male

It seems so obvious to me these days that ideologically the system of ideas that governs notions of identity is rotten through and through.

That which is perceived most commonly as quintessentially masculine these days is generally some lazy posturing, which endeavours precisely NOT to stick its neck out in any way. It's an example of how image trumps reality, and is expected to do so on principle. We are all inclined to be victims of the advertising man by virtue of our attunement to the radio, TV and billboards.

The management of identity by the mass media is part of the reason why the right tends to win -- especially in US politics. That which is not at all real -- but based on fantasy and wishful thinking -- is projected through the media as that which is super-real, transcendentally real. IN the case of promoting a right wing agenda, the nature of the media, as the organ for advertising incredible claims, suits a particular (non-real) message.

However, I am finding something else that is altogether interesting, these days. If you can manage to separate, just for a moment, the content of the message from the swagger of the medium, you catch sight of a lot of poseurs in a light which is the least flattering. The dressed up tough-boy act appears clearly as an expression of a dependency structure. What I mean is that the boys (posing as men) are clearly seen to be relying entirely upon some form of reflected glory. Perhaps they emulate a cowboy of yesteryear or a fighter pilot of today. In any case, it is an attempt to get power from an image beamed from elsewhere. This condoning of image without content -- what should we call it? Hyper-feminine? Animalistic?

I don't think we can really call it either thing. There is a lot of authenticity to be found in hyperfemininity or animalism, by sharp contrast.