Everyone is a gangster until some real gangsters show up. The problem is that most people in most societies don’t ever actually run into real gangsters.

Now, when I say that it’s a problem, I don’t mean that everyone’s lives would be better if more people claimed a set, a crew, or belonged to a family where you have to “make your bones” to join.

I grew up in that environment, and there’s a reason why I moved my black ass to the suburbs.

As much as I think societal decay and inflation are bringing normie life closer to hood life, I don’t think we are quite at the point where you have to worry about what colors you wear on a Walmart run. At least not yet.

When I say that it’s a problem, I mean that the safety and security of civilized society has spawned an epidemic of fake tough guys who like to puff out their chest because they are supremely confident that no one will puff back.

Because America is a diaspora of different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, fake tough guys aren’t just confined to one bar in one college town or a beginner’s mixed martial arts class.

These creatures also inhabit moving vehicles, where no one can confront them; are in line at the bank, talking crazy to 50-year-old women working as bank tellers to help the family; and even in the projects.

Speaking of your friendly neighborhood fake tough guys from the projects, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out something else about these dudes.

Not all fake tough guys are harmless.

“God created some men tall and some men short, but Sam Colt made them equal.”

This was once the marketing slogan of the Colt 45 revolver. Although those words are older than the Civil War—and very few would-be tough guys carry revolvers anymore—the sentiment still stands.

Whether a guy is fake tough or actually tough, it doesn’t matter if he’s packing heat and he’s not afraid to use it. Not only are these types not afraid, but they are also—almost literally—dying for the chance to.

But that brings us to an important point:

If the road rage, a few fighting lessons, or the willingness to fill someone with hot lead over a street corner that even homeless people don’t sleep on doesn’t make you a real tough guy, what does?

Before we go any further, we have to define exactly what a real tough guy is. Because if we don’t do that, then how in the world do we know that we’re dealing with a phony?

• ​Read the rest on X​
• ​Read the rest on my website​
• ​Read the rest on Substack​

Today’s Sponsor: Shortform

​Shortform is a book summary platform that offers detailed guides to thousands of popular nonfiction books.

But it doesn't just summarize the books. It breaks down the key ideas, adds helpful context, draws connections to related concepts, and includes exercises so you actually remember and apply what you've learned.

You can think of it like Cliff’s Notes on steroids, but because we’re in the digital age, there are far more selections and genres.

It's become one of my favorite research tools because I can quickly revisit the central ideas from books I've read or get up to speed on books I'm considering before deciding whether I need to spend the time reading them cover to cover.

If you’re digging this video, I'd recommend checking out Will Storr's The Status Game.

One of the biggest ideas in the book is that people never stop competing for status—they just compete in different ways, and as you’ll see in the video, that drives a lot of fake tough guys.

Fake tough guys aren't usually trying to prove they're dangerous. They're trying to prove they matter.

Another great recommendation is The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker.

It's one of the best books I've come across for recognizing genuinely dangerous people rather than getting distracted by the loudest or most intimidating ones.

If either of those books sounds interesting, check out Shortform using my link below to get a one-week free trial and, if you stay on, 20% off your yearly subscription. But only if you use that link.

​Check out Shortform for a one-week free trial and a 20% discount on a one-year subscription.​

Hard Lesson of The Week

This is not about physical conflict, though the following certainly applies.

I don't care how uncomfortable it makes you, or if you're scared or whatever.

You can not be conflict-averse.

You ain't gotta be an asshole, but you can not—in any way, shape, or form—appear to be a pushover.

People have to know that you will push back.

Worst-case scenario, you lose, but it exacts a toll and sends a message that you will not be bullied.

Best-case scenario, you pull off an upset and get exactly what you want, boosting your confidence for future conflicts.

And there will ALWAYS be conflicts.

It's a win-win situation. The only way you lose the game is by not playing.