𝓝𝓪𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓲𝓮 𝓦𝔂𝓷𝓷  💎

As a trans woman who dabbled in the pick-up community for a time, about 11 years back, before popular talk of the manosphere, incels, and redpilling, all this rings pretty true from both perspectives.

I broke out through the more self-help-oriented "inner game" approaches where I ended up caring more about being a worthwhile human being than demanding others make me whole, but saw many go into the pit of despair, catastrophizing, and community-reinforced self-harm.

OK, as a fellow trans woman prone to digital self-harm, this video provoked a lot of thoughts for me. In my case, though, I'm not sure if I indulge in it because of the idea that truth is painful, so much as it's a maladaptive response to anxiety and

having grown up with a mildly narcissistic parent. Because of the latter, I have a strong urge to try to understand, and even sympathize, with the mindset of those who would abuse me, because part of surviving was being able to anticipate and placate their needs and desires

I love how at some point in the last two years, "Dark Mother" has changed from Anita Sarkeesian to the ocean.

But what if Anita Sarkeesian IS the ocean?

As someone that's struggled for years with self-esteem and self-confidence because I've never had a real relationship, I can in some ways relate and feel sympathy for them, but I'm glad I never found these corners of the internet, because the bigotry displayed is disgusting.

And I'm glad I never got caught up in this kind of thinking. Cause of course, women are awesome and degeneracy is fun, and because of the friends that I have that constantly remind me that I'm not hideous or unlovable, I know that I'll find love in some capacity eventually.

One part of the video stood out to me. “Masochistic epistemology: whatever hurts is true”. I paused the video and sat in shock for a few minutes. How have I never thought of this before, when I was depressed? This is a very valuable, universal and helpful point. Thank you