Written by Dan Donche
Sunday, September 6th, 2009
If there’s anything Hollywood is guilty of, it’s providing the world with a never-ending supply of people to scrutinize. There’s no shortage of memorable characters, forever etched into our hearts and minds, which all too often get blamed for many of the problems in today’s society. Dudes have been looking up to badasses of the silver screen for decades, and it’s no wonder – some of our all-time favorites simply possess traits most of us only wish we had. Today’s dissection will be on Fight Club’s Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt.
The purpose of this series will be to compare the selected badass with the “8 Tenets of the Badass”, which I outline in Unleash Your Inner Badass. The 8 Tenets are traits I believe are inherent in all “badasses”. Let’s take a look to see if they apply in this case.
1. Don’t Give a Fuck
Check. Tyler Durden doesn’t give a damn about anyone or anything. Everything he does screams that he doesn’t care what others think about him or his actions. He is his own man. From pissing in the clam chowder to splicing genitalia into G-rated films, he does what he wants without having to walk around on eggshells worrying about how others are going to perceive him.
2. Do Everything On Your Own Terms
Check. Every decision Tyler Durden makes is solely based upon what he wants and how he wants it to happen. What’s that? Don’t want to let us use your place, Lou? Maybe laughing maniacally while you’re lying awestruck under a shower of blood and drool will convince you.
3. Demand Respect
Check. Tyler Durden doesn’t allow others to disrespect him. He believes he deserves it and he holds others to his standard. Thinking about violating the first two rules of Fight Club? Think again.
4. Be Fearless
Check. ”Guys, what would you wish you’d done before you died?” You don’t allow a car to veer recklessly into oncoming traffic unless you have no fear of death. But this Tenet isn’t necessarily about being completely fearless. It’s about having the balls to take what you want, to pursue what you want, which Tyler Durden accomplishes marvelously.
5. Take the Lead
Check. Tyler propels the lead to staggering levels by building his own private army of drones to carry out his every bidding. I’d say this is about as far as you can get on the spectrum of being a leader.
6. Be Cool
Check. Tyler is so smooth it hurts. He projects a vibe of badass a mile wide. He remains calm and collected throughout the whole movie until the end.
7. Take Action
Check. He doesn’t wait around for shit to happen, he makes it happen. In fact, everything that happens is, well, because of him.
8. Live Fast
Check. Tyler Durden epitimizes this Tenet. His every action is wrought with danger, defiance, or adventure.
Conclusion: Tyler Durden is a certified badass. He has all the traits I believe are inherent in natural badasses (at least what I perceive to be “badass”).
