Incels — "Just Ten Steps" (October 1, 2025)

Podcast: Incels (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Focus: The role of online algorithms, anonymity, and social media in the radicalization and isolation of incels—and the real-world costs of these dynamics.

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Courtney Armstrong and the team delve into the mechanics of how young men are drawn into incel communities online. The focus is on the “ten steps” by which innocuous internet browsing can lead vulnerable individuals to violent and misogynistic online subcultures. Through interviews with experts, first-hand accounts, and analysis, the episode explores the amplifying effects of social media algorithms, the allure of anonymity, the psychological impact on young users, and the real-world consequences—including both self-harm and violence—that can emerge from these processes. The conversation is both revealing and urgent, shedding light on the societal and technological forces behind what has become a growing crisis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Role of Anonymity and Online Forums (05:04–07:30)

• Incels on Public vs. Anonymous Platforms:
  • Connor Powell explains that incels are less extreme and more reserved when posting in communities with real names and moderation, like Facebook and Reddit. In contrast, fully anonymous boards (e.g., incel.co) foster much more extreme, abusive content.
    • Quote:

      "On the INCEL discussion board...they are very aware that what they're posting could get them into trouble... you get a lot more abusive language, a lot more sort of obscene language on this incel website than you would say on, like an incel chat group." (05:04)

• Online Disinhibition Effect:
  • The team discusses how anonymity removes real-world consequences, heightening hateful and dangerous expression.
    • Quote:

      "They feel most comfortable when they can use this abusive language and say things that most people would find pretty obscene." (06:38)

Algorithmic Amplification & The Path to Radicalization (07:30–11:38)

• Social Media Algorithms as Accelerants:
  • Connor Powell and Stephanie Lydecker note that algorithms are tailored to maximize engagement and profit, often by pushing inflaming, anxiety-inducing content.
    • Quote:

      "Algorithms...are the digital equivalent of AR-15s." (08:10)

  • Boydsen Hodson (Mankind Project USA) warns of how algorithms can rapidly take a child from innocent content to violent or misogynist communities:
    • Quote:

      "A nine year old boy can very easily go from a very innocuous YouTube video to hardcore incel ideology in 10 steps...it's very easy to go from simple stuff into very harmful stuff if you just follow the algorithm." (10:34)

• Developmental Dangers:
  • The team draws on research from Jonathan Haidt and the book Dopamine Nation to highlight how exposure to these feeds is a massive, uncontrolled experiment on young brains.
    • Quote:

      "We are rewiring our children's brains in ways we don't even understand and we won't actually know what the outcome is for another 10 years." (11:46)

Algorithms, Engagement, and Profit (18:02–21:33)

• The Business of Outrage:
  • Connor Powell describes how the main goal of tech giants is not connection, but profit through engagement. Anxious and angry users are more "engaged."
    • Quote:

      "The single most important metric...is engagement. How do you keep people engaged? You build a sense of anxiety. You fire them up. They are designed to take you to bad places." (18:18)

  • He provides an example of YouTube’s reach and monetization, comparing its valuation to first-world countries.
    • Quote:

      "YouTube...has roughly the same value as some of these other first world countries. That's how big and powerful YouTube as a standalone company is." (21:03)

Real-World Effects: Violence and Self-Harm (21:48–29:39, 33:34–40:29)

• Radicalization to Violence:
  • Gabriel Castillo points out how isolated individuals are targeted and groomed for extremism, often leading to real acts of violence.
    • Quote:

      "Here you are, you're on your computer, you're lacking community and now suddenly community is finding you...the community is full on targeting you because...you might be vulnerable and lonely." (21:48)

  • Connor Powell lists recent violent acts where perpetrators posted manifestos or live-streamed their crimes, showing the centrality of social media in these attacks.
    • Quote:

      "Social media is a part of the thought process for violent acts in this country." (34:01)

• Self-Harm Epidemic:
  • The discussion pivots to self-harm rates among youth, exacerbated by algorithmic exposure.
    • Quote:

      "There are...studies that have been done at this point about the self harm social media sites do to young adults. This is known...it's scientific, sort of proven now." (36:51)

First-Hand Incel Perspective: Mr. East (23:29–27:39)

• How the Algorithm Facilitates Entrenchment:
  • Mr. East, an interviewee who identifies as an incel, says the internet doesn't make people incel, but it provides a space and feedback loop for "black pill" ideas and community through algorithms.
    • Quote (Mr. East):

      "The Internet certainly allows more...‘black pill’ types of people to get together and discuss their thoughts and ideas." (23:50) "A lot of these people, they aren't really like bad people, they are just lonely, maybe socially awkward...it's much easier over the Internet to communicate and form groups than in real life." (24:58)

  • He underscores that online communities do not truly cure loneliness; they can deepen negative feelings and, within echo chambers, drive radicalization.
    • Quote (Mr. East):

      "No online group in general can really substitute for interpersonal relationships in real life...it does cause many people to become more and more radicalized." (26:38)

Lack of Regulation & Future Risks (38:08–40:29)

• No Guardrails:
  • The conversation highlights the stark difference between the regulated content of legacy media and the "open field" of the internet, especially in how algorithms push users into rabbit holes.
    • Quote:

      "There really is no oversight of these complex algorithms because it's all intellectual property for these companies...their only goal is to make money." (38:08)

  • The potential consequences: increasingly extreme, politically motivated content and a deepening “doom scrolling” culture among the young.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Anonymity:
  • Connor Powell (05:04) — "They are very aware that what they're posting could get them into trouble...a lot more obscene language on this incel website."
• Boydsen Hodson (10:34) — "A nine-year-old boy can very easily go from a very innocuous YouTube video to hardcore incel ideology in ten steps."
• On Engagement as Profit:
  • Connor Powell (18:18) — "The single most important metric...is engagement. You build a sense of anxiety. You fire them up."
• On Self-harm and Social Media:
  • Connor Powell (36:51) — "The amount of self harm...that social media sites do to young adults. This is known...scientific, sort of proven now."
• Mr. East (First-hand Incel):
  • (26:38) — "No online group...can really substitute for interpersonal relationships in real life...it does cause many people to become more and more radicalized."

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction & Recap of Prior Episodes: 03:27
• Anonymity in Incel Forums: 05:04
• Algorithmic Amplification & ‘Ten Steps’ to Radicalization: 07:30–11:38
• Developmental Effects & Dangers for Youth: 11:46
• Algorithms and Social Media Profit Motives: 18:02–21:33
• Connection to Violent Attacks: 21:48–23:29, 34:01–36:23
• First-hand Incel Perspective (Mr. East): 23:29–27:39
• Dangers of Self-Harm & Lack of Regulations: 36:51–40:29

Tone and Approach

The speakers’ tone is serious, direct, and often urgent. There is an undercurrent of alarm about how much control has been ceded to unregulated tech companies and how quickly youth can fall into dangerous online subcultures. The conversation is frank—grounded in first-hand accounts, expert analysis, and a clear-eyed look at systemic issues behind incel radicalization.

Summary for New Listeners

"Just Ten Steps" offers a deep-dive into how modern algorithm-driven internet spaces can feed loneliness, anger, and misogyny, especially among vulnerable young men. The episode charts the journey from online anonymity to radicalization, explores how profit-driven tech platforms foster extremism, and provides both expert insights and a sobering personal account from within the incel community. The result is a chilling, nuanced, and essential exploration of one of the digital age’s most pressing subcultural threats.