19 Comments
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Beth Neil's avatar

I didn’t find it enlightening, it told me what I already knew although it will have been an eye-opener for some.

Personally, I think he should also have gone after the tech companies who are pushing and rewarding this shit. I wanted to know more about how boys end up down these rabbit holes and to hear from some of them (not just the two randos he bumped into in the coffee shop). There’s a part 2 and 3 which he should have done - it’s a missed opportunity.

And you’re right, he didn’t land a blow. None of them will have been harmed by this, in fact the exposure will probably boost their notoriety even more.

Depressing.

Rachel Richardson's avatar

It was a glaring omission that he didn't "follow the money". And as I was writing I was fantasising about him getting inside OpenAI or Meta. That would be box office!

Susanna Quilter's avatar

I was less disturbed by the influencers than the fanboys who mobbed them in the streets. Men like that will always exist, but to see how idolized they are is truly terrifying.

Rachel Richardson's avatar

the ones that ran up to Sneako seemed like babies — as you say it’s terrifying

Danielle's avatar

Algorithm bitches - beautiful 😂👌

Rachel Richardson's avatar

everyone has a boss!

1ara's avatar

Should not have watched this on a dreary Sunday afternoon, I am still digging out of the depression spiral. I was hoping for more owns, consequences, accountability, shame, ANYTHING. Just bleak as hell.

Rachel Richardson's avatar

Bleak is the right word

El's avatar

Marina Hyde described the men as scary but also pathetic, seems pretty much on the money. Depressing.

Rachel Richardson's avatar

That’s a good assessment

Kay Greef's avatar

Can we also talk about the ‘competition winners’ surrounding HS, were they staff/being paid? Were they coerced? It all felt hugely exploitative, free the competition winners!

Rachel Richardson's avatar

Totally. So weird how that’s how they contextualised themselves.

The Sustainable Spender's avatar

I've never felt more uneasy watching a Theroux doc, and I've watched them all.

Rachel Richardson's avatar

Yes, it’s a deeply uncomfortable watch

Sarah Best's avatar

The two Tate twats (can I use that word here?) were in HK last weekend and it was over social media. This was shortly after one of them was saying how amazing Dubai was… guess the bombs weren’t much fun after all.

Rachel Richardson's avatar

this is a safe space for the word twat!

Emily Horne's avatar

THIS: "If there was no financial reward, would you still push male supremacy online? I think we all know the answer."

Also, it feels like your piece is in conversation with Nina Jankowicz's essay today on how the algorithm incentivizes assholery: https://www.thewayfinder.net/p/the-algorithm-is-your-asshole-boyfriend

Rachel Richardson's avatar

ooooo I'll have a read, thanks for sharing x