2. Style of dressing and acting that is half hipster-half wimp, very popular in 2009.
Example 1: The crash of the economy and the death of the striped shirt mortgage brokers has given rise to the Wimpsters.
Example 2: New York City and Sand State nightlife is now overrun by Wimpsters.
Example 3: The masculization of Females (sleeve tattoos, promiscuity, rejecting traditional male-female relations and not dressing in high heels and dresses etc) and the feminization of Males (tight jeans, pandering to a woman’s every desire, being a completely annoying chump, and rejecting European/Latin male-female relations etc) has created a culture of Wimpsters.
You have to admit: American’s love their gangsters. Robin Hood, Billy the Kid, Bonnie & Clyde, Al Capone, “Lucky” Luciano, Snoop Dog and La Cosa Nostra all speak to some part of the American Ethos. We love the celebrity Outlaws and Gangster stories and follow their exploits with rapt attention. We emulate them with Gangster Chic. We celebrate this archetype in movies like The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, American Gangster and Natural Born Killers. Yet these individuals are criminals, murderers and all around not so admirable individuals, so why is this?
I believe it is an outgrowth of the rugged individualist ethic combined with our penchant for celebrity worship and the populist American Dream of the little guy making it big. Think about it for a moment. The Outlaw/Gangster is his own man. He bows to no authority and does for himself. His exploits make for great media copy and he become infamous thereby. He’s the natural bootstrapper, rising from ignominious origins to attain wealth and respect, albeit often by way of the gun. He’s unapologetic seeking the approval of no-one, yet he gets it in spades and when he goes out, he goes out big in a blaze of glory. He has a taste for the finer things in life and he’s going to get them by hook or by crook. He is the everyman with a dream writ large. He is the American Bad-Boy seasoned with the Hickory smoke of danger. We men all want to be him and the gals all want to do him. This den of thieves, of players and pimps, of hustlers and outlaws each personifies the darker side of American Alphas, and like the battered wife, we keep coming back for more.
This article describes three American archetypes, the Star, the Born-Again Sinner and the Gangster. I think it makes a good case:
Most interesting of all, however, is to speculate about what a contemporary version of Rourke’s book might include. If a Rourke of 2031 were to use popular culture to identify our most common archetypes, what would she find? First of all, I think, would be the Star, a type unknown in 1830 but absolutely central today. The Star is our secular, consumerist version of the Greek god: The pinnacle of aspiration and the focus of fantasy, he or she gets to enjoy what the rest of us only dream about. The Star—whether he is an actor or singer or sports figure—is not simply admired for what he is done; he is worshipped for who he is, gratuitously. The intensity of our worship and need also gives rise to the subcategory of the Fallen Star, from Marilyn Monroe to Kurt Cobain. The Fallen Star allows us to mix pity with our envy, reassuring us that, while we may dream of becoming one, the Star is best seen from a distance.
If the Star is the American triumphant, the Born-Again Sinner is the American repentant. The Sinner can be born again in the literal, Christian sense—this has been a common American experience ever since the 1820s, though Rourke only touches on religion in American Humor. But the posture of repentance, with the corresponding expectation of forgiveness, has transcended its evangelical origin, and today it shows up just about every time an American does something wrong. Bill Clinton’s lip-quivering apology for the Monica Lewinsky affair is the most famous recent example. On the other hand, Martha Stewart was widely blamed, after her conviction, for not giving a better performance as the Sinner—for failing to break down and ask forgiveness, as the archetype demands. Whether such contrition is genuine hardly matters; the archetype is so powerful that simply to act like a Born-Again Sinner is almost a guarantee of absolution.
Finally, there is the latest incarnation of an ancient American trope: the Gangster, whose ancestors are the backwoodsman, the cowboy, and the pirate. What defines him is not just his criminality or his violence, but the way he puts these things at the service of his own defiant moral code. The Gangster exalts personal loyalty and masculine power, in opposition to what he sees as an inhumane and hypocritical mainstream culture. Americans like to see the Gangster punished, in the end. But we want him to be killed, not imprisoned—his ending should be as outsized as his life. The Star, the Born-Again Sinner, and the Gangster account for a great deal of today’s American culture. But they are notably less comic than the archetypes Rourke found in our national psyche; after 200 years, perhaps America’s youthful high spirits have turned into something darker and more resigned.
