Uppers + Downers

Each issue we’ll be rummaging around the internets for stories that make us grin, and the tales that make us grimace.

Here’s this issue’s Uppers and Downers of masculinity:

Uppers

1. The people putting the men into mental health – Dax Shepherd, Jonah Hill, Tricia Hersey, and twitch streamer Dr K, we see you and appreciate you;
2. The German Men’s team who covered their mouths in protest at the World Cup – hey, it’s not much but more than most have done;
3. The growing visibility of trans men on TV (Tales of the City, The OA), and they’re three dimensional characters who aren’t defined by “the trauma of trans”. Whatever next;
4. And whilst on the subject, The Original Gents trans motorcycle club in Kansas, proudly being visible for those who can’t (they support LGBTQ+ events, and lead an annual Trans Day of Remembrance ride). Gentlemen, we salute you;
5. The election of John Fetterman. He wears hoodies and shorts, and has bounced back from a stroke to be elected Senator. If a workers union came to life it would look and sound just like John Fetterman (and that is a very good thing indeed).

Downers

1. Studies tell us that men are lonelier than they have ever been.  Nearly half don’t have any friends and women are mostly swiping left. Dating Apps show their user base is 62% men, and 90% of men are giving a “that was great” to a first date;
2. Porn has been proven to mess with everyone’s brain, but young boys brains are being re-wired to think rape culture is normal. The results of behaviour in schools are depressing as hell;
3. A recent study showed that boys as young as six are trying to develop muscles to look “right” and one in ten 11-year-olds are on supplements to look good;
4. Toxic Influencers are on the rise, and young men are looking at meat eating loons like the Liver King (1.6 million IG followers) and Paul Saldano (440,00 IG followers) as role models. Eat a nice salad, boys, it’ll make you feel much better;
5. The MAGA crowd targeted vulnerable young men (notably Incels) to join the movement; a staggering number of men charged in the capitol riots were between the ages of 21-23. What could go wrong…
6. The attack on club Q and legislating of gender affirming care – here’s looking at you, Arkansas.