Alphas and Fear: Revealing the Manosphere’s Exploitation of Men

The Manosphere isn’t just some internet nonsense.

It’s bullshit, yes. But it’s a disgusting, lucrative, and dangerous form of bullshit that’s cheating millions of men out of their money, dignity, and humanity. And many of them are begging for more.

The Manosphere is a vast ecosystem of blogs, forums, YouTube channels, and social media accounts, all interconnected in a network of influential pro-masculinity people running a massive scam operation under the guise of male empowerment.

It is a fragile empire of wannabe “alpha males” and “pickup artists” selling toxic ideologies and half-baked life advice to vulnerable men searching for answers in an increasingly confusing and hostile world.

Picture this: A man, let’s call him John, has gone through a tough breakup. He’s struggling at work and feeling lost in a world that no longer feels like it was designed for him. John starts googling for answers and stumbles upon a YouTube video that promises to reveal “the truth about women” or “how to become an alpha male.”

The content is compelling. The speaker—let’s call him Andrew, for no particular reason—is confident, muscular, and charismatic. Andrew talks about evolutionary psychology, sexual market value, and the supposed inherent differences between men and women. He peppers his speech with scientific-sounding terms and carefully selected studies. To John, it’s all a bit of a twisted sentence. Finally, someone speaks to his experiences, validates his frustrations, and offers a clear path forward.

And here begins the scam. At the end of the video, Andrew makes his pitch: “If you want to learn more, sign up for my exclusive online course.” Or “Join my inner circle for just $49.99 a month.” Or “Buy my book to unlock the secrets of true manhood.” And so begins John’s slow but steady process of indoctrination and financial extraction.

The poisonous cocktail of the Manosphere

The genius—and immorality—of the Manosphere scam lies in its potent mix of real issues, questionable ideology, and slick marketing. It’s not entirely wrong about everything. Yes, many men struggle with identity issues in the 21st century. Yes, dating can be challenging and confusing. Yes, there are inequalities and double standards that negatively impact men.

But the gurus of the Manosphere aren’t really interested in any of that. Their only goal is to push an agenda of resentment, entitlement, and magical thinking. It’s like offering an alcoholic a shot of whiskey — it might feel good at the time, but it makes the underlying problems worse.

And look. Not everyone in the Manosphere is out to exploit vulnerable men. There are genuine voices advocating for men’s mental health, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and encouraging personal responsibility. But these voices are drowned out by a cacophony of liars, con artists, credibly accused rapists, and coaches who have discovered a simple but powerful formula: Prey on male insecurities, offer simplistic solutions, and make money to fuck.

The “game” of deception

Take the Manosphere’s concept of “game,” for example. It’s a perfect example of their broader pattern of oversimplification and commodification. Ostensibly offering dating strategies, “game” promotes a reductive view of human relationships, presenting interactions between men and women as tactical exercises rather than opportunities for real connection.

It’s exemplary of the Manosphere’s penchant for distilling complex social and personal dynamics into simplistic, marketable formulas. Whether it’s revealing the secrets to becoming an “alpha male,” offering “foolproof” methods for attracting women, or outlining the habits of successful men, these ideas package human experiences into easily consumable products.

The danger lies not only in the ineffectiveness of these strategies (and they fucking are ineffective), but in their potential to create antagonistic, damaging attitudes. By treating relationships as systems to be hacked or conquered, they actively block the development of empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to form authentic connections, relying on and reinforcing rigid, outdated ideas and behaviors.

The darkest side of the manosphere

But the consequences of buying into these ideologies go far beyond empty wallets. Men who fall down the Manosphere rabbit hole become trapped in a cycle of resentment, frustration, and constant exploitation. Their relationships suffer because they view women through a hostile lens. Their personal growth is stunted because they cling to outdated and damaging ideas about masculinity.

And it gets darker. The Manosphere has been linked to several high-profile incidents of violence. Take Elliot Rodger and the 2014 Isla Vista murders. Rodger, who had immersed himself in online communities that espoused misogynistic views, killed six people and wounded 14 others before committing suicide. His lengthy manifesto, filled with hatred for women and sexually active men, made him a Manosphere celebrity.

Or consider the 2018 Toronto van attack by Alek Minassian. Minassian, who identified with incel ideology, killed 10 people and wounded 16 others. He specifically cited Rodger as an inspiration, demonstrating how these ideas can create a feedback loop of violence and martyrdom within extremist online spaces.

More recently, the 2021 Plymouth shooting in the UK, carried out by Jake Davison, demonstrated that this phenomenon is not limited to North America. Davison, who had expressed misogynistic views on incel forums, killed five people before taking his own life. His online presence, filled with content lamenting his lack of success with women and referencing incel ideology, is a chilling and fucking real example of how the ideas of the Manosphere can fester and escalate.

The Attention Economy and the Manosphere

The Manosphere thrives in the attention economy of social media. Algorithms prioritize engagement and favor controversial or scandalous content. More extreme views are more likely to go viral, attracting both ardent supporters and outspoken critics — which translates to greater visibility and potential profits.

These factors coalesce into a self-perpetuating ecosystem. Charismatic figures emerge, mixing genuine social critique with pseudoscience and seductive promises. They cultivate loyal followers, monetize through various channels (courses, books, membership programs), and inspire imitators seeking similar success. The result is a multifaceted scam, one that exploits insecurities and societal shifts while offering simplistic, damaging solutions.

The missed opportunity

The greatest tragedy of the Manosphere is the missed opportunity for a genuine, meaningful discussion about masculinity and men’s issues in the 21st century.

The sense of purposelessness and isolation that many men experience in the face of changing societal norms and expectations is a reality that cannot and should not be ignored. Alarmingly high rates of depression and suicide among men, difficulties in forming meaningful relationships, and the challenges posed by rapidly changing economic and social landscapes are all urgent issues that deserve our attention.

Without thoughtful, nuanced discourse and a willingness to challenge long-held assumptions about gender roles, societal structures, and human nature, men will continue to suffer. But the reductive narratives and simplistic solutions of the Manosphere fall woefully short of this ideal. Rather than facilitating a genuine exploration of these issues, it channels legitimate grievances into narratives of victimhood and resentment.

Breaking the cycle

We don’t need more con artists or counter-ideologies. What we need is a return to basic human values: empathy, authenticity and a genuine desire for understanding.

We need to create alternatives – spaces where men can discuss their challenges and frustrations without falling prey to misogyny or salespeople. We need voices that can speak to men’s struggles with nuance, empathy, and a commitment to personal growth rather than resentment.

Violence, entitlement, and misogyny are not inherent traits of masculinity. They are not innate to being a man. Anyone who claims that is falling into the worst form of misogyny.

These behaviors are learned and reinforced by con artists, opportunists, and certain cultural narratives and social structures. They have nothing fucking to do with biological imperatives.

Men are capable of deep empathy, nurturing, and emotional intelligence. Throughout history and across cultures, we find countless examples of men who embody compassion, creativity, and care for others. From devoted fathers and supportive partners to community leaders and social justice advocates, men have and will continue to contribute positively to society.

Because here’s the truth: Masculinity is not a fixed, monolithic concept that can be reduced to a set of rules or techniques. The path to personal growth and fulfillment isn’t through “hacks” or “systems.” It’s through self-reflection, empathy, and a willingness to embrace complexity.

The Manosphere Grift offers easy answers to difficult questions. But life isn’t about easy answers. It’s about grappling with difficult truths, challenging our assumptions, and continually striving to improve—not just for ourselves, but for those around us.

And that is a masculinity we should strive for.