New standards for masculinity are stacked against men’s health
The article explores how modern 'looksmaxxing' culture and the pursuit of biohacking are negatively impacting men's health. It argues that men are increasingly turning to unapproved substances and extreme protocols to meet unrealistic physical standards.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the growing trend of male body dysmorphia and the health risks associated with unregulated performance-enhancing trends.
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Whenever the algorithm serves up a steaming pile of looksmaxxing, I flash back to an old sketch from That Mitchell and Webb Look. An ordinary woman is told by a commercial narrator that she’s “leaking, hairy, aging, overweight, and everything hurts.” Women, the smug narrator says, for god’s sake, sort yourselves out by buying roughly $300 of products. After a jump cut, an average man is told to shave and get drunk, guitars blaring in the background. The reason? Because he’s already brilliant.
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