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How Dare You

Runnerbear shares his experience and intent behind his new book “How Dare You”.

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Fear. Anxiety. Depression. Much of the world is in the throes of despair… but not me! I’m fired up and ready to crush, how about you? For many of us, Big Bear’s influence has been what’s made the difference. Looking back, Owen’s livestream has been a blessing. Ferocious rhetoric, turbulent humor, and restorative insights? Best stream on the internet. And it’s been the best for a while. Years ago, when I first felt compelled to start writing down quotes from the great bard of a bear, it certainly wasn’t rooted in anything so ambitious as publishing a book. Something just resonated with me, so I wrote it down. Though meager in its origin, the quote document that I started didn’t stay small for long; like Owen, I’m a man of amplitude. Once upon a time I went to a track and field practice. I liked it, so obviously I dropped everything else I was doing and spent the next ten years obsessively trying to get to the Olympics. I didn’t want to party, I didn’t want to make money, and I didn’t want to study. I just wanted to run fast. Like most things, it didn’t work out exactly the way I had planned, but somewhere along this obsessive, goal-oriented path, I begrudgingly learned to appreciate the process for its own sake. Man makes plans and God laughs; the trick is learning to laugh along, letting the good path, rather than the ego, dictate where to go. Several months after I first began mining quotes, still a blood-hound, clattering away on my keyboard, I noticed that the unassuming little indicator of my quote document was suddenly boasting 10,000 words. I finally felt the abrupt weight of it. An idea that had been steadily concentrating in my mind became cemented: I should write a book about Big Bear. 

Artwork By HandDrawnBear

So goes the origin story of How Dare You. It took about a year of diligent work to go from raw quotes and a rough concept to a refined physical paperback. Today, with the delay in data from my publishing company, I’m not sure what the sales look like exactly. I don’t know who’s buying, how many are buying, or any of that. Interestingly enough, the obligation of patience has proved insightful; I’ve realized that sales aren’t my top priority. If cash was my main concern, I would have quit running, and I definitely would have quit writing, a long time ago. Ultimately, whether this metric of money leads to rags or riches doesn’t change a different, more blissful kind of dividend that I’ve had the honor of receiving since publishing How Dare You: the bright, lively response from the bears who have read it. To hear that I’ve provided a good service brings me joy. With living legends like Rachel Fulton Brown, Jean Troy-Smith, and Owen Benjamin offering such staggering high praise as calling How Dare You a “brilliant … handbook in virtue”, comparing it to the great work of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, or an enthusiastic affirmation of “excellent, excellent writing”, I can’t help but be a little bewildered.  I mean, I’ve never been great at accepting compliments to begin with, so to put such self-congratulatory things down in written words makes me a tad fidgety. 

    Whether brilliant or not, How Dare You owes much of its layout to the combination of my upbringing and Owen’s streams. Growing up, honor culture was foreign to me. Since I started from a place of ignorance, only learning about the values of honor culture as an adult (through the Big Bear), I was able to turn around and explain it with clarity and logic. It’s like the old saying goes, “those who can’t do, teach”. It’s the most brilliant savants that make the worst teachers, because they operate on instinct, not explicit understanding. Ask the very best artist, mathematician, or soccer player how they manage such brilliant feats, and there’s a good chance they’ll give you advice that’s about as unhelpful as three cheap words under one overpriced swoosh. Stepping away from the half-truths of forced corporate resonance, the act of effective teaching, requires real understanding. The act of doing, however, requires only doing. For me, upholding the paradigm of honor culture did not begin as an obvious instinct, it had to be learned. Looking back, what a valuable lesson it has been. 

Artwork By HandDrawnBear

Of course, there are always savants that take the time to excel at both doing and understanding. These are the people that you want on your team. When Owen got booted out of Hollywood and his whole world was turned upside down, suddenly, the doing part wasn’t enough by itself. He needed to take the time to get an explicit understanding of his instincts. He needed to revisit why choosing truth over money was the right decision despite popular Hollywood opinion. Thus, the Why Didn’t They Laugh (WDTL) podcast pivoted, and the course of its new insightful direction was set. Instead of focusing on the niche of differentiating between a joke that roars and a joke that flops, WDTL began focusing on values. As much for himself as it was for the audience, Big Bear needed to explain the importance of maintaining his core mantra: “I might be wrong but I’m not lying”. What followed was a long, drawn out articulation of honor culture fundamentals, paired with the dramatization of what happens when such a brash ethic is forthrightly upheld in the modern dainty public square. 

