Why Do Sad Men Still Defend Andrew Tate?

Ideology and the Alienation of Men in Capitalist Society

In the age of social media and YouTube influencers, figures like Andrew Tate have gained popularity by advocating for an escape from the perceived constraints of society, often referring to it as “the matrix.” They promise a path to personal freedom and success, but beneath the surface lies a paradox. Ironically, the very moment their viewers think they’ve broken free from ideology is precisely when they become most ensnared by it. In this blog post, we’ll explore the illusory nature of this escape and how it relates to the alienation experienced by men in a capitalist society, drawing insights from a Marxist understanding of alienation.

Andrew Tate’s Fantasy Matrix and the Truth Underneath

Andrew Tate, self-proclaimed rebel and guru, sells an enticing idea: break away from societal norms and step into personal empowerment. But under this enticing facade, there’s a twisted truth. This deep dive reveals the manipulative nature of Tate’s teachings and how they ultimately reinforce the system they claim to fight. Here’s a clear-cut look at how Tate’s “Matrix” is just a scam.

The Allure of “Escaping” Ideology

Andrew Tate and others like him present a seductive narrative that resonates with many individuals. They claim to unveil the illusions and deceptions of the world, promising a path to personal empowerment and fulfillment if only you can just break free of “The Matrix”.

Their message seems liberating, as they encourage their viewers to break free from the norms and constraints imposed by society. However, what they fail to acknowledge is that their very message is an ideology in itself. The Tate-Matrix persecutory belief system is a fantasy!

According to philosopher and educator Julian de Medeiros, the allure of escaping ideology lies in the belief that one can attain a state of pure, unmediated reality, detached from social constructs and norms. But this is precisely where the trap lies. The notion of achieving a state of unadulterated truth is an illusion. The very act of seeking liberation from ideology is an ideological construct in and of itself, as it reinforces the belief in a binary world of “truth” versus “illusion (de Medeiros, 2023).”

The concept being posited here is a post-modern reiteration of the classic Platonic metaphysical binary. This, understandably, may resonate with those immersed in the study of philosophy. We are reminded of the allegorical world of the cave, a realm brimming with illusions, as well as the world outside the cave — the world of light, and truth. They are polarities that coexist, not unlike the North and South poles (de Medeiros, 2023).

Interestingly, according to Lacan, our access to this reality is solely through the lens of fantasy. As stated plainly in his Logic of Fantasy, “Desire is the essence of reality.” This posits that the idea of abandoning or escaping fantasy to engage with pure, a priori, non-subjective reality is in itself the ultimate fantasy — an unattainable desire that we yearn to access.

Let’s Be Clear, Tate Has No Thought-Out Argument

Andrew Tate touts himself as being literally more capable than anyone else in the world. Yet, Andrew Tate’s public persona and self-proclaimed philosophical insights are more rooted in manipulation and exploitation than intellectual rigor or philosophical depth.

Tate’s business ventures, such as his involvement in the camming industry and his ‘Ph.D.’ program, are predicated on the exploitation of women for financial gain. This is explicitly the cornerstone of Tate’s empire, not his profound philosophical insights… and that’s even according to him in these self-incriminating statements, and many more.

Along with the many self-incriminating words Tate has spoken live on camera, the authenticity of Tate’s self-narrative has many cracks. His portrayal as a high-ranking kickboxing champion and his rags-to-riches story appear to be seriously exaggerated, indicating a propensity for embellishment rather than a commitment to truth (Dickson, Rawnsley, & Matache, 2023).

Tate’s manipulation of his image and those around him further undermines credibility. Reports on Tate also reveal that women who publicly support him are often employees and girlfriends who have been instructed to do so.

Finally, Tate’s “Matrix” ideology, which he uses as a metaphor for escaping the conventional nine-to-five grind, is nothing but a tool for justifying his exploitative actions and attracting more followers. His teachings in the War Room, a social network he founded, explicitly encourage men to exploit women for financial gain and to seek multiple passports and citizenships to access legal loopholes, including advising going to Romania if you want to get away with rape.

What Is “The Matrix?”

In the context of Andrew Tate’s message, “The Matrix” represents the confines of conventional society and its limitations. He uses the term to describe societal norms and structures that he believes limit individual freedom and self-reliance, a diagnosis that isn’t totally incorrect. However, Tate attributes the alienation we feel from our own individuality and humanity to completely incorrect causes. He attributes the alienation we experience from society and ourselves to the “woke agenda” and women who want reproductive autonomy, or any autonomy for that matter.

