What I learned in the manosphere

CNN - Apr 13th, 2025

The story delves into the complex world of the 'manosphere,' a space traditionally linked to the alt-right and characterized by figures like Andrew Tate, yet increasingly associated with mainstream male-oriented podcasters such as Joe Rogan. The piece highlights the manosphere's appeal to young men who feel alienated by societal trends that label masculinity as toxic. This space often blends fitness, traditional masculine traits, and interests like mixed martial arts, blurring lines between mainstream and extreme ideologies. The UFC, for example, serves as a microcosm of this blend, offering traditional masculine appeal while occasionally harboring toxic undercurrents.

The implications of this cultural phenomenon are significant, as it reflects broader societal issues of loneliness and lack of purpose among men. Some individuals, seeking answers and community, are drawn to radical corners of the manosphere. This search for belonging can lead to the dangerous embrace of extremist ideologies, as evidenced by the content of certain podcasts and the guests they feature. The story underscores the need for open, supportive conversations to potentially redirect those at risk of falling into harmful ideological traps, emphasizing that many men may simply need therapy rather than radicalization.

Ufc Andrew Tate Loneliness Joe Rogan Misogyny Manosphere Jake Shields Masculinity Bryce Mitchell Extremism Podcasting Cancel Culture

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging exploration of the manosphere and its cultural implications. It effectively highlights the intersection of traditional masculinity and radicalization, offering insights into the complexities of this online community. However, the piece could benefit from more balanced perspectives and greater transparency in sourcing to enhance its credibility. While it addresses issues of public interest and has the potential to influence public opinion, its impact is somewhat limited by its focus on extreme examples and lack of diverse viewpoints. Overall, the story contributes to important discussions about gender, media influence, and social cohesion, but could be strengthened with more comprehensive sourcing and a broader range of perspectives.

Accuracy

The article provides a detailed exploration of the manosphere, its association with the alt-right, and figures like Andrew Tate. It accurately describes how the term has broadened to include mainstream figures like Joe Rogan. However, the claim that Trump's influence and Rogan's popularity have increased the manosphere's prominence requires further verification. The story mentions Bryce Mitchell's controversial comments about Hitler, which are accurately reported, but the claim lacks a broader context about the UFC's response and its cultural implications. The piece correctly identifies loneliness as a factor in radicalization, but this assertion needs more empirical support. Overall, the article is mostly accurate but could benefit from additional sourcing and verification of specific claims.

Balance

The article attempts to present a balanced view by acknowledging that not all male-oriented podcasters are the same and by highlighting the difference between figures like Joe Rogan and Andrew Tate. However, it leans towards emphasizing the negative aspects of the manosphere, potentially overshadowing any positive or neutral aspects. The piece could have provided more perspectives from men who engage with these communities in non-extreme ways, which would offer a more balanced view of the manosphere. The focus on extreme examples like Bryce Mitchell and Jake Shields might skew the reader's perception towards viewing the manosphere predominantly as a breeding ground for radicalization.

Clarity

The article is generally well-written and easy to follow. It uses clear language to explain complex concepts like the manosphere and its association with the alt-right. The structure is logical, moving from broader themes to specific examples, which aids comprehension. However, the article occasionally assumes prior knowledge of certain figures and events, which might confuse readers unfamiliar with the topic. Despite this, the overall tone is neutral and informative, making the content accessible to a general audience.

Source quality

The article does not clearly attribute its sources, relying on general statements and anecdotal evidence. It mentions interviews with individuals like Jake Shields and Vera Papisova but lacks direct quotes or references to corroborate these interactions. The inclusion of Dana White's comments provides some credibility, but the overall lack of diverse and authoritative sources weakens the article's reliability. More direct references to studies or expert opinions on the manosphere and its cultural impact would enhance the source quality.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its methodology and sourcing. It does not disclose how the information was gathered or if there were any conflicts of interest. The absence of clear citations or links to supporting evidence makes it difficult for readers to verify the claims independently. The piece would benefit from more explicit disclosures about the sources and methods used to gather the information presented.