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Fantasy, Online Misogyny and the Manosphere

Male Bodies of Dis/Inhibition
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Nominated for the 2022 Gradiva® Award! This book offers the first in-depth psychoanalytic exploration of online misogyny and the manosphere. Jacob Johanssen analyses contradictions in the thoughts and desires of men within communities such as incels, MGTOW, alt-right YouTubers, and NoFap users. The study applies theories from psychoanalytic thinkers like Klaus Theweleit and Jessica Benjamin to show how sexuality, racism, and images of the white male body influence these men's fantasies and behaviour online. It also connects these phenomena to broader cultural and political shifts since the 1960s, revealing links to alt-right and fascist ideologies.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is an essential resource for academics and students in psychoanalysis, media and communication studies, masculinity research, internet studies, and sociology. It is suited for those interested in understanding the psychological and social dynamics of online misogyny, radicalisation, and current masculinities in digital culture.

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This book presents the first in-depth study of online misogyny and the manosphere from a psychoanalytic perspective.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Nominated for the 2022 Gradiva® Award!

This book presents the first in-depth study of online misogyny and the manosphere from a psychoanalytic perspective.

The author argues that the men of the manosphere present contradictory thoughts, desires and fantasies about women which include but also go beyond misogyny. They are in a state of dis/inhibition: torn between (un)conscious forces and fantasies which erupt and are defended against. Dis/inhibition shows itself in self-victimisation and defensive apathy as well as toxic agency and symbolic power and expresses itself in desire for and hatred of other bodies.

The text draws on the psychoanalytic thinkers Klaus Theweleit, Elisabeth Young-Bruehl, Jessica Benjamin and Wilhelm Reich to present detailed analyses of the communities within the so-called manosphere, including incels, Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW), alt-right YouTubers and NoFap users. Drawing on wider discussions about the status of sexuality in contemporary neoliberal technoculture since the sexual revolution of the late 1960s, it illuminates how sexuality, racism and images of the white male body shape the fantasies and affects of many men on the internet and beyond.

Integrating a unique theoretical framework to help understand how today’s increase in online misogyny relates to the alt-right and fascism, Online Misogyny and the Manosphere is an important resource for academics in a variety of fields including psychoanalysis, media and communication studies, internet studies, masculinity research and more.

Series: The Psychoanalysis and Popular Culture Series

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  • Fantasy, Online Misogyny and the Manosphere
    Nominated for the 2022 Gradiva® Award! This book presents the first in-depth study of online misogyny and the manosphere from a psychoanalytic perspective. The author argues that the men of the manosphere present contradictory thoughts, desires and fantasies about women which include but also go beyond misogyny. They are in a state of dis/inhibition: torn between (un)conscious forces and fantasies...
    Hardback
    $31800
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Inner World of Doctor Who
    As Doctor Who approaches its fiftieth anniversary, recent series have taken the show to new heights in terms of popular appeal and critical acclaim. The Doctor and his TARDIS-driven adventures, along with companions and iconic monsters, are now recognised and enjoyed globally. The time is ripe for a detailed analytic assessment of this cultural phenomenon. Focusing on the most recent...
    Paperback
    $6899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised by Klaus Theweleit, author of Male Fantasies, who highlights Johanssen's integration of psychoanalytic concepts with the technological realities of today’s world. The book is recognised as a timely and important psychosocial study by reviewers, illuminating the complex psychodynamics behind anti-feminist groups while situating them within wider sociological and political contexts. Johanssen's work is noted for neither excusing nor diminishing the misogyny it analyses but rather for explaining how personal contradictions become channelled into extreme hate.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780367468668

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 22 October 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Routledge

Illustration: 1 Halftones, black and white; 1 Illustrations, black and white

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 660g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Jacob Johanssen is Senior Lecturer in Communications, St. Mary's University (London). His research interests include psychoanalysis and digital media, audience research, sexuality and digital media, affect theories, psychosocial studies and critical theory. He is co-editor of the Counterspace section of the journal Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society and a founder scholar of the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC).

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