This bizarre op-ed in the NY Times claims that the “Manosphere” has a toxic atmosphere. Really? It goes on to claim that there are at least five Manosphere Gurus who are influencing young men into frenetic actions and more. There are so many unverified claims it is hard to keep track. Tom concludes that perhaps they have missed the obvious.
The line in the article that struck me was "Yet success ethics are ultimately empty..." If you have watched Tom's videos, you know that both biology (testosterone) and society (precarious manhood) put tremendous pressure on men to be successful. Success is probably most men's prime goal in life. And David French tells us that success is empty. This guy is clueless. I would say French's approach is far more toxic than Andrew Tate's. If men followed French's advice, we would still be living in caves. Accomplishment and success are fantastic goals. Keep it up.
I have found that there is little we can do to counter the bias against men in the NY Times. But one thing we can do is subscribe, which allows us to add our comments to articles. I know, this involves actually giving money to the Times which is abhorrent to me, but I think it is the only way. I did it for a year with a reduced price introductory subscription. It requires a lot of work since articles from the morning paper are added to the online paper throughout the day. So one has to constantly watch for the Times sexist articles, and respond quickly. It is a chore, but the only way I know of.
When did Paul Elam stop being the poster boy for toxic masculinity in the manosphere? I remember feminists having conniptions at even the mention of his name.
I had expected to dislike the article but thought it was pretty good. The money quote
"Too much of our education establishment and too many of our nation’s parents are focused on success ethics, not virtue ethics. Our schools train students for careers, and parents push their children toward success, hovering over them to monitor their progress or snowplowing to clear their way. In the success ethic, virtues are often a means to an end. Prudence, temperance and industry can contribute to your success, but that is not their ultimate purpose."
This summarizes what to me has become our greatest error as a society. People are focused on success or notoriety rather than what is most important, virtue, being the best person you can be.
I read the same article in horror. French shows the vastness of his ignorance on the plight of men in the US and other former British Empire countries. Men do not require more introspection as French states. Men completely understand the problem and the solutions and are communicating with one another. Men are beginning legal, economic, and political action regarding employment bias, antiquated family law and courts, lagging education achievement, negative media portrayals, and failing health care for men. Well done calling it out. I had planned a similar commentary on my sub stack. Thanks!
Balding white guy with beard and glasses. He can't be a bad guy, right?
I appreciate your review. When you break down what French is saying, especially about Peterson, the article doesn't make much sense. I followed the hyperlink French provides for his assertion that Peterson has a "bizarre ideology." Oddly, it links to an article (also by French) about how Peterson is wrong about the war in Ukraine, an article that doesn't even address masculinity. (Perhaps French is simply trying to increase the number of clicks on his own article.)
The only way I can make sense of the widespread misandry in the world is to think of the cultural attitude towards blacks in the 1950s. A time of gaslighting blacks who questioned unequal treatment. Most Americans would have said, that racial discrimination was acceptable because that's just the way it is. I'm hopeful someday our society will be able to recognize the hatred of men in our society.
Thank you, Tom, for documenting this stuff and exposing reality.
You can often find Times articles elsewhere just by googling the title or the first line or two. I found this article at https://dnyuz.com/2024/04/14/the-atmosphere-of-the-manosphere-is-toxic/ No pay wall.
The line in the article that struck me was "Yet success ethics are ultimately empty..." If you have watched Tom's videos, you know that both biology (testosterone) and society (precarious manhood) put tremendous pressure on men to be successful. Success is probably most men's prime goal in life. And David French tells us that success is empty. This guy is clueless. I would say French's approach is far more toxic than Andrew Tate's. If men followed French's advice, we would still be living in caves. Accomplishment and success are fantastic goals. Keep it up.
I have found that there is little we can do to counter the bias against men in the NY Times. But one thing we can do is subscribe, which allows us to add our comments to articles. I know, this involves actually giving money to the Times which is abhorrent to me, but I think it is the only way. I did it for a year with a reduced price introductory subscription. It requires a lot of work since articles from the morning paper are added to the online paper throughout the day. So one has to constantly watch for the Times sexist articles, and respond quickly. It is a chore, but the only way I know of.
When did Paul Elam stop being the poster boy for toxic masculinity in the manosphere? I remember feminists having conniptions at even the mention of his name.
I had expected to dislike the article but thought it was pretty good. The money quote
"Too much of our education establishment and too many of our nation’s parents are focused on success ethics, not virtue ethics. Our schools train students for careers, and parents push their children toward success, hovering over them to monitor their progress or snowplowing to clear their way. In the success ethic, virtues are often a means to an end. Prudence, temperance and industry can contribute to your success, but that is not their ultimate purpose."
This summarizes what to me has become our greatest error as a society. People are focused on success or notoriety rather than what is most important, virtue, being the best person you can be.
I read the same article in horror. French shows the vastness of his ignorance on the plight of men in the US and other former British Empire countries. Men do not require more introspection as French states. Men completely understand the problem and the solutions and are communicating with one another. Men are beginning legal, economic, and political action regarding employment bias, antiquated family law and courts, lagging education achievement, negative media portrayals, and failing health care for men. Well done calling it out. I had planned a similar commentary on my sub stack. Thanks!
Balding white guy with beard and glasses. He can't be a bad guy, right?
I appreciate your review. When you break down what French is saying, especially about Peterson, the article doesn't make much sense. I followed the hyperlink French provides for his assertion that Peterson has a "bizarre ideology." Oddly, it links to an article (also by French) about how Peterson is wrong about the war in Ukraine, an article that doesn't even address masculinity. (Perhaps French is simply trying to increase the number of clicks on his own article.)
The only way I can make sense of the widespread misandry in the world is to think of the cultural attitude towards blacks in the 1950s. A time of gaslighting blacks who questioned unequal treatment. Most Americans would have said, that racial discrimination was acceptable because that's just the way it is. I'm hopeful someday our society will be able to recognize the hatred of men in our society.
Thank you, Tom, for documenting this stuff and exposing reality.
The NATIONAL ENQUIRER gets it right more than “THE GREY LADY”.