A review of The Rational Male, a book focused at upending
fem-centric thinking in men and teaching them to think like men again.
Rollo
Tomassi’s book, The Rational Male, is an amalgamation of
essays from content on his own website, The Rational Male, and other
dating advice forums where he frequently contributes. I came across
this book by chance on Amazon and found the content interesting enough
to warrant a look.
This series of writings tunes men in to the dynamics of the human
sexual marketplace through an
exploration of human behavioral and
evolutionary psychology, and demonstrates how such concepts show up
culturally and politically. Tomassi’s intent is to educate the average
man about his sexual potential, options, leverage, and strategies in
his general relationship with women while exploring women’s sexual
strategies, relationship strategies, and social conventions that we see
commonplace today. Rollo summarizes this himself near the end of his
book:
“My
intent with all this is to illustrate how the reality in
which we find things ‘normal’ is rendered by fem-centric influence.
Across ethnicities, and encompassing all manner of social diversity,
this influence is so insaturated into our culture, laws, media,
entertainment, from our collective social consciousness to our
individual psyches that we simply take it for granted as the operative
framework in which we live. I realize this is a tough pill to swallow,
because male imperative does in fact intersect with female imperative
depending on mutual goals. However, the point is that of operative
framework, the reality we function in, is primarily defined by the
feminine.”
– p. 266
The now well-known men’s self improvement community, which includes
the “manosphere,” consists of many trains of thought and communities
devoted to understanding the masculine-feminine dynamic. Rollo’s
background consists of what he terms a “rock-star” 20s that led to
pursuing a university degree in behaviorism psychology at age 32. This,
coupled with his intense life experience and his near decade use of
forums as a testing ground for ideas on sexual dynamics and attracting
women, led him to be a critical author in the manosphere and men’s
rights community.
This book is based on many psychological concepts, and also ventures
deep into the darker elements of the masculine-feminine dynamic and
human sexuality. I caution readers toward its content and suggest
reading with a curious mind. I consider Rollo’s book more appropriate
for intermediates looking to advance their skill set to the next level
in their relationship with women, as it is critical to develop healthy
mindsets about women and sexuality in order to use that power
responsibility.
Power is power, and we have a responsibility as men to use it
ethically – as seen in the core philosophies of Girls Chase, we always
practice from a mindset of love and adventure, never from one of hate,
revenge, or negativity. However, for many men who find this community
on their own, they see a world that bitterly challenges deeply
rooted
beliefs. From the book:
“Game
was a wondrous tool set of skills, but without the insight
or foresight to deal with what these tools could build, it was
potentially like giving children dynamite.”
– p. 113
With that in mind, let’s explore.
