Behind the Bastards Part Two: Ragnar Redbeard: The Patron Saint of Toxic Masculinity
Oct 10, 2019
Jamie Loftus, a comedian and writer, joins to dissect Ragnar Redbeard, unveiling the complexities of his infamous work, 'Might Is Right'. They explore whether Desmond's writing is satire or sincere, and why his provocative style appeals to disenchanted young men. Loftus and the host dive into themes like misogyny, antisemitism, and his disdain for equality, linking Desmond's legacy to modern extremist ideologies. They critique the dangers of his ideas and examine how anger can fuel a path towards nihilism, ultimately questioning his impact on contemporary thought.
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Why The Book Hooks Young Men
- Robert Evans argues Might Is Right uses catchy one-liners and repeats to hook frustrated young men.
- Those snatches of rhetoric make it easy to quote and radicalize readers without rigorous argumentation.
Bitter Pivot From Labor To Nihilism
- Jamie Loftus and Robert Evans note Desmond's shift from labor activist to violent nihilist is plausible, not satire.
- His bitterness and isolation likely fueled the ideological pivot toward might-makes-right.
Historical Roots Of His Appeal
- Desmond's anti-egalitarian themes fit early 1900s backlash to social change and resonated with those threatened by equality.
- That historical context explains how his ideas spread despite poor scholarship.
