one of the many reasons i think incels are politically salient and admirable is their utopianism. it is utopian to imagine a world in which amorous relationships are the most pressing political issue, and one that you would commit atrocities over.

that is not to say, of course, that relationships aren’t politically significant. it’s just such a relatively non-instrumental domain, it’s rather out of place next to its peers.

also all of the above is actually untrue when not willfully decontextualing, obvious extensions of patriarchy and instrumental domination run through the core of incel politics. nevertheless i think the decontextualized exaggeration captures something notable and worthwhile.