The manosphere has a simple story: feminism was a zero-sum game — women won, men lost. Its supporters claim progressive feminism is a power grab dressed up as progress. From diversity policies to #MeToo, they claim men are facing unfair treatment. This outlook is reshaping how a generation of young men see the world. Nearly a third of Gen Z men believe women should always obey their husbands. In response, critics argue the manosphere has misread the feminist project. Equality isn't a zero-sum game. A University of Notre Dame study shows increased gender equality leads to greater subjective well-being in both men and women. Whilst a 62-nation study found higher sexism correlated with lower productivity, more collective violence, and lower healthy lifespans for both genders.

Is it a mistake to dismiss the manosphere as self-evidently beyond the pale? Are there instances where gender equality has gone too far? Or is this a dangerous philosophy that should be buried — for even if equality did turn out to be a zero-sum game, what's wrong with that if it rectifies an existing disadvantage?

Hip-hop star and mental health advocate Jordan Stephens, critical race theorist Tommy Curry, TikTok feminist firebrand Farha Khalidi, and left-wing critic of the progressive elite Catherine Liu debate the manosphere.