The Danis-Paul Saga Explains Why Women Usually Become Soft Targets In Man-On-Man Brawls

When two men fight in a patriarchal society, a woman usually pays the price.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | September 25, 2023

To say that mixed martial artist Dillon Danis and YouTuber-turned-boxer-turned-WWE star Logan Paul do not like each other would be an understatement. Though the pair is set to have a boxing match on October 14, Danis' strategy of promoting the fight by taking a series of no-holds-barred digs at Paul's fiancée and model Nina Agdal on X (formerly Twitter) has now escalated the situation beyond boxing, with some saying he has gone too far.

Danis began his digital onslaught in early August by posting an old paparazzi picture of her with her ex, Leonardo DiCaprio. This became the first of many such images (digitally altered and otherwise, including some that are NSFW) that Danis went on to post on his X account, implying that Agdal had a large body count.

To make matters worse, the trolling took on a life of its own after his X account doubled in followers, with several others (mostly men) jumping on the bandwagon by memeifying Agdal's past. The latest (as of September 7, 2023) is that Agdal has responded legally, seeking damages from Danis in the order of $150,000 per violation of a federal law prohibiting the sharing of intimate images.

Danis, evidently unfazed, has doubled down on his campaign, maintaining that he has done no wrong. The situation is precarious, and here are two key questions it raises.

1. Are Digital Dynamics Validating Harmful Behaviors Like 'Body Count' Trolling? 

Diving deep into the digital vortex of the Danis-Paul drama, one can't help but wonder: why the obsession over someone's sexual history? Shaming an individual for their number of partners feels like a new low, but it isn't. It is an age-old tactic that is amplified today by the lightning speed of platforms like X.

The fact that Danis doubled his followers by shaming Agdal's purported body count is likely a reflection of the current atmosphere of the echo-chambers incels live in. Danis' undeniably clever use of humor and memes has contributed to the bandwagon effect of trolling Agdal, who is the fiancée of a media personality people love to hate.

On his part, Logan Paul is no saint, having promoted a scam that led several of his fans to sue him. Controversies surrounding Paul seem to be yet another reason Danis has gained such unprecedented success on his trolling journey, while Logan has garnered limited sympathy.

A recent study published in PLOS ONE offers insights into behaviors reminiscent of what we observe in the Danis-Paul conflict. The study, involving over a thousand participants, investigated the correlation between internet trolling and the Dark Tetrad of personality traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism. 

Interestingly, the study found a distinct association between trolling behavior and aggressive humor styles. This suggests that individuals with specific dark personality facets, such as psychopathy and sadism, might be more inclined to engage in online trolling, particularly when the veil of digital anonymity emboldens them.

Moreover, the use of aggressive humor serves as a mechanism for these individuals to belittle and mock others, gaining validation and reinforcement in the process. In the context of the Danis-Paul situation, it isn't merely about straightforward confrontations. Danis's trolling strategy, which employs humor as a tool to ridicule, mirrors this aggressive style of humor.

The traction such tactics gain in terms of followers further emphasizes the alarming reality of how a toxic online culture can be perpetuated. The study serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and understanding the psychological motivations driving these behaviors in the online space.

2. Are Societal Biases Amplifying The Emotional Cost Of Trolling? 

In the Danis-Paul feud, Agdal has unwittingly found herself bearing the brunt of the trolling. As society progresses, we should question the stigmatization placed on women's sexual history. The emotional toll of "body count" shaming is not to be understated.

A recent study published in Scientific Reports, for instance, looked into the interplay of emotion regulation strategies, sexual shame and gender on sexual desire. It found that while sexual shame didn't necessarily diminish sexual desire, the shame and desire could coexist. This suggests that victims of such shaming might still experience sexual desire, but it is accompanied by the burden of societal shame.

What's more, a classic study from The Journal of Sex Research indicates a glaring discrepancy in societal attitudes towards men and women. It shows that men, on average, report two to four times the number of sexual partners compared to women. Yet, when it comes to trolling or public shaming, men rarely face the same scrutiny or ridicule. Logan Paul's own 'body count' is conspicuously absent from Danis's trolling narrative.

This evident bias reflects a deeper societal issue: women are still disproportionately judged and stigmatized for their sexual histories, facing emotional repercussions for the same behaviors that men are often celebrated for. As Agdal's situation has highlighted, these societal biases can amplify the emotional distress caused by online trolling. Social media merely magnifies long-standing societal prejudices, indicating a pressing need for a broader shift in our collective mindset.

Conclusion

The Danis-Paul saga reveals not just the power of personal vendettas, but the darker shadows of internet interactions. As we see how online behaviors resonate in the real world, there's an urgent call to foster inclusivity and equity. The virtual impacts the tangible, so nurturing a compassionate online space can lead us to a more just and understanding society.