Podcast Summary: Search Engine – "What is Jawmaxing?"
Introduction
In this episode of Search Engine, host PJ Vogt delves into the intriguing and somewhat controversial topic of jawmaxing—a trend aimed at enhancing jawline aesthetics through specific exercises and practices. Joined by Internet culture reporter Ryan Broderick, they explore the origins, cultural implications, and mainstream adoption of jawmaxing, shedding light on its connections to online subcultures and modern masculinity.
Understanding Jawmaxing
Definition and Origins
Jawmaxing refers to a series of facial exercises intended to develop a more defined and masculine jawline. This practice stems from the broader concept of "maxing," a term popularized on platforms like Reddit and 4chan, which encompasses various forms of self-improvement aimed at maximizing one's physical appearance or capabilities.
“Jaw maxing is the act of trying to make your jaw look more masculine. The term jaw maxing comes from another term looks maxing. They're kind of related.”— Ryan Broderick [09:06]
The Chad and Gigachad Phenomenon
Central to the jawmaxing movement is the meme culture surrounding "Chads" and "Gigachads"—archetypal representations of hyper-masculine men with pronounced facial features. Originating from 4chan, these memes serve both as parody and aspirational figures for young men seeking to enhance their attractiveness.
“The gigachad idea is like 4chan. Many years ago, 4chan users came up with like the idea of the perfect man, the chad.”— Ryan Broderick [10:17]
Orthotropics and the Mew Family
John Mew’s Orthotropics
The foundation of jawmaxing lies in orthotropics, a theory developed by British orthodontist Dr. John Mew in the 1960s. Orthotropics posits that facial structure is not solely determined by genetics but significantly influenced by environmental factors such as diet and tongue posture.
“In the 1960s, a British orthodontist named Dr. John Mew comes up with an idea that he's calling orthotropics.”— Ryan Broderick [18:12]
Mike Mew’s Contributions
Dr. John Mew’s son, Dr. Mike Mew, continued his father's work into the digital age, promoting techniques like mewing—a specific tongue posture aimed at reshaping the jawline. Despite skepticism from the mainstream dental community, Mike leveraged platforms like YouTube to reach a broader audience, inadvertently intertwining orthotropics with online subcultures seeking self-improvement.
“His idea is orthotropics... in Mike’s videos, over time, reflect that they now have proper YouTube thumbnails... this is mewing.”— PJ Vogt [26:00]
Spread Through Online Communities
Incel Culture and Red Pill Theory
Jawmaxing gained traction within incel (involuntarily celibate) communities, where young men, often disillusioned with traditional self-help and pickup artist cultures, found solace and a sense of improvement through these facial exercises. The movement provided a semblance of control over perceived unattractiveness, despite lacking scientific validation.
“Incels were like wholesome Little Angels in 2012... but I think they were becoming visible enough that a lot of strange people were like, I think I could make some money here.”— Ryan Broderick [31:45]
Mainstream Adoption and Influencer Impact
Influencers such as Astro Sky propelled jawmaxing into mainstream awareness by showcasing dramatic jawline transformations and endorsing products like specialized gums and jaw exercisers. These endorsements blurred the lines between genuine self-improvement and exploitative marketing, further entrenching jawmaxing in popular culture.
“Astro sky is this young man who... nearly has the face of an academic, except... for his jaw... It's like he's managed to construct in real life the bottom third of the Gigachad's face.”— PJ Vogt [26:00]
Sociocultural Implications
Impact on Young Men
The obsession with jawmaxing and related self-improvement trends places immense pressure on young men to conform to unrealistic standards of masculinity. This can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and alienation, particularly in environments where genuine support and healthy role models are scarce.
“These boys are taking mewing seriously, but I wonder if it's not reached as big a stage as it has because of all the people who just find it funny.”— PJ Vogt [43:57]
Conspiracy and Pseudoscience
The movement intertwines with broader conspiracy theories about government inefficiency and medical establishment conspiracies, as exemplified by Mike Mew’s contentious relationship with traditional orthodontists. This blending of self-improvement with anti-establishment rhetoric fosters a fertile ground for pseudoscientific beliefs.
“The Mew family says that we can change the shape of our jaws without surgery or braces if our kids just follow the right diet and maintain the right tongue posture.”— PJ Vogt [20:32]
Conclusion and Reflections
PJ Vogt and Ryan Broderick conclude by reflecting on the complexities of jawmaxing as both a genuine self-improvement effort and a product of exploitative online cultures. They express concern for the vulnerable young men who seek validation through these practices and the broader implications for societal standards of masculinity.
“It's really hard and it just makes me a little bit like it makes me feel for them.”— PJ Vogt [48:10]
Notable Quotes
- “Jaw maxing is the act of trying to make your jaw look more masculine.”— Ryan Broderick [09:16]
- “There is a Donald Trump in every single town in America.”— Ryan Broderick [06:02]
- “Science is not done by consensus.”— Ryan Broderick [41:20]
Final Thoughts
This episode of Search Engine offers a comprehensive exploration of jawmaxing, highlighting its roots in orthotropics, its amplification through online communities, and its reflection of contemporary struggles with masculinity and self-worth. By dissecting the phenomenon through expert analysis and cultural critique, PJ Vogt and Ryan Broderick provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of how digital subcultures can influence real-world behaviors and perceptions.