Laura Bates (2) (1986–)

The title is off-putting but the content is extraordinary. In a compelling style, using many examples and an easy-to-follow structure, Bates shows how the growing trend of misogyny is having real consequences of violence in streets, policy discourse and politics. Showing the many manifestations of misogyny and the tactics employed akin to radicalization of boys and young men, she unravels the impacts and seepage into public discourse. It's brilliant and it's alarming. As someone who works in cybersecurity, I can also say it echoes my experience.
The last chapter is dedicated to solutions and initiatives to combat growing trends but until it's acknowledged as the problem that it is, it will not be addressed adequately, and it will affect both boys and girls.
It's a fast moving environment (the books dates from 2020), and shifts can happen quickly, but the online hate is still strong and has ongoing ramifications for women but also all minorities as white supremacy gains a foothold all around the world.… (mehr)

This book deals with a difficult subject to read about: misogyny. The focus is online groups, such an Incels, pickup artists and various men's rights groups. The author herself has been the target of several online hate campaigns, receiving hundreds of hateful messages and threats for posting and speaking about misogyny.

The book gives graphic examples of the kinds of views expressed online, and how those views lead to violence in the real world. It also talks about how misogyny affects our society, including its effects on men themselves. Relatively few men's rights activists are fighting for more services for men; rather, they are focused on removing services and freedoms from women.

As a person with virtually no social media presence, I feel largely sheltered from the daily hatred spewed online. But that hatred has real world implications. The author argues that misogyny and violence against women because they are women meet the criteria for terrorist acts in several countries, including Canada, and should be treated as such. She says we cannot solve the problem of violence against women if we are unable/unwilling to identify it for what it is.

Disturbing stuff. But an important issue to be more aware of.… (mehr)