MANY men like to project an impressive external facade, and most would take great pride in identifying as a womanizer of sorts. It can certainly boost one's manhood and esteem, gloating too many tribalistic groups on various shallow conquests. It is undoubtedly an ego booster in a world fixated with superficiality and image.
Most would fantasize and aspire to become an alpha type James Bond/Don Draper figure oozing with all the attractive attributes and charisma one can possibly imagine. It most certainly is a tempting thought to be lauded and labeled as God's gift to women.
Even aesthetically unattractive men with various shortcomings in various aspects would choose to pursue living an illusion and kid themselves into believing an alternate reality and a fantasy world that they belong in the realm of the Brad Pitts and Lee Min Hos of the world.
Even men in supposedly committed relationships think they are better off and appear cooler when they audaciously engage in such sleazy and philandering pursuits that it is normalized and condoned. We certainly have a tendency to be preoccupied with being adored and worshipped constantly having our egos fed. And that is a difficult challenge given all the enticing temptations around, lonely and desperate individuals who are also looking to fill certain voids eager to use others.
But it is also a glaring reflection of how empty we can be and how grossly insecure and petty we are as we indulge in many temporary highs at the expense of others, as well as possibly diminishing and affecting the intimate relationships around us for cheap momentary and impulsive pleasure.
While sex is undoubtedly one of the most amazing gifts known to mankind, it most certainly has its many dangers when such carnalities and desires are fed impulsively and uncontrollably. With the easy access to all the pleasures that come with it, this could ultimately lead to an unhealthy obsession or compulsive addiction that tarnishes any possibility for character development, growth, and maturity.
There is no freedom when we are very much enslaved to impulsive and animalistic instincts and passions. There are many downsides when we respond selfishly to many scenarios. There is still that element of responsibility that is necessary in every aspect for our meaningful connections to flourish and for us to live substantively.
One can grow highly cynical as to the number of absorbed and deceptive individuals in the world. But these so called hedonistic "machos" could simply be fragile, sensitive and immature men acting out selfishly due to various underlying insecurities and defense mechanisms. Most would be eager to demonize, unwilling to address deeper roots.
But in general, as flawed and imperfect human beings each of us is with a unique set of quirks and dysfunctionalities, ultimately, all of us simply want to be accepted and loved vulnerably in the truest sense of the word.