I think the AVC has come around to the notion that the internet falls under the realm of pop culture—likely sometime after they started lauding the internet for doing such a great job—so it is fair game for a pop culture criticism and reporting site.

It’s a pretty well known pop culture phenomenon. A lot of their stuff gets passed around as memes, etc

Yep, nicknames help dehumanize whatever “other” you’ve decided is responsible for your problems.

*shudder*

I understand she’s brainwashed to a degree too so not thinking clearly but how fucking stupid do you have to be to brand your victims with your own initials?

My favorite thing about that weird cult is that despite its weird spelling, it’s pronounced “Nexium” like the heart burn medicine.

Stuff like this has been covered on AV Club for a long time, but it’d usually be lower on the page on the old design. The switch to Kinja has pushed below-the-fold content to the same level of perceived relevance/importance as the things that AV Club is more known for.

What’s it like to have a username that puts all other usernames to shame?

My thoughts exactly. I love Better Things.

I’m not sure if this has been mentioned, but the general consensus over at Reddit, so far as I can tell, is that the final straw leading to the ban was that a frequent contributer to /r/incels went on /r/LegalAdvice and posed as a woman, asking what would happen to her assailant, legally and procedurally speaking, if…

was also fond of making up words, as cults often are.

*deep inhale* YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH... HOLY FUCKING SHIT... These people need serious help...

“Look, sorry, I get no pleasure from being so negative...”

Making the woman uncomfortable is probably part of it - asserting dominance, transgressing their boundaries. That, and exhibitionism. I don’t believe for a second that these guys think “I bet these virtual strangers want to watch me jack off.”

I’m torn. On the one hand, this is on the nose. On the other, they should mature and develop emotionally, rather than implement advice for their own terrible reasons.

And:

Also, bathe regularly.

not really about sex

Here’s how you eventually meet a woman to date you, incels: