Life in Perilous Times: An Example for the Folk

By Mike Taylor, Dróttinn of the Männerbund

Natural law and the animal kingdom which it encompasses has many examples and lessons from which men could – and should - learn. After all, we are also animals of a sort, are we not? Hunting, gathering, foraging, breeding – we do these things as do all members of the animal kingdom. Yet we do these things in different ways and for different purposes.

Animals do them simply to survive and propagate their species. While we do them to survive and propagate our species as well, we do them also in accordance with our principles and morals, our faith and beliefs, and with our worldview in mind. For men, it is not the fact that we do these things that matters most; it is how we do these things that matter, as they influence our success and secure our future.

To illustrate my thesis, let us examine, compare, and contrast two similar animals that go about their survival in very different ways. At the end of this examination, we will have to ask ourselves Which animal serves as a better example for us to emulate? Furthermore, Which approach is more compatible with our present situation? The answers to those questions should serve to influence our behavior, shape our nation as a whole, and refine both our individual and collective approaches to life and survival.

The Duck

The duck is a seemingly benign, boring creature that appears to serve little purpose more than entertaining the elderly as they toss bits of stale bread to them in public parks. But if one looks closely, one can see some positive attributes in this ho-hum aquatic bird.

First, look how it cares for its young. It dotes on them in ways reminiscent of traditional families. One parent cares for the young while the other provides security and forages for scraps of food, insects, or other edibles to sustain life. One or both look after the safety of the young, monitoring their activities and movements until such time as they are old enough to fend for themselves, taking with them the life skills inculcated in them by their parents.

Second, notice how calm they are as they float along on the water in the park. The surface is smooth and calm, and so is their demeanor. They move about seemingly without aim yet they always end up at their intended destination. Ever watchful, they appear the picture of calm wariness. This is because below the waterline is a pair of legs with webbed feet paddling furiously to propel and steer the duck away from danger and toward its target of choice.

This contradiction in outward appearance and inward workforce seems to escape casual observers. As well it should, for if would-be predators noticed the capacity for work and the capability inherent in the life of the duck, they would change their tactics and become more formidable foes in the battle for survival. As it is, the duck survives and thrives by going largely unnoticed, uninteresting to most.

The Peacock

In contrast to the duck, the peacock is a prissy showoff. He struts about without a care in the world, fanning his beautiful array of feathers to attract attention to himself. He cares for little other than his public appearance and ability to score some peacock tail. He may mate with her or he may move on; either way, he is a poser at heart. He has little work ethic, pragmatism, and survival instinct other than to puff up and appear more dangerous to potential threats.

Have you ever seen a family of peacocks? They little resemble that of the duck with the doting parents and purposeful lives. The peacock, by its nature, is a shallow, emotional, and thin-skinned creature, surely not the example on which hard and serious men should model their lives, demeanor, or worldview.

The peacock survives by bluffing would-be predators into looking for easier prey. By puffing up his chest and fanning his feathers, the male peacock struts through life with little to show for his efforts but possibly a harem of loose, distracted, and easily entertained lady peacocks who hardly resemble ladies. Yet in all his showy bluster, he attracts attention, sometimes at his own peril.

The contradiction found in peacocks is not as subtle or meaningful as that found in ducks. The flashy and public displays hide a weak constitution and unfocused lifestyle. They catch the eye but do not hold it for lack of substance. They attract attention rather than deflect it and draw the gaze of predators their way, at least initially. In the end, their chest-thumping and feather-fanning might be seen as a threat and thus work against the posturing peacock.

Choose Your Approach

In the final analysis, which attributes do you emulate? Are you focused on family and the survival of your folk? Or are you more interested in showing the world who you are and proclaiming loudly the things you believe? Which is better for you, your family, and your folk? Which gives life meaning rather than momentary emotional satisfaction?

I would urge you to consider this brief examination and compare your lifestyle, your demeanor, your worldview, and your outlook. Look at who you are, your purpose, what you do, and how you do it. Is this who you should be? Is this how you should act? Are you representing your family, your folk, and your nation well? What kind of reflection are you? Are you living nobly and with purpose?

I challenge you to avoid toxic people, questionable situations, and dangerous environments, for they are not healthy, for you or your folk. Seek shelter in your family and your folk, for they will give you purpose. With this purpose, you will be able to mature, grow your family, and ensure the survival of your folk, thus giving your nation a fighting chance to thrive. Look inward, toward what really matters, rather than outward. The former is more meaningful and worthy while the latter only brings temporary satisfaction at the risk of unwanted predatory attention.

Portray yourself as the duck - boring and uninteresting to outsiders – rather than the flashy and transparent peacock. In this way you will be better able to do the hard and necessary work to prepare for what may come, protect yourself and your folk, and deflect attention to the “peacocks” in humanity who long for it. While the outsiders are focused on them, you will be able to remain vigilant and protective while endeavoring to build your family, strengthen your clan, fortify your tribe, improve your folk, and expanding your nation.

Be the duck – your folk are counting on you.