Yesterday Warren Farrell – the intellectual grandfather of the Men’s Rights movement, the man who single-handedly came up with probably half of the terrible arguments that are endlessly rehashed daily in the manosphere – went to Reddit and proclaimed “ask me anything!”
And so we, and a lot of other people, did. And he even answered a couple of the questions I posted here yesterday – though as I sort of suspected he pointedly ignored the questions about his incest research. Still, there were so many astounding things said in that discussion, both by Farrell himself and by his various supporters, that it’s going to take a couple of posts to get to them all.
Let’s just start with the ass question, shall we? Because there was nothing quite so astounding in that whole sprawling thread, or at least the portion of it that I managed to read, as “Dr.” Farrell’s – he has a PhD in political science –answer to the ass question.
![DoloresCruz1982 86 points 22 hours ago (174|87) Why is a woman's butt on the cover of a book about problems faced by males in our society? permalink save report give gold reply [–]warrenfarrell [S] 2 points 20 hours ago (184|182) i assume you're referring to the profile of a woman's rear on the new ebook edition of The Myth of Male Power. first, that was my choice--i don't want to put that off on the publisher! i chose that to illustrate that the heterosexual man's attraction to the naked body of a beautiful woman takes the power out of our upper brain and transports it into our lower brain. every heterosexual male knows this. and the sooner men confront the powerlessness of being a prisoner to this instinct, we may earn less money to pay for women's drinks, dinners and diamonds, but we'll have more control over our lives, and therefor more real power. it's in women's interests for me to confront this. many heterosexual women feel imprisoned by men's inability to be attracted to women who are more beautiful internally even if their rear is not perfect.](https://i0.wp.com/www.wehuntedthemammoth.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/warrenbutt.png?resize=528%2C398&ssl=1)
That’s right. Warren Farrell literally believes that heterosexual men are powerless in the face of SEXY FEMALE BUTTS. They are BUTT HYPNOTIZED by women’s shapely buttocks, virtual prisoners to the power of DAT ASS.
Not only that, but they are slaves as well, forced to earn more money than women so that they can “pay for women’s drinks, dinners and diamonds.” Who knew that the wage gap was caused by the ass crack?
We like big butts, and we cannot lie. But that way tyranny, I espy.
Only if men can free themselves from the TYRANNY OF THE BUTT they can “have more control over [their] lives, and therefor [sic] more real power.”
But who will write the new Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of Queen Ass?
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for horny dudes to get rid of the boners which those ladies have caused with their smokin hot dumpers and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the babies who have got back requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation, and that is, ladies we can’t think straight if we’re looking at DAT ASS all the time.
Oh, but “Dr.” Farrell is worried about the ladies, too. I mean, he said so:
it’s in women’s interests for me to confront this. many heterosexual women feel imprisoned by men’s inability to be attracted to women who are more beautiful internally even if their rear is not perfect.
Yes, you’re beautiful on the inside to m….holy crap did you see the ass on HER!?
Now, this isn’t entirely new. As I’ve noted before, Farrell makes a version of this argument in his book, talking about secretaries manipulating their bosses with their “miniskirt power, cleavage power, and flirtation power,” [p. 21] describing “female beauty” as “the world’s most potent drug,” [p. 85], and arguing that “many men feel ‘under the influence’ the moment they see a beautiful woman.” [p. 320]
But these, er, arguments weren’t the central focus of his rambling treatise. Now, at the age of 70, by not only putting a naked ass on the cover of his book, but also by defending it in such ludicrously overblown terms, he’s decided to put this unsolicited update from his penis at the center of his argument about the alleged powerlessness of men.
Yep, the closest thing that the Men’s Rights movement has to an intellectual heavyweight seems to think that the most pressing issue facing men today is how sad and mad and confused they feel because they can’t immediately have sex with every hot piece of ass that walks by (and, presumably, the women attached to these asses).
It’s really hard to find a better symbol of the sexual entitlement – and sexual resentment – that lies at the heart of the Men’s Rights movement than this.
Oh, and by the way, my new book is still available for purchase. So far I have sold no copies. Which might have something to do with the $1000 price tag, and also the fact that I haven’t actually written it. But you’ve got to admit the cover is pretty good.
In case you needed a clearer explanation of the power of women’s bodacious hineys, one Redditor by the name of Doldenberg has scienced things up for us and provided us all this useful graph. First, his brief explanation:
Being a brave Alpha from TRP, I have found the solution to the evident misandrist oppression of men by cute butt owners meaning owners of cute butts, not cute owners of butts, or butt owners of cute, or…, that is, ranking butts on an objective BMV (butt market value) scale. I’ve made the data up in my head, but it seems plausible. According to this data, the butt loses BMV when having sat on to many objects, while it’s cuteness only works as a limiting factor. I have made a handy graph[1] with supporting data and sources to explain my theory.
