The Briefing Headlines March 6

The dark world of looksmaxxing

Friday Headlines: 
More Aussies return from Middle East as thousands flee Beirut
Hizb ut-Tahrir officially banned
'From the river to the sea' and 'globalise the intifada' outlawed in Queensland
Number of kids enrolled in public school drops to record low
Matildas beat Iran 4-0 in Asian Cup clash
Britney Spears arrested in California

Deep Dive: Millions of young men’s algorithms are being taken over by looksmaxxing. 

What starts as self-improvement - gym sessions, grooming routines and ‘mewing’ -can spiral into extreme dieting, steroids, cosmetic surgery and even ‘bone-smashing,’ where men attempt to break and reshape their own facial bones to appear more masculine. Critics warn the trend is fuelling a pipeline toward incel culture, wrapped up in the language of optimisation and status. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Sam Cornell a public health researcher who unpacks how the rise of looksmaxxing has racked up millions of views online and is more than vanity – turning into something darker. 

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @thebriefingpod
Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast 
YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast

Friday Headlines: 
<ul>
<li>More Aussies return from Middle East as thousands flee Beirut</li>
<li>Hizb ut-Tahrir officially banned</li>
<li>'From the river to the sea' and 'globalise the intifada' outlawed in Queensland</li>
<li>Number of kids enrolled in public school drops to record low</li>
<li>Matildas beat Iran 4-0 in Asian Cup clash</li>
<li>Britney Spears arrested in California</li>
</ul>
Deep Dive: Millions of young men&rsquo;s algorithms are being taken over by looksmaxxing.&nbsp;
What starts as self-improvement - gym sessions, grooming&nbsp;routines&nbsp;and &lsquo;mewing&rsquo; -can spiral into extreme dieting, steroids, cosmetic surgery and even &lsquo;bone-smashing,&rsquo; where men&nbsp;attempt&nbsp;to break and reshape their own facial bones to appear more masculine. Critics warn the trend is fuelling a pipeline toward incel culture, wrapped up in the language of optimisation and status.&nbsp;
In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Sam Cornell a public health researcher who&nbsp;unpacks how the rise of looksmaxxing has racked up millions of views online and is more than vanity &ndash; turning into something darker.&nbsp;
Follow The Briefing:&nbsp; TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thebriefingpod">@thebriefingpod</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebriefingpodcast/" aria-label="Link @thebriefingpodcast&nbsp;">@thebriefingpodcast&nbsp;</a> YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheBriefingPodcast">@TheBriefingPodcast</a>

A national daily news podcast, The Briefing gives you the latest headlines, discussion and explainer interviews to keep you informed and entertained.

Bringing you the news you need to know at 6am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and profile features across the weekend, The Briefing is Australia's go-to news podcast for your commute, coffee or exercise.

Know more in minutes.

Hosted by journalists Sacha Barbour Gatt, Chris Spyrou and Natarsha Belling.

A national daily news podcast, The Briefing gives you the latest headlines, discussion and explainer interviews to keep you informed and entertained.
Bringing you the news you need to know at 6am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and profile features across the weekend, The Briefing is Australia's go-to news podcast for your commute, coffee or exercise.
Know more in minutes.
Hosted by journalists Sacha Barbour Gatt, Chris Spyrou and Natarsha Belling.