above I guess. If you want to deal with the consequences then I can see how this code could be applicable.
- Don't let life scare you into submission.
Agree.
Scare people instead. Hammer them to either leave you alone or further your ends. Shape them by your will.
It sounds like the firm approach again. But I'm sure you know the pros and cons of this already and that hammering doesn’t necessarily work with everyone.
- Treat your closest friends better than yourself, and expect nothing less in return.
Agree… But again it seems pretty limiting. There’s really nothing wrong with treating many people better than yourself and expecting nothing in return.
- Life is pretty worthless without material wealth as well as feelings of all sorts. You can't really live a good life without either. It's only in romantic movies and idealistic, pointless arguments where you actually have to choose between the two, when in reality having one means that acquiring the other will be easier.
Sad, but mostly true.
- It is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
Sometimes.
- Treat yourself as the highest authority and only abide by what you personally believe in.
Well, if you’re willing to deal with the consequences then I can see how this can be part of someone’s code of conduct. Because if you act on something you personally believe in and it conflicts with the law then that means jail might just become a part of your life.
- Take what you want out of life, as long as doing so won't conflict with those you love and respect as well as your morality.
Agree.
- This might seem like anti-social behavior, but in reality I just want to be left alone to do what I want with who I want and live the life I need.
I think a lot of people feel this way actually, just depends on what your goals are I guess.
- Having a set of codes to live by is essential.
Indeed
If you share my beliefs, you are my brother as long as you respect me.
Hmm… It sounds a little too closed off again. I could still consider someone my brother even if they did not share my beliefs. I have a lot of good friends now whose beliefs differ than mine, but they are no less my brother because of it.
- Making smart decisions and surviving the game is priority two, but don't ever betray the trust of your brothers even if it will land you in a world of shit and pain. That is priority one.
So in street talk you would mean, “No snitchin’ right? Haha…
*This is a pretty hardcore way to live YLJ, but I understand it. I would hope you would like to expand some of your philosophies though.
I just realized that I don't agree with alot of the things on your list (k almost all of it), but that doesn't mean we can't still be bros.