Tate’s rhetoric seems to appeal to young, straight men who may feel insecure or disillusioned, offering them a sense of empowerment through his version of masculinity. He creates a false narrative that “being a man” is under threat and that embracing his ideology will lead to success and riches, as exemplified by his business venture, Hustler’s University, which is a basic pyramid scheme.

He urges his audience to become “high-value individuals” by adopting specific behaviors and mindsets, essentially presenting a ladder to climb for personal success. However, as most of us know by now, this ladder doesn’t actually exist. So, in essence, Andrew Tate is pretending to be someone men should look up to by pushing an agenda of toxic masculinity, promoting himself as a figurehead of counterculture while capitalizing on the vulnerabilities of his audience to gain profit and influence.

What Is Andrew Tate Saying?

At first glance, it seems like Andrew Tate is just promoting a combination of toxic masculinity, anti-woke sentiments, and extreme individualism. But, when dissected, what Tate is really communicating is a belief of personal persecution from the capitalist system. The idea of “escaping the matrix” suggests a realization of being trapped in a capitalist system.

He uses “The Matrix” analogy to suggest that there is a hidden system (i.e., the woke left and the LGBTQ community) that is oppressing traditional values and masculinity. He frames himself and his followers as rebels against this vague force in society which he idealizes as evil, even though they actually support and benefit from capitalism.

Andrew Tate, in essence, highlights the symptomatic pain points of contemporary capitalist existence. He underscores the disillusionment, loss of identity, purpose, and feelings of detachment that an individual may experience in their familial surroundings in this capitalist context.

For example, take a look at this video where he highlights his perspective that if a man is “average” and works at Starbucks, then he will invariably never find companionship or love. Unfortunately, Tate’s words hit home for a lot of alienated workers who are made vulnerable by the exploitative conditions of capitalism, including daily exposure to harmful media such as the media in question, which largely facilitates the social conditioning of men into a state of self-loathing and hatred towards women and the workers of society in general.

Tate Created His Own Matrix. Here’s How:

Andrew Tate’s message revolves around the concept of escaping the “matrix,” which represents the confines of conventional society and its limitations. He encourages his followers to free themselves from societal norms, embracing a self-reliant and individualistic lifestyle. However, paradoxically, Tate’s teachings end up promoting new ideologies that bear striking resemblance to the very system he seeks to escape.

Drawing from Marx’s theory of alienation, we can delve deeper into the implications of Andrew Tate’s message. Marx’s theory outlines four aspects of alienation: from the product of labor, from the activity of labor, from one’s own specific humanity, and from others or society. When we look at Tate’s followers, we can observe how they are entrenched in all of these forms of alienation described by Marx.

Looking at Tate’s followers, we see them striving to become “high-value individuals,” adopting his ideologies and, in essence, producing a new societal structure. However, this structure, much like the “product of labor” in Marx’s theory, is not theirs to control. It is owned and manipulated by Tate, who profits from their efforts.

Tate’s followers are also urged to adopt specific behaviors and mindsets, a form of labor, to climb an illusory ladder of success. This activity, however, is not an expression of their individual desires or a reflection of their unique identities. Instead, it’s a means of survival within the societal structure that Tate promotes.

By promoting a specific version of masculinity and success, Tate’s ideology may lead his followers to alienate themselves from their own identities. Much of Tate’s rhetoric is characterized by extreme and vulgar misogyny, which he encourages among his followers. He portrays this behavior as a way of asserting masculinity and gaining power over women. He perpetuates harmful stereotypes about women and suggests that men need to embrace aggressive and dominating attitudes to be successful. They may feel compelled to conform to Tate’s ideals, thereby losing touch with their own individuality and humanity.

Finally, while Tate’s ideology seemingly promotes individualism, it may lead to a form of social alienation. His followers, in their pursuit of becoming “high-value individuals,” might view others as competitors or obstacles to their success, leading to a breakdown of social bonds.

In essence, while Tate’s message appears to advocate for an escape from societal norms, it paradoxically promotes a new form of societal structure that mirrors the very system it criticizes.

Didn’t Tate get Arrested? Why Are We Still Talking About This?

Don’t believe this is still a relevant issue? Think again. Take a look at the number of supportive comments under this video promoting a copycat version of Hustler University. Not only are most of these comments buying into the pyramid scheme, believing the testimony is legitimate, but many are directly referencing Andrew Tate’s “Matrix” Theory and finding solidarity in the distinct neoliberal philosophy.

