Primal Hardship

Things that matter with Sam Alaimo

Published on Vale Tudo • 16 hrs ago

What a Vietnam Cobra Pilot Can Teach Us About Attention

And knowing what we choose to live for

Dec 9 • 

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What Combat Diving Can Teach Us About Mindfulness

The importance of one moment in time and how we control it

Dec 2 • 

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November 2025

No Trouble at All: Finding Meaning in Our Automatic World

Trading pixels for iron, to recreate an ancient resolve for all that may come.

Nov 25 • 

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Why We Should All Be Idiots

Dostoevsky and five minutes of time

Nov 18 • 

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Veteran’s Day 2025: Why Americans Fight in Silence

German POWs, James Jones, and compassion

Nov 11 • 

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The Cause of Stress Is Self-care. The Cure for Stress Is a Good Fight.

Monty Python, Dugum Dani, and a pale blue dot

Nov 4 • 

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October 2025

Finding the Sublime In Hell: A Lesson from Hell Week

Loudspeakers, rituals, and a path forward

Oct 28 • 

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How to Live in the Moment Like Musashi

Sword fights, fig trees, and a way forward

Oct 21 • 

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My Case for Savage Stoicism

Marcus Aurelius, Spotted Horse, and a return to savagery

Oct 14 • 

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The Department of War and the Warrior Ethos: In This World Are Tigers

Hegseth, the Korean War, and obeying reality

Oct 7 • 

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September 2025

The Cure for Meaninglessness Is a Task

Shackleton and pursuing excellence

Sep 30 • 

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