Context bro. Don't act childish in a formal corporate meeting. You can act childish as a joke in a home, drinking with buddies & girls. But always keep that barrier of laying the line when someone goes too far. Tell people not to do things you don't like, if its invading your boundaries. If they press, always be ready to physically assert yourself. Willingness to fight & ability to fight is essential for this. But always keep your head on straight - know who you are dealing with.

Its the ability to be aggressive when it matters that counts. The line of being able to have fun but the same time, keep it playa.

Childish if an absolutely horrible word for that. The last thing you want to be is immature. What guys mean by that is there's something to be said about the curiosity and open mindedness of a child. Most guys on here try being stoic and look like a boring robot or sperg. There's absolutely nothing attractive about that. Women want the leaders and life of the party. The stoic loner isn't either.

In all honesty, most of the guys that do really well with women know how to have fun. Th vast majority of men don't have fun and make life extremely hard and boring. No one wants to be around that kind of bullshit.

I'm almost 50 and still ride a bicycle. Granted it's $3k carbon fiber bike and I climb mountains with it but I still feel like I did when I was a kid. Hitting jumps, tearing down trails, hopping curbs, etc.

Stop calling it your "inner child". It's stoicism. Within stoicism is amused mastery.

Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BCE. It teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. The philosophy holds that becoming a clear and unbiased thinker allows one to understand the universal reason (logos). Key figures in Stoicism include Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius.

Core Principles of Stoicism:

1. Virtue as the Highest Good:

   • Stoicism teaches that virtue (wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance) is the highest good and that we should strive to live in accordance with nature and reason.

2. Control and Acceptance:

   • The Stoics emphasize understanding what is within our control and what is not. They advocate focusing on our own actions and attitudes while accepting external events with equanimity.

3. Emotional Resilience:

   • By practicing rationality and mindfulness, Stoics aim to achieve a state of apatheia, or freedom from destructive emotions, and cultivate a tranquil mind.
4. Universal Reason (Logos):
   • Stoics believe in a rational, ordered universe governed by logos. Human beings, as rational entities, should align their will with this universal reason.

Amused Mastery in the Context of Stoicism:

Amused mastery is not a classical Stoic term but rather a concept that can be aligned with Stoic principles. It involves maintaining a light-hearted, amused attitude towards challenges and difficulties, rather than becoming upset or distressed. Here’s how it connects to Stoic philosophy:

1. Emotional Detachment:

   • Amused mastery involves viewing challenges with a sense of detachment, similar to the Stoic practice of distancing oneself from negative emotions and not allowing external events to disturb inner peace.

2. Perspective and Humor:

   • It incorporates humor and perspective, recognizing that many of the problems we face are not as severe as they might initially appear. This aligns with the Stoic practice of putting things in perspective and maintaining a sense of proportion.
3. Resilience and Control:
   • By adopting an amused attitude, one demonstrates control over their reactions and maintains resilience in the face of adversity, embodying the Stoic ideal of focusing on what we can control (our own responses and attitudes).

Practical Application:

To practice amused mastery in a Stoic context:

• Reframe Challenges: View obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning. Use humor to deflate the perceived severity of problems.
• Maintain Perspective: Keep a broader view of life’s events, recognizing the transient nature of difficulties.
• Focus on Control: Concentrate on what you can control—your thoughts, actions, and attitudes—while accepting what you cannot change with grace and humor.

Example:

Imagine you are stuck in traffic and running late for an important meeting. Instead of getting frustrated, you could practice amused mastery by thinking, "This is a perfect example of the unpredictability of life. At least I have some extra time to listen to my favorite podcast." This perspective keeps you calm, reduces stress, and aligns with Stoic principles of maintaining inner peace regardless of external circumstances.

Sources:

1. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Stoicism
2. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Stoicism
3. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
4. Seneca, Letters from a Stoic
5. Epictetus, Discourses and Enchiridion

In summary, amused mastery is a modern interpretation that aligns well with Stoic ideals, promoting resilience, emotional detachment, and a light-hearted approach to life's challenges.

Don't use the word childish to describe anything about being a man

In the end you have to be authentically yourself and present the best view of that possible to others.

There is an inherent tension in this -who you are is never as good as you would like to be seen. If you spend too much time faking it, you are living the life of an actor. If you spend too much time not caring what people think but being yourself, you are not actually doing yourself any favours.

I don't think there is a magic solution but I think that a good litmus test is "is there an unreasonable cost to this behaviour?" A litmus test just says is it acid, alkaline or neutral. Doesn't have to be PH 7 but shouldn't be burning you inside.

Amused mastery and stoicism can be used to cover a whole lot of male hamstering. They are fine when they are genuine and getting to the point where they are genuine is a great goal. But when they are acted, it is not always healthy.