[@ChrisWillx] How Male Feminists Ruined It For Everyone - Louise Perry & Mary Harrington

Link: https://youtu.be/zW2WIE_LSuY

Short Summary

This video discusses the "performative male" archetype – a man exhibiting feminized aesthetics and progressive values, possibly as a mating strategy. The speakers satirize this figure as a potentially insincere attempt to appeal to women in a post-#MeToo era, questioning whether it's an evolved adaptation to changing social dynamics or a genuine expression of personal values.

Key Quotes

Here are four direct quotes from the YouTube video transcript that I found particularly insightful or interesting:

1. "Performative males have almost immediately become satarized." This is a concise observation about the quick backlash and mockery surrounding the "performative male" archetype.

2. "I remember discovering just how high the proportion is of male feminists who who subsequently end up being me too as sex pests." This is a very provocative and potentially controversial statement, suggesting a troubling pattern within a specific group.

3. "What it sounds like though is that the performative male adds a layer of like consumerism, which is quite distinctively 2025." This pinpoints a key aspect of the "performative male" as a contemporary phenomenon tied to consumer culture.

4. "...what if in fact they're more evolutionarily fit in terms in the context of what they [ __ ] adapted to the new environment." This presents a surprising and thought-provoking perspective, suggesting the "Labubu male" might be a successful adaptation to modern social and work environments.

Detailed Summary

Okay, here's a detailed summary of the YouTube video transcript in bullet points:

Key Topics & Arguments:

• Introduction of the "Performative Male" Concept:

  • A new trend/archetype characterized by specific aesthetic choices.
  • Considered almost immediately satirical.

• Defining the "Performative Male" Aesthetic:

  • Floppy hair
  • Oversized, flared jeans
  • Tote bag (likely Lubawoo)
  • Literary fiction
  • Matcha drink
  • Considered an elevated hipster or soft-boy archetype.

• Relating the archetype to past stereotypes and behaviors:

  • Compared to women wearing football shirts or Pink Floyd t-shirts (trying to appear masculine)
  • Possible modern version of the "sneaky [__]" male mating strategy (implied, but censored word likely relating to manipulation).

• Connecting the archetype to previous iterations

  • The speaker makes note of the link between male feminists who ended up being "Me Too" offenders.
  • This speaks to the idea that the performance is a manipulative tactic to get women in bed.

• Heterosexual Interpretation and Appearance:

  • Droopy and feminized in presentation
  • HR Friendly
  • The "Performative Male" aesthetic is presented as a reworked version of sneaky [__] behavior.

• Historical Parallels to the 1970s:

  • Men embracing long hair, free love, anti-masculinity, and avoiding the draft
  • Using feminism and sexual revolution as a means to "get women into bed"
  • Feminists at the time were critical of this behavior.

• Consumerism as a Defining Element:

  • The "Performative Male" adds a layer of consumerism (distinct to the 2020s).
  • Tote bag and brand name accessories are indicative of this.

• Evolutionary Fitness Speculation:

  • Questioning if "noodle-armed" Labubu males are more evolutionarily fit.
  • Adapted to modern work and social environments.
  • High-tea aggressive males get "medicalized" and "pathologized".

• "Post-Me Too" Acceptability:

  • Considering the archetype as a post-Me Too reaction.
  • Men avoiding appearing domineering or threatening.
  • The "Performative Male" as a less threatening, more "HR friendly" persona.

• Distress Among Progressive Men:

  • Some men in progressive circles genuinely feel distressed by "heighty aggressive" masculinity.

• Book about patriarchy:

  • The speaker references a book by an ecological economist discussing care, maintenance, and systemic health.
  • The book has a whole chapter about the patriarchy and its impact on gender relations.
  • The author's reading of Daphne Demorier's novels as feminist critiques of gender relations.
  • Recognition of the ambivalence in Demorier's female characters being vulnerable to and turned on by male violence.

• Modern Male Response:

  • Guys who internalize that to be a straightforwardly aggressive man in a style that could be considered patriarchal is bad.
  • Therefore, men must be softer, more consensual, and more Labubu-ish.

• Potential Societal Impact:

  • Questioning if this archetype is contributing to less sex overall.
  • The need for more "polarity" (presumably, more distinct male/female roles or behaviors).

Additional Information:

• The speakers allude to past experiences with male feminists behaving inappropriately.
• There's a general tone of skepticism and cynicism towards the "Performative Male."
• The video includes an advertisement for Momentous sleep supplements.