Conversations with Peter Boghossian The Manual For Young Men w/ Matt and Max Smith
11 snips
Sep 25, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Matt Smith, co-author of The Preparation, and Max Smith, a practitioner of its curriculum, share insights on preparing young men for real life beyond college. They emphasize the importance of practical skills, building a personal code of conduct, and developing virtues to combat shame. Max recounts firsthand experiences from EMT training and sailing, highlighting the program's effectiveness. The pair also discuss funding strategies for alternative education and the challenges of pursuing an unconventional path.
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Restaurant Brawl That Revealed Weakness
- Peter describes a restaurant incident where four men let a woman violently attack them and their girlfriend.
- He uses the story to argue some answers about what kind of man to be are clearly wrong.
Create A Personal Code
- Build a personal code by listing rules that prevent actions making you feel small or ashamed.
- Use that code to form self-esteem and enforce a clear line in the sand for conduct.
Rules Plus Virtues For Character
- Virtues are aspirational qualities distinct from binary rules and support ongoing moral growth.
- The authors pair rules with virtues to shape conduct and long-term character.
