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David Fincher's Fight Club Was A Warning, Not A Call To Arms – /Film

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5 months ago

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This article breaks the first and second rules of “Fight Club” and contains spoilers. 
The protagonist of David Fincher’s 1999 film “Fight Club,” based on the 1996 Chuck Palahniuk novel of the same name, is still incredibly relatable. Alternately called “The Narrator” or “Jack,” based on his jokes from the perspective of a man named Jack’s organs and body parts, he’s a sad sack of a man in a dead-end cubicle job with a boss who drives him nuts. Played by Edward Norton with a perpetual frown, he’s miserable and tries to buy things to fill the hole in his soul, lying awake at night staring at informercials in the throes of insomnia. Anyone who’s ever had a crummy job and felt like their life was going nowhere can sympathize with poor Jack. It’s easy to see how he’s seduced into a cult by the charismatic and enigmatic Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), who he meets on a long flight and ends up forming an underground fight club with. What’s frustrating is that too many audiences are enchanted by Tyler’s words themselves. 
In tough times, people tend to turn to anyone who can give them purpose and a sense of belonging. Tyler’s rules, fight clubs, and later Project Mayhem cater to men who have felt emasculated and abandoned by society in some way, and it’s terrifying to see how online personalities and influencers are using the same tactics to recruit angry and afraid men. As intoxicating as some of Tyler’s promises might be, “Fight Club” is a warning about sliding into extremism, not an instruction manual for anarchy.

One of the challenges of breaking down the satirical warning elements of “Fight Club” is that the novel’s author is pretty ambiguous about the moral implications of Tyler’s vision for the world, which promotes that men live strictly according to traditionally masculine ideals. In an interview with Huffington Post, Palahniuk revealed that he doesn’t think the novel is a critique or celebration of violent masculinity, because he feels that such violence has purpose in certain confines (like, say, a fight club.) When asked if he felt that fans were misinterpreting the material by taking Tyler at face value, his answer was interesting:
“No, not really. Because they are kind of recognizing the phase where they discover their personal power through acting out against the world.”
What Palahniuk describes is a phase I went through around the time I first read and watched “Fight Club,” circa 2002 or so when the film was on a free HBO weekend. Tyler’s anti-capitalist notions felt revolutionary, and his rejection of working a 9-5 when I was a teenager staring down decades of cubicle work was enticing. As a teenager, “Fight Club” was a part of my personality. It was only a phase, though, because I grew older, learned more, and realized that Tyler’s lessons were just as much of a problem as the things it preached against. The anti-capitalism aspect is still worth listening to, but Tyler’s misogyny, lack of personal accountability, and penchant for violence are issues that need to be addressed. It’s okay to be an apathetic anarchist when you’re 16, but not when you’re 36. 

Tyler’s concerns about capitalism hold weight, and “the things you own end up owning you” is worth thinking about and taking to heart, but he also spouts nonsense like “We’re a generation of men raised by women. I’m wondering if another woman is really the answer we need,” which has been quoted by all kinds of men’s rights activists and “alpha male” self-help gurus pushing the idea that society is forcing out masculinity and creating a whole generation of effeminate men who are somehow lesser than their forebears. Incels (the “involuntarily celibate”) quote the character frequently in an effort to prove that sad, lonely men shouldn’t be underestimated. (These same men also love and misinterpret “Taxi Driver,” “Joker,” and “American Psycho” without a single sliver of self-awareness.)
While Palahniuk has said that he doesn’t see the novel’s message as gendered (yes, really), some fans had a very strong response to the ideas presented in “Fight Club.” The movie version is even more enticing, because who wouldn’t want to be 1999 Brad Pitt, with lean muscle, sick thrift store drip, and a whole helluva lot of swagger? He’s charming, he’s funny, he’s impossibly good-looking, and Fincher’s much more satirical film gives him plenty of opportunities to be a rebellious and violent masculine ideal. He’s Travis Bickle from “Taxi Driver” but with all of the right moves, he’s the Joker without clown makeup or desperation. He’s the ultimate ideal for lonely men who long for an (imaginary) time when they would be assigned a job, house, and wife when they graduated high school, and he’s the template for some of our own world’s most toxic public personalities.

