Lets get right to the point: the Mens Rights Movement lacks focus, direction, and consequently, impact. Many might take issue with that last bit, pointing to Cassie Jaye, for instance, and her excellent film (and the groundswell of support in the Manosphere) leading to much greater public awareness of mens issues, and declaring proof positive the MRM gets things done.

As someone who was there, and still is, let me assure you that, if you think the MRM did this all by its lonesome, you just might be on the proverbial glue. Lets explore deeper, shall we?

Cassie Jaye was convinced by arguments, eventually, made by MRAs. Point in the favour of men. She was drawn to explore via the 'controversial' presentation of bald fact. Again, yay MRAs, so far so good.

But her film was almost scuttled, until Milo Yiannopoulous wrote about, and promoted, her film. He also, incidentally, listened to MRAs and agreed with much of what we said. And publicized, way more effectively, the issues he learned about from MRAs....who have known these things for decades.

Cassie remains supported by MRAs to this day, but I contend she needs us far less than we 'need' her. She, after all, not only brought mens issues from the internet to mainstream, but also opened a path to women. She is an effective communicator, and Milo is both that and an effective fundraiser and promoter. And both of them can move on to the Next Big Thing and get along just fine. Can the MRM?

Not in its present state, thats for sure.

Years ago, Glenn Sacks organized a protest campaign against Verizon. This was probably before most of you ever heard of the MRM....probably because this was before the MRM officially adopted the name (and yes, it was debated, and decided upon, deliberately). Verizon dropped the campaign.

This, at a time when getting a Letter to the Editor published was seen as a victory.

Since then, a lot has happened in the Manosphere, but the MRM? Stagnation. Self promotion over issues. Power struggles over imaginary mindshare. Political infighting while claiming 'apolitical' status. And the slow bleeding of talent from the MRM itself, in favour of ideological conformity...er...messaging. This ideoligical inbreeding leads many to refuse to even consider oppositional ideas, even when that opposition has nothing, at all, to do with the issue at hand.

Fear of 'looking bad' has proven to be the entry point for corruption among the MRM. But, before you accuse me (again) of being a negative Nelly, let me offer you this crumb of optimism: the Manosphere reinvents itself, and if MRAs want to become exponentially more effective, it can be done. I even have a plan. A real one, one that doesnt require you conform to my beliefs, or anyone else's, frankly. And one that, if people really put their backs into it, will for real, get things done.

Its old hat stuff though, just warning you...

Ready? Ok.

First, identify a single issue that you feel is a mens issue. Study the cause/effect at hand (or research it) and develop curative measures that may be taken. Basically, know the issue, and have an actual agenda (concrete desired outcome). This is, BY FAR, the biggest weakness of the MRM, one that is not shared by the surrounding manosphere. Sure, MRAs know the problems. But solutions? A step by step guide how to fix the problem? Havent seen anything like that in years, uf ever.

Once you have your Problem and Solution, you can then set about creating a Reaction. This is the 'awareness' phase that requires crafted messages and budget. Its trying to preemptively emulate this phase that causes many MRAs to fear 'looking bad'. If you have a solid foundation for your beliefs, controversy invites attention which is often converted to what marketers call a 'consumer' (of ideas). So hey great, people agree with you. Now what?

The MRM has no call to action other than to 'speak up'. After 20 plus years it has no funding network to speak of (Milo dwarfed the total fundraising capacity of the MRM with a single article), and as far as I can see, no awareness of the problem, let alone plans to change it. So let me help, in bullet form...

*Define each issue methodically, backed by facts and figures. Then ignore all that, and promote based on emotional arguments, because its all fact based but emotion always wins. Ask any salesman.

*Embrace making enemies. There are a lot of people out there that hate your guts. Dont 'win them over', crush them. If fellow MRAs disagree fundamentally with you, split off and start your own thing. There is plenty of room, and more than enough approaches to test, to go around. More people hate the 'popular' kid than like him, the thing that counts is popular compliance, not adulation. That said, more women want to bed James Dean than Steve Urkel. Conduct yourself as you like.

*Create a plan to tackle the issue you raise. Call for male-specific suicide research funding. Call for a more male-friendly presentation in Psychiatrist offices. Heck, call for more male friendly magazine selections in waiting rooms. But call FOR something, instead of complaining about nebulous problems. Essentially, be a problem solver, not a complainer.

*STOP ATTACKING YOUR NEIGHBORS. Related to the 'looking bad' fear, many MRAs think guilt by association with far more effective members of the manosphere makes them 'look bad' and thus attack, disassociate with, or otherwise distance themselves from fellow travellers. This is classic Divide and Conquer, it exposes weakness, and it undermines credibility. Who among you trusts a person who you KNOW will say whatever they think they are supposed to? What makes you think anyone else is different?

*Create actual organizations. Us 'old guys' you like to dismiss so much did it long ago. Build on that. Create issue specific orgs. Fund them with GoFundMe campaigns or something. No amount of available money really has anywhere to go except AVfM (which is suited to purpose, but not the one at hand). Promote those organizations that exist relentlessly. Cross pollinate.

*Do not be afraid of being 'political'. The next phase in the Manosphere is going to be a split along ideological authoritarianism vs libertarian Christian lines. Attract the audience you attune to, regardless of the prevailing beliefs of reddit mods and blog owners. But maintain connection to the rest of the sphere, it will ground you and improve your message.

*Fundraise. A lot. Create trust funds, administered by trusted folks, and build a war chest. Rich people dont contribute first, even when they are in agreement. Build it, and they will come. A suggestion: a fund to administer micro loans for pilot initiatives tackling mens issues. Then, you have real world effect to help sell your agenda. Paul could have set this up 10 years ago, if he had thought of it.

Without offering a path, a solution, the MRM will fail. Calling for 'equality' or 'compassion' is a great buzzword, but what the fuck does it mean? How do you budget for that? Who do you write the check out to? Who will it help, and how?

Until there is a coherent response to these types of questions, the MRM is just pissing in the wind compared to what it could do.

Thats some advice. Take it or leave it.