Just Crushing

How Dare You

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

Published

3 years ago

February 15, 2021

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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The Strength of 10 Friends Within 10 Miles

Published

3 months ago

February 3, 2024

Guest Writer

When I think about this amazing advice, it reminds me of when I was young, riding my bike to my friend’s house and connecting with all the local kids.

Something about close friends being close gives you a feeling of comfort. It is different from the kind of comfort that makes you lazy, as if you are going to have Electric Bear also mow your lawn and do your dishes.

The comfort satisfies the feeling of needing more in your life.
Most of us could use more money, time, and resources, but having those ten friends within 10 miles covers a lot of angles of support and leisure.

Planning with friends can sometimes be difficult, but when you have a friend that calls you up saying, “Hey, I’m driving by. Can I drop off something you will like?”.

It just makes it easy; it can even change the way you think.

When we are blessed with an abundant harvest or meat from the land or local hunters, there is a warm feeling of happiness and a desire to share our blessings with others.

When tasks that will take some time come up, it’s easy to call a friend and ask to hang out and throw some wood around, for example.
What may take you an hour alone could take you 20 minutes, then an additional couple hours talking gravy of course.

The guidance of 10 friends within 10 miles was the bridge from an online community to a full-blown real-life nation of legends.

From the macro community at The Beartaria Times National Festival to the micro-communities all around the world.
Having ten friends in 10 miles has been a goal and a cornerstone of our pursuit of happiness and prosperity.

It’s a great question for anyone to reflect on. Do I have ten friends within 10 miles?
You could go further: are those ten friends clean? Are they trying to live a good life?
Are they ambitious? Optimistic?
Realistic?

Everyone has different traits and characters, and it’s always good to have a strong balance of other characters around you. Although, it’s always worth ensuring you are in good company, and if not the best, at least not pulling you down.

Having my 10+ friends within 10 miles is fantastic; it’s like a village inside of the wider society. What is remarkable about this personal venture is when you travel and connect with a friend further away, if they have ten friends in 10 miles, you become a guest in another village; it becomes so easy to experience social networking on a rapid level naturally.

This goal and experience has been huge for me and so many others. We see its benefits daily, and we can only begin explaining the benefits and protections for potential events.

In Beartaria, we are not isolationists; we pursue independence and self-reliance but connect and support others on that path.

For the many people who don’t have ten friends in 10 miles, consider getting active on The Beartaria Times App.
The benefit of The Beartaria Times App is that we typically lock in with many values beyond common interests. A lot of us are kind of like hardened warriors of cultural warfare but now semi-retired or let our guard down and feel peace in the castle walls.
Many other members on the app may have not been around since its founding but totally get the new vision for social media. A family friendly, drama free environment that is a tool for real world benefit.

Looking to your local community is an obvious route to expanding your local network and connecting with people who might be in places of interest is super valuable.
Meeting a friend at the farm store can align you with common interests and lifestyle for example.

While we see the benefits of 10 friends within 10 miles, we hope to never to see the days when it’s not just for fun and thriving but also survival.
Those ten friends can make all the difference in our lives. Isolation can be brutal and a tactic to weaken us to other things.
I don’t want to list bug-out protocols or disasters that could happen and how ten friends would be huge for us. However, be sure, it’s always better to have a strong local community.

Ten friends in 10 miles is a part of our strength; individually and collectively, it adds strength to the full spectrum.

Our intentions,
Our minds,
Our muscles,
To act,
Our family,
Our friends
Our tribe
Intact,
Our county,
Our state,
Our nation,
In fact,
Our faith,
Our creed
Our motives
We lead.

Just Crushing

The 10 Lights of Beartaria: A Roadmap For Success

We have found a great unity with the 10k+ legends on our community app who are living these things every day.

Published

3 months ago

February 1, 2024

The Beartaria Times

In a world filled with uncertainty, chaos, and rapid change, the quest for a successful future often feels like navigating uncharted waters. Yet, amidst the tumult, there is reality. The reality is that our perceptions and intentions can shape the way we view the world.

Since the beginning of The Beartaria Times, we have made the intention to empower the good, the true, and the beautiful. We go through life refining our lens of perception and our effort to empower our environments to be what we want them to be: good, beautiful, and true.

In April of 2023, we shared a simple picture of 10 directives that are a part of our everyday intention to empower a good future for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
We have found these ten simple directives to be a great reminder for us and a blueprint for crafting a life of purpose, abundance, and self-reliance.

We have found a great unity with the 10k+ legends on our community app who are living these things every day. We all have different lives and environments and must take different strategies or prioritize things differently, but these 10 points of purpose have been a cultural unifier for so many.

So, we have decided to name these 10 points of purpose,

“The 10 Lights of Beartaria.”

Make the Intention:

Success begins with intention. Clarify your goals, envision your ideal future, and commit wholeheartedly to the journey ahead. By making clear intentions and aligning your actions with your vision, you lay the foundation for meaningful progress and lasting fulfillment.

Get Out of Debt:

Debt weighs heavily on the path to prosperity. Take proactive steps to eliminate debt and regain financial freedom. By living within your means, budgeting wisely, and prioritizing debt repayment, you pave the way for greater financial stability and peace of mind.

