The (de-)radical(-ising) potential of r/IncelExit and r/ExRedPill

Abstract

This article introduces two forums, r/IncelExit and r/ExRedPill, that have organically emerged in recent years to provide a pathway out of the manosphere for men and boys. Based upon preliminary findings from a broader digital ethnography project, this piece highlights the potential benefits these spaces can offer individuals engaging with them. Furthermore, this article flags opportunities that exploring these forums can offer to academic inquiry on the nature of (de-)radicalisation within the manosphere, along with theoretical issues debated within the critical studies of men and masculinities field. It is also proposed that such forums could serve as an alternative space to provide socially alienated young men and boys with information emphasising the importance of consent and respectful relationships, away from formal school curricula. Finally, this article also discusses the potential effects that neoliberalism may have in shaping how young men approach dating.

Conspiracy, misinformation, radicalisation: understanding the online pathway to indoctrination and opportunities for intervention

“…At this stage in our sample, when the individual was withdrawing from mainstream informational sources and their existing peer networks, there were fewer opportunities for traditional fact-checking methods to reach them. The value of organic deradicalisation spaces becomes apparent at this point (Thorburn, 2023b). These spaces allow radicalised individuals to speak to others who have previously shared their beliefs, allowing them to be understood while also being provided with more reliable information.…”

“Even though I’m not an incel, I’m still an involuntary celibate”: A journey in and out of inceldom.

“…Accessibility constraints, such as websites like Reddit banning/quarantining groups, have led to a reduction on some platforms (Copland, 2020). However, changes in former members' circumstances have prompted them to leave, including transitionary stages like college, widening their social network, realizations about their sexual orientation, or speaking to other ex-incels (Hintz & Baker, 2021;Thorburn, 2023). There is no one-size-fits-all approach to de-radicalization, but the presence of mentors or peers has helped people exit a range of groups (Weeks, 2021).…”

“…They also credited purple pill boards (where people who are red/black pilled debate those who are not) for challenging their ideas without stigmatizing them. Though they promote the tribalism that marks people's descent into insular communities, communities that debate inceldom's merits are more accessible than fora where it is ridiculed (Thorburn, 2023). Likewise, anti-incel forums that adopted a constructivist lens: "Those communities have similarities to incels in their logical arguments, and recognizing those helped me realize the issues incels have are born of society, not individuals, which helped alleviate the blame off of myself" (P1).…”

“…As a married father, he finds exemplifying how incels can change their lives effective for talking current members around, paralleling the importance of role models/mentors in facilitating de-radicalization (Weeks, 2021). Prior research shows many exincels were deradicalized when confronted with contradictions or flaws in their logic of inceldom (Thorburn, 2023). However, the insular nature of their communities means it can be challenging for individual ex-incels to reach current incels on their home territory without being dismissed as never being "truecel."…”