The author also recognizes that the Outlaw/Gangster exudes masculinity. Power, danger, wealth, intrigue, loyalty, competence, intelligence, charisma and individually-determined morality: these are the traits that make men great. Interestingly these masculine traits naturally occured in Sicilian immigrants due to their unique history:
Just as the founders of our nation united to throw off the oppression of a parent government, the original Mafia was formed in medieval Italy and Sicily by peasant groups, “families” whose efforts were aimed at subverting the despotic and repressive rule of the Bourbon regime’s overlords, corrupt politicians, and land barons.Their code of ‘Omerta’ signified “manliness,” which included non-cooperation with authorities, self control in the face of adversity, and the vendetta in which any offense or slight to family must be avenged, no matter what the consequences or how long (it might take to avenge the victim)”
Frank Richard Prassel details the American penchant for the Outlaw in his book “The Great American Outlaw” as follows:
Deep within American folklore rides a mysterious and significant figure.He comes to us through mists of fact and fiction, an incarnate mixture of right and wrong.On the one hand, this ever-changing image represents crime, violence, and fear.On the other, it represents fearlessness, independence, and dedication.The figure poses a number of contradictions, including the true meanings of justice and freedom.Surrounded by legend, the outlaw endures as an enigma in our heritage
Like a moth to a flame we both love and hate the power and independence that defines a man’s man. As men in America have lost much of their former independence and so many have succumbed to the civilizing influence of PC culture, his Outlaw nature has been subsumed by a material culture where the affectation of hardness and steely resolve has supplanted action in at least suburban America. The decline of man has left a void in young men everywhere and given rise to the widespread acceptance of street culture and music, safely filtered through the corporate apparatus: the rise of the pretender. Lacking any expression of their own masculinity, legion angst ridden youth have co-opted street culture with the aid of their corporate handlers, mindlessly aping what they see on MTV. An industry rose up to satisfy this new need with expensive sneakers and jerseys becoming the haberdashery of choice and Gangster Chic was born.
This attire however is based on the corporate logo-splashed bastardized version of the Original Gangster Chic. Look back to the real deal and you come to a startling realization. These men were men of refined tastes. No teenager gear for them, they indulged in the finest suits and Italian shoes as befits an adult man of means. So strong is this association that Pinstripe suits have been forever branded Gangster Pinstripes. These men knew that intimidation lies not in outrageous appearance, but ability and will. Their appearance was impeccable, and their substance enforced their will. They had no need for pretense and putting on costumes. They took themselves seriously and conveyed this in their dress. Nowhere in their ensemble could a logo be seen. Modern Gangsters, when they mature, also frequently assume more upscale attire, with Air Force Ones replaced by Gators. Pimp culture has always recognized the value of a sharp appearance. They are forged in the mean streets and have no need to pretend at being bad-asses. The confidence rolls off of them in waves and like the heat shimmer on hot pavement; it is almost visible.
Being sharply dressed and well-groomed will take your game to an entirely new level as the indubitable G-Manifesto has maintained here. Building the internal confidence to handle your business no matter what will make you into more than a stuffed suit. Remember the traits that make the Outlaw and the Gangster unforgettable: Power, danger, wealth, intrigue, loyalty, competence, intelligence, charisma and individually-determined morality. Cultivate these in your life and integrate them into your being. They will serve you well. Become genuinely Gangster Chic.
G’s know that “Time is of the Essence”, and therefore the display and measurement thereof is crucial to the life, and lifestyle, of a G. There are many (too many in fact) brands of wristwatches for men, and there are too many men who just don’t care what goes on their wrist. This discussion is not for those men.
So you’re a G, or a wannabe G. You’ve got the Kiton / Henry Poole / Brioni / Borrelli / Turnbull & Asser thing down. You’ve got the Cleverly/E. Greene/Gucci/Lobb thing down. You’ve even got the Zimmerli/Hanro/Calida/Sunspel thing down (if you don’t have this down the fly girls will be laughing at just the wrong moment of intimacy). We’ll assume you’ve learned the difference between a .45 and a 9mm, as well as between Benson & Hedges and Nat Shermans or A. Fuente and Romeo y Julieta. Be that as it may, you’re probably still working on how a G puts the time on his wrist. This primer should get you where you need to be.
