Good to see positive news on the front page!
I literally just had this thought.
Oh beat me to it!
But yeah Brand always had these weird, creepy vibes and my wife was particularly switched on to that as well. She never trusted him from day one.
Well he is a self described sex addict, that had gone to rehab centers for drug and sex addiction. He also is charming with the ladies, and so probably always expects a victim.
ever seen his thumbnails on youtube, a crazy Homeless person even if you never clicked on his videos. and then your own intuitions were right later on. thats what i felt about his thumbnails.
At a party once, I had to practically fight off a drunk girl. She was belligerent and obnoxious and aggressively trying to have sex with me. It took me and her sister to put her to bed and of course as soon as she lay still for 30 seconds, she was unconscious.
Some men have told me I was crazy to pass up the “opportunity”. And some women have told me that I was a “gentleman” for doing so. Which also implies that indulging in a helpless girl would have been acceptable, but I went above and beyond somehow. What I did wasn’t noble or heroic. It was basic decency; the least I could do. It’s literally a legal requirement.
I don’t know why men are so awful sometimes. But I think a big part of the problem is that taking advantage of women is normal and accepted. High profile cases like Brand, Weinstein, Stawell, Tate, and Masterson are good because it pushes sexual ethics into mainstream pop culture. And we need that because too many are ignorant.
Some men have told me I was crazy to pass up the “opportunity”. And some women have told me that I was a “gentleman” for doing so.
I don’t know why men are so awful sometimes. But I think a big part of the problem is that taking advantage of women is normal and accepted.
The term “rape culture” is often misunderstood, lampooned, etc. but that’s a really good distillation of it. SA is not “encouraged” in a legal sense, it’s punished, but there is a cultural expectation of men to be uncontrollably sexually aggressive while women are supposed to “defend their virtue”.
If men aren’t sufficiently sexually assertive, they are often seen as less masculine. This isn’t always the case - it can support the conception of masculinity as being chivalrous. But can also be viewed as being more passive, less virile, less strong, etc.
If women are perceived not successfully “defending their virtue”, it’s seen as a failure on their part except sometimes in extreme cases of sexual violence if seen as being “unprovoked”. Hence the “look what she was wearing”, “asking for it”, etc. etc. tropes. These are often less overt now, which causes people to overlook the extent to which they blame women for being victims of SA.
Rape culture - it’s defo a thing and that’s it.
I think the points you are making here are ones people miss. The societal perception that women should control sex creates the whole situation. In a way, women are expected to mask their desire for sex everywhere except the bedroom. Sadly, the western world is the progressive group on this. The rules on what women can wear in other countries doubles down on the masking. And we know how well that works for the women…
But have do we move forward on eliminating the source of the issue. I just don’t know. The system just treatments the symptoms with laws.I think it’s a vicious cycle there more than one creating the whole situation. The expectation that men will be sexually aggressive encourages women to be sexually defensive which includes masking desire which leaves much more room for men to be encouraged to be sexually aggressive.
The ultimate solution is to work on both at the same time. We need to continue the push for sexual liberation, which includes encouraging women to be open about desires and to make moves, but is ultimately the process of getting men/women to move from an aggressive/defensive approach to sex to both having an egalitarian and cooperative approach
At least that’s my outsiders perspective, I’m a lesbian who never dated men, so grain of salt and whatnot
I’m a lesbian who never dated men
And yet your insight is better than that of most of the other people posting here, who are probably straight men. Who’d have thought that being a woman and loving women might confer someone with understanding of women? I respect the Sisterhood, as I do anyone strong enough to swim against the current in pursuit of their own integrity and joy.
which includes encouraging women to be open about desires and to make moves
The first time a women assertively made a move on me, when I was about 20, I was initially freaked out, but went along with it (which turned out to be a good choice). I’d accumulated that much gender-role stereotyping up to that point in my short life. After that, such experiences were still the exception rather than the rule, but I was more confident in my responses (which didn’t always mean I said yes-- someone obviously drunk could well have morning-after regrets, and I didn’t want to be part of those).
It’s more or less spot on, from what I’ve seen, and it makes perfect sense. You don’t get a system to last centuries without making it thoroughly self-reinforcing. And it’s precisely what makes the outside perspectives valuable: it’s hard for a fish to see water unless you take it out of it. Otherwise you just end up turning “boys will be boys” into “yes all men”.
