Lost Boys by James Bloodworth review – journey into the manosphere

A journalist goes undercover to investigate a reactionary movement that is becoming increasingly mainstreamExtract from Lost Boys: Nick wanted to drop bodyfat and build a micro-haremWhen his editor suggested he write a book about the manosphere, James Bloodworth replied, “Why would I want to do that?” You can see his point. Who would intentionally spend their days immersed in the toxic online subculture where men go to blame women for everything and plot their revenge? Who would choose to listen to endless Jordan Peterson podcasts or watch interminable Andrew Tate videos? Well, the answer is quite a lot of men, even though Bloodworth doesn’t really seem to know why.His book begins with an excellent chapter in which he describes how, as a callow 23-year-old, he forked out a couple of grand to take a course in seduction. This was the era of Neil Strauss’s 2005 bestseller The Game, which taught geeky men how to pull hapless women. A bundle of nerves, the author ended up chanting a mantra of “Right here, right now!” on a night out in the West End. As he prepared to approach a “target”, his coach informed him encouragingly, “Your organ is a spear.” Continue reading...

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