“I knew one day I’d have to watch powerful men take the world down. I just didn’t expect them to be such losers.”
This headline from a recent Guardian article stings, but it’s a truth that feels increasingly undeniable. What makes these men’s downfall so jarring is not just their failure but the utterly pathetic, desperate way they’re handling it. We’re witnessing a real-life Succession unraveling– only it’s not funny. It’s painful. Like Kendall Roy’s never-ending battle for validation and power, figures like Zuckerberg and Musk are desperately trying to mold themselves into narratives of strength and leadership that simply don’t fit. They want to be seen as power players, but every move they make only exposes them as pretenders.
Take Mark Zuckerberg, for example. His recent surf photos, while not explicitly staged, seem part of an effort to reshape his public image. Known for years as the “nerdy tech CEO,” Zuckerberg has long been associated with the intellectual, introverted side of Silicon Valley. But lately, his focus on physical pursuits like surfing and martial arts appears to signal an attempt to project a more traditionally masculine persona. It’s a shift from the image of a tech mogul to one that aligns more with dominant, alpha-male ideals.
In a similar vein, Musk’s behavior reflects this same struggle for a more dominant image. His frat boy antics, like degrading himself and posting absurd tweets, seem less about rebellion and more about clinging to the spotlight. Musk’s fascination with figures like Trump, who built his empire on brash masculinity, only further emphasizes Musk’s need to project dominance, rather than innovation. Zuckerberg, too, has adopted a similar stance. Recently, he appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast wearing a gold chain and criticized the ‘culturally neutered’ corporate culture, arguing that the tech world needed more “masculine energy.”
The irony of Zuckerberg and Musk’s current attempts at aligning themselves with figures like Trump and Joe Rogan is that both men initially built their success on intellectual prowess. Now, they seem to be shifting toward a different kind of power, one not driven by innovation or intellect but by bluster and bravado. The figures they look to embody a vision of masculinity that prizes dominance, controversy, and an unapologetic stance over thoughtfulness or progress.
Their fascination with these figures may go beyond merely seeking strength and instead reveals a deeper struggle with relevance. Positioned in a precarious middle ground, Zuckerberg and Musk appear torn between their identities as forward-thinking innovators and a desire to embody a more aggressive, dominant form of leadership. This inclination isn’t about aspiring to greatness; rather, it reflects a panic to maintain influence in a rapidly changing landscape. Their actions suggest a fear of losing their grip on the narrative and a longing to assert their relevance, even if it requires embracing an unfamiliar and possibly misaligned persona.
Part of the struggle might be simpler: an existential crisis over what it means to be a powerful man. There’s an underlying tension between maintaining their intellectual identity and conforming to outdated ideals of brute force. This internal conflict is evident in their attempts to step into a traditional, alpha-male role that clashes with their prior public images.
Their failure to evolve beyond harmful masculinity is dangerous, not just for their image but for the systems they control. Clinging to outdated power dynamics only reinforces structures that harm marginalized groups. This refusal to change exposes the perils of fragile leadership, where outdated ideals jeopardize both personal relevance and the stability of their empires.
Written By: Olivia Nichols