There’s a new hot trend online in which men are deliberately tuning out metrics, news cycles and social comparison, and trying to break free from the social conditioning that tries to keep them fearful, anxious, overanalytical and mediocre.
This trend is known as “retardmaxxing”. There are books about it being written, podcasts being recorded, and thousands upon thousands of videos being created where men explain the benefits of this mindset and promote moving away from overthinking, overcalculating, and becoming too analytical for our own good.
Regardless of what you think about the name of this trend —I personally find it quite funny—, it’s undeniable that there is some truth to it, and it actually points to something that Christians have known for ages, and one of the aspects of faith that allowed Christendom to spread like it did.
What is “Retardmaxxing”?
The “retardmaxxing” movement arises as a response to overthinking, overanalyzing and the fearful paralysis that keeps most modern men stuck in their own head, afraid of taking risks, afraid of living, and afraid of doing anything that even barely pushes them out of their comfort zones.
Under a seemingly justifiable caution, many men have become slaves to fear, and “retardmaxxing” thus appears as a reaction to this slavery: stop thinking so much, do what needs to be done, take risks, live a little.
This movement has been popularized mainly by YouTuber Elisha Long, and it has grown so much that it has even become a talking point in some of the biggest podcasts in the self-improvement sphere:
This trend has correctly identified that the modern information environment is hostile to purposeful action. When I first found out about it, my mind immediately went to a quote from the book Fahrenheit 451 that seemed to capture the cultural moment we find ourselves in, in which “retardmaxxing” appears as a sensible, rebellious option:
“Cram them full of non-combustible data, chock them so damned full of ‘facts’ they feel stuffed, but absolutely ‘brilliant’ with information.
Then they’ll feel they’re thinking, they’ll get a sense of motion without moving. And they’ll be happy, because facts of that sort don’t change.
Don’t give them any slippery stuff like philosophy or sociology to tie things up with. That way lies melancholy.”
— Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
Is it not true that the average modern man is so incredibly distracted by useless information and facts that he cannot get himself to act purposefully, being so preoccupied with many things he knows but doesn’t ever use?
“Retardmaxxing”, then, points to an actual truth: sometimes to move forward in life you need to stop thinking so much. However, as is the case with most movements and ideologies, it lacks the metaphysical depth that a belief system like Christianity offers. And as you’ll soon see, this movement reflects certain principles that the Christian tradition has known all along.
The Tradition of “Retardmaxxing”
Throughout history, Christian men have seemingly been the ones most determined to take risks, defeat impossible odds, and take purposeful action even when being shunned and shamed by the world. Western culture was built by such men, who focused not on the seemingly impossible odds of creating works that would last for centuries, but simply on the inner voice that called them forward. This is actually perfectly logical: when you are convinced of the metaphysical reality of a world beyond our own, you necessarily have to accept and be content with outcomes that exist beyond our control and are thus more willing to risk without concerning themselves with the odds.
The overthinker and the excessive analyzer believe on a certain level that it’s their efforts and strategy which will determine the outcome of a certain project or action. The Christian, in comparison, knows that God’s will goes before him, and simply tries to act in a way that pleases Him, leaving the end result to Him and being content with whatever happens.
Whereas the materialist bases his life and his choices exclusively on calculations, the Christian understands there are things beyond our understanding, and is thus much more willing to take the bold risks that lead to greatness, knowing that even if he fails, his security is found on God, everlasting, ever-present.
Christian men have always been willing to attempt great deeds, because they are free from the paralyzing fear that tells them that, statistically, they are probably going to fail. They don’t care about such stats, because they know that if God wills them to succeed, they will, and if He doesn’t, they won’t, and both outcomes will be good, since they will both be aligned with God’s will.
Christianity as a belief system practically demands that we “retardmaxx”, because overthinking carries with it a subtle underlying conviction that as long as you think long enough about something, you can bend the world to your liking.