It makes women adversaries instead of partners. It emboldens predators and removes people’s agency. Things like rape make certain people feel more powerful.
The problem is a lack of access to basic resources, resulting in lower education and thus more tribalism. A few of us are amplifying that because we’ve let that be profitable.
That’s what needs fixing.
In addition to all that, I find it highly ironic that women are expected to be beautiful and sexy and present themselves to men for our gaze, meaning that we men are expected to try to take advantage while the women are expected to stop us.
I remember being confused about why “slut” was an insult as a teen. My line of thought, as someone that wanted to have sex with women, was that women that liked sex sounded more fun.
I understand now it’s insecurity. Guys feeling threatened by a woman having experience with other guys because they know they don’t put much effort in to even understanding how to pleasure a woman but want to assume they are amazing in bed anyways. Insecurity on its own is ok, but the way they handle it is fucking pathetic.
It’s the same mindset that gives them an ego boost from cheating but then getting paranoid or even outraged when they realize their partner could be doing the same to them. It’s hilarious sometimes watching cheaters react to actually getting cheated on, too.
But I digress.
But what about when women use it as an insult?
I think it’s the same root, just the subtext is “no man will want you” instead of “I don’t want you”. Or for lesbians, the exact same insecurity.
Thanks for the answer.
Isn’t the fact that no man would want the so-called slut a benefit to other straight women? Or at least, something neutral? Why would they feel anger or repulsion over this?
My thought is that the woman doing the insulting is insecure because she thinks the so-called slut attracts a lot of attention, or would “cause” her man to cheat or break up with her.
Of course, I don’t see that as the right way to look at things, but I think it’s quite ingrained in conservative culture.
It is a completely toxic and stupid culture, and those who fight for even LESS education on the matter just make it worse. Ignorance isn’t even bliss. lol
Rape culture - it’s defo a thing and that’s it.
I’d argue that pedo culture is pretty widespread as well.
If the genders were flipped here the person aggressively trying to have sex would be called a rapist… I’m not trying to have an argument about nuance, only pointing out that society defaults to a woman being a potential victim in the exact situation they would label a man a predator. The irony being if you “went along with it”, even if you did not necessarily want to, you would then be labeled the rapist. So a man on either side of this situation is a rapist if sex happens and the woman is under all circumstances the victim.
I did think that’s where it was heading when I read “aggressively trying to have sex with me”.
I’ve had a similar experience. In my early adulthood, I fell hard for a girl at my school. She liked me back and we flirted for months.
Eventually, things escalate at a party and she ends up coming back with me to my dorm room. She crawls into my bed next to me and immediately pretends to fall asleep.
I’m young, inexperienced and nervous and not really sure what I’m supposed to do in that situation. So I end up laying there pretending to sleep as well. After a couple hours she gets up and leaves without a word or acknowledgement.
And thus that fling came to an end. I was devastated and confused. I asked her friends what went wrong and apparently the expectation was that I was supposed to make a move on her while she was “sleeping” and the fact that I didn’t signaled that I wasn’t interested. She took it as a rejection and left with hurt feelings.
We were young and dumb and as far as I’m concerned I did the right thing. I only wish I had the brains and maturity to communicate my feelings better at the time. But it’s always struck me as weird that in that moment I was “supposed” to do what essentially amounts to sexual assault.
That was wierd that she just expected that. You didn’t do anything wrong. Maybe say something as she was leaving but other than that she shouldn’t have just expected you to take advantage of her.
Every woman I am friends with have all told me that the bar for men is on the fucking ground and they still find a way to get under it.
The reason why men are awful is because of the privilege that the patriarchy gives men. As a man, you have to actively reject that privilege.
If you don’t, you end up like Brand, Weinstein, Stawell, Tate, and Masterson.
Every woman I am friends with have all told me that the bar for men is on the fucking ground and they still find a way to get under it. The reason why men are awful is because of the privilege that the patriarchy gives men. As a man, you have to actively reject that privilege.
