Podcast Summary: Behind the Bastards – Part Two: The History of American Masculinity Grifters

Introduction

In "Part Two: The History of American Masculinity Grifters" from the podcast Behind the Bastards by Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts, hosts Robert Evans and Miles Gray delve deep into the evolution of male grifters in American history. This episode explores how these individuals have exploited societal insecurities surrounding masculinity to profit from selling various self-improvement schemes, from early fitness programs to modern-day cultural conspiracies.

Charles Atlas and the Birth of the Male Grifter

The episode opens with a historical overview of Charles Atlas, one of the pioneering figures in the world of male grifting. In the aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash, Atlas emerged by targeting young, insecure men through advertisements in Popular Mechanics and later, comic books. His campaigns mocked scrawny physiques, promising to transform men into muscular heroes within seven days.

Notable Quote:

"He was the guy who was like, I'm just going to use body dysmorphia to make all of my money to make money."
— Robert Evans [05:26]

Atlas's approach was groundbreaking. By embedding his ads within comic books, he directly targeted impressionable youth, leveraging their insecurities to sell his fitness regimen. His iconic "97 Pound Weakling" ads depicted underweight protagonists mocked by bullies, who later transform into muscular adversaries after following Atlas's program.

Notable Quote:

"Look at these bags of bone. Absolute embarrassments."
— Miles Gray [15:18]

Evolution of Male Grifting: From Fitness to Culture Wars

As decades passed, the tactics of male grifters evolved. Robert Evans draws parallels between Charles Atlas and contemporary figures like Andrew Tate, highlighting a shift from purely physical transformations to engaging in broader cultural and ideological battles. Modern grifters not only sell supplements and fitness programs but also embed themselves in ongoing cultural wars, such as debates over seed oils.

Seed Oil Conspiracy: A Modern Grift

One of the episode's key discussions centers around the current panic over seed oils, propagated by influencers like Carnivore Aurelius on Twitter. These modern grifters claim that seed oils are toxic and part of a grand conspiracy to undermine men's health and masculinity.

Notable Quote:

"One can pause and note why the Gary Coopers, Cary Grants, Clark Gables and Spencer Tracys continue to play romantic leads opposite girls young enough to be their daughters. It's obviously because so few of the younger male stars can project a convincing sense of masculinity."
— Robert Evans [41:40]

Evans critiques these modern conspiracies as simplistic attacks that fail to address the complex nature of societal changes and individual health.

Masculinity in Crisis: Historical Context

The hosts delve into the historical crises of masculinity, particularly focusing on the 1950s. They reference Arthur Schlesinger Jr.'s influential article "The Crisis of American Masculinity," which lamented the shifting roles of men and women in society. Schlesinger argued that as women entered professional fields previously dominated by men, it led to a perceived emasculation of the male role.

Notable Quote:

"The pre-democratic world was characteristically a world of status in which people were provided with ready made identities... the great vacant spaces of egalitarian society can become a nightmare filled with nameless horrors."
— Robert Evans [58:06]

Evans and Gray discuss how these historical anxieties laid the groundwork for contemporary male grifters, who exploit similar insecurities to maintain their influence and profitability.

Modern Male Grifters: Case Study of Jack Murphy

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Jack Murphy, a modern male grifter who epitomizes the ongoing crisis of masculinity. Murphy, with qualifications from prestigious institutions like George Mason University and Georgetown School of Foreign Service, presents himself as a champion for traditional masculinity. However, his actions, such as mismanaging charter schools in majority Black districts for personal gain, reveal a pattern of exploitation and hypocrisy.

Notable Quote:

"This guy's a fun one. This guy's a fun one."
— Robert Evans [55:47]

Murphy's attempts to monetize masculinity through coaching services and rebranding as a "gunfluencer" mirror the tactics of past grifters but are marred by personal inconsistencies and ethical breaches.

The Psychological Underpinnings of Male Grifting

Evans and Gray explore the psychological motivations behind male grifters, positing that these individuals often come from privileged backgrounds but struggle with deep-seated insecurities. The freedom and social mobility of modern society can be both a boon and a burden, leading some men to exploit others' vulnerabilities as a means of asserting their own identity and significance.

Notable Quote:

"They have freedom... and they see... some people take this freedom that exists in our society and... they're angry and jealous because they don't have the courage to find or make themselves in the same way."
— Robert Evans [59:18]

Conclusion: The Persistent Cycle of Male Grifting

The episode concludes by emphasizing the cyclical nature of male grifting in American society. From Charles Atlas's exploitation of physical insecurities to modern influencers' manipulation of ideological anxieties, these grifters adapt to the changing landscape to sustain their influence and profitability. Evans underscores the importance of recognizing these patterns to mitigate their impact on societal perceptions of masculinity.

Notable Quote:

"But I will give Arthur credit. There's a paragraph in his piece that absolutely describes Jack and a lot of these guys to a T."
— Robert Evans [59:07]

Final Thoughts

"Part Two: The History of American Masculinity Grifters" offers a comprehensive exploration of how societal shifts and evolving notions of masculinity have been exploited by opportunistic individuals throughout American history. By tracing this lineage from early fitness grifters to contemporary cultural conspiracies, Evans and Gray provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the forces shaping modern masculinity and the persistent vulnerabilities that enable grifters to thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Historical Continuity: Male grifters have long exploited societal insecurities, adapting their strategies to contemporary contexts.
• Cultural Integration: Modern grifters engage in broader cultural debates, embedding their narratives within prevailing societal issues.
• Psychological Drivers: Underlying insecurities and the quest for identity drive both past and present male grifters.
• Awareness and Mitigation: Recognizing the tactics of male grifters is crucial in addressing their influence on perceptions of masculinity.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "He was the guy who was like, I'm just going to use body dysmorphia to make all of my money to make money."
  — Robert Evans [05:26]

• "Look at these bags of bone. Absolute embarrassments."
  — Miles Gray [15:18]

• "One can pause and note why the Gary Coopers, Cary Grants, Clark Gables and Spencer Tracys continue to play romantic leads opposite girls young enough to be their daughters. It's obviously because so few of the younger male stars can project a convincing sense of masculinity."
  — Robert Evans [41:40]

• "The pre-democratic world was characteristically a world of status in which people were provided with ready made identities... the great vacant spaces of egalitarian society can become a nightmare filled with nameless horrors."
  — Robert Evans [58:06]

• "They have freedom... and they see... some people take this freedom that exists in our society and... they're angry and jealous because they don't have the courage to find or make themselves in the same way."
  — Robert Evans [59:18]

• "But I will give Arthur credit. There's a paragraph in his piece that absolutely describes Jack and a lot of these guys to a T."
  — Robert Evans [59:07]

This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the discussions on the history and tactics of American masculinity grifters.