The Manosphere: A Case of Mimetic Resentment

The online world is witnessing the growing influence of the Manosphere, a stratification of groups, networks, and content across various platforms. This term refers to a community of men who express frustration over their existential, professional, or social failures, often blaming cultures and movements that challenge traditional male power, while resorting to a new configuration of the scapegoat mechanism. In this context, the present paper aims to apply René Girard's theory to analyze the mimetic dynamics within the Manosphere. Specifically, the thematization of mimetic resentment—an emotion of frustration arising from the inability to gain social recognition by imitating the established model of the successful and dominant male—helps to uncover the deeper meanings behind this widespread online phenomenon.