One of the most-linked essays online: advice from an old man to a young man

I found a list of most-linked articles this morning and enjoyed this one. For the unexpurgated version see the original.

Advice to Young Men from an Old Man

• Don't pick on the weak. It's immoral. Don't antagonize the strong without cause, it's stupid.
  
  
• Don't hate women. It's a waste of time.
  
  
• As a former Marine, take it from me. Don't join the military, unless you want to risk getting your *&^$ blown off to secure other people's economic or political interests.
  
  
• If something has a direct benefit to an individual or a class of people, and also has a theoretical, abstract, or amorphous benefit to everybody else -- realize that the proponent's intentions are to benefit the former, not the latter, no matter what &^%$ they try to feed you.
  
  
• Don't be a Republican ... If you must be a Republican, don't be a 'conservative.' They are whining, bitching, complaining, simple-minded self-righteous idiots who think they're perpetual victims. Listen to talk radio for a while, you'll see what I mean.
  
  
• Don't take proffered advice without a critical analysis. 90% of all advice is intended to benefit the proponent, not the recipient. Actually, the number is probably closer to 97%, but I don't want to come off as cynical.
  
  
• Don't undermine your fellow young men. Mentor the young men that come after you. Society recognizes that you have the potential to be the most power force in society. It scares them. Society does not find young men sympathetic. They are afraid of you, both individually and collectively. Law enforcement's primary purpose is to suppress you.
  
  
• Young men provide the genius and muscle by which our society thrives. Look at the Silicone Valley. By in large, it was not old men or women that created the revolution we live. Realize that society steals your contributions, secures it with our intellectual property laws, and then takes credit and the rewards where none is due.
  
  
• Know that few people have your best interests at heart. Your mother does. Your father probably does (if he stuck around). Your siblings are on your side. Everybody else worries about themselves.
  
  
• Don't be afraid to tell people to '&^% off' when need be. It is an important skill to acquire. As they say, speak your piece, even if your voice shakes.
  
  
• Acquire empathy, good interpersonal skills, and confidence. Learn to read body language and non-verbal communication. Don't just concentrate on your vocational or technical skills, or you'll find your wife &%^% somebody else.
  
  
• Keep fit.
  
  
• Don't speak ill of your wife/girlfriend. Back her up against the world, even if she's wrong. She should know that you have her back. When she needs your help, give it. She should know that you'll take her part.
  
  
• If your girlfriend doesn't make you feel good about yourself and bring joy to your life, fire her. That's what girlfriends are for.
  
  
• Realize that love is a numbers game. Guys fall in love easily. You're going to see some girl and feel like you'll die if you don't get her. If she rejects you, move on to the next one. It's her loss.
  
  
• Don't be an internet troll. Got out and live life. There is not a cadre of beautiful women advertising on Craigslist to have NSA sex with you. Beautiful women don't need to advertise. The websites that advertise with attractive women's photos and claims of loneliness are baloney. All they want is your money and your personal information so that they can market to you. ... There are women on Craigslist. They are easily recognizable by their 2-5 paragraph postings. Most are in their 30's or older.
  
  
• Don't be a poser. Avoid being one of those dudes who puts a surfboard on top of their car, but never surfs, or a dude with a powder coated fixed gear bike and a messenger bag, but was never a messenger. Live the life. Earn your bona fides.
  
  
• Remember, 97% of all advice is worthless. Take what you can use, and trash the rest.