#36 - Incels, Sigmas & Masculinity's Crisis

I think men are terrified and obsessed with women because we inherently understand that a beautiful woman can basically level us with a single glance. That’s probably why men have tried and still try to regulate women sexuality (Sharia Law or abortion). Subconsciously, it might be a defence mechanism. On the other hand, I also think that the opposite is true, and that women are both terrified and captivated by masculine strength and vigour. I think the fable of Beauty and the Beast is one of the best representations of the split in the feminine psyche. The awareness that men are dangerous; yet still, the desire to tame this aggression into something more productive and stable. Okay, well now I’ve recounted the basis of Jungian psychoanalysis to you, let’s use that as a launching point for today’s podcast with returning superstar Giorgio (lead singer of Pyramid Mission, check them out on Spotify and Instagram). Why is Andrew Tate so popular? Why have words like incels and sigma males entered our vocabulary, and why do so many young men consistently feel drawn to these dark and edgy anti-heroes that seem repulsed by society? I’m thinking about Joker, Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver, any modern version of Batman, Shinji from Evangelion Neon Genesis, Patrick Bateman from American Psycho and fittingly, the nameless protagonist from Drive. Some might say that these references are just ironic jokes meant to signal and scare, but let me ask you, how many times do you have to repeat an action before it stops becoming ironic? Incels and sigma males are difficult words to understand on the internet, mainly because any mention of them seem to create such polarised response. Some detest them and see them as the last vestiges of toxic masculinity, while others find comfort in these labels as the final barrier against an uncaring feminised world. So, let’s define them before we start. Incels is short for involuntary celibate, which anyone who is unable to find a romantic partner despite wanting a relationship. Sigma males are different, as they are not really incapable of romantic love, but rather see women as agents who will lead them astray. A biblical example of this could be the tale of Adam and Eve, later in the podcast, Giorgio and I return to the Bible to discuss what might be the first incel/sigma male character in Abrahamic religions. Regardless, there’s are two fundament similarities between both groups: A deep disgust for the standard gender relationships in a world where feminist ideas are relatively accepted in mainstream circles, and a mistrust for the traditional roles of masculinity. So, what does this mean for the modern man? Are we just damaged and jaded beyond repair? Or will masculinity be able to realign with a view that sees itself as a pillar of society? TIMESTAMP: (6:40) – A photograph of incel heroes (8:50) – What is an archetype? (13:00) – Similarities between modern incel archetypes (14:50) – Art can’t be separated from context (17:10) – Male characters with failed relationships (21:15) – Is masculinity necessary in the 21st century? (25:15) – Has Tinder ruined dating? (30:15) – The Freudian Madonna/Whore complex (33:00) – Sacred violence against evil (39:20) – School shootings & traditional masculinity (42:05) – Are incels/sigmas just sexually frustrated? (44:30) – #BLM, The American Dream & incels (48:15) – 4Chan, r9k and the necessity of intimacy (52:50) – Glorifying the ‘everyday man’ (57:00) – The original biblical incel/sigma (1:02:45) – The moral failure of incels