5 ms·

"Alpha nerds" as a term is unhelpful and distracting.

• mindgam3 8y ago
  I don't disagree, but I think the fact that the article has the term in its title is why it made it to the front page of Hacker News.
• eeZah7Ux 8y ago
  To say the least. This concept of "alpha" humans has no basis in psychology, biology and anthropology. It implies that humans are evolved to live in a hierarchical and purely competitive society which is known to be false (not only for us but for many mammals). Humans are not insect nor lobsters. There are various books from prof. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Sapolsky https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Sapolsky and youtube videos with good analysis of social behavior in primates including humans.
  • YouOkOrNot 8y ago
    Leaders emerge in all social contexts. Those who become leaders are "alpha".