    This turn of events took place in the days of double-digit streams. I was lucky enough to get on-board early, when I began listening around number 95. Today, we’re well past 1000 and I haven’t missed one since. Between then and now, much has been unlearned, many have been banned, and more has been built. Infrastructure like Unauthorized.tv, Unbearables Media, and The Beartaria Times, did not exist back when I first wrote down a quick jab of rhetoric from a roaring comedian named Owen Benjamin. And that’s the beauty of this whole story. The Beartarian ethic is about pursuing honor culture: we build, rather than complain, we’re defined by our light, rather than our shadows, and we aim for the good, the true, and the beautiful, rather than the wicked, the false, and the ugly. We make every effort to do our best, in pursuit of God’s moral law. 

Artwork By HandDrawnBear

One of Big Bear’s great assets has been his dismissal of prioritizing a secular authority, the primary driver behind the mainstream ethic: civility culture. This opened up the authentic freedom to travel down any conceptual road, regardless of any ruffled feathers in the secular space. As a consequence, a whole world of insights has been brought forward. Encountering an enormous conceptual mass, I made the choice to break up my writing project about Owen into three sensible parts. With that decision, one book became a trilogy, with a narrative that follows the same logical arc that Owen worked through live. How Dare You is focused on the first phase of the journey: upholding the values of honor culture.

Altogether, writing How Dare You has been a wonderful project to put together. I was able to take the scattered lessons in my mind about Honor culture and distill them down into one cohesive bundle. Every part of this process has been a joy. My hope is to build a career as a professional author, spending my mornings writing from a little office in a homestead, but I’ve realized that if I had to, I’d do this for free. For the bears yet to read How Dare You, I hope it resonates with you just as much as it did with me, and just as much as it did with those who have already closed the back cover and offered such generous and rewarding feedback. It’s been my honor to make something that good people enjoy. First and foremost, this novel was always meant to be a cathartic revisit to where this whole process started. It was written by a bear, for the bears. In terms of tone, How Dare You is stern and masculine. Like Owen, I was tough with some of my words, because I know you can handle it. Bears aren’t snowflakes; we’re comfortable with the thermal kinetics that often comes when wrestling with ideas. Think of it like a coach at half-time, whose crassness and intensity are rooted in love, knowing that we can do better. But How Dare You isn’t an exercise in brow-beating either. In addition to a deliberately stern take on the hedonic side of modernity, How Dare You also bounces around between high ground abstractions and low ground goofiness, just like Owen is apt to do. Stylistically, How Dare You is for the bears.

Artwork By HandDrawnBear

Finally, I just want to take a step back and offer a sincere thank you to everyone here. Since the start, this has been a wonderful grass roots movement to be a part of. Seeds have been sown and much has been grown. We will all be known by our fruits. With what has already developed, I’m convinced that the bears are the best people on earth. Looking forward to whatever comes next.
   

Much love everybody, 

Jacob 

Runnerbear

Website: JacobTelling.com

Beartaria Times handle: @Runnerbear

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Comedian Owen Benjamin Disrupts The Comedy Scene

Congratulations to Owen Benjamin and the Unbearables Media Team for the Launch of “Must Be Nice”!

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We are thrilled to announce the launch of “Must Be Nice”, the latest comedy special from Owen Benjamin, filmed during the Beartaria Times National Festival and now available for all to enjoy! This event marks a significant accomplishment, not only for Owen but for the entire community that has stood by him.

Owen has faced intense challenges over the years. His refusal to conform to the prevailing entertainment narratives led to numerous cancellations. Online platforms removed him, and live theaters refused to host him simply because of the kind of comedy he performs—honest, raw, and rooted in truth. But instead of shrinking back, Owen doubled down and his audience stood up.

You can’t cancel comedy, as for those that try, they are not just rejecting a comedian from performing, but denying an audience from seeing who they wish.

The cancellation attempts were met by Owen and his audience with the understanding that other peoples platforms and venues are not theirs, which led to the escalation without victim consciousness to build independent platforms and venues.

