Red Pill or Blue Pill
This blog was written for Myndwell as a part of my internship.
Is the choice really yours?
The caption in the image begs the question of whether the consumption of red pill content is really a choice or just something we are all subjected to due to its prevalence in recent years.
With the increased screen time that Andrew Tate, his followers, and other alpha-male podcast hosts are garnering, combined with the controversy stirred by movies like Kabir Singh and Animal directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Red Pill content has infiltrated our daily lives whether we like it or not. These ideologies and "ideal ways to live life" portrayed by them have polarized netizens, sparking intense debates and divided opinions on social media. In this blog, I will explore what led to the rise of Red Pill content, its key proponents, the psychology behind why it has amassed so many followers, and the detrimental effects it has on societal views of gender roles and relationships.
Firstly, I will use examples from quotes by Andrew Tate and scenes from the movie Animal to explain some of the main ideas and theories of Red Pill ideologies. Andrew Tate, a former kickboxing champion and social media personality, has become one of the most vocal proponents of the Red Pill ideology. Tate often speaks about traditional gender roles, advocating for male dominance and female subservience. One of his most viral statements cites the Quran and Bible as sources when claiming that women are the property of men—first, their fathers while growing up and then their husbands after marriage further substantiating this view by mentioning that he believes his sister is the property of her husband. This along with countless sexist and rage-baiting comments led to his social media accounts being banned on multiple platforms. Now, let’s talk about Animal. In the movie, Ranbir Kapoor’s character asserts that in any marriage, the wife should always have fear towards her husband, implying that without this fear, the husband is not respected. He is also seen gaslighting and guilt-tripping his wife, especially when she questions his actions or his relationship with his father, going as far as holding a gun towards his wife’s head and shooting next to her face to prove his “dominance”. Bobby Deol, who is one of the lead villains in the movie stars in a scene where marital rape is portrayed as a common occurrence for his character. In later interviews, he is seen defending this scene as it was incorporated to “create awareness”.
These statements and portrayals however “well-intentioned” they may be are deeply misogynistic. Treating women as property is a gross violation of their autonomy and humanity. The idea that women transition from being the property of their fathers to their husbands is a stark example of this mindset. The movie not only promotes the notion that men should be the sole providers for their families but also subtly suggests that women are incapable of independence and must rely on men for their needs and desires. Moreover, the normalization of men stepping out of their marriages or relationships perpetuates a double standard, where men’s infidelity is accepted while women are expected to remain loyal and submissive. Finally, the portrayal of marriage as a dynamic of control rather than mutual respect undermines the foundation of a healthy relationship. Instead of promoting partnership and equality, such content glorifies a disturbing power imbalance, further entrenching harmful stereotypes and perpetuating gender inequality.
It is important to recognize that the general public or individuals who consume these podcasts and ideologies and eventually start to follow them are not inherently ‘bad people’. These creators are adept at manipulating the minds of their audience by identifying insecurities that they have, calling out these insecurities, and offering misogynistic and sexist ‘solutions’. Vulnerable individuals, especially those who feel marginalized or insecure, often find these solutions appealing as they are promised a false feeling of community by these creators. The techniques employed by these creators include:
Rage Baiting: Provocative statements are used to elicit strong emotional reactions, drawing more attention and engagement. By targeting sensitive topics, they provoke outrage, which increases visibility and spreads their content further.
Click Baiting: Sensational headlines are crafted to entice clicks, even if the content is misleading. This approach ensures high traffic and viewership, capitalizing on curiosity and shock value.
Blending Truth with Misogyny: Useful advice and truths are mixed with harmful, misogynistic views, making the latter more palatable. This subtle blending makes it difficult for the audience, especially vulnerable viewers, to separate the constructive advice from the toxic ideology.
Emotional Arguments: Appeals to emotions like pride, guilt, and shame rather than logic are used to sway opinions and reinforce beliefs. By tapping into feelings of anger, fear, or inadequacy, these creators strengthen their influence over their audience.
The impact of Red Pill content on the world is profound and troubling. One of the most concerning effects is on the impressionable minds of young teenagers. A reporter from BBC reports that teachers in the UK have brought to attention an increase in casual racism, sexism, and misogyny in schools, especially among young boys, following the virality of figures like Andrew Tate. It is very important to also note that these mere words heard by children on screens are also translating to violent behavior as schools also have reported an increase in sexual assault and harassment cases. These observations suggest that Red Pill content is shaping the attitudes and behaviors of young individuals in increasingly harmful and detrimental ways.
Our societies are unfortunately inherently sexist, with deeply rooted biases in our social structures due to the patriarchy. To further understand the psychology behind how Red Pill content encourages these existing problematic social systems and gives them more power I will discuss 2 important concepts:
Implicit attitudes: These are unconscious beliefs and feelings held by an individual towards a group. In this case, it is about the roles and responsibilities of women and men that are ingrained in us, whether knowingly or unknowingly. These biases influence our behaviors and perceptions, perpetuating inequality.
Minority influence: The case where a minority of group members influences the behavior or beliefs of the majority. Movies like Animal further diminish the influence of minority opinions, because they create a lack of consistency over time which is crucial for fostering positive change. This cultural reinforcement and reiteration of sexist ideologies hampers progress toward gender equality and undermines efforts to create a more inclusive and respectful society. Furthermore, this inconsistency leads majority view holders to shun the minority and their views on equality, often dismissing them as "snowflakes that can't enjoy a movie" or claiming "you didn't understand the point of the film."
In conclusion, while Red Pill content may offer a sense of validation and community to its followers, its underlying messages are deeply damaging. By recognizing and challenging these ideologies, we can pave the way for a society built on equality, respect, and genuine understanding.
Citations:
Vanga, S. R. (Director). (2023). Animal [Film]. Bhadrakali Pictures.
BBC News. (2023, June 1). Andrew Tate BBC interview: Influencer challenged on misogyny and rape allegations - BBC News [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-JBhQqqWHY
oompaville. (2022, July 22). I asked Andrew Tate some questions. . . [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mTCL7Mzpa8
Piers Morgan Uncensored. (2022, October 8). Andrew Tate: “Women belong to men in marriage!” on women being ‘Property’ [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scpd0AVkRVo
Teachingmensfashion. (2024, March 12). 6 easy ways to make a girl chase you [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOQiFPSDsEc
Feed. (2024, March 12). Andrew Tate, brother arrested again, produced in court. Check what are charges. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/andrew-tate-brother-arrested-again-produced-in-court-check-what-are-charges/articleshow/108440917.cms?from=mdr
“Animal” is feminist Rage-Bait. (n.d.). The Swaddle. https://www.theswaddle.com/animal-is-a-product-of-critique-fatigue
Desk, E. (2023, December 13). Bobby Deol defends marital rape scene in Animal, says Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film is ‘creating awareness’ The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/bobby-deol-defends-marital-rape-scene-in-animal-says-sandeep-reddy-vanga-film-is-creating-awareness-9066026/
Papastamou, S., Gardikiotis, A., & Prodromitis, G. MAJORITY AND MINORITY INFLUENCE.
Hahn, A., & Gawronski, B. (2018). Implicit social cognition. Stevens' Handbook of Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental and Social Psychology, 4, 395.
