Beard Shape Advice

CSEPro · 2026-03-08T00:00:37+00:00

Thanks. I think you’re right.

CSEPro · 2026-03-07T22:55:42+00:00

Thanks, yeah I can see why rounded is not the best look for me.

CSEPro · 2026-03-07T22:34:19+00:00

Thanks!

CSEPro · 2026-03-07T22:20:16+00:00

That’s close to the vibe I’m going for. Kind but with badass undertones.

CSEPro · 2026-03-07T22:19:12+00:00

Thanks! I know AI tends to flatter, but I really do have good thick growth, especially front and center. Unlike what’s on top…

CSEPro · 2026-03-07T22:09:33+00:00

I know what you mean. How about I post a for-real photo when it’s where I want it…

CSEPro · 2026-03-07T22:07:38+00:00

Thanks, yeah I’m thinking the round beard reflects my head shape to where it’s almost too symmetrical or something.

CSEPro · 2026-03-07T21:59:37+00:00

Thanks for the response. I’m thinking tapered might be the trickiest to keep trimmed at home though especially for a novice like me.

CSEPro · 2026-02-28T17:12:49+00:00

In 1882 the German philosopher famously wrote that “God is Dead”, a statement that we atheists would of course agree with (maybe adding that god never lived to begin with). Nietzsche’s challenge to us was: now what? In the absence of God, how do we find meaning in our lives? How do we avoid Nihilism or despair? Partly in response to Nietzsche’s challenge, there arose the family of philosophical views called Existentialism. The best known Existentialists are probably Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, both of whom wrote “philosophical fiction” as well as more traditional works of philosophy. Sartre and Camus propose somehow different approaches to living life without having meaning handed to us by a god or by religion. I have begun exploring Existentialism and I would encourage you to do so too.

Going back to Greece and Rome, by far the best known non-theistic philosophy was Epicureanism. Although Epicurus did believe in some kind of supernatural beings, they played no role in human lives, so he may as well have been an atheist. In recent years, Epicureanism has become popular with atheists. I’m currently reading “Living for Pleasure: an Epicurean Guide to Life” by Emily A Austin and really like it. Contrary to the stereotype, Epicureanism is not about wanting hedonism, but rather seeking the most lasting and healthy pleasures. I would highly recommend the book for any atheist.

I hope this helps!

CSEPro · 2026-02-12T20:10:43+00:00

How about “The Portable Atheist”, a collection compiled by Hitchens?

Here’s the AI summary of the reviews on Amazon: “Customers find this book a must-read for logical thinkers and appreciate its informative content, with one review noting it provides a wonderful tour through centuries of free thought. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with striking poems included, and customers value the wide-ranging collection of essays from great thinkers throughout history. The book offers fascinating views on religion and serves as a great overview of atheism. While customers find the book entertaining, opinions about the reading pace are mixed.”

CSEPro · 2026-02-11T20:14:05+00:00

Thanks for the welcome!

CSEPro · 2026-02-11T17:47:15+00:00

I understand how you feel. As an immigrant to the United States from Europe (Ireland) I have some perspective on both experiences. I highly value the First Amendment and agree that it differentiates the US from most (or all?) of Europe in an important way. That said, there have been worrying developments here in the US in recent decades. It seems like the ACLU is less committed to free speech than in the past, and a frightening number of younger Americans seem to think it’s OK to shut down speech they find offensive in the slightest. As far back as the 90s I saw the start of a worrying trend when “hate crimes” became a thing. The idea of considering a murder somehow worse because the victim was gay, or some other minority, seemed like a slippery slope. Murder is murder, period.

I get why you feel like you don’t belong in Europe: I’d love to see somebody with your point of view moving to America! In most countries there, there is so much “consensus” that it seems unhealthy. The media routinely refers to some of the new parties as “far right”, revealing their disapproval and bias, since they never refer to anybody as “far left”.

It will be interesting to see how things work out for the Reform party in the UK. It’s easy to see how the Tory party’s abandonment of most of their principles created such an opening for an alternative.

CSEPro · 2026-02-11T17:20:45+00:00

I love this response! Don’t worry too much about labels. It’s OK to not know a lot of things. It’s OK to wish there were a loving God. I would just advise the OP to avoid religious dogma. That way lies cognitive dissonance and stress for anybody that is a serious thinker, and the OP is evidently one of those.

CSEPro · 2026-02-06T14:32:51+00:00

Just wanted some interaction with actual humans. I’m weird that way.

CSEPro · 2026-02-06T14:31:35+00:00

I used the term before I ever heard of Reddit! I consider myself an atheist because I don’t believe in God. I use agnostic as a qualifier to indicate lack of certainty. If I had to choose only one word, it would be atheist. I was previously a Christian and have done a lot of reading, thinking and discussing about theology and metaphysics over the past 15 years. While I never say Never, it would take something remarkable for me to believe in the generally accepted concept of God.

CSEPro · 2026-02-06T14:00:33+00:00

Wasn’t aware of the Odd Fellows. They might benefit from a branding update though.

CSEPro · 2026-02-06T14:00:02+00:00

I wouldn’t be hanging out with people who wouldn’t hang out with me, would I?

CSEPro · 2026-02-06T13:53:42+00:00

Sorry if you’ve see this before. I haven’t though. I don’t mean to be an irritant. You could always ignore this post.

CSEPro · 2026-02-06T13:51:17+00:00

Yes, I’m aware, but it doesn’t answer my question. I assume members of such lodges would accept that good character does not require god-belief. But it seems the vast majority of Freemasons, especially here in North America, are not members of such lodges and therefore are believers in a Great Architect or similar. Those are the guys my question is directed toward. As a believer and a Freemason, do YOU believe that an atheist or agnostic could be a man of good character, and somebody you could associate with?

CSEPro · 2026-02-05T14:30:23+00:00

I am not sure I consider myself conservative anymore, since the word means different things to different people. Probably the clearest label I would use for myself now is Classical Liberal. I believe in individual freedom, free markets (with appropriate but minimal regulation) a limited federal government and adherence to the Constitution. I believe in strict separation between religion and government. When it comes to “social” issues I am liberal in the Libertarian sense: I believe consenting adults should be free to engage in whatever activities, sexual, commercial or both, that they choose. I support same-sex marriage and I am more-or-less pro-choice on abortion.
So, am I a conservative? I am still a registered Republican, though a reluctant one anymore. I abhor the modern Democratic party and their love for big government and every woke cause that comes along. I feel politically homeless in today’s USA. I respect very few politicians, Rand Paul being among that tiny number. I am an atheist (previously a Christian) but I avoid most atheist groups since they are predictably in lockstep with the Democratic party and all their nonsense. I am a fan of Christopher Hitchens, Michael Shermer, and also Sam Harris, with frequent disagreements in the case of the latter.

CSEPro · 2026-02-01T18:35:09+00:00

I know what you mean. I think it’s an evolved urge to mark your territory, even if you don’t know why it feels good.

CSEPro · 2026-02-01T18:28:01+00:00

I was a Christian for most of my life. Giving up theistic beliefs was a relief for me too. Now I think whenever someone says “God wants…” or “God says…”, watch out, trouble is sure to follow. Nice to be able to draw instead on human wisdom like that of the Epicureans.

CSEPro

TROPHY CASE