The community didn’t just offer moral support; they opened up their properties for Owen to perform live, laying the groundwork for something far greater than anyone anticipated. The generosity and unity of his audience led to the funding and development of land specifically for community events and live shows—a place where we can gather, laugh, and celebrate the values we hold dear.

The “Must Be Nice” comedy special represents the culmination of these efforts, demonstrating what can be achieved when a group of like-minded people come together with a vision. The production of this special was taken to a whole new level. With a larger team, high-quality camera rentals, a more advanced sound system, and significant equipment donations—including a massive contribution from Joe Gagan—the special reflects the growth and professionalism of Unbearables Media.

The excitement surrounding “Must Be Nice” is electric. It’s more than just another comedy special—it’s a victory for free expression, for our community, and for the spirit of independence that defines us. The launch on October 11th, marks the beginning of a new era for Owen Benjamin and Unbearables Media, setting a new standard in comedy production and community-driven entertainment.

Thank you to everyone who supported this journey, and congratulations to Owen and the entire Unbearables Media team. We can’t wait to see what the future holds as we continue to build and enjoy a world where we can laugh freely and share what matters most.

Get ready to laugh, Beartarians, because Must Be Nice is here!

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Legends Spiral Upwards: Embracing Timeless Attributes

We asked our community, “what makes a Legend?”…

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In today’s world, the term “legend” gets tossed around a lot, but in Beartaria, we know that being a true legend goes far beyond fame or popularity. It’s about living in a way others look up to and leaving a lasting impact.

We asked our community, “what makes a Legend?”. The response from our community helped us compile a list of attributes to share so you can embrace the timeless qualities that will set you apart and make you a legend in your own right:

1. Take Ownership, Don’t Blame Others

You’ve got to take full responsibility for your actions. When things go wrong, don’t point fingers—step up and own your mistakes. Doing this builds trust and shows you’re mature enough to handle life’s challenges. Blaming others undermines your influence; taking ownership leads to growth and accurate solutions.

Suggestion: Start by acknowledging your mistakes, no matter how small. When faced with a challenge, ask yourself what you could have done differently. Practice self-reflection regularly through journaling to reinforce this mindset. Share your experiences with others, showing how ownership leads to growth.

2. Emotional Stability, Don’t Get Triggered, Focus on What You Can Control

Life will throw challenges your way, and how you respond to adversity determines the direction in which you’ll find yourself moving when you do. Emotional stability involves keeping your calm and staying focused on what you can control—your thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Don’t get triggered or let emotions control you; stay grounded, knowing you always have power over your responses. If you remain calm while others lose their heads, you’ll not only benefit you will also stand out as a robust and steady presence.

Suggestion: Develop mindfulness practices like prayer and repentance, meditation or deep breathing to manage your emotional responses. Journaling can also help you articulate and process your feelings. Create a list of things you can control and focus on them daily. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, remind yourself of your power over your thoughts and actions.

3. Be Authentic, Remain Truthful in Word and in Deed

Stay true to who you are. Don’t wear a mask or try to be someone you’re not. Authenticity builds stronger relationships and earns respect. Being truthful in your words and actions shows that you have integrity—one of the most essential qualities of a Legend.

Suggestion: Take time to understand your values and beliefs. Practice expressing your thoughts honestly and clearly, even when it’s uncomfortable. Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are. Be mindful of your actions; ensure they align with your words so you are trustworthy. Finding like-minded individuals is an inherent blessing of our community, and connecting is made easier by using tools like the BT App and the BT Map.

4. Be an Example, Work Hard, Compare Less

Focus on setting the right example for others by working hard and staying committed to your path. Don’t waste energy comparing yourself to others. Instead, concentrate on being better than you were yesterday. The only person you should be competing with is yourself.

Suggestion: Set clear personal and professional goals and create a plan to achieve them. Celebrate your progress rather than comparing yourself to others. Engage in daily habits that align with your values, and share your journey with those around you. This not only motivates you but also inspires others to follow suit.

5. Be Ambitious, Don’t Have Despair

Ambition drives you forward, while despair keeps you stuck. Always have a goal in mind, and don’t let setbacks make you lose hope. Even in tough times, maintain your sense of purpose. When you’re ambitious, you’ll see failures as stepping stones rather than dead ends. Your approach to adversity affects how quickly you can use an experience to grow.

