From 2014 to 2020, American law enforcement attributed 50 murders to violent incels. Despite being a rather low number, this new type of domestic terrorism is real, and it's growing through the internet.

These lawbreakers call for every man to “take a blackpill”, and it's gathering attention from policymakers and internet trolls alike. Below we explain what “black pill” and “blackpilled incels” are, a what you should look out for. Also, we'll tell you if every blackpilled 𝕏 user is actually a killer incel or just someone having silly fun with the term.

What Is Blackpill?

The Black Pill is a fatalistic belief system that asserts that men are doomed because their physical appearance is all that matters in today’s "women-controlled" society.

A more extremist and misanthropist version of “doomers”, these “black-pilled” individuals believe that attempting to change the status quo is meaningless. According to them, their romantic and sexual failure is caused by society’s excessive focus on physical appearance, and there’s nothing they can do to change it. Some of their members, huddled around internet forums like a clan of rogues, they chant words of victimization, many times against women and society. That's a piece of it. Other blackpilled members are just realistically observing how the world unwraps and don't show hatred or bitterness. They actually laugh at it (that's a pretty common sight on 𝕏.)

Where Did the Black Pill Come From?

The black pill, like all metaphorical pills, came after internet communities repurposed The Matrix’s signature pill scene to fit their own ideologies about society. 

In the 1999 sci-fi film The Matrix, the protagonist Neo (starring Keanu Reeves) is offered a red pill (to uncover the harsh reality of what the world really is) or a blue pill (to remain blissfully ignorant). The red pill has since been adopted by many to reveal what’s behind the official narrative—think Big Pharma, the COVID-19 vax, etc. 

But with every good thing, comes a bad thing. It’s undeniable that the woke (and feminist) agenda is snaking its way into the system—everyone should take a red-pill and notice this. But men’s rights activists and extremist groups took this pill a tad too far. By inventing the black pill, they assert that this “feminist society” marginalizes them for their unlucky draw at the gene lottery, and that their unfortunate predicament is set in stone. So, in moments of existential crises like these, the manosphere did what anyone in their right mind with an internet connection would do. Rant about it on the World Wide Web and seek out those who think like you.

The first use of black pill on the Internet happened on November 24, 2011, when user Paragon replied to a manosphere blog post, saying men should be “taking the 'black pill',” because “there are no personal solutions to systemic problems – which can only resolve over evolutionary time”. 

Well, ‘boo-hoo’ if showering only once a week doesn’t magically make you a chick magnet! But unfortunately, many other men felt heard and seen by Paragon. The black pill soon became adopted by other blogs.  From there, the concept grew into online forums like r/BlackPillScience and spread across platforms like TikTok, 4chan, and Discord.

What Does Blackpill Mean?

“Taking the black pill” means accepting the belief that sexual and romantic success is entirely determined by looks and genetics, and that “ugly” men are doomed to permanent inceldom (involuntary celibacy). Blackpilled men believe society is ruled by “lookism” or “pretty privilege”—the idea that only attractive men (like the Sigma Male) succeed with women and in society—and no amount of effort, self-improvement, or personality changes can alter that fate.

Unlike redpilled individuals, who still promote strategies like self-help, fitness, or looksmaxxing to escape inceldom, blackpilled men others to “take the black pill” and realize that these solutions as completely naive and ineffective. For them, the sexual marketplace as genetically rigged, and if you're not one of the few genetically fortunate, “it’s over.”

Do People Claim to be Blackpilled for Fun?

Yes, not everyone who mentions the blackpill is a criminal offender or a disgruntled male. Sometimes it doesn't even apply to being a man or woman. Some people use the term to say that they've accepted a harsh, wretched truth they cannot ever solve. Like this Utah Jazz supporter who can't believe this team's destiny:

What is “Blackpill Incel”?

Blackpilled incels are involuntary celibates—a subgroup of the so called ‘manosphere’, like the MGTOW—who resent women for their lack of sexual and social status and believe they are forever doomed regarding romance and sex. 

They flourish in anonymous internet spaces like forums, subreddits, and social media, committed to spread and reinforce their depressing beliefs with every disillusioned man who lends an ear. They misread scientific studies, online dating datasets, and even conduct their own “experiments” to prove that they are the dregs of society. These echo chambers reinforce their hopelessness and resentment. The blackpilled realm is not a joke, even if the ideas sound a little silly. 

Blackpilled incels often use concerning nihilistic language like “LDAR” (Lay Down and Rot), “rope” or “ropesmaxxing” (a reference to suicide), “suifuel” (something that fuels suicidal thoughts) and “it’s over” or ”it never began” (as blog responses). It’s a rat’s nest where despair and self-harm rise, and where mental health crises thrive. Policymakers, therapists, and schools are concerned with this dark corner of the Internet.

And it’s not like the incels can just be corralled into online bounds, either. For many blackpilled incels, the other logical conclusion besides self-destruction is external violence. Some glorify mass killers like Elliot Rodger, who murdered six people in 2014 and left behind a manifesto blaming women for his loneliness and rage. While Rodger never used the term “blackpill,” his belief that society was broken and women were to blame mirrors the pillars of the black pill community.

Terms using Elliot Rodger’s initials like “go ER” or “be a hERo” are used by radical incels to encourage mass violence as a way to punish society or “wake it up”. In these circles, Rodger is seen as a martyr who attempted to reset an unfair world—and they should follow suit if they hope to achieve structural changes. 

There’s no doubt that the world (and dating algorithms) can be a bit unfair sometimes. But if you or someone you know is getting involved in blackpilled communities, offer real help and support. Unless it's someone who you know it's just making fun of the term, well, they might be into a whirlwind of negative thoughts.