The Internet has changed virtually everything about our lives, but one of the most dramatic social changes we’ve seen from Internet exposure are those involving straight Men and what they value.

Growing up in the Midwest in America gave me a fairly accurate read on the general temperature of male interactions. Men might occasionally hug, but a firm handshake usually was enough. Conversations typically revolved around sports, car/house issues, and sometimes women.

Psychologists called this “typical male behavior”, but is that really true? After all, Men of ancient cultures definitely didn’t treat their interactions with other Men so superficially. In fact, Male/Male connection was highly prized in those societies. In places like Europe we see similar respect for such relationships, with Men freely hugging and kissing each other and sharing genuine emotions with each other.

But in emotionally-repressive places like America, the chilly Male reserve has been in place for a very long time.

Until now.

The internet has been exposing young straight Men to these new paradigms and possibilities of relationships with other Men. Online memes are rife with flirty teasing between Men that has caused a loosening of the “that’s gay” crowd, and homophobia is rapidly becoming uncool.

It’s being replaced by a new generation of Western Men who cuddle with each other, hug and kiss each other, and share more intimately with their “number ones” than ever before.

Here are a couple of examples of this;

These young Men are learning there is strength that comes from being open and vulnerable with their “ride or die” best friends. They build an impregnable fortress of brotherhood through such connections.

How that reshapes hierarchy remains to be seen. I do think this phenomenon is happening in conjunction with the increased interest from straight Men/Alphas in owning faggots. There’s simply a greater understanding of Manhood and our places within it.

All thanks to the shared knowledge on the internet!