A Feminist Perspective on Lost Boys

The discussion centers around the societal challenges facing young men today, exploring themes of gender roles, mental health, and societal expectations. Carol Radziwell and Scott Galloway debate the impact of historical gender advantages on current male struggles, highlighting issues like mental health disparities, dating challenges, and the evolving role of women in society. Radziwell argues that the patriarchal system has insulated men from developing essential life skills, while Galloway emphasizes the need for empathy and support for struggling young men. The conversation underscores the importance of addressing these issues collectively, advocating for a renewed alliance between men and women.

• Discussion on AI's potential to surpass human intelligence and the uncertainty surrounding human control over AI.
• Concerns raised by scientists who initially promoted AI but now acknowledge its potential risks.
• AI is seen as both a threat and a promise of abundance, highlighting the dual perspectives on its impact.

"The world as you know it is over. Completely done. It's not about to be over. It's over. Some of the scientists who helped build AI are now sounding the alarm."

• This quote highlights the urgency and seriousness of the concerns surrounding AI, emphasizing the irreversible change it may bring.

"There's a longer term existential threat that will arise when we create digital beings that are more intelligent than ourselves."

• This quote underscores the fear that AI could surpass human intelligence, posing a potential existential threat.

"While others say that AI will usher in unfathomable abundance, I've always believed that it's going to be the most important invention that humanity will ever make."

• This quote presents the optimistic view that AI could lead to unprecedented prosperity, contrasting with the fears of its potential dangers.

• Carol Radziwell is introduced as a journalist, writer, and former cast member of Real Housewives of New York City.
• Her career includes reporting from conflict zones and producing documentaries on social issues.
• She is a New York Times bestselling author known for her memoir and novel.

"Many of you know her from her six seasons on Bravo's Real Housewives of New York City. Many considered her the smart one on that series, not just because she is smart, because of her long career as a journalist and writer."

• This quote establishes Carol's credibility and diverse background, setting the stage for her insights on the topics discussed.

• Discussion on the perception that young men are falling behind in society.
• Some argue that men have historically had advantages, while others highlight the struggles they face today.
• The conversation aims to explore these challenges and potential solutions.

"We've been exploring what young men are doing these days. We believe that they're getting left behind."

• This quote introduces the theme of young men facing societal challenges and the focus of the discussion.

"A few people that are saying, hey, you know, white males, frankly, have had 5,000 years of a head start on everybody else. It's okay to have them get dunked in the water a little bit here and there."

• This quote reflects the sentiment that men, particularly white men, have historically benefited from societal advantages, suggesting a shift in dynamics.

• Examination of women's progress in various fields and its impact on men's roles.
• Discussion on how men have historically not needed to develop certain skills, leading to current struggles.
• The narrative includes the societal expectations placed on women and how they have navigated them.

"Men are suffering because for the first time, I think this generation, they just don't really have the skills to compete because they've never had to develop those skills."

• This quote highlights the argument that men's struggles are partly due to a lack of necessity to develop competitive skills historically.

"Women are coming in and they're crushing it. You know, in corporate America and politics, they are the least emotional gender. They're multitaskers. They're good communicators."

• This quote emphasizes women's strengths and achievements, suggesting a shift in traditional gender roles and expectations.

• A personal story shared about a young man's struggle with depression and the importance of communication.
• The narrative underscores the need for open channels for men to express their feelings and seek help.
• The story aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and the stigma surrounding them.

"I lost my son to depression. He was battling with it. He committed suicide at the age of 19."

• This quote conveys the tragic impact of mental health struggles and the importance of addressing these issues openly.

"He created these animation objects which were showing what was going on inside of himself internally. And so one side of the object was the thumbs up, super happy, but the other side of the object was what was going on internally."

• This quote illustrates the internal conflict experienced by individuals struggling with mental health, highlighting the need for awareness and understanding.

• Men of certain generations, particularly white, heterosexual males, historically benefited from unprecedented economic advantages.
• Economic prosperity from 1945 to 2005 was concentrated in a small demographic, highlighting disparities in opportunities for women and minorities.
• The lack of diversity in entrepreneurial and venture capital spaces was not due to a lack of interest from women and minorities but a lack of opportunities.

