The Snark on Alchemy Podcast "The Tragedy of the Incels" (part 2)"
- The Snark
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
Well, well, well, what do we have here?
A second installment in the saga of incels, or as we like to call it, “The Tragedy of Wasted Potential and Self-Righteous Rage.” Apparently, Tim and LeeAnna couldn’t squeeze all this delicious dysfunction into just one episode, so here we are, back again for round two, as our deranged podcasters continue to dissect the strange and painful world of men who think that rejection is a lifestyle choice, and that being ignored is a political statement. We restart with the meaty topics of social awkwardness, resentment, and a deep dive into why some men think their lack of social skills gives them a free pass to blame the world for their woes.
The Drama Starts Here: Let’s Talk About Social Awkwardness
We open with Tim dropping the ever-popular “I’ve felt social awkwardness too” line. Oh, Tim, you’re not alone in that. Most of us have been there, but here’s where Tim shines: he connects that universal feeling of discomfort with the incel mindset. Apparently, that “out of tune” feeling at parties isn’t just awkward – it can become a lifestyle. How quaint! Tim doesn’t let it stop there though. He gives us the “Dangerous Loop,” which sounds like something out of a horror movie but is, in fact, the emotional spiral that turns perfectly average, socially awkward dudes into internet warriors of bitterness. There’s self-doubt, resentment, radicalization – you know, the usual ingredients for a personal apocalypse.
The “Sad & Interesting” Test (Spoiler: It Doesn’t Work)
Then things get really fun. Tim introduces the tragic fantasy of the “Sad & Interesting” test. This is the belief that if you look sad and deep, you’ll magically attract the love and validation you deserve. Cue the dramatic music. LeeAnna rightly points out that looking sad isn’t quite the invitation we think it is. Apparently, no one is reading your mind, and sitting around in your feelings doesn’t make you mysterious - it makes you a mood killer. I mean, who knew that vulnerability without engagement is like bringing a soggy sponge to a dinner party?
Tim’s Writer’s Advice: You Can’t Just Write the Fight – You Gotta Write the Attempt to Fix It
Tim gets all sentimental about how incels (and, apparently, most humans) are actually longing for connection. He’s not wrong, though. The real tragedy here is that the incel mindset isn’t just about being alone; it’s about the belief that connection is impossible. And Tim’s advice to writers is gold: If you’re writing a character like this, show them failing, show them trying, and show them failing again. The moment they fail to connect is where the real emotional depth lives. So, writers, get your pens ready because the juicy stuff isn’t in the fight, it’s in the attempt to fix it. And let’s be honest, those moments are as painful as they are beautiful.
Canned Narratives and the Fatalism of the Incels
Tim dives into something that will make you question your own life choices: “Canned Narratives.” This is the human tendency to reframe the story we tell about ourselves to protect our egos. Incels? Oh, they’ve got a whole set of these: blaming women for their failures, projecting the idea that their perceived inadequacies are someone else’s fault. You know, classic stuff. Tim points out that these narratives are emotionally efficient, which is to say, they’re lies we tell ourselves so we can sleep at night. So, in short, if you want to understand an incel, just follow the story they’re telling themselves about why they’re “different” from everyone else. Spoiler: It’s not a fun story.
The “Bonkers” Moment: Writing the Awkward Social Butterfly
And then we get the moment we’ve all been waiting for: LeeAnna shares her take on the “bonkers” behavior of incels. This delightful descriptor comes after Tim suggests that maybe the key to fighting incel loneliness is just being real. Of course, this prompts LeeAnna to suggest that the opposite of that might be a character who is “bonkers,” or as we like to call it, “the villain who just can’t stop talking about his superiority complex.”
The Conclusion: Goodbye, Stereotypes - Hello, Emotional Complexity
By the end of the episode, Tim and LeeAnna have dragged us through the labyrinthine mess of incel ideologies, the self-sabotaging behaviors, and the desperate cries for connection. But here’s the kicker: Tim’s golden nugget of wisdom is that writers can’t just write the fight between the incel and the world. No, no. Writers, you have to write the attempt to save sanity first. That’s the real meat. Because when it’s about connection - real or fake - it’s about vulnerability and humanity. And that’s what readers want.
Let’s All Go Bonkers, Scribblers
Well, folks, there you have it. If you’ve been wondering why people act the way they do, this podcast will definitely answer some questions - and raise some new ones. So, as you sit back, let your mind wander (or preferably engage), and remember: Life isn’t about being a “Chad” or a “Beta.” It’s about being messy, vulnerable, and occasionally “bonkers” in your pursuit of something real. And hey, if you want to make your character truly interesting, don’t forget to show them trying to fix things - because we all know failure is just one more chance to reveal the soul-crushing depths of their complexity.
Next week? Oh, the drama continues with another podcast – “Be My Baby,” which, knowing Tim, is bound to be grim, especially with the foreshadowing of the title. But for now, grab a drink, try not to text your ex, and maybe consider investing in some emotional armor... you’ll need it.
The Snark
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