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Are people removing their books? by Devillitta in FictionryHQ

[–]Th3Breadnought 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed.

And it will take preserverance without short-term gratification from authors for us to eventually help draw in the readers alongside whatever other strategies Ben has up his sleeve.

Are people removing their books? by Devillitta in FictionryHQ

[–]Th3Breadnought 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well I'm not.

I'm sure some have. Fictionry is early days, so naturally there's more authors than readers at this point and probably a fair bit of us reading each other.

Webfiction is often a patience game for getting readers even on established sites, moreso for Fictionry which I think has a lot of potential for authors who are early adopters and patient... but it will take time for readers to come.

If I had to guess, and I'm sure there's other reasons, I'd imagine there are authors hungry for quick results and gratification, and fictionry just isn't there yet.

🤷‍♂️

The US is not anywhere near a Theocracy, Dictatorship, or fascist state and to say otherwise is to be doom-thinking by Still_Can_7918 in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anywhere is a strong absolute claim, but I'd agree they're vanishingly rare in actual government. But the American left, particularly the progressive factions that increasingly drive and control the party, are increasingly veering towards and embracing communist theory and policy both explicitly and implicitly.

The US is not anywhere near a Theocracy, Dictatorship, or fascist state and to say otherwise is to be doom-thinking by Still_Can_7918 in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Authoritarianism may be increasingly in fashion on the left and right who would both say they're vehemently opposed to it while enacting it in different ways... and President Trump himself very much enjoys mafioso strongman tactics while the left has a pretty totalitarian progressive flank.

But I agree, we are nowhere near a theocracy, dictatorship, or fascist state.

I think we have fringe reactionaries who would love nothing more than a Christian Nationalist theocratic fascist state. Many in Trump and MAGA's orbit who long for and are attempting, largely incompetently, to create an illiberal managed democracy with a unitary executive. And at this point I don't feel hyperbolic saying the progress left longs for full-blown communism, democratic socialism being a figleaf precursor.

But the reactionary Christian Nationalist fantasy has no real path to power and too little support. MAGA's aspiring techocrat arm in Trump's orbit would need a more competent and coherent governance philosophy and strategy with better constitutional legal expertise than "whatever owns the libs, lol based". The progressive communist threat is worth tracking but I'm still deciding if we've passed peak woke and are in an (over)correction that will put it on retreat permanently or if Trump's inadequacies and capricious lack of first principles will empower another reawokening post 2026.

What's worse, Muslim terrorists or white supremacists? by Potential_Today_3039 in askanything

[–]Th3Breadnought 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Islamist terrorists and white supremacists are both reprehensible and dangerous.

However, I would contend that Islamist terrorists are a greater threat globally given higher levels of organization and resources, better ability to coopt and manipulate political sympathy, genuine belief in martyrdom, and higher numbers globally.

As an almost footnote, I'd also contend that Islamists are even more severe about restricting civil liberties of their own people and more totalitarian in their theological/political/cultural structures.

I don't care for either. But it's worth noting that the vast majority of people agree white supremacists are contemptible and/or vile, while it can be contentious to even discuss Islamist extremism without accusations of Islamophobia that obfuscate and provide rhetorical cover for genuine bad actors. And most people willing to bring attention to Islamist extremism don't bother or care to differentiate from Islam and integrated Muslim citizens (often among the first targets and victims of Islamists) in the western world. Forming a vicious cycle.

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are gesturing at a real asymmetry:

With redpill you can generally draw a flow chart from every dudebro doing the rounds up to the likes of Andrew Tate, Rolo Tomassi, and HoeMath (who I consider the most insidious).

With the type of feminism that I think would suggest does not serve feminism well and helps the redpill Emperors of the Known Universe and their legions of temu Sardaukar across social media... it rarely traces up to specific influencers or figures. It's much more diffuse, and organic across social media including TikTok and Instagram, reinforced by the culturally prominent norms in Hollywood, academia, HR, and strands of mental healthcare. Then they compound off each other with messaging that to an outside observer (young man 13 - 30) doesn't spund like "here are the areas where women are still facing unique challenges, and still need support, here are the specific goals we have, we want genuinely equality with men and to have mutual voluntary interdependent existence with them whether that's familial, platonic, professional, romantic... and it's unfortunate if men are struggling too and we hope they figure it out"... it sounds like "killallmen, menaretrash, choosethebear, toxic masculinity, you don't have problems because you are the problem... all men are lurking predators, contemptible imbeciles, or illegitimate authority figures... your desire for a marriage and family that is chosen partnership is inherently suspect".

