Inside the hateful and lonely world of incel men | Uncovering Incels (Part 1) | Short Documentary

SBS The Feed
29 Jun 202311:08

TLDRThe video script delves into the online subculture of incels, individuals who define themselves as unable to find romantic or sexual partners. It explores their beliefs, including the 'black pill' philosophy that attributes their situation to unchangeable physical attractiveness. The video reveals the community's darker side, with some members expressing extreme misogyny and violence, while others strive for self-improvement. The investigation highlights the potential real-world consequences of this online hate, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing the underlying issues.

Takeaways

  • 🌐 The script investigates the online subculture of incels, highlighting their beliefs and behaviors.
  • 👤 Incels are typically young men, often virgins, who are unable to find romantic or sexual partners.
  • 🎭 Incels can become menacing, with some harboring violent thoughts towards women and blaming them for their lack of relationships.
  • 🚨 There is a link between incels and around 60 terror attacks, indicating the potential danger they pose.
  • 🤝 The investigation involves meeting with incels, who usually communicate in private forums and servers.
  • 😷 Incels often express a sense of hopelessness and believe they are unattractive or undesirable to women.
  • 💭 The 'black pill' philosophy is mentioned, which suggests that women only find physically attractive men desirable.
  • 🏫 Incels tend to avoid social interaction and jobs that require interaction with others, often preferring STEM subjects or online activities.
  • 📈 The incel community is growing, with millions of visits to their forums and increasing极端 views expressed online.
  • 💪 Some incels attempt self-improvement, like going to the gym, in hopes of increasing their attractiveness to potential partners.
  • 🔪 There is concern about the real-world consequences of online hate, with some incels acting on their violent fantasies.

Q & A

  • What is the term used to describe young men, usually virgins, who can't find a romantic or sexual partner?

    -The term used is 'incels', which is short for 'involuntary celibates'.

  • What concerns do incels express about their future job prospects?

    -Incels express concern that openly identifying as such in public might negatively affect their job prospects due to the sensationalist and negative perception associated with the term.

  • What is the 'black pill' philosophy in the incel community?

    -The 'black pill' philosophy is the belief that women will only ever be attracted to physically attractive men, and that those who are not attractive are in a hopeless situation as they have 'lost the genetic lottery'.

  • How does the incel community perceive interactions with women?

    -The incel community often perceives interactions with women as negative, with some members believing that women are inherently disgusted by them and that they live in separate societies.

  • What type of content was observed in the incel chat rooms?

    -The content observed in the incel chat rooms included Nazi symbols, racial slurs, hate towards women, and in some cases, jokes about sexual violence.

  • What is the estimated number of dedicated incel members worldwide?

    -By some estimates, there are at least thousands of dedicated incel members worldwide.

  • What are some common characteristics of individuals who identify as incels?

    -Individuals who identify as incels often include those who are unemployed, have mental health vulnerabilities, are insecure about their looks, and many claim to be neurodivergent.

  • How does the incel community react to the idea of women and relationships?

    -The incel community often reacts with misogyny and blame towards women for their lack of relationships, which can breed a toxic and violent rage towards women.

  • What steps do some incels take to try to attract women?

    -Some incels go to great lengths such as going to the gym, focusing on self-improvement, and sharing their journey online in an attempt to attract women.

  • What is the potential real-world impact of online incel communities?

    -The potential real-world impact of online incel communities includes an increase in violent and extremist behaviors, as evidenced by the link between incels and around 60 terror attacks.

  • What does the future hold for incels who do not succeed in changing their situation?

    -For incels who do not succeed, they may focus on other aspects of life such as enjoying hobbies, seeking employment, or accepting a life without romantic or sexual relationships.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Inside the Incel Community

This paragraph delves into the world of incels, which are young men, typically virgins, who are unable to find romantic or sexual partners. The discussion highlights the extreme views some incels hold, including misogyny and violence towards women. It explores the reasons behind their inability to form relationships, with some blaming women and attractive men. The segment also touches on the impact of online forums and chat rooms where incels congregate, share their views, and sometimes engage in discussions about sexual violence. The investigation aims to understand the beliefs and potential dangers posed by this community.

05:00

🧐 The Black Pill and Incel Beliefs

This section focuses on the incel belief known as the 'black pill,' which suggests that women are only attracted to physically attractive men, leaving those who do not fit this criterion in a hopeless situation. It discusses the personal and educational backgrounds of incels, often highlighting their involvement in STEM fields and the resulting lack of interaction with women. The segment also presents a researcher's findings on the growth and increasing extremity of incel forums. The discussion includes examples of extreme and hateful posts, as well as the reasons behind the formation of such views. It contrasts the extreme views with those who strive for self-improvement, aiming to change their situation through fitness and social skills.

10:03

🤔 The Future of the Incel Movement

The final paragraph examines the potential growth of the incel community and its impact on society. It discusses the factors contributing to the increase in incels, such as societal changes affecting young men. The segment also explores the potential real-world consequences of online hate, citing cases of violence committed by individuals with a history of misogyny. The investigation concludes by considering the future prospects of incels, questioning whether their bleak views and lack of hope could lead to further societal issues.

