digital subcultural diffusion theory

Question 1

what is the manopshere

Answer 1

Network of online anti-feminist men’s groups promoting masculinity, misogyny and opposition to feminism

Question 2

what is the redpill ideology

Answer 2

Promote exaggerated displays of masculinity asserting dominance over women to defend/regain hegemonic masculinity

Question 3

what is looksmaxxing

Answer 3

Practices aimed at optimising physical appearance through better hygiene, style, posture, and building a muscular male physique

Question 4

what is the blackpill ideology

Answer 4

Maintain that unattractive men are trapped in a sociosexual hierarchy where attractive men and women hold privilege, status cannot be changed

Question 5

what is the PSL scale

Answer 5

Hierarchical framework for assessing facial attractiveness
Ranking individuals through a racialized and gendered hierarchy based on perceived genetic ‘value’

Question 6

what is the process of diffusion

Answer 6

Process where information, ideas, behaviours, trends, or digital content spread across the internet through online communities

Question 7

what is normification

Answer 7

How niche communities, terminologies and beliefs expand beyond their native subcultural context into mainstream media (especially social media)

Question 8

Does normiefication indicate that fringe ideas have become widely popular

Answer 8

No, it refers to their migration from niche online spaces to more mainstream platforms thereby increasing their visibility

Question 9

what is mainstreaming

Answer 9

Process by which parties, discourse, and/or attitudes move form marginal positions on the political spectrum or public sphere to more central ones

Question 10

three elements of mainstreaming

Answer 10

• Content positioning: repackaging ideas for broader appeal
• Susceptibility: drawing in vulnerable audiences by influencing cognitive processes, attitudes, or biases
• Platform affordances: the specific action possibilities, capabilities, and constraints offered by digital platforms (like social media) that shape user behavior and interaction

Question 11

outcome of normification and mainstreaming

Answer 11

Shifts in societal norms and bridging the online-offline divide
Acceptance of previously unacceptable views

Question 12

how does the PSL scale interpret the female gaze

Answer 12

Aggressive scrutiny targeting the men’s appearance
Where women objectify men to mirror and subvert patriarchal norms

Question 13

Within the realm of facial aesthetics, the most important determinants of attractiveness are…

Answer 13

Eurocentric heteronormative beauty standards and cis-gender stereotypes
Jaw and eyes are most critical features

Question 14

what are hunter and prey eyes

Answer 14

Hunter: attractive male eyes which emanate a compelling intense gaze
Prey: unappealing in men due to their delicate rounded appearance (projects vulnerability)

Question 15

what is the sub 5 classification? Chad? God?

Answer 15

• Sub 5: lowest ranking in the PSL scale - Minimal aesthetic appeal based on facial characteristics (aesthetically deficient)
• Chad: conventionally attractive men- Used to be men occupying the apex of a sociosexual hierarchy
• God: most exceptionally attractive men- Idealized standard of beauty deemed worthy of ‘worship’ from both men and women

Question 16

how does the contemporary PSL worldview reconceptualize the term Chad

Answer 16

Taking the broad term “alpha male” into precise, highly technical, and quantifies metric of aesthetic superiority

Question 17

does the blackpill ideoloy believe men can advance in the PSL scale

Answer 17

no, entirely determined by genetics

Question 18

how does the PSL proponents view gymmaxxing

Answer 18

If your face is unattractive there is only so much gymmaxxing can do

Question 19

what is softmaxxing

Answer 19

improving facial features through non-invasive or less extreme methods

Question 20

what is hardmaxxing

Answer 20

invasive often risky methods to enhance appearance

Question 21

what is a defining feature of hardmaxxing

Answer 21

surgerymaxxing, promoting use of plastic surgery

Question 22

difference between PSL blackpill and traditional blackpill

Answer 22

PSL- looksmaxing acceptable if it’s used to target ones genetic inferiority
traditional- looksmaxxing is impossible

Question 23

what is bonesmashing

Answer 23

Using a hammer or fist to strike ones face, targeting the jawbones in an attempt to reshape the facial features

Question 24

what is rebranding

Answer 24

Shift form using the term incels to more general and inconspicuous term “sub5s” highlights the rebranding of the misogynist incel blackpill ideology

Question 25

what is ideological adaptation

Answer 25

Genuine modification, repackaging, or evolution of a fringe groups belief system to make it more palatable, understandable, or appealing to a broader audience

Question 26

how have misogynist incels engaged in the practices of rebranding and ideological adaptation

Answer 26

Adopting term looksmaxxing and sub5 to gain mainstream traction of platforms Replacing explicit hate speech with seemingly neutral, pseudo-scientific or self-improvement jargon

Question 27

what is the Overton window

Answer 27

Spectrum of ideas on public policy and social issues considered acceptable by the general public at a given time