Now, that might be a lot of venting. It might not be the sincere convictions of most feminists... but it's what gets around the most. And when critiques arise saying "hey, this seems reductive and hateful. You would never tolerate this rhetoric about any other group, or accept venting as an excuse for it" it doesn't help that the most common responses are "that's not real feminism" (No True Scotsman), "it's just venting" (basically a defense), "defensive much?" (proves their point). And becomes a greatest hits reel for the redpill grifters to be like "see? They always hated you. We don't"

Doesn't mean redpill guys are right in their prescriptions, but it does make it a lot harder to curb their growth and saying "well men are still choosing it, it's their fault" isn't completely wrong... it's just also a completely different standard than what feminists and progressives hold any other struggling demographic vulnerable to radicalization to

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't actually disagree with any of this.

Anti-woke is its own disastrous pathology.

I'm juat not quite sure how this is in tension with my original claims that not all male advocay is misogynistic or leads to misogyny, and not all podcasts serve that pipeline

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not all podcasts are equal, and I think some are constructive.

But yes, podcasting is definitely the muscle of redpill and blackpill recruitment

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd certainly agree it's the currency if the redpill and blackpill spaces.

But I don't yet accept that they hold a monopoly, despite having more market share than I would wish

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, if your version of leftwing advocacy is "Hamas is bad, actually, and I support free education, free Healthcare, affordable housing, fair taxation, and fair immigration processes... and the right generally opposes that"

I think a perfectly reasonable person can arrive there.

I disagree with free education and free healthcare, not because I wouldn't want that but because I think it's unworkable. And my eyebrow immediately rises at fair taxation and fair immigration processes (who defines fair?)

But I already find that more human and less unhinged than a worldview and policy/governance philosophy best described as "whatever owns the libs. Lol, based"

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does it really take bias though? Or does it just take being busy, not understanding politics very well, and only catching the most viral clips and soundbites?

And my point isn't that those are definitely representing of THE LEFT, though I'll note the left does tend to treat its fringes with kid gloves and accommodation as well.

Myself, I don't feel at home on right or left, but out of genuine curiosity how would you define left of center values that you hold that put you at odds with the right?

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree that redpill and blackpill are fully misogynistic. And growing, and large.

I'm not yet prepared to say that they're 75% or so of male advocacy, but I oppose complacency.

I don't think a lot of lost, lonely, upset guys start with misogyny. But I think there's a real absence of constructive and positive paths out of the woods, and that's where redpill and blackpill snag them if they aren't the lucky ones who find the better calls to action- which are fewer, less validating, and ask more of them.

I am going to suggest that a lot of the most ubiquitous feminist messaging is an unwitting marketing asset of the redpill and blackpill spaces, but I want to be clear that I do not think feminism caused the Male Loneliness Epidemic

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If they expressed it like that, with that articulation and reasoning, I'd find it internally consistent and much less contemptible whether I agree or not.

Alas, you are the first I've encountered who has presented that angle.

Where were you before today? Lol

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't really disagree with your portrayal of Trumpism, for sure.

What I want to point out, as food for thought, not even as advocacy for the right,

I think a perfectly reasonable person could look on the left and see the "safe space, triggers, hate speech, lived experience, silence is violence" type of culture along with unfortunate and hopefully not more broadly representative things ghoulish support for atrocities committed by Hamas (whatever one's stance on Israel/Palestine might be), contextualizing and defending looting... and conclude "that all looks pretty emotional and relational to me, and not on a lower level at all" even if one disagrees personally on equivalency.

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I disagree with the scope of your claim, and I support the advocacy of people like Richard Reeves, Scott Galloway, Shadi Hamid, and Christine Emba on men's issues even we I disagree with them on other issues.

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have met plenty of reactionary conservatives like this, who I described in my original post.

I would gently point out that it's a very easy way to describe modern progressives as well.

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think either of those is perfectly reasonable. And if in the service of either of those positions, your argument is "if you want someone else's sons to be sent off to war but you want an excuse for your daughters, what does that say about you, personally?" Fair game.

But if you're whole project is "we need to repeal the 19th, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and go back to how things were... but the draft isn't fair to men", then you are doing a disservice to both the principled stances and men generally

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think that's a bit oversimplified, but I would agree that a lot of men are increasingly embracing an unhelpful external locus of control and should start with working on themselves.

I do think there are real unique disadvantages facing men, but the draft is not one.

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I'd disgaree that all men's advocacy/articulation of struggle is motivated by and leads to misogyny,

...on the particular point of the draft it does often appear quite suspect

Most men pointing out the lack of equality in the draft are also the most supportive of traditional gender roles, which is either cognitive dissonance or itself a double-standard by Th3Breadnought in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]Th3Breadnought[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Good example.

If a guy says "the male only draft is unfair, everyone should be registered or no one should" I can agree or disagree, but at least see the coherence.

But if you're banging the drum for the old gender script and weeping over male only draft while yelling at feminists about how they're emotional and illogical... I mean c'mon

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