This raises the question of why passion and empathy are so in vogue these days.
This has been insanely effective. Everyone was walking on eggshells around these passive aggressive cry bullies up until just recently. People are starting to see through the BS and the power dynamic is shifting.
It is interesting though that Stoicism has this problem but Buddhism doesn't, even though they have similar ideals and concepts.
Bhikkhus, even if bandits were to sever you savagely limb by limb with a two-handled saw, he who gave rise to a mind of hate towards them would not be carrying out my teaching.
So it is quite hard for the red pill movement to co opt Buddhism and thank goodness for that.
If we can accept the sects of Christianity and they have different viewpoints, etc. without the whataboutism, we need to do the same and stop this with “Western” Buddhism, as well.
One aspect of stoicism that they ignore is that, at its core, stoicism is about being patient, forgiving, and kind. They throw that in the trash and only implement the "IDGAF" bits like Christians who recite chapter and verse the parts about hating on gay people while ignoring the parts above and below those that say not to do other things that they do every day. edit: another aspect they ignore is malleability.
A practicing stoic should immediately shift their views on something regardless of their previous position when presented with compelling arguments-- without resentment or attachment. If a stoic was taught and grew up believing "A" and then an expert presents evidence that "B" is correct, said stoic should purge "A" from their minds regardless of external pressure-- even if it means looking like a hypocrite, a fool, someone who has wasted their time/effort, or if it deviates them from the local norm.
YouTube stoics... don't do that.
More words on stoicism were written by its inventors about attachment than any other topic.
Many (most of the most popular) pop-stoics are poster children for the vain, wealth-obsessed (cryptobro connection), cigar smoking, lambo driving (renting to show off), hyper-attached Andrew Tate archetype.
Stoicism:
>The measure of possession is to every man the body, as the foot is of the shoe. If then you stand on this rule , you will maintain the measure: but if you pass beyond it, you must then of necessity be hurried as it were down a precipice. As also in the matter of the shoe, if you go beyond the foot, the shoe is gilded, then of a purple colour, then embroidered: for there is no limit to that which has once passed the true measure.
Pop-stocism: All those ripped dudes with abs who fuck bitches and drive lambos? THEY'RE STOICS! Ignore SOCIETY when they tell you STOICSM is TOXIC.
Every time a stoic ridicules a man for crying I want to attach my boot to their face.
Lamenting is a-ok: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%...
also: a stoic doesn't care if someone points out the irrefutable and easily demonstrable fact that their philosophy is associated with bad actors, nor does he or she resent that. They accept it.
Attached assholes do care, though.
They care A LOT.
Ergo, since you can't be controlled through arousal (in the literal sense), you're written off as problematic/toxic/phobic.
passion is spending an inordinate amount of your time practicing something because you love it rather than strictly to get a J.O.B.
Think of it this way, you can quietly defend your children. That you're not screaming does not make you love them less, you can be no less adamant on the defense without being loud.
being loud is not passion.
Passion, on the other hand, I understand.
Similar, though less essential, with other emotions. Stoicism is not the eradication of feeling. That would be denying our basic humanity and contrary to stoic principles. Instead, it is the mastery of it. Keep logic in control. Think Spock.