Injections, Bone Hammering and the Pursuit of Peak Male Beauty
2Digest
This podcast delves into the phenomenon of "looks maxing," a subculture primarily of young men focused on extreme physical appearance enhancement through surgery, experimental treatments, and rigorous regimens. It highlights influencer Clovicular (Brayden Peters) as a key figure who brought this movement into the mainstream with his controversial content and personal journey. The discussion unpacks concepts like "mogging" (proving superiority through looks), the pursuit of "ascension," and Clovicular's self-identification as neurodivergent. It also examines the motivations behind these extreme measures, linking them to the pursuit of social status, and draws parallels to the pressures women face regarding beauty standards. The podcast concludes by reflecting on the dangers of this image-obsessed culture and the loss of nuance in a world that overemphasizes quantifiable metrics.
Outlines
Introduction to "Looks Maxing" and its Ideals
The podcast introduces the "looks maxing" subculture, focusing on young men's extreme efforts to improve their appearance through surgeries and experimental treatments. It clarifies the movement's roots in incel culture and its promotion of specific, often racially biased, aesthetic ideals.
"Mogging" and the Rise of Clovicular
This section explains "mogging," the concept of demonstrating superiority through attractiveness within the looks maxing community. It then details the rise of influencer "Clovicular" (Brayden Peters), who significantly popularized the movement through his controversial content and extreme methods.
Clovicular's Personal Journey and Philosophy
An in-person interview with Clovicular reveals his background, motivations, and relentless pursuit of self-improvement, termed "ascension." He discusses his discomfort with emotional introspection, his self-identification as neurodivergent, and his obsessive tracking of physical data.
Extreme Regimens and Sacrifice
Clovicular details his extensive daily regimen of supplements and drugs, including Accutane, Retitrutide, Dutasteride, and human growth hormone. He expresses a pragmatic attitude towards potential side effects like infertility, viewing them as minor sacrifices for aesthetic goals.
Societal Parallels and Cultural Reflections
The podcast explores the underlying motivation of "looks maxing" as a means to achieve social status through physical attractiveness. It draws parallels between these male pursuits and the long-standing pressures on women regarding beauty standards, highlighting a broader cultural shift towards image-obsession and superficiality.
Dangers and Implications of Image Obsession
The discussion addresses the potential dangers of a movement promoting extreme interventions for acceptance and acknowledges how it reflects a broader cultural trend towards superficiality. The popularity of "looks maxing" is analyzed as a reflection of a culture that correlates worth with looks, leading to a loss of nuance in human connection.
Keywords
Looks Maxing
A subculture focused on extreme physical appearance enhancement through surgery, hormone therapy, and experimental treatments, primarily among young men.
Clovicular (Brayden Peters)
A prominent influencer who popularized "looks maxing" by sharing his extreme methods and journey, bringing the subculture into the mainstream.
Mogging
Internet slang within the "looks maxing" community for asserting superiority over others through physical attractiveness.
Incels
A community of men who believe their lack of attractiveness prevents relationships; "looks maxing" emerged as an offshoot with a focus on self-improvement.
Ascension
The "looks maxing" concept of moving from perceived ugliness to beauty and attractiveness through self-improvement efforts.
Neurodivergence
Variations in brain function; Clovicular identifies as neurodivergent, influencing his perspective on self-improvement.
Social Status
The primary motivation behind "looks maxing," where physical attractiveness is seen as a tool for gaining recognition and advantages.
Female Beauty Standards
Parallels are drawn between "looks maxing" and the intense pressures on women to conform to societal beauty ideals.
Image-Obsession
A broader cultural trend, amplified by social media, that normalizes and encourages an obsessive focus on appearance.
Q&A
What is "looks maxing" and what are its core practices?
"Looks maxing" is an internet subculture where individuals, mainly young men, dedicate themselves to enhancing their physical attractiveness through extreme methods like cosmetic surgery, hormone therapy, and experimental treatments.
Who is "Clovicular" and why is he significant to the "looks maxing" movement?
"Clovicular," born Brayden Peters, is a 20-year-old influencer who significantly propelled "looks maxing" into the mainstream by pushing extreme practices and sharing his journey.
What is "mogging" and how does it relate to the "looks maxing" community?
"Mogging" is slang within the "looks maxing" community that describes asserting dominance or superiority over another person, primarily through physical attractiveness.
How does "looks maxing" differ from incel ideology?
While both focus on attractiveness, "looks maxing" is less fatalistic, believing extreme self-improvement can overcome physical shortcomings, whereas incels believe their unattractiveness dooms them.
What are the underlying motivations behind the extreme measures taken in "looks maxing"?
The primary motivation is the pursuit of social status and recognition, believing maximized looks can lead to life advantages and a higher sense of self-worth.
What parallels can be drawn between "looks maxing" and societal pressures on women regarding appearance?
Both involve intense focus on appearance and extreme interventions to meet societal beauty standards, highlighting a broader societal obsession with image for both genders.
What are the potential dangers associated with the "looks maxing" movement?
Dangers include promoting unrealistic beauty standards, leading to body dysmorphia, harmful self-modification practices, and a distorted sense of self-worth.
Show Notes
If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you’ve probably come across a video of a young, square-jawed influencer calling himself Clavicular. He has become the face of an internet subculture called looksmaxxing, in which men do almost anything — like taking steroids and hormones or bashing their jaws with a hammer — to try to become more handsome.
In this episode, Natalie Kitroeff talks with reporter Joseph Bernstein about the world of looksmaxxing and how what might seem like a fringe phenomenon is actually the culmination of a digital culture that rewards physical perfection with status and algorithmic power.
On Today’s Episode
Joseph Bernstein covers digital subcultures for the Styles desk at The New York Times.
Background Reading
Young Men Seek Answers to an Age-Old Question: How to Be Hot
The Suffix That Tells Us to Ruthlessly Optimize Everything
Photo Credit: Cassidy Araiza for The New York Times
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