A study at Swansea University found incels - or involuntary celibates - overestimated physical attractiveness and finances, while underestimating kindness, humour and loyalty.

The study's co-author Andrew Thomas said "thinking errors" could "lead us down some quite troubling paths".

He said mental health support was crucial, as opposed to "demonisation".

The term refers to a community, largely online, of mainly heterosexual men frustrated by their inability to form romantic or sexual relationships.

The idea dates back more than 30 years and was popularised by a website offering support for lonely people who felt left behind.

Study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2023.2248096

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[–] Everythingispenguins 8 points 10 months ago

I am not trying to defend bad behavior merely try to get people to think past the outward displays and to the root of it. I will never say anger or violence is okay.

I would never suggest that straight white men have not historically been deferred to. But I can't think that the solution to fixing marginalization in society is to marginalize a different group instead.

It seems like the best way to prevent the mental state that leads to mass shooting is to include these people. Make them feel like they can contribute to make it better. Would you shoot up a school that you helped build? But if all you were told was you need to sit down and shut up wouldn't you want to destroy?

I genuinely hope that you are not suggesting that just because someone is historically privileged that can't be later marginalized. The liberation of women is one of the greatest accomplishments of the modern era. Along with the ongoing work to lift historically marginalized groups. It is no different than breaking any other cycle of abuse. I genuinely hope that this continues. We will be a better society for it, but turning it into a zero sum game will only lead to further problems.

The best thing we can do is work in the manner that Gandhi taught. And that includes love for all people. Remember there are many men who have not yet fallen down this hole. They have people whispering in their ears that society hates them. Getting angry at these people, tell them that it doesn't matter if they are having a hard time, just because someone else is having it harder will only lead them down that hole. That is what breaking the cycle is all about. Hating someone just because someone like the hates you will only ever make things worse. It is up to each of us to remember that no one was born this way. Everyone you, me and the next school shooter. Is truly just a kid needing a hung at heart. Remember that is the only way out.