"Men of Anthony and my generation had a disproportionate, historic, unprecedented amount of unearned advantage."

• This quote acknowledges the significant advantages that certain demographics have historically enjoyed, setting the stage for discussions on gender and economic disparities.

• Over the past 30 years, there has been a significant increase in women's participation in politics and education globally.
• Women are excelling in academic environments, with 70% of high school valedictorians being girls.
• The leveling of educational opportunities has allowed women to surpass men in many academic and professional areas.

"Twice as many women have been elected to some form of parliament globally in the last 30 years."

• This quote highlights the progress women have made in political representation, reflecting broader societal changes in gender equality.

• The current education system is perceived as biased against boys, with higher suspension rates and a lack of male role models.
• Economic and romantic opportunities for young men are diminishing, contributing to higher rates of suicide, addiction, and incarceration.
• Young men are increasingly engaging with conspiracy theories and misogynistic content.

"Young men are four times as likely to commit suicide. They're three times as likely to be addicted or homeless, they're 12 times as likely to be incarcerated."

• This quote underscores the severe challenges young men face today, emphasizing the need for societal empathy and intervention.

• Empathy is not a zero-sum game; addressing the struggles of young men does not detract from the progress of women.
• Societal recognition of the struggles faced by young men is crucial for continued progress and stability.
• Mothers of boys are often strong advocates for recognizing and addressing the challenges faced by young men.

"I think empathy is not a zero sum game and that is gay marriage didn't hurt, heteronormative marriage, civil rights didn't hurt white people."

• This quote argues for a balanced approach to empathy, suggesting that supporting one group's progress does not hinder another's.

• High suicide rates among young men indicate broader societal pressures and mental health challenges.
• Traditional gender norms discourage men from seeking help and nurturing emotional connections.
• Women have been more proactive in addressing mental health, with higher engagement in therapy and self-help resources.

"Something like 70% of all therapy is female. Close to 70% of all self help books are bought by women."

• This quote illustrates the gender disparity in mental health engagement, highlighting how societal norms have influenced men's reluctance to seek help.

• Young men face challenges in the dating scene, often due to societal expectations and economic struggles.
• Women are increasingly unwilling to tolerate traditional gender dynamics that disadvantage them.
• The MeToo movement has empowered women to reject outdated norms and demand equitable treatment.

"They don't want to date your entitled, undiagnosed sons. Sorry, moms."

• This quote reflects the changing attitudes of young women towards dating, emphasizing the need for young men to adapt to new social norms.

• The discussion highlights the persistent issue of gender inequality, particularly in terms of safety, political representation, and corporate presence.
• Women often face the threat of sexual violence, which affects their daily lives and decisions, including dating and professional endeavors.
• The societal expectation that women need to be in relationships to be considered successful is critiqued.

"One in five women are raped, attempted rape, or successful rape."

• This statistic underscores the pervasive threat of sexual violence that women face, influencing their everyday interactions and decisions.

"It's terrible that young men are feeling lonely because they have not been required to learn the skills to make social connection."

• The lack of social skills among young men is highlighted as a contributing factor to their loneliness, contrasting with the social adeptness women have developed out of necessity.

• The societal structure is critiqued for being designed by and for men, with women having to navigate male behavior and expectations.
• Women are often pressured to conform to traditional roles, such as marriage and motherhood, to gain societal legitimacy.
• The patriarchy is blamed for hindering women's progress and attempting to roll back their rights.

"Imagine the world is set up for men by men, where women have to kind of absorb all manners of male behavior."

• This quote reflects the systemic nature of gender inequality, where societal norms and structures favor men, forcing women to adapt.

"The fact that they're not succeeding is the, is the fault of the patriarchy which we all suffer under."

• The patriarchy is identified as a root cause of societal issues, affecting both men and women, albeit in different ways.

• Women face ongoing challenges in maintaining and advancing their rights, with recent efforts to restrict reproductive rights and voting access.
• The discussion highlights the regressive measures being taken to undermine women's autonomy and participation in society.

"14 states, 15 states now, I don't know, 20 states. No abortion services."

