I don’t agree. I think what was originally dubbed masculine, was thinly veiled stoicism. It was a philosophical approach to how one should live a good life. It was be a hard, strong, quiet man that takes it all on the chin because you know that your work will come back and benefit you in the long run. Masculinity was akin to boomer-isms of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps,” or “work hard and you’ll be rewarded.”

But through the lack of social economic reforms over the last half century, there is a profound disconnect between hard work and wealth. Wealth generated passively from capital has surged, while earnings from actual hard work has dried up. Young men are not so stupid that they don’t see this. So what happens when someone swoops in with seemingly a massive fortune, that is selling a new version of masculinity? He’s selling a new philosophical approach to the dire economic hardship of today, and it’s basically one of the gangster. The same people that idolized Al Pacino in Scarface, now, instead, worship online toxic figures selling similarly thought out get-rich quick schemes.

His philosophy could be surmised into “Use everyone around you in order to accumulate wealth.”

It’s really just a terrible philosophy that destroys lives, but within it, he offers the same snake-oil that most religions do, “it’s not your fault.” Which is the barb that sticks in people. “It’s not your fault, it’s XYZ (whether that’s the woke or women or immigrants or whatever, it doesn’t matter who they blame, so long as they blame someone else for your problems).”

So, instead of focusing on figures of true positive masculinity (Steve Irwin, Mr. Rogers, Arnold Schwarzenegger), they flock to the simpler, easier answer. They can imagine how to use people, how to sell drugs or prostitute women, because they see it depicted in movies, and think that they could do it. It’s far more difficult and far more convoluted to grow into a fully realized man that values others, and works hard despite not garnering massive wealth. To live a life of charity and humility isn’t sexy, and doesn’t make one a millionaire. So why would they flock to it?

Fix wealth inequality, and you’ll fix a LOT of issues we have today, including (I think) the rise of toxic male influencers.

Gardening.

Previously my only gardening experience was my mom yelling at me to weed outside in the hot summer sun.

Now that I live alone, I started getting potted plants, and there is something wonderful about sharing my space with green growing things. I have a few that have really taken to the environment and amount of sunlight, watching them grow is wonderful. Marveling when one of my little planty bois randomly flowers, and there’s something so stress-relieving about digging your hands into soil when it’s time to re-pot.

My marriage. In all my past relationships, it usually takes me about as long as the relationship lasted to get my feet back under me, but in this case, that time would be 10 years, so I really hope it won’t take that long. I’m on year 4 now. I read somewhere that men take longer to get over romantic relationships, because usually their romantic partner is also their best friend, and mine was no exception. We broke up because we shouldn’t have gotten married in the first place. I was in active alcoholism, and despite us both knowing that I wanted children, and she absolutely did not, we plowed ahead regardless. It seems stupid, but we truly loved each other. Heck, I guess we still love each other, we just have acknowledged that we’re not compatible in a way that severely limits our long term goals. It sucks. Logically, I should be able to just get right back on with dating, but it hasn’t been so easy.

There’s been multiple things standing in the way. First and foremost, some childhood trauma that had been trying to resurface for as long as I was an active alcoholic. Add that into a severely dysfunctional family dynamic, and you get a big ol’ mess that I’m only now starting to emerge from. I’m back to browsing tinder, and even though I do fine with matches, I just haven’t the energy to message anybody. Like, I just assume that they’re going to waste my time, and so I just sit by myself instead. I’m trying to become the person that would attract my ideal partner, so I’ve been putting extra time in at the gym, and have refocused on some hobbies of mine, like writing, and performing stand-up comedy. But even those seem like a chore sometimes.

I understand the abhorrent history of church run schools, but what did Pope Francis, specifically, do to garner such hatred from you? He’s been the most liberal pope we’ve ever had? Celebrating the previous popes death, I get, but Francis?

Because he is so damned competent. A true leader that cares about his crew, and who respects life and people. He’s a student of history, an amateur archeologist, and he has his own damn saddle.

Although she was sterilized during her medical care, scientists believed that she had been capable of reproduction.

In August 2023, Scientists asked the caretakers at Mantenedouro São Braz for fresh pictures of Dogxim. The caretakers replied that she had died six months prior to the request, being recently sterilized.[9] The time and nature of her death were never reported.

Wow great job, guys.

Veterinarian and conservationist Ferrari recalled that the canid had “no indications of any health problems” after her recovery.[13] Six months after the injury, she had been noted as completely healed.[2] The Brazilian government issued concerns on the cause of death.[9] The Secretariat of Environment and Infrastructure (SEMA) is conducting the investigation.

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We’re all still allowed to like Harry Potter

I was specific.

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wow, the psychotic mass shooter was a far right terrorist? whoda thunk? It’s almost like it’s fucking ALWAYS THEM.

I mean, don’t buy new HP stuff, you can find it used literally everywhere (or just sail the high seas). I just said it’s OK to enjoy it, not give that cunt more money.

Shit, man, I still refuse to eat chik filet.

yeah, zero interest in supporting kamala “keep arming isreal” fucking harris again.

financially supporting someone who is actively dismantling our government at the whim of an increasingly authoritarian traitor is quite a bit different then enjoying a michael jackson song when it comes on the radio, or re-reading/watching harry potter.

This is why I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch all the new Star Wars stuff. Or all the new Lord of the Rings stuff. Or all the new Marvel stuff. It’s just all a fuckin hokey cash grab. However, there are still a LOT of new things coming out that are great. I watch a new (to me) movie just about every night, and there’s been some real gems.

being a jk rowling fan*

We’re all still allowed to like Harry Potter, just like we’re still allowed to dance to Michael Jackson songs

I don’t know if this counts, but when I was little I’d go to friends houses, then later in high school to my first serious girlfriends house, and I remember their families were like… loving? I loved spending time at my girlfriends house especially, hanging out with her Mom and her Dad even if my gf wasn’t there. They were so nice, and you could tell had genuine affection for their children (and to some degree, me). I miss you Mr. and Mrs. Miller!

way to go attentive little league coach!

also wtf parents?

People want to vote FOR something, not against something. We want hope for a better future.

Just look at how popular Bernie Sanders and his policy proposals are. People were excited to vote for him, because he was proposing to actually help the average American.