Buy Land:

Invest in the ultimate asset—land. Owning land not only provides a sense of security and permanence but also opens doors to endless opportunities for self-sufficiency, sustainability, and growth. Whether it’s a small plot for a homestead or acres of wilderness for exploration, land ownership is a cornerstone of a successful future.

Produce Value:

Create value wherever you go. Whether through entrepreneurship, creativity, or service to others, strive to make a positive impact and leave a legacy of contribution. By focusing on producing value in all that you do, you attract abundance and opportunities into your life.

Aim for Self-Reliance:

Embrace self-reliance as a guiding principle. Cultivate the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to sustain yourself and your loved ones independently. From growing your own food to harnessing renewable energy, prioritize self-reliance as a pathway to resilience and empowerment.

Connect with Others on This Journey:

Seek out like-minded individuals who share your intention for self-reliance and fulfillment. Forge connections, exchange ideas, and build communities of support and collaboration. Together, we are stronger, and together, we can accomplish far more than we ever could alone.

Support This Journey in Others:

Extend a helping hand to those on a similar path. Share knowledge, offer assistance, and uplift others as they strive towards their goals of self-reliance and success. By fostering a culture of mutual support and encouragement, we create a ripple effect of positive change and growth.

Stack Skills, Knowledge, and Resources:

Never stop learning and growing. Continuously invest in yourself, acquire new skills, expand your knowledge base, and accumulate resources. By stacking skills, knowledge, and resources, you fortify yourself against adversity and position yourself for long-term success.

Offer Value and Look for Opportunities:

Every interaction and experience can reveal opportunities. Stay open to new possibilities, embrace innovation, and adapt to changing circumstances with resilience and optimism. By remaining proactive and resourceful, you uncover hidden opportunities and forge new pathways to success.

Enjoy the Process with Family:

Above all, cherish the journey and celebrate the moments shared with loved ones. Involve your family in the pursuit of self-reliance and enjoy the process of learning, growing, and overcoming challenges together. Treasure the simple joys of life, savor the beauty of nature, and nurture meaningful connections that enrich the tapestry of your shared experiences.

Building a successful future is not merely about achieving material wealth or external accolades—it’s about cultivating a life of purpose, resilience, and fulfillment. By making intentional choices, embracing self-reliance, fostering community, and prioritizing meaningful connections, you pave the way for a future of abundance, joy, and fulfillment.
So, dare to dream, take bold action, and embark on the journey towards your most extraordinary future—one step at a time.

If you are looking for a community on this journey, make sure to check out our community app and experience the world wide network of legends.

Onward to Beartaria!

Sincerly,

The Beartaria Times

Just Crushing

Beartaria Times Courses and Profit Sharing Partnership Coming Soon

Together, let’s unlock the boundless potential of our community and forge a brighter, more empowered future.

Published

3 months ago

January 29, 2024

The Beartaria Times

Introducing Beartaria Times Courses and Profit Sharing Partnership

Greetings, Beartarians!

As we stride forward into the realms of knowledge and community growth, we are thrilled to unveil an exciting new venture: Beartaria Times Courses! With the Beartaria spirit of self-reliance and communal support at its core, Beartaria Times Courses is set to revolutionize how we learn and share skills within our beloved community.

The Application Process:

Embarking on this journey with us is simple yet significant. Here’s a breakdown of the application process:

Basic Appeal: Share your Passion with us!
Tell us what course you envision creating for our community. Whether it’s wilderness survival techniques, homesteading hacks, or artisanal crafts, we want to hear your ideas and aspirations.
Review for Approval: Discover your Status!
Upon receiving your proposal, we’ll carefully consider its alignment with the Beartaria ethos. Once reviewed we will notify you of the status. We will choose to either accept your proposal, consider your project for the future, or find that that your project does not align with our values or goals.
Lesson Plan Mock-Up: Design The Blueprint!
For proposals that catch our attention, we’ll delve deeper into the content. Submit a lesson plan mock-up detailing the structure, topics, and objectives of your proposed course.
Pilot Production: Take the Next Step!
Once the lesson plan is approved, it’s time to bring your vision to life! Produce an introductory video showcasing the essence and quality of your course content. This step allows us to ensure that our standards of excellence are met.
Rollout: Launch for Success!
With everything in place, it’s time to roll out your course to the eager Beartaria Times community! Together, we’ll embark on a journey of learning, growth, and empowerment.

Partnering for Profit Share:

But that’s not all! In the spirit of mutual support and collaboration, we’re thrilled to announce our profit-sharing partnership. As creators, your efforts deserve recognition and reward. Therefore, Beartaria Times Courses will implement a profit-sharing model, ensuring that creators receive their fair share of the success they help generate.

Through this partnership, we affirm our commitment to fostering a thriving ecosystem where creativity, innovation, and community thrive hand in hand. Your contributions are not just valued; they are celebrated and rewarded.

Join Us in the Journey:

To get started, reach out to @ Community Support Team on the Beartaria Times app to learn how to submit an application.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we invite each and every one of you to participate, contribute, and benefit from Beartaria Times Courses. Together, let’s unlock the boundless potential of our community and forge a brighter, more empowered future.

Stay tuned for further updates, announcements, and opportunities to be part of the Beartaria Times Courses initiative. Together, let’s soar to new heights of knowledge, unity, and shared prosperity.

Sincerely,

– The Beartaria Times Team

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