Unpacking Male Supremacy and Male Supremacist Influencers with Pasha Dashtgard

The Masculine Wilderness Podcast

Pasha Dashtgard, Director of Research for the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL), discusses online male extremism and the Manosphere. The Manosphere is an interconnected network of blogs, websites, and influencers that promote male supremacist ideology. It includes groups like men's rights activists, pickup artists, incels, and the red pill movement. Pasha explains the concepts of male supremacy, toxic masculinity, and the different forms of sexism within the Manosphere. He also highlights the damaging effects of these ideologies, particularly on young men. Andrew Tate, a prominent figure in the Manosphere, is seen as a polished expression of these ideologies.

In this conversation, Tom Perez speaks with Pasha Dashtgard, a researcher and expert on male supremacist ideology and its impact on society. They discuss the rise of male supremacist influencers like Andrew Tate and the role of technology in the proliferation of this ideology. They explore the factors that have contributed to the appeal of male supremacist ideas, including the reduction in the importance of religion and the lack of a developed discourse on masculinity. They also discuss the harmful effects of digitally mediated communication and the need for young men to develop a sense of self-worth and the ability to process trauma. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of multiple masculinities and creating a society that allows men to be multifaceted.

Takeaways

The Manosphere is an interconnected network of blogs, websites, and influencers that promote male supremacist ideology. The Manosphere includes groups like men's rights activists, pickup artists, incels, and the red pill movement. Male supremacy is an ideology that posits that women, particularly feminists, are out to get men. Toxic masculinity is the policing, intimidation, and violence used against boys and men who step outside the hegemonic masculine ideal. Andrew Tate is a prominent figure in the Manosphere, but he is not unique and will likely be replaced by others promoting similar ideologies. Male supremacist influencers like Andrew Tate appeal to young men by acknowledging their struggles and offering a sense of self-worth. Technology, particularly social media algorithms, plays a significant role in the proliferation and reinforcement of male supremacist ideology. The reduction in the importance of religion and the lack of a developed discourse on masculinity have contributed to the appeal of male supremacist ideas. Digitally mediated communication lacks the connection and bond necessary for meaningful dialogue and can lead to aggression and hostility. To mitigate the harm faced by boys and young men, it is important to provide them with tools to process trauma and grievance in a healthy way. Creating a society that allows men to be multifaceted and embraces multiple masculinities is crucial in challenging male supremacist ideology.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Manosphere 26:02 The Different Groups within the Manosphere 27:57 Understanding Incels and the Black Pill 30:20 Distinct Ideologies within the Manosphere 32:46 Andrew Tate and the Influence of the Manosphere 33:15 The Appeal of Male Supremacist Influencers 36:40 The Role of Technology in the Proliferation of Male Supremacist Ideology 37:38 The Impact of Religion and the Lack of Discourse on Masculinity 41:55 The Harmful Effects of Digitally Mediated Communication 49:43 Mitigating Harm: Tools for Processing Trauma and Grievance 53:36 Embracing Multiple Masculinities: Challenging Male Supremacist Ideology

Quotes

"What is happening with, I don't, it's not exclusively young men, but primarily young men? The Manosphere is an interconnected network of blogs and websites and influencers and social media outlets that are all using this male supremacist ideology." "In cells are defined by a sort of hopelessness. So there's a term called the black pill, which is essentially this like, give up, you're never going to be loved."

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