I found this out when I was looking for resources on how to support a pregnant partner. Most of the stuff I found just said “listen to her and do at least some of the stuff she asks you to do”, which I thought was the bare minimum. Then I found articles that also said “don’t force yourself on her” and “be patient when she has mood swings, don’t beat her”, and I realized where the bar actually might be.
2013 called and it wants to hear your opinion.
Also, sorry that the other person tried to attack you tho. I’m glad that one of you was sane enough at the moment to be like NOPE.
Thank you for your comment. You literally made me cry. You are right.
e: not sure what I said wrong. I was being genuine.
Without details, I’m just back here screaming “Good god, get yourself out of emotionally unsafe situations!” Someone tried to assault you.
The whole PUA culture from like 2012-2016 was basically built around people like brand. People would invent entire personalities just to score. At that point surely just pay for it? I guess their egos can’t handle it.
That wouldn’t be considered harassment on her part?
Your point isn’t lost on me, but…
Women can’t sexually harass men! They’re only coming on to them, which any man obviously desires!
Oh, please. Not all men are club-carrying priapic Neanderthals oozing testosterone with 5000 lumen 100W lit codpiece bait intended to lure every female within eyesight for a quick fuck. Women most certainly can sexually harass men.
Yeah, but those are corner cases. It’s hard to deny that the distribution of sexual harassment by perpetrator’s gender skews massively towards men.
As a man, I’ve been sexually harassed by men more than by women. And it’s orders of magnitude worse for women.
I didn’t use enough exclamation points!!!
You should probably have a serious talk about the nature and effects of rape with those men. Someone needs to intervene with people like that.
You should probably have a serious talk
Oh, that’ll help. I’m sure that they just need to understand that the crime of violence they’re knowingly and repeatedly committing is bad.
Where did they say they were repeatedly committing rape? Or is that something you’re adding?
The situation you are describing is absolutely dangerous for everyone involved.
Dangerous for the unconscious and vulnerable girl who could be taken advantage of … and dangerous for the sober (or at least conscious) male who is involved in the situation.
I’m a single older man and I live in practical fear of being alone with a woman, especially younger women. I don’t want to do anything to anyone nor do I have the desire to do so … but if I’m ever caught alone with someone in a compromising situation, all it would take would be a rumor or accusation and my reputation is done for. It’s not the fault of the victims, its the fault of society where everyone is in constant fear and in a constant search for victims and predators.
This isn’t a denial that terrible things and terrible people exist or that people can be victimized, it’s just that the level of trust in the world is eroded and sometimes, all you have to do is be in the wrong place at the wrong time and your social life is destroyed by the fears and anxieties of society.
This is the reason why I absolutely avoid drinking parties and bars … I’m over 30 years sober and actively avoid any people that want to get drunk or stoned. There are far too many situations where people can be victimized in drunken events … as well as too many opportunities for people to be falsely accused. Stay safe out there.
its the fault of society where everyone is in constant fear and in a constant search for victims and predators
No need to search for anything when the class war is everywhere around us.
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>midterms deliver a blueclear implosion
>This massive grifting cuck is going to get plugged in prison
2026 is trying to end on a banger. The writers really edged us all year for this massive release.
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And Ukraine is reaming Russia’s ass. Also, students all over Europe are teaming up and demanding an end to the right wing bullshit. Brazil diselected the Bolsonary crime family, Hungary kicked out the decades long fascist humpty dumpty, Serbia took back control from their own brand fascists, and it’s been sunny outside these past few days.
And now the bluenami in the USA. Maybe people are finally waking up.
Thank god.
Do the Tates next!
And THEN I have a great many further names to add to the list please
Let’s make the Epstein files transform in to the Epstein TRIALS
I’d waive both for Epstein catastrophic consequences.
Of course, it’s the season finale.
…I wonder if we’re getting renewed.
If the hero’s journey is something to go by, we still have to fight the Dark Lord. But we’re following the arc!
pretty good week so far ngl
Unless you’re a pedo and/or rapist!
Nicklin noted that the man has repeatedly said he intends to take his own life if the allegations are published, and that this must be taken seriously.
The normal approach when someone is making serious threats to take their own life is have them committed to a psychiatric hospital rather than giving in to their every request.
