Only recently, an anonymous “crypto bro” garnered widespread condemnation for a similar, crass caper. He peppered a court at a WNBA game with sex toys. The act itself – which is still ongoing – is such a shocking one. We need to further explore to get to the root causes that drive this behavior. This was more than a needlessly stupid, random-acting government maneuver. It points to this bigger issue of entitlement, misogyny and the dire thirst for online and IRL validation. BlockchainShock is committed to identifying the causes of this recent incident. They’ll offer perspective on what led to it and discuss what it means for the crypto space in general and the world of sports, in particular.
That incident at the one WNBA game wasn’t a one-off occurrence. It’s an example of a deeply troubling trend of toxic online behavior migrating into real life. The benefits of anonymity and the lack of perceived consequences on dangerous social media platforms give people license to express hateful and dangerous rhetoric. This conduct, frequently disguised as good fun or counter culture sarcasm, legitimizes misogyny and fosters a toxic space for women. These types of stunts are usually well-calibrated to get the attention of online communities. This validation serves only to reinforce more of this dangerous behavior.
Do not take for granted that these actions do not have very real world consequences. They create an atmosphere of dehumanization and misogyny. This type of behavior chips away at women’s ability to be taken as seriously as male counterparts in professional and political spaces. It’s a cheap publicity stunt that disrespects the sport and more importantly the time, effort, and talent the athletes bring to their craft. It turns them into targets for mockery. It’s an unsettling recollection that what happens online may well affect the lives of those who exist outside of cyberspace in important ways.
The Psychology Behind the Stunt
There are numerous psychological reasons for this kind of behavior. Recognizing these elements is key to creating targeted interventions against misogyny, moving toward a culture that is more welcoming and representative of our community.
Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation and Dark Personality Traits
History and empirical research indicates a strong connection between right-wing authoritarianism and prejudice. People who score high on the trait of right-wing authoritarianism tend to be prejudiced and hostile toward those they see as outsiders. Social dominance orientation motivates individuals to achieve, preserve, and reinforce their social rank and domination over outgroups. This wish often expresses itself in the form of entitlement and misogyny. The “dark tetrad” of personality traits are Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism. These masculine traits are further linked to entitlement and anger over perceived slights.
Sexual Entitlement and Backlash Against Women's Rights
Sexual entitlement, a feeling of entitlement to sex, has been shown to predict sexist and misogynistic attitudes. As women’s rights movements are able to shine more of a spotlight on their issues, some men respond with increased resistance. Perhaps they are motivated, believing that their status and power are ebbing. Men briefly bitter about their relative loss sometimes express that feeling in retaliation and hostility toward women.
The Crypto "Bro" Culture
The crypto space has regrettably achieved a reputation for fostering a exclusionary “bro” culture, heavily male speculators. This culture is one flaring symptom of systemic sexism and desire for society’s validation. The “Wild West” environment of the crypto world, seen as a more nepotistic space, frequently forces women out. This discrepancy speaks to an even bigger, systemic issue—a lack of representation and opportunity for women.
The Underrepresentation of Women
Currently, women are only 12% of investors in blockchain technology within the crypto sphere. This underrepresentation reflects systemic gender inequity and a lack of access and opportunity in society at large. “Crypto bros” and their behavior are an expression of a much larger behavioral epidemic: toxic masculinity. This male phenomenon gives men cover to express sexist and misogynistic views, frequently cloaking them in libertarian or accelerationist wrappers.
The Impact of Social Media
Social media has become a conduit for violent misogynists. Their misogyny spreads and insidiously normalizes it. Several factors contribute to this phenomenon:
- Disembodiment: Social media platforms allow users to interact without direct sensory experience of one another, leading to a lack of empathy and accountability.
- Lack of Accountability: Users can say something online and often don't have to face the consequences of their words.
- Disinhibition: Social media platforms provide a space for users to express themselves freely, which can lead to toxic behaviors.
- Amplification of Negativity: Social media platforms can amplify negative emotions and behaviors, such as comparison, insecurity, and the thirst for validation.
- Spreading Misinformation: Social media platforms can be used to spread misinformation and harmful ideologies.
Moving Forward: Addressing the Root Causes
Confronting the root causes that give life to these misogynistic stunts takes a multi-pronged approach.
Identifying Root Causes and Developing Targeted Interventions
Knowing what drives these misogynistic stunts makes all the difference. This is important because it allows us to identify root causes such as societal norms, cultural attitudes, and individual biases. Knowing these motivations helps sports organizations and advocates be more effective. Once equipped with this knowledge, they can develop targeted interventions to disincentivize certain motivations and stop this from occurring in the future.
Promoting Empathy, Understanding and Creating a Positive Sports Culture
Addressing the motivations behind misogynistic stunts cultivates empathy on the part of athletes, coaches, and fans. This empathy can go a long way in shattering stereotypes and combating misogynistic attitudes about women in sports. What sports organizations can do to address the motivations behind misogynistic behavior. In the process, they’ll be helping to create a sports culture that honors and uplifts women athletes and strives for equality and fairness.
Challenging Stereotypes
These online stunts often prey on negative stereotypes of women in sports. They usually show women as hysterical, fragile, or hypersexual. As dual messaging strategies, these portrayals tend to undermine and reify attitudes about women’s sports and athletes in general. It’s important that we start to break down these stereotypes and create a more complex and truthful narrative of women in sport.
Ultimately, solving the issue is going to take a combined effort from users, advocacy organizations, and social media companies themselves. It is time to establish a more respectful workplace, push back against misogynist behavior, and hold people responsible for their actions. Only then will we be able to truly create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.