It’s not news to anyone that America has a real problem with lonely, angry men committing violence. There are many contributing factors to why today’s men feel so alienated and aggrieved that need to be addressed at a systemic level, but plenty of people trying to make a buck are ready to try and capitalize on that pain. Using much of the same language as Tyler (but cleverly leaving out the anti-capitalism), media personalities and influencers seek to appeal to men in need of help. Instead of getting mental health support or forming healthy bonds with other adults, they’re turning to conspiracy theorists peddling supplements like Alex Jones or influencer and alleged sex trafficker Andrew Tate. 
While it might be hard to see the allure of Tate or Jones if you’re not buying into what they’re selling, it’s easy to see Durden’s appeal. He’s the ultimate cult leader, with a message that appeals to our base instincts and the promise of a found family among the men you fight. Even in death, you will be remembered, with your name chanted by your fellow space monkeys in honor. By understanding how easy it is for young men to slide into ideologies like Tyler’s, we can better understand how they are becoming radicalized by men like Tate and Jones and hopefully offer better solutions. Deradicalization is incredibly difficult, but stopping people from going down the wrong path in the first place can be much more doable.

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The first and second rules of fight club are that the members are not allowed to talk about fight club. The men all do end up telling their friends and co-workers, of course, as the fight clubs grow in size, and there’s a camaraderie between them that eventually translates over to their terrorist organization, Project Mayhem. The secrecy serves multiple purposes, including making them feel like they’re a part of something exclusive, but it also correlates to how men are expected to deal with life in general. Traditional western rules about masculinity dictate that men aren’t supposed to show or share their negative feelings, other than anger, and male companionship has a whole set of norms to avoid being accused of gay tendencies. (Palahniuk, a gay man, absolutely knows what he did when he wrote about a bunch of sweaty, shirtless men slapping their meaty bodies together.) Regardless of gender, people generally want to be heard, accepted, and have physical contact with others, but many men feel that they are prohibited from those things or they won’t be perceived as “manly.” Before founding the fight clubs, the narrator was visiting support groups for terminal illnesses in order to feel heard, because he believes that when people think you’re dying, they finally shut up and listen. 
Straight men need healthy outlets for their frustrations and they need the same kinds of support systems that women, queer, and gender non-conforming people have created for themselves without fear of being chastised for having close bonds. Otherwise we’re going to keep losing them to the cult of toxic masculinity and its many false prophets, and they’re getting louder every day. Remember, guys: you are not your masculinity, and if you want to be a unique and individual snowflake, you can.

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Paddy Pimblett doesn’t expect to be ranked after beating Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 — so he’ll settle for Bobby… – MMA Mania

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38 mins ago

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December 4, 2023

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Tony Ferguson is not ranked in the Top 15 at 155 pounds.
That’s why Paddy Pimblett doesn’t expect to earn a spot on the lightweight ladder with a victory over the former interim champion when they collide at the upcoming UFC 296 pay-per-view (PPV) event, locked and loaded for Sat., Dec. 16, 2023 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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“I’ll be honest, I don’t see myself being put in the Top 15 after a win against Tony,” Pimblett told The Energized Show (transcribed by MMA News). “Bobby Green didn’t, and Bobby Green fought — beat him before I did, you know what I mean? So, I can see me fighting someone like that: Bobby Green, Grant Dawson, you know what I mean? Someone like that to get in the rankings.”
Pimblett and Green have a score to settle after this “fathead” incident at UFC San Diego.
“I mean, that’s what I can see after I beat Tony,” Pimblett continued. “Like, especially if the big fella Conor’s [McGregor] coming back in UFC 300, lad. The missus will be due a couple of weeks after that. So, it’d be nice to get another, another fight in, get another payday in before the twins are due.”
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The promotion is currently working on its lineup for the blockbuster UFC 300 card in April, which may be headlined by former two-division champion Conor McGregor. Pimblett vs. Green would be a strong addition, assuming “King” prevails this weekend at UFC Austin.
To see who else is fighting at UFC 296 click here.
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Boxing News: Charlo wins in comeback fight » December 4, 2023 – Fight News

