Part 3/8:
The current landscape is fraught with misrepresentations, particularly due to media influence. Sam cites that many individuals, especially youths, conflate Stoicism with the toxic masculinity perpetuated by figures like Andrew Tate. This realization is troubling, as it distorts the teachings of Stoicism. For instance, when discussing personal growth or masculinity, young people might shun philosophical discussions simply because they fear association with negative ideologies.
In a recent trip to Stanford University, Sam encountered a budding entrepreneur who faced backlash for referring to Stoicism in his self-development pursuits, underscoring the stigma that can stem from public figures' misclassifications.