Max Hjelm: Routines have a magical pull on young men

Young men across diverse spheres, from the military and tech industry to neo-Nazi movements, are increasingly embracing rigorous routines as a means of achieving self-control. This trend, as explored in Dagens Nyheter's editorial pages, suggests a powerful draw towards structure and discipline as a protective shield against inner darkness and chaos.

The appeal of self-improvement is pervasive in modern culture. Self-help books promote "atomic habits," while online "grind" culture encourages young men to work multiple jobs and engage in intense physical training. Even fictional characters, like the psychopathic killer in "American Psycho" with his legendary morning routine, have become aspirational figures on platforms like TikTok, embodying a meticulous, controlled existence.

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Every day was meticulously planned from the moment he got up at half past five in the morning until he turned off the lamp at ten, no surprises.

This pursuit of discipline extends beyond career aspirations. For individuals like Jarl in Tone Schunnesson's novel "Ultravåld," strict routines, waking early, adhering to precise schedules for sunbeds, workouts, and meals, serve as a defense mechanism against internal struggles. Jarl's disdain for his sister's perceived lack of discipline highlights a critical view of those who don't conform to this ideal.

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His mind was his enemy and every time he sat down to read, the voice of hate would scream so that he could never finish reading.

However, the article points to a darker side of this quest for control. Jarl's reliance on medication like benzos, tramadol, and Xanax to numb his "enemy" mind suggests that the rigid self-control can mask profound psychological distress. This "calculated, icy calm" achieved through "days and days of total control and nights and nights of devastating panic" borders on a fascist ideal of self-mastery, where the body is controlled to suppress inner turmoil.

The connection between this extreme self-control and radicalization is also noted. Neo-Nazi groups, targeting vulnerable young men, often promote a lifestyle of training, healthy living, and drug-free youth. While moderate exercise is beneficial, the article implies that when this drive for control becomes extreme, it can serve as an entry point for extremist ideologies and violent outbursts, such as organized raids on city streets.

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It is no coincidence that the neo-Nazi activist clubs, which target young lost men, market themselves with training, healthy living and stickers about 'drug-free youth'.