Topic: Toxic Masculinity

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced new measures to combat "toxic male extremist views" and misogynistic content online. The legislation will also target the creation and distribution of deepfake pornography. A producer's letter from Australia described a "crushed" population facing a cost-of-living crisis and a loss of political agency.

The 94th Academy Awards are overshadowed by Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage following a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia. Media commentators describe the event as a display of "toxic masculinity" and "narcissism," while some in Hollywood express being "sickened" by the subsequent standing ovation for Smith. The segment includes a musical parody about the incident and the "cuckold" dynamics of the Smith marriage.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed that Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if he were a woman, labeling the war a "perfect example of toxic masculinity." The hosts analyze Johnson's phrasing and suggest his comments were a form of virtue signaling intended for a domestic audience. The segment notes a verbal slip where Johnson appeared to almost use the word "rape" before correcting himself to "invasion."

Following a $5 billion write-down and backlash over its "toxic masculinity" campaign, Gillette has pivoted back to traditional advertising featuring local heroes. A new Australian ad features a clean-shaven firefighter discussing the mental and physical preparation required for his job. The hosts noted the stark contrast between this "Gillette Man" approach and the brand's previous controversial social messaging.

Procter & Gamble reported an $8 billion write-down on Gillette, with $5 billion attributed to the backlash against its "toxic masculinity" advertisement. The failure is blamed on "social justice warrior" influence within advertising agencies like WPP and Grey.

Musician John Mayer's comments on the "male contract" and the pressure on men to be sexually performative are critiqued. The hosts dismiss his views as "projecting" his own issues onto all men and label his commentary as "extremely annoying."

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has begun tracking "male supremacy" as a hateful ideology. The hosts argue that the SPLC is ignoring the actual subjugation of women in certain religious faiths while focusing on "brainwashing" the public about Western gender dynamics.

The media's fascination with the royal wedding is contrasted with modern critiques of toxic masculinity and gender equality. While news outlets like PBS and Fox News provided extensive coverage, critics point out the irony of glorifying an ancient patriarchal institution. Additionally, the tradition of royal fruitcakes is discussed, noting that a slice of Queen Elizabeth’s 1947 wedding cake recently sold at auction.

The University of Texas at Austin has launched "MasculinUT," a program aimed at helping male students develop a "healthy sense of masculinity" by rejecting traditional gender roles. The school is hiring a "Healthy Masculinites Coordinator" to combat "interpersonal violence," which includes verbal abuse and flirting. The program is criticized as a cyclical return to 1960s-era radical feminism.

Jordan Peterson discussed the "war on men" on Tucker Carlson's show, arguing that masculine competence is being wrongly labeled as "tyranny" or "toxic." He criticized the education system for replacing traditional learning with "indoctrination" regarding white privilege and systemic racism. Peterson advised parents to remove their children from classes that focus on "equity, diversity, and inclusivity."

USA Today and other outlets have renewed the debate on "toxic masculinity" following recent mass shootings, suggesting that societal pressures on men to repress emotions lead to violence. Comedian Chris Rock's new Netflix special also touched on school shootings, with Rock making controversial comments about wanting "equality" in school violence. Critics point out that high rates of violence in cities like Chicago and Oakland receive significantly less media attention than suburban school shootings.

The hosts address listener complaints about not covering the Jo Cox murder in real-time during the previous episode, citing the high signal-to-noise ratio in the chat room. Credit is given to Scuba Steve for the "Toxic Masculinity" artwork for episode 834, which featured an FBI and Facebook-themed design.

A viral report from US Uncut is deconstructed as anti-gun propaganda, focusing on terms like "toxic masculinity" and the shooter's employment at G4S. The report claims Mateen was an "American as apple pie" product of domestic culture rather than a foreign terrorist. G4S, the world's largest security firm, is noted for its involvement in the prison industrial complex and border transportation.