Big Ideas The radicalisation of boys — Jess Hill, George Megalogenis, Thomas Mayo with Natasha Mitchell at Byron Writers Festival
Sep 3, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Jess Hill, an investigative journalist known for her work on gendered violence, George Megalogenis, a political and social commentator, and Thomas Mayo, an Indigenous rights activist, delve into the radicalization of boys through online misogynist subcultures like the 'manosphere'. They highlight parental anxieties and the confusion boys face today. The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy, community involvement, and redefining masculinity to combat gender violence and foster healthier relationships among youth.
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From Red Pill To Violent Nihilism
- 'Red pill' frames men as oppressed and blames feminism for men's problems.
- When combined with 'blackpilled' nihilism it can normalise violence as a solution.
A Father's Digital Observations
- Thomas Mayo describes noticing subtle misogynistic messaging in his son's YouTube feed.
- He links online content to broader far-right efforts to radicalise boys internationally.
US Cultural Dynamics Fuel Global Grievance
- US tech and celebrity dynamics politicise culture and amplify grievance-driven leaders like Trump.
- Those global cultural signals travel and shape local movements and masculine anxieties elsewhere.