I generally do lean towards people being granted anonymity until being declared guilty because the court of public opinion is pretty ruthless. I wonder if saying “yes you can get the publication ban, but you must then spend your time waiting for the trial in jail then” would work. It’d mean you could have your privacy but there wouldn’t be any potential victims
Or just fucking let them and try them in absentia. Apparently he’s already tried a few times, including “absconding from hospital to make a second attempt.” I’m usually pretty pro treatment on the whole right to die thing, like, let’s at least try and improve someone’s life before letting them give it up for good. But here? Ehh, fuck it. Do a flip on the way down.
Wait that hadn’t already happened? I just assumed it had because…it’s him. You can tell after he speaks a few paragraphs that he’s a rapist lol.
Edit OH MY GOD there’s literally an onion article about my exact feeling. I’ve never had an original thought in my life.
lmao Onion calling it three years ago. Fuck that’s funny.
You’re telling me there wasn’t a lengthy and well-publicized trial where Brand was acquitted, but then new allegations emerged? And, like, social media posts where the women got called liars? None of that happened? Huh. I even feel like I read a think-piece about how we could still appreciate Forgetting Sarah Marshall despite his crimes.
I love the onion
Oh baby 2026 is closing the season with some bangers
I suspected this would drag on for ages, having such a quick verdict was a big relief.
There’s gonna be a twist. And I expect the next season to have a shocking opener.
“His wife, Laura, who accompanied him to court, testified as a character witness in his defense”. I have 0 respect for women like this.
It was probably in the pre-nup lol
On one hand i’m like: good for them that they stick together when shit hits the fan.
But yeah, look for another hill to die on.
some women will ignore abuse/SA for the glory, money that they would get, also they dont believe they will be the target of it.
I wonder if he’ll abandon the born again Christian gimmick now that he’s going to jail.
Watching him “speak in tongues” was so painful.
And I grew up Pentecostal, so that shit doesn’t usually faze me.
Oh no, him trying to find his favorite Bible verse with Piers Morgan was a kind of fresh hell I didn’t know existed.
Holy hell, I could feel the cringe through my whole body. This was way worse than the speaking in tongues.
this clip contains interdimensional levels of cringe 🤢
If anything, he’ll double down on it and add racism.
“Aryan Nation” type gangs are numerous and powerful in prisons and it’s not like he’s never allied with people just like them before.
In British prisons?
Yeah, pretty much in every majority white country and a few others too.
Just because it’s not the US doesn’t mean it doesn’t have white supremacist idiots who use Christianity as a pretext for their racism or that those people aren’t amongst the most criminal in general and violent in particular 🤷🏻
It’s not the racism of the country that’s at issue, it’s how the prisons are run. US prisons are a hellscape designed to cost as little as possible, where the prisoners have the freedom to do drugs, form gangs, etc. because there aren’t enough jailers to stop that, and the few jailers they have are easily corrupted. Virtually every rich country in the world has more control over its prisoners than that.
Good point, except for one thing: it’s not that there’s fewer jailors or that they’re easily corrupted so much as them having the corruption trained into them beforehand.
The for profit companies and demagogue politicians making the rules actively encourage segregation by race, ethnicity, faith, etc, falsely believing that it’ll make inmates easier to control rather than more likely to engage in violent tribalist behavior.
It’s also a headcount problem going the other way: we lock up way more of our population than normal countries do.
He’s just getting in character for method acting get him to the Greek 2
Congratulations to Mr Brand and his future position in the Trump administration.
I’m sure the most common reaction to this is “Wait, he wasn’t already?”
is anyone surprised by this?
Surprised it took 20 years!
he did flee to FLORIDA for a while, before that he was building up his conspiracy/ right wing pivot to protect himself.
Still surprised he wasn’t already a convicted sex offender like that onion article from a few years ago
Please do Jared Leto next. To get his fair punishment (and stop him messing up franchises)
> SVU officer shaking claw machine, yelling “Is Jared Leto even in this thing?”
Dude starts an open and very public sex cult and executives are like “this dude needs to be the public face of **** !”
It’s fully a conspiracy with no evidence, but I think he holds something over someone important, and so he can get away with a lot as long as he keeps that held over them.
Maybe something on The Epstein Files? No idea
Wow, I didn’t realize people were this mad about Morbius
More about Tron, tbh.
