X-factor theory

For the unrelated meme, see X theory.

The X-factor theory is a theory that considers that there are one or more other major unseen factor(s) that determine(s) women's attraction to a man other than looks, money, status or personality.

This theory was proposed by Virgin Messiah and was later developed by HBTDL and Steve Hoca.

Factor-X Hypotheses

Introduction

The X-Factor theory was developed from the TFL-sphere, typically older men who often rely on observations of the dating market outside of dating apps and internet dating culture, platforms that younger members of the incelosphere generally focus on to derive their own conception of the modern dating market.

One prominent TFL'er, HBTDL, noticed that in seeming contrast to prevailing views in the manosphere that hold that women are inevitable drawn to good-looking or socially dominant and wealthy men, many fathers he observed in the course of his day to day life were bald, fat, or otherwise physically unattractive or unkempt. He concluded from this that women are actively selecting for such men and often rejecting good-looking men, in favor of the physically mediocre or unattractive men he dubs "schlubby hubbies." This concept was later referred to as the "oofy doofy" theory.

'Oofy doofy' theory

Main article: Oofy doofy theory

Many in the TFL community have argued around the source of the so-called factor-X. One prominent strain of thought revolves around the idea that feminism and social programming, together with a female tendency towards insecurity and neuroticism, has resulted in women eschewing "high-value" men in favor of "schlubby hubbies" and "oofy doofies" (ugly people). Particular emphasis is put on the claim that women are not sexually selecting highly physically attractive and masculine men, and on the contrary, that these kinds of men are often incel or dating "way below their looks level."

One prominent advocate of "oofy doofy theory," the Youtuber HBTDL, argued: "If woman seek the best genes for their offspring, then why they are happily raising defective children"? (retards, autistics etc.)

Essentially, Hell by Dashboard argues that women are not necessarily acting in line with their ostensible "rational" evolutionary impulses. This is in opposition to theories that are influenced by evolutionary psychology, such as the redpill and blackpill. Proponents of these theories generally assert that women will strongly prefer men with "good genes" when they can get them and that women are biologically very inflexible regarding the physical characteristics they desire in their male partners. Alex/Hell argues that instead, women are sexually flexible regarding the men they are attracted to and thus respond to cultural programming that derogates masculinity and men. Hell generally relies on anecdotal observations of the types of males he observes in long-time relationships in the area he lives in to elaborate his theories of how the mating market now works.

These kinds of anecdotes and arguments have ultimately spawned a whole spin-off movement of the incelosphere. This movement seemingly seeks to invert the blackpill and claim that, instead of selecting for "chads", women are often actually actively choosing for mediocre-looking men that are typically also highly submissive and personable, or "oofy doofies."

Personality-wise, advocates of oofy doofy theory typically argue that in contravention to the claims of the redpill women are not particularly selecting for dominant, assertive, masculine men or assholes and "bad boys." Oofy doofy theorists generally assert that women are selecting for men whose purportedly "schlubby" appearance matches their personality; they are said to be often dating push-overs, "people-pleasers," or otherwise non-confrontational men.

These vloggers argue that this also is seen with the rise of the soyboy, which indicates it is not necessarily good-looks or a "masculine frame" that affects men's overall dating situation. As Hell By the Dashboard says: "If woman are looking for a domineering man that takes charge, then why they accept things like stay at home dads?"

HBTDL instead claims that modern Western women, at least, now generally desire men that make them feel emotionally secure. He argues these are typically men they believe will not cheat on them, men they aren't threatened by socially (as women are now competing with men openly), and men who do not make them feel physically inferior. He concluded this is why women have a strong preference for these "oofy doofies."

Some also argue that beyond hypergamy, women typically go for stereotypes - anything odd or less than NT would be considered an impediment. It does not matter if you are the worst person around; what matters is that you portray a stereotype that women universally accept, e.g., soyboys, thugs, juiceheads, etc.

Western women's ideal preference for feminine looking men

Some research has found that women have do exhibit an ideal preference for effeminate and agreeable looking men, a man that looks exactly like the stereotypical pop singer, or a male ballroom dancer. This man lacks the typical masculine features often promoted as being essential to male looks, like piercing hunter eyes, a robust chin, etc.

Also, in a survey by clothing label Jacamo, men were asked to describe what they think is women's idea of the physically ideal man, then women were asked to describe the type of ideal man they want physically. Women blatantly described a more feminine-looking male, and men described an extraordinarily physically fit, "hunter-faced" male. They made a visual avatar to show the discrepancies between men's and women's choices.

Physiognomy

The Incel Wiki team has conducted hundreds of photo rating experiments on popular rating sites, using pics of various stereotypical as well as archetypal men. Archetypes such as: Soyboys, Jocks, Thugs, Prettyboys, Soldiers, Silver Foxes, Stoners, Boys Next Door, Male Models, Elderly Old Men, etc.

We have found physiognomy (a person physically looking like they have a specific underlying personality), to be the X-factor. We've found some rich men being seen as less physically attractive for their ostentatious displays of wealth, as this made them, according to women, "look arrogant." Some elderly old men, the type you'd see in nursing homes, (not all, some) are seen just as or more intelligent, trustworthy, and sexually attractive, "physically", as top tier male supermodels like Sean O' Pry because these old men look "genuinely nice."

We even made a fake account on the popular dating site Plenty Of Fish, using 3 photos of a typical elderly older man whose pics were rated highly, 9/10 in intelligence, trust, and attractiveness. We put his age at 23 (despite him being over one hundred years old in reality) and his income in the lowest bracket and gave him just a high school education, so he would match with young women. The situation was explained to each woman we messaged that the age only says 23 for matching purposes to clear up any confusion. About an hour after launch, the profile got 10 meet me notifications, based on the old man's profile photo alone. We scheduled a date with a 23-year-old black woman, in only a few messages, who referred to the elderly old man as handsome in 2 separate messages.

We also created a profile for him matching him with older, middle-aged women. Although the older women were nowhere near as thirsty as the young women, the older women were ultimately just as willing to date. We've found some men with all the facial bone structure, features, height, build, and physical health of a top tier male model, be rated as below average looking, simply because women don't like a particular physiognomy that the men happen to have and not for any rational, health-related reason.

Ultimately, this evidence indicates primarily select for "good genes" (health, fertility, virility, etc.) in physical appearance. Instead, they are selecting men that look like they have X personality traits that these women find attractive. Hence the rise of soyboys and schlubby hubbies, as these men are physically perceived by women as being harmless, caring, nurturing, etc.

See also

• Normalization Theory
• Oofy doofy theory
• Steve Hoca
• Hell by the Dashboard Light