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1 hour ago

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December 4, 2023

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In a grudge match, undefeated WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over José Benavídez Jr. (28-3-1, 19 KOs) in a non-title WBC special event on Saturday night’s Benavidez-Andrade card at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Returning after nearly 2 1/2 years, Charlo was stronger than the aggressive Benavidez and won most of the rounds. Benavidez was wobbled in the tenth. Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 100-90.
Give props. He fought well. He knows how to fight.
Charlo did a good job moving, countering, and even leading in many rounds of the fight. Yes, he did well. However, I question if he can even stop Canelo who is much stronger than Benavidez Jr. Charlo will need to beat Canelo on points should they fight. I dont see a KO for Charlo against Canelo.
lol Canelo has never been knocked down let alone knocked out. Charbum absolutely has no chance of even hurting him. Charbum will be the one getting laid out if they fight.
Please nobody wants to see Charlo vs Canelo. The only fight for Canelo is Benavidez.
Benavidez vs Bivol is what we really want to see
Charlo very dominant, Jose put a valiant effort, but lacks fundamental
He should be ashamed he could not ko Benavides
Boxing should not let this fights go on
In the weigh in looks like over weight boxer is not a problem
But this like putting one live on risk
Charlo was too strong for Benavides
Can’t say I’d be too proud beating a guy two weight classes below me. And he couldn’t stop him? The commentators kept saying solid performance by Charlo and i get it .. he was out 40 months. But still, this was a super middle weight fighting a blown up welterweight. I guess that’s what Benavidez gets for all the pre fight talk. I pick Plant and Morrell over Charlo.
Not to bad after almost three years without fighting but nowhere close to challenge any one of the big names at Super Middle. Plant, Mibilli, Morrel and Benavidez would smoke him.
This fight did not settle in my gut correctly because Charlo missed weight. Under such weight related circumstances, Benavidez hung in there with a solid chin. Charlo’s punches were creative, and his jabs were mean.
Agree E man …Charlo had some good moments….but clearly that finisher that beast we are use to seeing .,.not there… hopefully it is rust…but …Charlo struggling with something else…can clearly see it…I hope that Charlo is “ok” outside the ring…
Yep, how good would charlo have been if he had of sweated off the extra 3-4 pounds and actually made weight ? Possibly a more even playing field for the smaller Benevidez Jr……
Hopefully charlo fights plant next
Not bad for charlo.good fight to get the rust out! Benavidez was talk,talk bullishht and no pop in his punches! Great sportsmanship on charlo at the post fight interview. Bobo gettn’ KO by benavidez next fight! Its a total mismatch, bobo too weak for the hard punching destroyer in benavidez! Bobo’s promoters don’t realize the danger they put him for picking this fight. Benavidez by brutal KO of the year on the 8th or a “no-mas” call out!
Dominated a welter weight (blown up). He got rounds in and maintained composure surprisingly.
I’m at the fight and there are no ring girls! WTF!!!
Benavidez about to stop Boo-boo. One more round
Done.
It was expected! A bobo blow out! Benavidez is in onother level, and not the bums bobo is used to fight and strugled with when he was champion! The most “avoided” title just was too big for bobo!
I don’t think it was right that Charlo be allowed to come in so heavy in violation of the contractual catch weight limit of 163. He likely was close to 170 when he stepped into the ring, more than 7-8 lbs heavier than Benavidez. He enjoyed a height advantage too. Totally unfair. Credit to Jose for putting up a valiant effort. Charlo couldn’t knock him out either. I personally am not very impressed with Charlo. He wants the big money that fighting Canelo or David Benavidez would bring, but it’s obvious that he would be no match for either. His more immediate goal should be to fight Plant, so he can save face and exact revenge for Plant slapping him. This is the reason that Plant slapped him too, to force him to choose Plant as an opponent with the title on the line.
Jose Benavides was out boxed. He did show he has a decent chin. Charlo didn’t have enough punching power to stop Benavides. Charlo will not beat Alvarez.
Just wanted to note….Charlo …I am praying for you….you are a man before a fighter…In your corner in “life”….hang in there champ…
Charlo is done at top level. I think Plant beats him at 168 and benavidez would knock him out as quick as he did Andrade. If he has to fight Adames at the middleweight limit, then he loses that too.
Way to go Charlo!
ok, lets just hope that we dont now have
canelo-charlo. if so, another hard pass for me
Surprised he couldn’t KO him. Jose Jr, a career Welterweight comes in at a catch weight of 163. Meanwhile Charlo, a natural Middleweight comes in 3.4# over at 166.4. So you had an overweight out of shape Welterweight fighting a Super Middleweight.

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What time is the Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III fight tonight … – DAZN

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2 hours ago

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December 4, 2023

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Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is back in the ring tonight for another exhibition fight as he prepares to face John Gotti III in Florida.
Mayweather has not had a professional fight since he ended his career on 50-0 following his huge event with Conor McGregor in 2017.
His most recent exhibition show was up against Aaron Chalmers in February 2023, in London.
Gotti last fought Albert Tulley at Rockin Fights 43 at the beginning of October last year, securing a decision victory in MMA, where he has a 5-1-0 record.
Here's all you need to know ahead of Mayweather vs. Gotti.
The event is set to get underway at 2 a.m. BST / 9 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 4 a.m. BST / 11 p.m. ET. These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights. 
The Zeus Network will be showing the event globally on PPV.
The fight will take place at FLA Live Arena, Florida, in the United States.

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