When his editor suggested he write a book about the manosphere, James Bloodworth replied, “Why would I want to do that?” You can see his point. Who would intentionally spend their days immersed in the toxic online subculture where men go to blame women for everything and plot their revenge? Who would choose to listen to endless Jordan Peterson podcasts or watch interminable Andrew Tate videos? Well, the answer is quite a lot of men, even though Bloodworth doesn’t really seem to know why.
His book begins with an excellent chapter in which he describes how, as a callow 23-year-old, he forked out a couple of grand to take a course in seduction. This was the era of Neil Strauss’s 2005 bestseller The Game, which taught geeky men how to pull hapless women. A bundle of nerves, the author ended up chanting a mantra of “Right here, right now!” on a night out in the West End. As he prepared to approach a “target”, his coach informed him encouragingly, “Your organ is a spear.”
Unfortunately, for a book subtitled “a personal journey”, this reminiscence is as personal as it gets. The author has interviewed some leading lights of the manosphere, including former pickup artist Anthony “Dream” Johnson. He has gone to several conferences where participants wear baseball caps printed with the slogan “Make Women Great Again”. He has even worked as a coach on a course in how to design social media profiles to attract women. (The signature Instagram pic of the tutor, Michael Sartain, has him surrounded by scantily clad women with a grin on his face.) Yet we never again get the same level of detail. We get little idea of how Bloodworth landed that job, or how he felt doing it. Was he nervous, for instance, that he might be unmasked as a left-leaning investigative reporter?
This leaves us with more generic material, which is sobering all the same. According to Lost Boys’ broadly chronological account, noughties pickup culture gave rise to the manosphere proper as men who absorbed the lessons of Strauss’s book found they still weren’t having any luck, and got angry about it. Those who were successful posted clips online of themselves chatting up women, and worked out that the ones where they insulted their targets were the most popular. So they posted more clips like that. We learn about the Red Pill brigade, who believe that the world is secretly run by women and most men don’t stand a chance. And so on.
Strangely, there’s zero consideration here of the explosion of online pornography, which encourages hyper-sexualisation while arguably exacerbating the sense of inadequacy felt by the viewer. I would have liked to have read more, too, on the accelerating effects of social media algorithms, as a result of which, Bloodworth notes, a boy showing interest in the relatively cerebral musings of Peterson will, within the hour, be exposed to Tate’s more extreme messaging.
At its best, Lost Boys itself acts as a kind of red pill, exposing the fact that the manosphere is really run by an assortment of more or less sleazy grifters. When I followed Sartain on Instagram to learn more about the kind of course to which Bloodworth contributed, within minutes I received a DM from Sartain himself: “You here for the girls & lifestyle or the recent social circle vid I just did?” “Girls & lifestyle,” I replied after a pause, keen to see how far the racket would go. I’ve since had five more messages steering me towards his 21 Day Social Circle programme, which costs about $7,000.
Meanwhile, as Bloodworth points out towards the end of the book, the White House has enthusiastically embraced the slang and stylings of these hucksters. Trump dismisses his enemies as “beta”. His vice-president, JD Vance, describes himself as “red-pilled”. The manosphere may be a tawdry subculture. Is there a danger it becomes the culture at large?
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Decoding the Manosphere: A Conversation with Dr. Anya Sharma
Time.news: Dr. Sharma, thank you for joining us. James bloodworth’s book, Lost Boys: A Personal Journey Through the Manosphere, has brought renewed attention to this online subculture. For our readers unfamiliar, coudl you define the “manosphere” and its core tenets?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Certainly. The manosphere is a loosely connected network of websites, forums, and online communities predominantly populated by men. A common thread running through these spaces is a sense of grievance, often directed at women, and a belief that conventional masculinity is under attack. This grievance can manifest in various forms, from advocating for “red pill” philosophies – the belief that women secretly control the world – to promoting outright misogyny and anti-feminist rhetoric.
Time.news: Bloodworth’s journey begins with his own foray into pickup artistry (PUA). How did this “seduction community” evolve into the more toxic manosphere we see today according to the article?
