Chapter 1: The Facade of Male Identity

In a world where spectacular events often dominate the narrative, we sometimes find ourselves caught up in the mundane. While others may seem to be involved in dramatic incidents, I find myself merely experiencing minor inconveniences, akin to a small scrape in a parking lot. Interestingly, there are those who seem to prioritize their trivial grievances over the more significant struggles faced by others, particularly concerning men.

Being a man, at least by certain definitions, leads me to ponder whether my tendency to speak out is linked to my identity. Is my inclination to voice my thoughts a result of societal norms, or is it merely coincidental? A recent piece by Kasey Sparks on the female orgasm made me reflect on this.

Here are three insights that help me achieve my own sense of fulfillment.

Wouldn’t it be amusing to craft a satirical take on the male orgasm? I believed this topic was ripe for humor, and who better to tackle it than I? However, after weeks of contemplation, I found myself unable to produce a single clever remark. Was that a pun?

While Kasey’s article was insightful, sharp, and heartfelt, my attempts felt forced and unsatisfactory. I chose to step away from the sensationalism, even though the opportunity was tempting. The concept of the feminine mystique suggests that women encompass more than the roles assigned to them by men. This made me wonder what the male counterpart to this notion could be.

The first thought that crossed my mind was a woman's voice declaring, "Men are a profound mystery." Unlike the feminine mystique, which highlights the depth of women's experiences, the mystery surrounding men often implies a lack of complexity in their thoughts, revolving around their physicality.

This led me to a realization: the expansive worldview of women, historically constrained by patriarchal norms, contrasts with the often simplistic worldview of men. To be a man is frequently reduced to simply "being a man," a notion that, while lacking substance, resonates with many.

If pressed for specifics, most men struggle to articulate what this means beyond vague assertions of masculinity. In this context, the supposed "natural order" suggests that certain traits are inherently tied to men and women. Thus, if men are to embody this nature, they must strive to fit the mold.

Listening to older generations of men, one often hears their judgments of women as erratic and overly emotional. Yet, as men begin to recognize this dynamic, we see an interesting shift. Now, any display of emotional openness from men is met with enthusiasm.

Hallelujah.

The historical violence embedded in our culture has often been overlooked, allowing us to believe that logic and wisdom have guided our progress. However, this violence persists in the background, undermining the narrative of our civility. The mask we wear does not conceal a softer side; it hides the underlying aggression.

We may attribute the rise of violent rhetoric to the internet, but I contend that the internet merely amplifies existing sentiments. The connection I observe is a realization among many men that they are not inherently superior in wisdom or rationality compared to women. In fact, many women may surpass them in intelligence.

This revelation might shed light on the male orgasm after all: a budding emotional awareness could rationalize our brutish behaviors.

Once again, placing the feelings of men—especially those in positions of power—above the serious sufferings of others serves no purpose. This shift represents a new form of harm in our cultural discourse.

Our societal landscape resembles a car crash, where everyone sustains injuries. The priority should be to address the most severe cases first, rather than amplifying minor grievances. The person with a scraped finger may seek attention, but they do not help the situation.

This perspective seems to have been overlooked in our Attention Age. In this era, individuals with minor issues often seize the opportunity to draw attention to themselves.

I’ve made a conscious effort to refrain from amplifying the voices of those who seek to prioritize their own narratives. Yes, their pain may be genuine, but it should not overshadow those with more pressing needs.

And so, Alison, if this article sees the light of day, I apologize for the uninspiring title. In the grand scheme of attention-seeking, I’m content to exist on the fringes, much like my experience as a club champion for my F Grade hockey team in the 1980s—an utterly dull story I may share someday.

Footnote: Though not entirely relevant, I want to thank Gunner Barrett for the insightful words I borrowed from Twitter for my new bio.

Chapter 2: The Attention Economy

In the second video, titled "Are your Video Titles too Boring to be Clicked? (write titles that get clicked IMMEDIATELY)," the creator discusses how to craft compelling titles that attract immediate interest, which parallels the broader theme of attention in our digital age.