One viewer on this video commented, “Andrew Tate is the only one genuinely trying to help young me” His comment was liked by the creator of the clip, clearly indicating who inspired him. Of course, this is only one video, but there are countless others.

The copycats are quick to boast about their financial achievements, often claiming impressive earnings at a young age. Their focus on material wealth and conspicuous display of luxury items, like expensive cars and lavish possessions, has become a defining characteristic of their online presence. Yet, the legitimacy of their business ventures is dubious at best, as the only real evidence we have are Tiktok props we should graciously assume are the result of weekly or monthly earnings.

The aggressive and arrogant demeanor these copycats adopt is also a common trait. They present themselves as authorities on success and belittle those they perceive as less accomplished while preaching the necessity of their strategies for prosperity. In their pursuit of attention, they criticize others for using certain platforms or behaviors they deem immature, projecting themselves as superior and enlightened individuals. It’s also worth noting that racist narratives can sometimes emerge from this.

Perhaps most concerning is their tendency to downplay the significance of mental health issues. They assert that financial success is the ultimate cure for personal struggles, dismissing the complexity of depression and other emotional challenges. This reductionist view brutally oversimplifies the nature of mental well-being and can be harmful to those who genuinely need support and understanding.

What’s more, is how the Andrew Tate trend and his man-centric philosophy has hitched itself to the broader online hustle culture. There are dozens of faceless accounts promoting more sugar-coated or subversive versions of the same basic bootstrap theory mixed in with Andrew Tate clips. Some of these accounts are seemingly innocent, posing the biggest threat in their ties to misogynistic voices rather than misogynistic messages themselves. Still, by providing repeated exposure to prominent alt-right voices like Jordan Peterson and Andy Frisella, and reactionary online personalities like Joe Rogan or IShowSpeed, social media platforms like Mindgrade and podcasts like Order of Man are helping subversively facilitate a pipeline of accelerationist online content.

Why Do Sad Men Still Defend Andrew Tate?

In a world driven by social media influencers and self-proclaimed gurus like Andrew Tate, the allure of escaping ideology and finding personal empowerment seems tempting. However, beneath the surface lies a paradox — the very act of seeking liberation from one’s perceived constraints is an ideology in itself.

So, why do men still defend Tate’s ideas? The answer lies at the intersection of two prevailing phenomena: the widespread sense of alienation and the power of charismatic leadership. In a society where many feel marginalized and voiceless, Tate’s assertive rhetoric offers a sense of control and empowerment. He provides an illusionary promise of escaping societal constraints and achieving individual success, capitalizing on the vulnerabilities of his followers. As a charismatic figure, Tate commands a following that identifies with his ideology, regardless of its deceptive nature.

Moreover, the societal emphasis on a stereotypical version of masculinity — one characterized by dominance, aggression, and success at any cost — further fuels the allure of Tate’s narrative. His version of “escaping the matrix” involves adopting these characteristics and norms, which many men find appealing in a society that often conflates masculinity with power.

In the context of alienation in a capitalist society, Tate’s ideas seem like an antidote to the monotonous and disillusioning routine many people feel trapped in. His promise of “breaking free” aligns with the narrative of individualism and personal achievement that capitalism upholds. However, Tate’s “Matrix” ideology merely replaces one form of alienation with another, trapping his followers in a cycle of exploitation under the guise of liberation.

Furthermore, the sense of community and camaraderie created within Tate’s following may provide a sense of belonging that many of his followers desperately seek. Despite the toxicity and exploitation inherent in his teachings, the shared ideology, mutual support, and common grievances against perceived societal oppressors can foster a sense of unity among his followers. This group identity can then intensify their commitment to Tate’s philosophy, making it difficult for them to critically evaluate and challenge his ideas.

In conclusion, sad men defend Andrew Tate because his ideology offers an appealing escape from societal constraints and provides a sense of empowerment, community, and control. However, by following Tate’s teachings, these men fall prey to a deceptive ideology that perpetuates the very system it claims to oppose.

References

Medeiros de, Julian. (Accessed 2023, July 26). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd5FXHPqP5U&t=596s&ab_channel=JuliandeMedeiros

Dickson, E. (Accessed 2023, July 26). Andrew Tate Built an Empire on Bullshit. Here’s the Real Story. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/andrew-tate-empire-real-story-1234696706/