Dr. Anya Sharma: The book highlights a crucial point: early PUA culture, exemplified by Neil Strauss’s The Game, focused on techniques for men to attract women, even if those techniques were manipulative. As some men applying these teachings found limited success, frustration grew and morphed into anger.This anger, fueled by online anonymity and echo chambers, became a breeding ground for the manosphere. Success stories within the PUA world often involved public shaming of women, reinforcing negative attitudes with positive feedback within the community.
Time.news: The review criticizes the book for lacking personal reflection after the initial chapter. What’s lost by the author not delving deeper into his own experiences while exploring this world?
Dr. Anya Sharma: The personal journey aspect could have provided a crucial layer of understanding. While interviews and observations are valuable, introspection into his own emotional response – his internal conflict, any biases challenged, or perspectives shifted – would have offered a much more compelling narrative. it would have allowed readers to connect with the subject matter on a deeper level and better understand the pull of the manosphere. Without it, the book risks feeling somewhat detached and journalistic, rather than a truly immersive exploration.
Time.news: The article mentions the “Red Pill” community. Could you explain the Red Pill ideology in the context of the manosphere and its potential dangers?
Dr. anya Sharma: The “Red Pill” ideology is rooted in the Matrix films, where taking the red pill reveals a harsh, often unpleasant truth. In the manosphere, this “truth” is that society is structured to disadvantage men and that women are inherently duplicitous and manipulative. This belief can lead to extreme viewpoints, resentment, and even justification for harmful behaviors. The danger lies in its potential to radicalize individuals, reinforcing negative stereotypes and fueling misogyny.
Time.news: The review notes the lack of discussion regarding the impact of online pornography and social media algorithms. How meaningful are these factors in the rise and spread of the manosphere?
Dr. Anya Sharma: They are absolutely crucial. Online pornography normalizes unrealistic expectations about sex and relationships, potentially contributing to feelings of inadequacy and frustration among men. Furthermore, social media algorithms play a powerful role in creating filter bubbles and echo chambers. A young man showing initial interest in, say, Jordan Peterson’s self-help content might quickly be funneled towards more extreme content from figures like Andrew Tate, reinforcing increasingly radicalized viewpoints. The article’s author highlighting the speed at which it happened after following Sartain makes that point very evidently.This “radicalisation pipeline” needs far more attention.
Time.news: the reviewer highlights how easily they were targeted by Michael Sartain,a coach featured in the book. What does this reveal about the true nature of the manosphere and its key figures?
Dr.Anya Sharma: Exactly. this demonstrates the inherent commercialism and often opportunistic nature of many individuals within the manosphere. At its core, it reveals how many individuals are profit-driven, capitalising on male insecurities and offering expensive “solutions” to problems they often exacerbate through their teachings. It’s a business model built on preying on vulnerable individuals, offering a false sense of community and belonging in exchange for financial gain.
Time.news: the article raises a concerning point: the mainstreaming of manosphere language and ideas in politics. What are the potential real-world consequences if this trend continues?
Dr. Anya Sharma: This is deeply concerning. when politicians like Donald Trump and JD Vance adopt manosphere terminology, they normalize these ideas and validate the grievances that fuel the subculture. This can lead to increased polarization, erosion of respect for women, and ultimately, a society where misogynistic attitudes are more readily accepted and tolerated.It’s vital to challenge these ideas and promote a more inclusive and equitable understanding of gender relations.
Time.news: Dr.Sharma, thank you for shedding light on this complex and concerning issue. For readers looking to learn more and protect themselves from harmful content, what advice would you offer? What are some key takeaways from this conversation for our readers?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Thank you for having me.My advice would be to approach online content with a critical eye. Be aware of the algorithms that shape your online experience and consider diversifying your sources of details. Educate yourself about the language and tactics used within the manosphere to better recognize and challenge them. Most importantly, engage in open and honest conversations about healthy masculinity and respectful relationships with the young people in your lives. By fostering critical thinking and promoting positive role models, we can definitely help prevent the spread of harmful ideologies and create a more equitable society for everyone. Remember conversations, open dialog, and awareness can definitely help stop the spread of online radicalisation.
