This is an edition of the newsletter Pulling Weeds With Chris Black, in which the columnist weighs in on hot topics in culture. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Thursday.
In the wake of Donald Trump’s re-election, the discussion around “masculinity” has reached a fever pitch. “Alpha male” podcasts are shouldering much of the blame. Guys who were once known as comedians are apparently leading this considerable swath of disenfranchised incels into the gym and, of course, their local polling place. Is it true that fellas stopped reading, put in their AirPods, and just handed over their whole worldview to guys whose areas of expertise begin and end with MMA and the art of stand-up comedy change? Is the pseudoscience of drinking urine actually penetrating? Would whale-head collector Robert Kennedy, Jr. have a job in the White House if he hadn’t talked to Tim Dillon? Would Kamala Harris have a job in the White House after January if she’d agreed to sit down with Joe Rogan to talk cold plunges and DMT? Is hustle culture just inherently Trumpian?
I co-host a show that is often referred to as a “bro-cast,” but while we do frequently talk about working out, we don’t really touch sports, biohacking, or politics. The search for the “left-wing Joe Rogan” is on because many people seem to think he had the power to sway the election. I am not sure if I agree. The power of podcasting might be overstated. Most people listen while doing something else, such as walking the dog, washing the dishes, or commuting. Sure, you are taking in information, but it’s not the same as reading a book or newspaper. I don’t think Donald Trump is talking to undecided voters when he sits down with Andrew Schulz or Theo Von. He is talking to people who already either love him or hate him. The lost bro searching for answers late at night on his computer drinking a Monster Energy is an archetype that exists—just maybe not in the way some people imagine. But that dork is easy to blame for all of society’s ills.
Will being more masculine make you happy, healthier, or more successful? Society as a whole has shifted to focusing on constant self-betterment. Many of these podcasts swerve from potty humor and politics to evangelizing the importance of utilizing every second to be stronger, better, and more prepared. I don’t think wellness and self-improvement are political, but because of these shows and their outlooks, they have become intertwined. Many of these male podcasters are acting, playing it up for the downloads, and leaning into what works. Being a comedian or podcaster is a dream job for many, but finding an audience and breaking through can be difficult. But hosting controversial right-wing guests gets clicks and views and feels more like a monetary choice than a political one. Talking to J.D. Vance for an hour will get you a lot of press, which will help sell some tickets for a three-show weekend at Side Splitters in Tampa. None is about being funny or having any honest political convictions; it’s about making money. I don’t trust any of it, and neither should you.
