Herd mentality in the Manosphere

If Manosphere is even the right word these days, as there are splinter groups with new tough sounding names and new boys-clubs popping out of forums and blogs as each new writer who gets a little traction in web traffic jockeys to step up with their own littleLord of the Fliesrealm.But I'll call it the general "Manosphere" to cover it all. There may be differences in the detail but a Dachshund and a Great Dane are still dogs at the end of the day.I don't like banging the politics gong. I'll leave it to the other blogs. It's important sure, but I've seen many a Game pundit stray off message over the years, and like I've said in the past, either onScotlairor inOne Saturday Night, just end up looking more the dumbass than guru. There's a lot taken that route too who should've stuck to how to deal with the obstacle in a two-set, not the obstacle to world peace.However, as it's the eve of the American election, I'll allow myself a politically flavoured post. Who knows, if this domain is still here a few years from now, maybe I'll have went native too and abandoned what I know in favour of what I'd like you (and me) tothinkI know.I like rooting out bullshit. I just don't like to feel fooled. Part of that is intellectual vanity, feeling like "I know something you don't!" That sort of smugness that comes when you're privy to a greater universe, one your contemporaries are totally unaware of, until you drop the enlightenment bomb on them. It's born as much of being viewed as the Messiah, as it is of it just being good fun to ruin everything; you know, make others feel dumb so you can feel good about yourself. Sort of like you did if you were the first kid in class or amongst your friends to discover the truth about Santa Claus and where the presents on Christmas Day really come from. Or babies, and how all that happens. You know when you got hold of that, you just couldn't wait to tell everyone.That there were plenty of 'everyones' i.e. adults and even just slightly older kids who already knew, didn't really matter or occur to you. Such was the giddiness at being in possession of the Knowledge, the thought that this information might actually be commonly known just wouldn't flutter across your mind. You and your small circle are the World after all. So the notion that such revelling in your newfound insight into the adult world would be viewed by more experienced souls as endearing at best, and a proud admission of your own naivety and ignorance at worst, wouldn't be something you'd conceive of.A lot like the discussion of politics in the Manosphere.If you've read more than blog posts and Manga comics during your adult life, then a lot of the 'reveals' to be had in the Manosphere are as revelatory as Santa Claus. If you're late teens and early twenties, not got as much life-stripes on your sleeve, then I can see how it will all seem so much more profound and shocking - how the big, grown-up world really functions resulting in your Zeitgeist shattering moment.Now, that sounds patronising but I don't mean it to be, because I've visited that station too earlier in my life - just as I stopped off to pickup the telegrams at the Santa and Stork stations as well along the way. And I don't mean to imply that I know it all either, because I don't have a crystal ball. I remain still just as susceptible to, and enjoy, a good breaking news scandal.However, in the Manosphere, I don't mistake the messenger for being anything more than they are: a copy&paste pundit. In fairness, most guys aren't trying to suggest they're anything more, and are merely highlighting a topical story they want to express an opinion on. That's all good and healthy, because you frequently get more interesting information in the ensuing discussion comments than the main article itself.There is of course a brand of 'guru' who wants to try and imply a bit of insider knowledge, that they're a bit more connected somehow, putting dots together that you can't... all cloak and dagger stuff, don't ask me where I'm getting it from, my life could be in danger...Which again, when you're a bit younger, it's easier to fall for that line of bullshit.There's wanting to get the Truth, or perhaps 'Case' (because it's your interpretation and presentation of the facts), out there, and then there's hijacking the cause as the vehicle to drive your own agenda: yourself.A lot of what I read in the Manosphere is as opportunistic and insincere as the politics under attack. The real cause is the author's, not the story underpinning it. The Tweets and blogging are self-promotion, not self-sacrificing.And for all the talk of being 'men' and following your path, having your own mind, the Manosphere is just as rife with fashionable politics and Cause Du Jours as any teenage SJW's Facebook.I mean, Jesus, the current promotion of Donald Trump as Lord and Saviour? How many folks have really thought that one through?!I subscribe to a lot of the politics of what's deemed the 'Alt Right.' That hodge-podge of ideas that's attracted everyone from sieg-heiling Stormfronters to gay free speech advocates. It's quite a mix, but a lot of it, I don't mix with.I don't mix with persecution. I have an opinion on immigration, wealth redistribution, free speech etc., but I address these issues on a practical level, not on the grander, all encompassing global-cabal, tinfoil hat wearing scale.At that point you're no longer dealing in real issues, bucket in hand trying to bail the water out or shoring the leaks below, you're standing on the deck, grasping at the air, trying to throw it back into the hurricane to save the ship.May as well just swap out Santa Claus for the Tooth Fairy.Except Donald Trump's neither, he's real. I just wonder how many guys would be genuinely for his inauguration as POTUS if it hadn't come through their own preferred propaganda channel of their favourite blogger. I also wonder how many are just going with the flow and moo-ing approval along with the rest of the herd in the comment sections and forums.I like too how fluid the concept of 'Alpha' is when it's applied to Trump. Is he a bully and braggadocio? Does he epitomise delusional self-confidence? Hell yes! And it's helped put billions in his bank account.Yeah, and that's great, that's fun. He's a guy I'd like to hangout with, get a few tips off. He even bangs young Ukrainian models. If the guy would only start lifting and get his body fat percentage down, he'd be the damn PUA cum Manosphere crossover guru that Roosh could only dream of!Except I'm not really sure that qualifies Trump for POTUS. If it does, Joe Rogen should be on the ticket for Vice President too.No one's going to voice the opinion that maybe there could be a meal where not adding that Alpha sauce improves it?Of course the alternative to Trump is Clinton, and I'm in no way endorsing her. I'm also aware of how close the polls are and that the vast majority of those Americans voting will never have heard of the self-important but minuscule band of bloggers who feud with each other intermittently like they're actually relevant outside their own podcast. So, I know there's a bigger consensus of opinion here than just what's represented in the blog articles and comments of the Manosphere.What I don't see much of though, is push back and genuine intellectual debate, from a subculture that defines itself in those terms; guys who pride themselves on recognising that the world isn't as black & white, Alpha/Beta, as the text on their favourite blog.So, either everyone's fully convinced and all on board... or just too chicken shit to say different and what they really think.Because there might be some REAL blow back to that, like getting banned or your comment removed(!) Or worse... ridiculed by the very people you'd like to become: a guy with a blog and some significant web traffic built on an internet persona.Speaking of which, I wonder how GManifesto's voting?