…
What if (medical) doctors used the same method?
“I’ve made the x-ray up in my head, but it seems like the bone isn’t broken.”
“I’ve made double-blind trial up in my head, but it seems the medication will cure cancer.”
“I’ve made the lab results up in my head, but it seems like you are anemic and need several blood transfusions.”
…
And I also, have failed to grasp sarcasm.
Damn stay-cation, turning my brain to mush!
See how the shortest, simplest of questions can open a veritable Fibber McGee closet of stuff! I had no idea he’d answer.
I think the problem isn’t really that Farrell seems unaware that women can get distracted by attractive men, or that gay men exist.
It’s that there’s no situation in which he is not correct. It’s been noted before by posters, but the equation is pretty much:
Attractive women exist and men are interested in them – Therefore men are wistful and soulful and better and do nice things for women because BIOLOGY.
Attractive men exist and women are attracted to them – Therefore men are better than stupid brainless women because BIOLOGY.
Gay men exist – Insert your choice in patronising disguised homophobia or scary outright homophobia.
Gay women exist – MISANDRY. Also, homophobia.
So… what exactly does this confrontation involve? Why is there less money earned? “I’m sorry Jim, but we’re going to promoting Frank to VP of sales instead of you. He likes butts more.”
If he’s talking about coming to terms with the fact that there are attractive people in the world that I can’t immediately sex up, I figured that out when I was about 12.
Also,
Just so you know, Mammotheers, my roommate is a complete hamster goon. So if you post brain bleach of hamsters, she will be forever grateful. (Or at least momentarily amused.)
Hamsters for LBT’s roommate:
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/6a/8d/e4/6a8de424b91fba412133c77e5d801ece.jpg
http://www.arkinspace.com/2012/04/unexpectedly-funny-things-to-do-with.html
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1c/51/6c/1c516ce850b65f5006abf52d49c98139.jpg
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f8/e8/4b/f8e84bfdd01e38393e738bd7f050fe52.jpg
Hamster brain bleach for LBT’s roommate:
http://imgur.com/a/q1BNV
http://i.imgur.com/cpKB8GN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Wrj5YTE.jpg
This is my favorite because ALSO CORGI:
http://i.imgur.com/MhDMe0i.jpg
I’m glad I found this. I was on the verge of taking Farrell seriously—I thought he seemed sincere, even if I didn’t agree with most of his premises. But how does someone seriously go from talking about dying in wars to waxing earnestly about butt-oppression? Does he have any sense of his own privilege at all? Or are we just supposed to be happily dependent on the trinkets men are *forced* to buy us as a result of helplessness in the ‘face’ of butts? (Sorry for the contradiction in terms.)
Does it ever occur to him that just the fact that he has a choice to take a less lucrative position so that he’s no longer a butt-hypnotized buyer of trinkets is kind of a form of power? One that the people who happen to be walking around with those evil, enslaving butts are far less likely to have?
Eep.
(PS: I’ve lurked here–it’s such a nice haven, the blog and comments–but haven’t posted before. I just wanted to say thanks for all the reality checks.)
Hey guys,
I just want to say thanks for the support the other night, and I’m sorry I posted such an weird message. I’ve been struggling with my mental health lately. I’m still functioning (going to work etc.) But I’m starting to feel like my brain is splitting into pieces, with the functioning part struggling for dominance over the part that wants to sit at home and talk to the wall. I did eventually get to bed, and I tried to call my doctor yesterday but it turns out I have the wrong extension, so I got the right one and will call him tomorrow, hopefully.
Thanks for checking in, canuck_with_pluck. I was worried about you.
No apology necessary! I hope you can reach your doctor tomorrow.
With all these magic kryptonite butts everywhere, why aren’t we living in a gluteocracy?
Buttercup, that’s Dr. Farrell’s point – we already DO. And yet, so many refuse to see.
Like the end of the original “Body Snatchers” – “you could be next! Beware the buttocks!”
