Looksmaxxing: AI-Driven Masculinity as a Design Problem
Looksmaxxing, an AI-powered tool that analyzes men's faces and suggests physical improvements, is critiqued as a design problem that reduces identity to visual systems like jawlines and symmetry. The article argues that this phenomenon, rooted in incel ideology, mainstreams toxic masculinity and monetizes insecurities. Therapist Randy Flood notes a shift from developing identity to engineering it. Writer Aubrey Hirsch states the practice is about proving worth to other men, not pleasing women. The piece links looksmaxxing to political posturing, citing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's exaggerated stance and President Trump's AI-altered images of himself as younger and more muscular. Research by Dan Cassino shows men who voted for Trump felt more masculine solely due to that vote. The article concludes that design must look beyond appearance to understand the person.
Key facts
- Looksmaxxing is an AI tool where men upload a photo to get feedback on their appearance.
- The term 'looksmaxxing' uses pseudo-scientific language to appeal to men.
- The practice includes techniques like 'mewing' and 'bone-smashing'.
- Randy Flood is a therapist and co-founder of the Men’s Resource Center of West Michigan.
- Aubrey Hirsch is a writer and illustrator quoted in the article.
- Academic researchers Marten Risius, Christopher David, and Daline Ostermaier linked looksmaxxing to incel ideology.
- President Trump has posted AI images of himself as a muscular younger man, a Star Wars character, and a Christ-like figure.
- Dan Cassino is a Fairleigh Dickinson University professor whose research found voting for Trump made men feel more masculine.
Entities
Artists
- Aubrey Hirsch
Institutions
- Men’s Resource Center of West Michigan
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- PRINT Magazine
- New York Post
- The Conversation
- CNN
- USA Today
- TMZ
- Wall Street Journal
Locations
- Washington
- United States