Incels, Evo Psych, and Modern Literature with ARX-Han — #83
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Apr 10, 2025
Delve into the intriguing intersection of inceldom and modern masculinity through a gripping novel analysis. Explore the roots of incels in historical context while examining how dating apps shape contemporary relationship dynamics. Unearth the philosophical depths of consciousness, free will versus determinism, and the challenges posed by AI in literature. The discussion also critiques the evolving landscape of literary fiction, highlighting shifts in narratives and the impact of cultural shifts on storytelling.
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Incel, A Modern American Psycho
Steve Hsu describes ARX-Han's novel, "Incel," as a modern update of "American Psycho."
The protagonist, an evo psych grad student, views the world mechanistically, struggling with sex and relationships.
insights INSIGHT
Biomaterialist Tragicomedy
ARX-Han's writing style contrasts lived experience with scientific reductionism applied to intimate affairs.
The protagonist's hyper-fixation on evo psych creates a comedic yet tragic narrative.
insights INSIGHT
Reductionism and Nihilism
Materialist reductionism can dissolve meaning, creating a nihilistic view of life choices.
This reductionism, amplified by evo psych, contributes to the modern incel's distinct struggle.
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Incel is a satirical and sinister exploration of the male psyche, focusing on a suicidally depressed young man who becomes obsessed with losing his virginity. The novel delves into themes of social alienation, masculinity, and the influence of online ideologies like pickup artists and the alt-right. It offers a bleakly comic portrait of a mind spiraling into radicalization.
Meltdown
A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy Tanked, and Government Bailouts Will Make Things Worse
Thomas E. Woods Jr.
In this book, Thomas E. Woods, Jr. challenges the common narrative that deregulation and free markets led to the 2008 financial crisis. Instead, he argues that government interventions, such as those through Fannie Mae and the Community Redevelopment Act, were the primary causes of the housing bubble and subsequent market collapse. Woods also critiques government bailouts, suggesting they exacerbate the problems rather than solve them. The book provides a detailed explanation of Austrian business cycle theory and its application to the crisis, as well as a historical context comparing the government's response to the Great Depression.
The Elementary Particles
Michel Houellebecq
The novel tells the story of Michel and Bruno, two half-brothers abandoned by their mother and raised by different grandmothers. Michel becomes a reclusive molecular biologist whose research leads to the elimination of sexual reproduction, while Bruno grows into a sexually frustrated and nihilistic school teacher. The narrative is marked by a pessimistic vision of humanity, highlighting themes of loneliness, the decay of human relationships, and the eventual replacement of humans by a new, genetically engineered species. The book is known for its detached, sociological style and its profound philosophical and sociological insights into the human condition at the turn of the 21st century.
American Psycho
Bret Easton Ellis
American Psycho is a black comedy horror novel that critiques the superficiality and materialism of 1980s Wall Street culture through the character of Patrick Bateman, a charismatic but sociopathic investment banker. The novel explores themes of identity, consumerism, and the blurring of reality and fantasy. It is known for its graphic violence and dark humor, offering a commentary on the excesses of capitalist society.
Whatever
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Michel Houellebecq
Michel Houellebecq's "Whatever" (L'extension du domaine de la lutte in French) is a novel that explores the themes of alienation and sexual impoverishment in modern society. The narrative focuses on the lives of anonymous functionaries who, despite financial stability, experience profound loneliness and dissatisfaction in their personal lives. Houellebecq's cynical and darkly humorous portrayal of modern relationships and the search for meaning sparked considerable debate. The novel's exploration of the emptiness of consumer culture and the challenges of finding genuine connection continues to resonate with readers. It is considered one of Houellebecq's early works that established his distinctive style.
Steve speaks with ARX-Han, an anonymous writer, about his book "Incel."
(00:00) - Introduction
(02:09) - Discussing the Novel 'Incel'
(06:08) - Character Analysis and Literary Influences
(13:32) - Themes of Evolutionary Psychology and Nihilism
(18:38) - Historical Context and Modern Inceldom
(26:18) - Impact of Dating Apps on Modern Relationships
(32:47) - Representation and Character Dynamics
(40:21) - Literary Comparisons and Philosophical Depth
(45:38) - Philosophical Underpinnings of Meaning
(48:14) - The Hard Problem of Consciousness
(50:38) - Free Will and Determinism
(52:53) - Darwinian Nihilism and Nick Land
(58:17) - Historical Perspectives on East Asian Civilization
(01:03:11) - The State of Literary Fiction
(01:16:45) - AI and Literature
(01:19:44) - AI and Human Meaning
Music used with permission from Blade Runner Blues Livestream improvisation by State Azure.
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Steve Hsu is Professor of Theoretical Physics and of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at Michigan State University. Previously, he was Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation at MSU and Director of the Institute of Theoretical Science at the University of Oregon. Hsu is a startup founder (SuperFocus.ai, SafeWeb, Genomic Prediction, Othram) and advisor to venture capital and other investment firms. He was educated at Caltech and Berkeley, was a Harvard Junior Fellow, and has held faculty positions at Yale, the University of Oregon, and MSU. Please send any questions or suggestions to manifold1podcast@gmail.com or Steve on X @hsu_steve.
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