I’m a cis female (hope I got that right) who for a while several years ago found herself with raised testosterone levels for various reasons. It was a revelation, because I suddenly had to deal with thinking about sex every damn 10 minutes or so. It was pretty amazing, but it was also VERY distracting. I’d find myself staring at guys on the train, wondering what they’d be like in bed, and I’d have to stop myself from checking out their packages. Seriously, it was WEIRD; I hope I never have it happen again (well, not to that extent…). That being said, I never had a problem stopping myself from hitting on or sexually assaulting said guys, and I never felt angry or powerless because they were sexy but I couldn’t have them. I guess what I’m saying is, even though I desired them, I never felt entitled to them. I’m not doctor, nor am I a best-selling author or guru to millions, but I’m going to have a guess and say that I managed this herculean task of self-restraint because, y’know, I’m a human being and I live in a society that has certain reasonable expectations of behaviour.
Hey guys! I have the post up, entitled Love Letters from a Rapist! (If you hate tumblr’s format, you can also read it on LJ.) Beware, it is long and it is brutal; do not engage without brain bleach at the ready!
RE: cloudiah and neuroticbeagle
My roommate deeply appreciated your donation of furry hamster posts! And so did I honestly.
RE: canuck_with_pluck
Glad you’re okay, but yes, get your ass checked out.
RE: SpleenyBaggage
I’m a trans guy, and I was on testosterone for a year and a half. For me, it was a weirdly subtle effect: it was easier for me to get turned on, but my sexuality was still just as narrow as it was before, so it was generally only focused on my husband. I didn’t eyeball other guys or wonder what they were like in bed; I just pounced my husband more often.
@canuck_with_pluck, Thanks for updating us; I was worried too. More hugs if you want them. (Also, please gaze at all the hamster cuteness, if cute furry things make you feel better.)
I just realized that I’m oppressed by food. and oxygen. and shelter.
@cloudiah
The third pic with the hamster in the sweater reminds me of the one from the game, Day of the Tentacle (the sequel to Maniac Manson.) After you it get de-thawed from it’s psuedo-cryogenic sleep you put a cute sweater on it to make it all warm and toasty.
@LBT: I should have mentioned I was single at the time, so my (discreet) ogling was all above board! I found there were certain positives about it that I now miss – I felt really healthy and full of vim ‘n’ vigour – but the constant distraction was unsettling, and it made my normally really clear skin break out into acne. So, not so much of a fan. If I could find something that gave me the positives without the downside… sign me up!
And to everyone who posted hamster pics/videos: you’ve totally made my day. I’m going to go home tonight and tell my pet rats to work harder on the cute (no I won’t… they’re already killer-level cute).
GodDAMN my brain is fried now. Going through old letters from the bad ol’ days took longer than I thought. BUT I MADE A THING AND THIS IS GOOD.
@cloudiah: if I need cuteness overload, I tend to stare at pictures of my fur niece and nephew (a Boston terrier and a beagle-bulldog mix. They’re my babies). Today was not as bad, and hopefully I’ll be able to muster up what I need to call my doctor tomorrow.
@SpleenyBaggage – I’m on birth control these days to keep what turned out to be a major excess of testosterone under control. I cry a lot more, I don’t get as angry, and I’m less horny. I kind of… don’t like it. It’s not that I like being angry, or that I liked feeling unable to cry, but that’s who I was used to being; afaik, the whole excess-testosterone thing probably started when I was 13 or 14, and it didn’t get treated until I was 23, so. Basically, hormones are weird and I hate having a period. But mostly just hormones are some weird shit.
Also, yeah, I think the only time I did anything unwanted and sexual to anyone was when I was drunk at a party and everyone was naked, and I stopped as soon as I realized I was violating boundaries. Like, I just… if horny, testosterone-laden, drunk, naked me can manage to recognize a ‘no’ and stop bothering another naked person, ain’t no one else got any excuse. So the misters can go sit on a cactus with all their O WOE IS ME excuses about anyone’s butts or tits or short skirts or shapely calves or alluring eyes or whateverthefuck.
I think these guys really struggle to say something that sounds scientific as to give their BS legitimacy. But everything they say just comes out sounding so stupid. Then they’re forced to start taking cover and instead bury themselves deeper in more and more BS. It just spirals further after that.
@Diana Adams
That’s exactly it. That’s what abusers say to women they beat on.
You know, today while I was walking home from the docs office I walked behind a younger woman who was wearing skin tight pants while I was in my casual pants and a street harasser dudebro catcalled her and she ignored him so that when I watlked by he called out ‘fuck you, fucking bitch!’
He was clearly being oppressed because of her tight pants and had to verbally abuse her because it was all her fault for daring to walk by him on a nice sunny day.
@spleeny
Same here. High testosterone. Had to take diuretics to flush it out of my system indefinitely. Never assaulted anyone. Never got angry at men. I was fully able to control my sex drive without a hitch.