You’re ready to leave your abode, suited up, and the penultimate accoutrement, after the steel-and-lead, is the wristwatch. Depending on the task, or tasks, at hand, you may be wearing one, perhaps one of many, timepieces. What separates a G from a Joe the Plumber? Exclusivity, Precision, Refinement, and Comfort in All Environments. The same should stand for the wristwatch of a G. While a $40 Swatch can tell time with the same accuracy as a quartz Patek Phillipe (and the only quartz Patek is for women), I wouldn’t suggest a quartz at all. Quartz is accurate, but cheap. Quartz is accurate but battery powered. Quartz is accurate but mass-market. Batteries die. Quartz is disposable. An haute-horlogerie mechanical movement will last forever with proper servicing. Quartz-powered timepieces are simply very expensive, or very cheap, adornment that should be shunned. No further discussion need ensue.
Jadakiss – Happy 2 Be Here
Now, to the matter of which timepiece should, or should not, grace the wrist of a G:
G-Shock – Despite the name, this is a plastic piece of mass-merchandise, albeit a durable and accurate piece of mass merchandise. Thor Hyerdal wore an Eterna mechanical timepiece on the Kon Tiki (quartz didn’t exist back in 1947). NASA’s watch of choice since 1964 through today, is the mechanical Omega Speedmaster chronograph. Paul Newman’s watch of choice – Rolex Daytona Cosmograph automatic Chronograph Chronometer. Enough said.
There are certain manufactures of watches that have stood the test of time. They literally manufacture the entire watch, and are known for designing and manufacturing the movement, or the guts that keep the time. Swatch Group is, believe it or not, home to a number of highly respected Swiss manufactures. Richemont Group, another Swiss conglomerate, owns several well-respected manufactures, as does LVMH (owner of Louis Vuitton and Moet). The independent manufactures are perhaps the most exclusive.
A note about chronometers: They are often confused with chronographs, timepieces that measure fractions of a second and other time segments (hours, 10-minutes etc.). Chronometers are certified by official agencies in Switzerland and always come with certificates. Typically a chronometer will imply a higher quality movement and higher accuracy, but I’d stack a Patek, Girard-Perregaux, JLC, Grand Seiko, or other haute horlogerie piece against an “official” chronometer any time at all.
A note about case material: Yellow gold, while suitably expensive and flash, is no material for a G’s watch. White gold is subtle, platinum is rare, both are easily mistaken for steel except by those who truly know. I recommend steel as it is durable and subtle. Yellow or pink gold should be worn only with a band of alligator, crocodile, or other rare skin.
Here are the brands that merit our attention: Audemars Piguet – Royal Oak Breguet – Type XX chronograph Girard Perregaux – Laureato IWC – Ingenieur Jaeger-LeCoultre –Master Control, Master Ultra Thin, Reverso Duo Omega – Speedmaster Chrono, DeVille Chrono, Aqua Terra, Railmaster Patek Philppe – Nautilus. Their other pieces are too delicate for a G’s day-to-day mission. Rolex – Rolex, while being known on every street corner from Washington Heights to East LA, and everywhere else called earth, is in fact a well-made and solid timepiece. They are, however, overvalued in the market due to self-aggrandizing advertising. Their movements are solid, but I would put Omega’s George Daniels movement head-to-head, with the price/quality ratio favoring the Omega. Nevertheless, Rolex makes a durable watch (600,000 per year, and no, they are not handmade). Get a Sea-Dweller, Explorer II, or GMT. Seiko – Do not confuse their Grand Seiko and Phoenix lines with the department store quartz varieties. Their high-end pieces are brilliant, but unavailable in the States. Swoop the Phoenix automatic chronograph if you can find it. Zenith – Chronomaster. This same movement powered the Rolex Daytona for years.
There are many other high quality watchmakers in Switzerland, Germany, and even the States, but these are the names I’d suggest at the outset. So with these watchmakers a G can find (not always easily) the right watch for the right circumstances. Remember, we are focusing on Exclusivity, Precision, Refinement, and Comfort in All Environments.
Any of the above are well made classic machines that will get you everywhere you want to go, but should I choose to rank the above it would be difficult. Yet here are my top 5 G timepieces: #1 Thee A-P Royal Oak
#2 The JLC Master Control
#3 The IWC Ingenieur
#4 The Omega Railmaster
#5 The Rolex Explorer II
A G does his homework, and I would suggest that you supplement your watch knowledge with information from none other than the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry at http://www.fhs.ch/en/
January 20th and the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. In many respects, the world looked very different from two years ago when the idea of a black President seemed like a distant hope, when a nation was high on credit & flashing bling as if debt didn’t exist.
