The Bunker – News without the nonsense The men who hate women – How sexism powers the far right
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Oct 10, 2025 Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a sociologist and author of *Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism*, explores the dark intersection of misogyny and extremism with Emma Kennedy. They discuss how online platforms amplify toxic masculinity and link it to real-world violence, including mass shootings. Cynthia uncovers troubling trends in gendered violence overlooked by security agencies and highlights how misogyny polices societal roles. Finally, she emphasizes that empowering women can significantly counteract political violence.
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Misogyny As A Core Driver
- Cynthia Miller-Idriss realized misogyny was a major, overlooked driver of extremist violence after studying militia language and the Whitmer kidnapping plot.
- She wrote Man Up to explain how misogynistic language signals deeper radicalisation pathways.
Digital Channels Supersize Misogyny
- 'New misogyny' refers to old misogynistic ideas amplified by social media and new digital practices like revenge porn and AI-generated imagery.
- These platforms normalise threats and dehumanising memes, making misogyny ubiquitous and scalable.
Gender Violence Precedes Mass Attacks
- Most mass shooters have histories of gender-based violence or misogynistic behaviour, often unreported until later attacks.
- Misogyny is intertwined with racist and political motives, shaping targets and justifications for violence.