• This quote illustrates the ongoing battle for reproductive rights, with numerous states enacting laws that restrict women's access to abortion.

"They're trying to take the women's sneakily trying to take the women's right to vote away by the SAVE act."

• The SAVE act is mentioned as an example of attempts to undermine women's voting rights, reflecting broader efforts to roll back gender equality.

• Men are perceived to benefit more from relationships due to women performing most of the emotional and social labor.
• Widows often report higher happiness levels after their husbands' deaths, contrasting with widowers who struggle with loneliness.
• Young women channel energy into their careers and friendships, whereas young men often turn to less productive outlets.

"Men flourish under in relationships because women do most of the emotional labor and the social labor."

• This quote highlights the unequal distribution of emotional labor in relationships, with women bearing the brunt of maintaining emotional and social connections.

"Young men without the guardrails of a romantic relationship... oftentimes pour that energy into video games and porn and unproductive means."

• The lack of productive outlets for young men without relationships is noted, contrasting with women's tendency to seek support through friendships and career pursuits.

• The difficulty in empathizing with women's experiences of feeling unsafe is acknowledged, particularly for those who have never been victims.
• The prevalence of violence against women, often by men they know, is highlighted as a significant societal issue.

"When you've never been a victim, it's not easy to empathize with people who have been victims."

• This quote addresses the challenge of understanding the fear and precautions women must take, especially for those who have not experienced similar threats.

"2,500 women a year are murdered. And most of them are murdered by men who know them."

• The alarming statistic of femicide underscores the severity of violence against women and the need for societal change.

• The discussion centers around the perception of safety concerning men and women, particularly in public settings like subways.
• It is emphasized that statistically, men are more likely to harm themselves than women, highlighting the importance of addressing men's mental health.
• The conversation touches on the societal expectation for men to protect others, which is seen as a key aspect of masculinity.

"But what we also have to acknowledge is that if you look at the actual data, 2,500 women are murdered, 40,000 men kill themselves."

• This quote highlights the disparity in societal concerns versus statistical realities, emphasizing the need for a balanced understanding of safety and mental health issues.

"Your key obligation as a man and key to masculinity is protection of anyone who needs protection."

• This statement underscores the traditional role of men as protectors, suggesting that this is an integral part of masculine identity.

• There's a discussion on the societal expectations of men being sensitive and how this affects their roles in dating and corporate environments.
• Sensitivity in men is seen as desirable in personal relationships but less valued in corporate settings.
• The conversation critiques the current state of male-dominated corporate and political environments, suggesting that more sensitivity could lead to better leadership.

"They want someone who is sensitive enough to make authentic connections that make them feel safe."

• This quote reflects the desire for men to be emotionally available and supportive in relationships, countering traditional views of masculinity.

"Corporate America is a bunch of corporate bullies... it's still the old boys club."

• This highlights the persistent gender inequality in corporate leadership and the negative impact of traditional masculine values on corporate culture.

• The dialogue explores the lack of gender parity in leadership roles and the potential benefits of having more women in positions of power.
• It is argued that allowing women more opportunities to lead could address many societal issues attributed to male leadership.
• The conversation also touches on the systemic barriers that prevent women from achieving equality in leadership roles.

"Men have had 200 years and they fucked it up. They dropped the ball. We're in a mess."

• This quote criticizes the historical dominance of men in leadership and suggests that this has led to current societal issues.

"If only 85 of the Fortune 500 CEOs are women, there's still an issue and it's still a problem."

• This statement points out the significant gender gap in top corporate positions, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality.

• The discussion emphasizes the importance of advocacy for all genders and the potential for alliances to create a more equitable society.
• There's a call for empathy and understanding between men and women, recognizing that progress for one does not mean a loss for the other.
• The conversation advocates for a renewed alliance between men and women to address societal challenges collaboratively.

"There's enough space in the room to provide advocacy for everyone."

• This quote suggests that societal progress does not have to be a zero-sum game and that multiple groups can be supported simultaneously.

"We need to restore a zeitgeist in our society where men and women are each other's allies."

• This statement calls for a cultural shift towards cooperation and mutual support between genders to achieve broader societal goals.