Suggestion: Cultivate a growth mindset by viewing challenges as opportunities for learning. Surround yourself with ambitious people who uplift and inspire you. Set short- and long-term goals that excite you, and break them into manageable steps. When faced with setbacks, remind yourself of your vision and why you started.

6. Be Patient, With Yourself and Others

Patience is critical, both with yourself and the people around you. Not everything will happen as fast as you want, and that’s okay. Understand that progress takes time, and so does dealing with others. Be patient with your journey and with those who walk it with you.

Suggestion: Practice patience in everyday situations. When things don’t go as planned, take a moment to breathe and reassess. Remind yourself that progress takes time and everyone is on their own journey. Encourage others by acknowledging their efforts, and don’t rush the process—for yourself and those around you.

7. Produce Goods and Services of Value

Being a legend isn’t just about personal success—it’s about lifting others up. Whether it’s through your work, your contributions, or the way you support your family and friends, what you do should provide value to others. Leave your community, family, and world better than you found them. Being part of creating solutions is intrinsic to Beartarian culture.  

Suggestion: Identify the skills and resources you have that can benefit others. Volunteer your time, share your knowledge, or create products that meet community needs. Engage with local organizations to find out where your help is most needed. Regularly ask your friends and family how you can support them, fostering a culture of reciprocity.

8. Show Up In Every Way You Can

Showing up is half the battle, but it’s not just about being physically present. You need to show up mentally and emotionally, too. Be there for the people in your life and for the responsibilities you’ve taken on. Your consistency in effort, presence, and dependability will set you apart.

Suggestion: Make a conscious effort to be present in the moment. Give your full attention in conversations, meetings, or social gatherings. Develop a routine that allows you to prioritize essential commitments and practice being dependable. Create reminders or use a planner to ensure you follow through on your commitments.

9. Be Grateful, Stay Grounded in Gratitude

Gratitude keeps you humble and helps you stay grounded. Legends know that everything they have is a gift and don’t take it for granted. When you appreciate what you’ve been given, you attract even more good into your life and avoid the traps of arrogance and entitlement. You can still enjoy the occasional ‘Muth be nice’ as long as you do it with a genuine appreciation and admiration. Don’t let envy or jealousy rob you of the joy seeing the blessings in life will bring you on your journey.

Suggestion: Start a gratitude journal where you write down three daily things you’re thankful for. Reflect on both big and small blessings in your life. Express your gratitude to others—send thank-you notes, make calls, or simply tell people how much you appreciate them. This practice will keep you grounded and foster positive relationships.

10. Gain Knowledge, Never Stop Learning

A legendary life is built on constant growth. Always learn new things or refine your existing skills. Keep your mind sharp and stay open to new ideas. The more knowledge you gain, the more value you can offer to the world around you.

Suggestion: Dedicate time each week to learning something new. This could be reading books, taking online courses, or attending workshops. Join clubs or groups that focus on your interests, allowing you to exchange knowledge with others. Set learning goals and track your progress to keep yourself motivated. Explore the category groups in the BT App to find inspiration about different skills and topics you can strive to Crush at.

11. Sacrifice Today for a Better Tomorrow for Yourself and Your Posterity

A legendary legacy isn’t just about what you accomplish today—it’s about what you leave behind for the next generation. Legends understand that success requires delayed gratification and the discipline to sacrifice today’s pleasures for tomorrow’s gains. You make sacrifices now to ensure your children and grandchildren a better future. This isn’t just about financial security but the values, work ethic, and example you leave behind. What you do today will echo far into the future, shaping not just your life but the lives of those who come after you.

Suggestion: Evaluate your current priorities and identify areas where you can make sacrifices. Create a plan for your financial goals, such as saving for your children’s education or retirement. Share your vision with your family so they understand the importance of your sacrifices. Model this behavior by making choices that prioritize long-term gains over short-term pleasures. It’s never too early to practice this attribute; don’t let your current season of life dictate how you prepare for the possibilities and potential of the future.

Building Your Legendary Life

Becoming a legend isn’t about being perfect but embodying values others will admire and follow. Take responsibility, stay grounded, be patient, and lift others up. Show up in every way, practice gratitude, and remain true to yourself. Focus on what you can control, delay gratification, and keep learning.