Acting from a place of faith closely resembles what “retardmaxxing” proposes: do what needs to be done with the information you have available, try your best, enjoy life, and be content with the outcome.
What We Should Actually Be Dumb About
The Christian version of this trend is not random disengagement or rash, uncautious action but rather principled selectivity and a voluntary choice to reject those inputs which distract you from the important things in life:
News cycles which only produce anxiety and outrage. Knowing every detail of every political development does in no way make you a better husband, father, or Christian.
Courses, programs, and valuable information that sometimes, when consumed too frequently, leads to paralysis due to the sheer volume of advice and recommendations your brain tries to process.
Social metrics like follower counts, engagement numbers, or even revenue. A man whose sense of progress is well-being by external validation is a man who depends on many things that aren’t God.
Other people’s progress, whether spiritual, financial, physical, or social. Comparisons not only lead to envy and resentment, but directly distract you from your duties and your own unique journey.
Even seemingly true statistics and success probabilities. If in your discernment you find God wants you to attempt something, you shouldn’t shy away from it even if it’s statistically unlikely that you’ll accomplish it. Life cannot be measured by a spreadsheet.
True wisdom includes the discernment to know which things to ignore, which ones to analyze, and which ones to consider and disregard.
The “retardmaxxers” have identified a critical problem: we suffer from information overload, overthinking, and paralysis by analysis. Their recommendation is to just stop trying to control everything, trust your intuition, and put yourself out there. The one thing they forgot is that before taking action you should always try to, in prayer, find out God’s will for you, so you can then act accordingly.
Only this will allow you to focus on the things that really matter: the people in front of you, the work God has given you, your spiritual life, the sacraments, and your mission. This will also allow you to truly live, to enjoy even the downturns of life and to experience all the beautiful things this world has to offer without needing a mathematical equation to explain them.
The retardmaxxer who is merely escaping the thoughts in his head has achieved nothing of note. In contrast, the man who deliberately controls and filters the endless streams of information proceeding from the world makes himself available to what’s in front of him: his wife, his children, his mission, his life.
The men who coined this term are noticing something real: total, unrestricted, compulsive engagement with the modern information environment is not wisdom but a form of slavery. The answer they propose lacks only the spiritual considerations that would make of their proposed action-taking and life-enjoyment fruitful, virtuous, and good.
We “retardmaxx” because we trust in God throughout it all, and we know that as long as we seek to do His will, every outcome —even seemingly negative ones, even suffering, even failure— will be okay.
Ad Maiora Nati Sumus,
Juan
Thank you for reading!
If you enjoyed this post and could leave a like or comment it would be greatly appreciated, as it will help my work reach more people.
Also, if you liked this article, you’ll love my book.
Paralysis by analysis. Many young men have this condition today, especially Catholic young men. The Church, somewhere along the way to becoming the “Church of nice”lost its manhood. Time to reclaim it. Great article.
Very good.
I'm a very long-term over thinker and have abused social networking for almost 3 decades now. Since the Internet's widespread adoption in the 80s and 90s. I'm tired. Really tired. I've tried to read the tea-leaves in order to understand my world around me through this effort and protect my family and myself in the process. The list of threats keeps growing. It's impossible to analyse and organize and prioritize it all. But also, tbh, I've tried to avoid being seen for who I am, a garden variety man who struggles with his personal demons, some of which are family of origin, but much more my chosen reactions to it all. I'm disenfranchised and not very motivated or productive. What do you think? Overthinker much? ;-) My head is full of useless "facts", which I couldn't even articulate anymore. Burned out is an understatement. I'm approaching retirement (which I don't feel I have adequately deserved) and recently re-upped my prayer life which is helping a great deal.
Question that came up after reading another Substack article:
If I let go and let God, do "they" win? This other article suggested that the endless stream of information, true and false, has a hidden purpose. The "controllers of this world," George Carlin, are intending that we will become overwhelmed and demoralized and become incapable of resisting their plans.
Your thoughts?