Back then, the Dow was at 12,580, on the way to 14,000 that summer. Bankers were “balling out”, lip sinking to “bringing sexy back” while bottle service was reaching the apex of America’s nightlife nightmare. General Motors was making money selling cars even while reporting some concerns about “nonprime mortgages” held by its financing division. 50 cent vs. Oprah. And the greatest worries about China and India were that their economies were growing so fast they could overheat.
Fast forward to present:
Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land – a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many.
(Obama, Inaugural Address)
“…greatness is never a given. It must be earned.”(Obama, Inaugural Address)
The challenges the G faces are somewhat different in this sobering new landscape, but the fundamentals of the Game still remain the same. The truth is, G’s work well in any given circumstance — Veins of Ice and a diverse skill set unique to upheaval & adversity: agility, adaptability, smarts, smoothness, and belief in greatness. Real Game floats above the fray, Buddhist monk mentals & clarity of focus. International bases of operation on tropical islands with sunshine 365 days a year also play a key part in the Game.
Over the past few years, the U.S. government, originally crafted as a system that would serve the interests of the People, has devolved into a system of plutocracy where corporations control both the government and the People. Our nation’s policies on health, finance, environment, national defense and even education are increasingly slanted towards enriching corporations, usually at the expense of the People.
The only difference between a G and a Wall St. broker is that the latter is Government assisted money laundering, while the former — which gives back to small business — is prosecuted as criminal.
“Capitalism is the legitimate racket of the ruling class.” (Al Capone)
But with Barack’s message of hope and with a willingness to find meaning in something greater than ourselves, it mandates a shift in the way we think about our goals, our range of action, and our commitment to values beyond self-enrichment. After all, our life on this small bubble is short… what kind of legacy are you going to leave behind?
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those that have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” FDR, Inaugural Address 1933
“A nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.” Obama, Inaugural Address 2009
With this blessing from two great Presidents, I’m going to take Obama & FDR’s call to action and inject cash back into the economy and to the People who need it. To the struggling exotic dancer trying to make ends meet for college (education); to the Casino’s and Luxury sector hit by slow times (tourism & hospitality); perfect the ‘art of the grease‘ (arts); donate regularly to charity …and what more noble pursuit than that of robbing yuppie drug dealers like a modern day Robin Hood?
Welcome to the new Era of Responsibility, play your part.
I’m thinkin of a master plan
Cause ain’t nothin but sweat inside my hand
Cause everything’s possible, nothing’s impossible
Gotta keep ahead, gotta keep my head
– Tafari
aka By the People for the People
aka Putting the G in Gentlemen
In ancient times Hannibal gave birth to modern war strategy. Leading Carthage through the Alps and Pyrenees with War Elephants to earn many decisive victories against the Romans, he was calculating and fearless.
In today’s market, skilled marksmen/traders/PE bankers know to be the same. Only the war is not fought with swords and shields, its derivatives, the VIX, and economic data a-la durable goods. If you’re longhorn like Texas, you got impaled. Hopefully for your sake you ultra shorted it with SDS, SKF and DXD. You are not wearing armor to the Punic war, it should be Paul Stewart suits, Gucci loafers and you too can live life. Salvatore Ferragamo ties. I’m just saying, I’m trying to maintain my seat at Da Silvano, it is pike mackerel season.
We all know bloods been spilled and it’s still spilling. 7 MC’s have been put in the line and executed. Here’s where you remember that you were born on The Street. With that as your birth right, you need to remember to flex with the market.
If it’s selling join the herd. If it’s rallying, play your pipe. Don’t be in love with your positions. Keep your love locked down and I mean your bank account. That is why you woke up in this life. It’s what provided the villa in Mykonos to meet Mediterranean chicks while having a meze.
I know the hysteria’s bad, the media can’t keep your name out its mouth. But remember, they chose to report, you chose to scalp. They’re wearing Men’s Wearhouse shirts, not even suits, shirts. You’re killing them scooping chicks at the Conde Nast Travelers Awards after party suited down. They’re writing about places you go. The summation of their life decisions led them to media. You’re trading Tribune leverage loans and Petros Brasileiro LEAPS. Convert vanilla CDS from spread to points upfront.
And when you collect, Nas already told you, take it in blood.
Days of Grace tattooed like Cus D’Amato on my arm.