When you live this way, you won’t just create a life worth living—you’ll build a legacy that will stand the test of time.


Join our community app today to meet old friends for the first time and have a community of over 15,000+ people to share your journey with!
Keep striving, keep growing, and never stop building your legendary life!


If you are interested in submitting an article for BeartariaTimes.com as a guest writer please email Editor@BeartariaTimes.com. 

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Christopher Gardner Completes First Dome Framing Project in Missouri: Exclusive Interview

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Christopher Gardner, known affectionately as Topher, has successfully completed his inaugural dome framing project in Missouri, a significant achievement in his promise to sustainable living and innovative building techniques.

Topher has been hard at work navigating U.S. labor rates and perfecting his techniques. His dedication to sustainability is evident in every aspect of the project, from material selection to construction methods aimed at minimizing environmental impact.

Topher now sets his sights on the Beartaria Ozark Campground, where discussions are underway to host multiple workshops. These workshops aim to educate attendees on his unique building style, recruit laborers for future projects, and create distinctive living spaces for campground guests.

Topher’s successful completion of the dome framing project highlights his expertise and signifies a growing interest in sustainable living and alternative building methods. His initiatives are poised to inspire others to embrace self-reliance and environmentally conscious practices.

As Topher expands his projects and workshops, the community eagerly anticipates the positive impact of his efforts. His commitment to spreading knowledge and fostering community engagement through sustainable building practices sets a precedent for future endeavors in eco-friendly construction and self-sufficient living.

Christopher Gardner’s achievement in completing the first dome framing project in Missouri is a testament to his vision and dedication. His ongoing efforts to educate, recruit, and innovate is sure to leave a lasting legacy in the realm of sustainable living and construction techniques.

We had the opportunity to congratulate Topher and ask a few questions.

Q. What is the most common question about your dome builds?

A. I often get asked how much they cost. The answer varies massively depending on how you finish and furnish your dome.

The foundation and framing is generally half the cost of a conventional building per square foot.

The purpose of the dome, how it is finished and furnished are preferential and could only be quoted on a per-project basis.
While circular or rounded furniture isn’t easy to find, you may want to build your own or have it custom-built.

Q. Is there anything you would like people to know about your Domes?

A. You get a lot fewer bugs, and domes take much less energy to cool and heat, on average 1/10th the energy to heat and cool compared to conventional buildings.

My domes are an Asymmetric Faraday cage.
This is a Japanese star dome design, or Mandala dome, invented by a Japanese mathematician who open sourced his invention.
The type of framing is not my invention, but the methodology and application are proprietary.

My systems and some of the things I’m working on can make these domes highly customizable, not just in style but in practicality. They can be made EMF resistant if you dont mind no internet service and are senstive to EMF. The design can be reinforced to be resilient to windstorms and earthquakes.

Q. What are your dreams & aspirations?

A. My dream and aspiration is for people to learn the virtues of these domes and to adopt them as a practical solution.
People used to have storm shelters below ground, which is a problem with high water tables.
I would like to see all homesteads becoming Domesteads.
I’m working on developing additional methods that make these domes resistant to Wind, earthquake, and fire.
With the correct exposure and the work we are doing here in Missouri, I really see us being able to bring domes to rural areas across America, opening a new market for people looking to add affordable and smart square footage to their properties, increasing value and security.

Q. What are your plans for Beartaria Ozark Campground?

A. Due to recent accomplishments, we have been able to source the needed resources and begin basic training for a dozen guys in this construction style. This has assisted us in working through detailed logistics, figures, and plans for domes on The Beartaria Ozark Campground.

I’m happy to share that, after a year of discussions, The Campground management team and I have established a plan to offer exclusive dome-building workshops and begin construction on the campground.

These workshops will be small groups of twelve people, all hands-on, and they will get to work with me directly throughout the process.

We plan to begin gathering the names and emails of anyone who wishes to participate in these workshops in the coming weeks.

I’m excited to work with Beartaria Ozark Campground and all the legends who are inspired to bring these amazing structures to the U.S.

Q. Is there anything else you would like to share?

A. I would like to thank everyone that has been supporting me, from the followers of my work, my podcast and now all the bears that are getting involved in Missouri to help me get these builds happening!


Thank you, Topher, for all of your work, and we look forward to following you through your mission!

Connect with Christopher Gardner

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