Malleus Maleficarum: Incels and Modern Witch Hunts

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The dark history of witch hunts has some unsettling parallels with modern misogynistic violence. Tonight’s episode continues our discussion on Heinrich Kramer’s witch-hunting manual, the “Malleus Maleficarum”, with a critical look at its legacy, especially as it relates to incel culture and the manosphere.

We’ll examine the parallels between Kramer's misogynistic beliefs and the 2014 Isla Vista killings by Elliot Rodger, exploring the roots of violent ideologies in both cases. We’ll use the “path to intended violence” theory to compare the steps leading to mass violence in the 15th century and today.

We’ll also talk about the origins of the incel community, its online presence, and the dangerous ideologies that stem from extreme misogyny.

This episode discusses themes of terrorism, weapons, murder, serious injury, suicide, and pervasive sexism. Listener discretion is advised.

Key moments

• 0:59 – "Witch-Burning" by Mary Elizabeth Counselman
• 2:41 – Welcome to the party
• 7:43 – Incel culture and the manosphere
• 12:41 – The path to intended violence
• 19:14 – Hunters and howlers: Jacob Sprenger and Jordan Peterson
• 21:07 – Internalised misogyny, accusations of witchcraft, and Pearl Davis
• 23:05 – More parallels between early modern witch-hunts and modern violence against women

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