Mindmap

Incels
Self-Perception
Online Presence
Definition and Characteristics
极端观点
The 'Black Pill' Philosophy
Terror Attacks
Community and Beliefs
Tom
Raymond
Other Incels
Individual Stories
Mental Health
Violence and Misogyny
Potential for Change
Impact and Consequences
Online Forums
Demographics
Expert Opinion
Research and Analysis
Incel Community Investigation
Alert

Keywords

💡incels

The term 'incels' refers to individuals, typically young men, who identify as 'involuntary celibates' because they are unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite their desire for one. In the context of the video, incels are portrayed as a group that harbors resentment and sometimes extreme views towards women and society. The script mentions that incels often congregate in online forums and chat rooms, sharing their frustrations and in some cases, expressing violent or misogynistic sentiments.

💡virgins

In the context of the video, 'virgins' refers to members of the incel community who have not had sexual experiences. This term is significant as it highlights the perceived inadequacy and failure of these individuals in the realm of sexual and romantic relationships, which is a core issue for incels. The video indicates that many incels are virgins and this lack of experience is a source of their frustration and anger.

💡misogyny

Misogyny is the hatred, contempt, or prejudice against women or girls. In the video, misogyny is a prevalent attitude among some incels, who blame women for their inability to form romantic or sexual relationships. This attitude can manifest in various ways, including derogatory statements about women, and in extreme cases, advocacy of violence against them.

💡online forums

Online forums are virtual spaces where people can interact and discuss various topics. In the context of the video, these forums serve as gathering places for incels to share their experiences, beliefs, and frustrations. They provide a sense of community and anonymity, which can sometimes lead to the amplification of negative and extreme views.

💡black pill

The 'black pill' is a term used within the incel community to describe a belief system that posits women are exclusively attracted to physically attractive men, and that those who are not attractive are condemned to a life of involuntary celibacy. This perspective is often seen as pessimistic and deterministic, with no hope for change or improvement.

💡NEET

NEET is an acronym for 'Not in Education, Employment, or Training.' It refers to individuals who are not currently engaged in any formal education, paid work, or vocational training. In the video, one of the incels identifies as a NEET, highlighting the social and economic marginalization that can be associated with the incel community.

💡STEM subjects

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These are academic disciplines that often focus on analytical and problem-solving skills. In the context of the video, one of the incels mentions studying STEM subjects, which may imply a preference for fields that require less interpersonal interaction and could contribute to the isolation experienced by some incels.

💡self-improvement

Self-improvement refers to the process of enhancing one's personal, social, or professional qualities and abilities. In the video, self-improvement is depicted as a journey undertaken by some incels in an attempt to increase their attractiveness and chances of finding a romantic partner. This is seen in the efforts of Raymond, who hopes that gym workouts will lead to self-transformation.

💡mental health

Mental health refers to an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. In the context of the video, mental health is impacted by the incels' bleak views and social isolation, contributing to feelings of depression, loneliness, and frustration. The script suggests that the incel community's toxic beliefs can exacerbate these mental health issues.

💡extreme views

Extreme views are opinions or beliefs that are far outside the mainstream or socially acceptable norms. In the video, extreme views are associated with a subset of incels who express radical ideas, including violence and misogyny. These views are often shared and amplified within certain online spaces, leading to potential real-world consequences.

💡social interaction

Social interaction refers to the process of communicating and engaging with others, which is essential for human relationships and societal functioning. In the context of the video, many incels struggle with social interaction, particularly with women, which contributes to their feelings of isolation and frustration. The preference for STEM subjects and online forums is highlighted as a factor that may limit their social interactions.

Highlights

Investigation into the hidden online world of incels reveals a community of young men, usually virgins, who are unable to find romantic or sexual partners.

Incels often blame women and attractive men for their lack of relationships, with some harboring extreme and violent sentiments.

There have been around 60 terror attacks linked to incel actors, showing the potential real-world danger of this subculture.

The investigation gains access to a closed-off world, typically inaccessible to women, offering an inside look at incel beliefs and behaviors.

Content warning: The investigation exposes violent and distressing content, including references to sexual violence and racist slurs.

The incel community often discusses edgy statements, such as 'I hate all women' and 'Every woman is evil', indicating a deep-seated misogyny.

Despite takedowns, incel servers continue to be popular, with some forums receiving millions of visits each year.

Incel philosophy is often tied to feelings of physical unattractiveness, social awkwardness, and a lack of experience with women.

Some incels believe in the 'black pill' philosophy, which suggests that women only go for physically attractive men and that their situation is genetically predetermined and hopeless.

Many incels are neurodivergent, unemployed, and have mental health vulnerabilities, which can contribute to their toxic views on women and society.

Not all incels subscribe to the extreme views of the community, with some actively trying to improve themselves to attract women.

The incel community is primarily made up of individuals studying or working in STEM fields, possibly due to the limited social interaction required.

Some incels express relief at not having to interact with women in their academic or professional lives, highlighting a preference for isolation.

Researchers have observed that the incel movement is growing, with forum visits increasing and posts becoming more extreme over time.

The incel community often uses dehumanizing language about women, promoting the idea that they are subhuman and deserving of mistreatment.

The investigation suggests that the incel movement may be a reaction to feelings of rejection and loneliness, rather than an inherent hatred of women.

Some incels express a desire to change their situation by the time they reach their mid-thirties, with plans to focus on other aspects of life if they remain unsuccessful.

The incel community's impact on mental health is discussed, with some members admitting that bleak views contribute to a lack of care for future prospects.

The potential for online hate to manifest in real-world violence is explored, with examples of incels acting on their violent fantasies leading to murder.