Scott Galloway’s New Book Sparks Controversy
Scott Galloway’s latest work, “Notes on Being Human,” is stirring quite the debate among critics.
Some critics label him as a “gender essentialist” and accuse him of stating that “Women are here for the pleasure of men.” Others, like journalist Taylor Lorenz, assert that he promotes a “toxic worldview” and is a “virulent misogynist.”
What caused such an uproar? It appears to be his straightforward advice aimed at improving the lives of men—encouraging them to be better citizens, spouses, and fathers.
It’s widely acknowledged that young men often lag behind their female counterparts in education, work, and social interactions. So, why would an older, successful man offer advice deemed so provocative?
Regardless of your thoughts on him, Galloway, at 61, brings an important voice to the discourse on young male development. Ignoring moderate, productive perspectives could let harmful influences lead young people toward victimization instead of empowerment.
“What I’m aiming for is to provide an aspirational framework for those struggling,” Galloway, a self-made entrepreneur and NYU Stern professor, remarked. “Everyone needs a guiding principle. Some derive it from religion, family, or the military, but I believe many young individuals lack this framework.”
His book offers blunt, fatherly advice sprinkled throughout, like, “Don’t chase your passions professionally. Find your strengths and cultivate them. Success breeds passion.”
He also emphasizes the importance of becoming mentally and physically strong in your twenties and suggests that “Men should always strive to make women feel safe.”
Ultimately, Galloway’s approach revolves around hard work, self-care, and caring for others—an awareness of tradition coupled with a response to changing social norms.
His work evokes similarities to Jordan Peterson’s “12 Rules for Life,” which provides simple yet effective guidance, like “Clean your room.” Young people often feel lost; teaching them fundamental skills can lead to recognition.
Still, many critics, primarily women, are disappointed that the book focuses on masculinity. “Why is this about men?” Jessica Winter questioned, expressing frustration over the emphasis on masculinity.
There seems to be a rigid viewpoint prevailing, suggesting that women perpetually suffer under patriarchy, while men are fine. Perhaps it’s time to rethink this narrative.
American women earn more degrees across the board, are prevalent in various professional fields, and tend to live longer lives. So, where do Galloway’s critics think young men should turn in light of this reality? Should they just succumb to despair?
Galloway reflected, “I may not be the ideal messenger. When a 61-year-old white man defends men, it raises eyebrows as if I’m blaming women for men’s issues.”
This couldn’t be further from his true intention—addressing a predominantly young male audience and pushing back against unfair blame. He acknowledges that when young men do blame women for their romantic troubles or immigrants for economic struggles, they hinder their own growth.
His core message? Take control of your life. Feel stuck? Maybe it’s time to reassess your approach. Consider yourself alone? There’s definitely room for improvement.
“If you work out regularly, take the leap to express your feelings while ensuring the other person feels safe, and maintain a job, you’re already ahead of many,” he explained.
Galloway certainly isn’t everyone’s favorite—his humor and political views can be polarizing. But he plays a crucial role in guiding the directionless youth.
In his book, he mentions “fake men” who distort the notion of masculinity but stops short of naming them. I can’t help but think of figures like Nick Fuentes who promote harmful narratives.
“Men are indeed facing obstacles, and some are angry due to their sense of entitlement,” Galloway noted. “If you haven’t made millions by age 25, you may feel like a failure thanks to constant social comparison.”
This is where toxic influencers take advantage, targeting the same audience but delivering messages of outrage rather than resolve. We must articulate a healthier view of masculinity to counter such extremist influences.
Galloway remarked, “They thrive on desperation and anger—there’s hardly a more detrimental impact than that. Happiness lies in recognizing your blessings instead of your envy.”
Do I resonate with everything Galloway proposes? Not particularly. Is all of it applicable to me? Not necessarily. But that’s the point. Not everyone is his intended audience.
Understanding the lives of today’s young men might be beyond my grasp. Nevertheless, they likely prefer a solid role model—preferably not a misogynistic streamer.
Interestingly, Galloway has found that many of his supporters are single mothers with sons, lamenting the absence of positive male figures in their lives. Improving our boys means creating a better future: enhanced relationships, a healthier dating pool, and a thriving economy.
Despite the backlash, Galloway maintains that more men need to advocate for young people, even if they aren’t their sons. “It’s not challenging to mentor these young men,” he pointed out. “These individuals often make poor choices when left unchecked. Simply being present can make a significant difference.”
“To raise better men, we must first become better men ourselves.”
