What does “black pill” refer to? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/What-does-black-pill-refer-to Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Written by Isabel Brodsky Isabel Brodsky is a Chicago-based journalist, playwright, and comedian. Isabel Brodsky Fact-checked by Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep. 29, 2025 •Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is black pill ideology? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Black pill ideology is an extreme extension of red pill philosophy, adopted by far-right and white supremacist menu2019s rights groups. It suggests that men are sexually oppressed by women and that being an incel is predetermined by womenu2019s preferences." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who primarily believes in black pill ideology? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Black pill ideology is most deeply rooted in misogynistic online communities that are heavily populated by incels, or involuntarily celibate men." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the manosphere? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The manosphere is a collection of online sites and forums that promote the idea that men are subjugated by feminism and encourage men to change that perceived reality." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are some examples of black pill-inspired violence? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Examples of violence inspired by black pill ideology include Elliot Rodgeru2019s 2014 shooting and stabbing spree that killed six people, a Canadian manu2019s 2018 van attack that killed 10 people, and the 2021 fatal shooting of five people in Plymouth, Englandu2014all involving violence against women." } } ] } Top Questions What is black pill ideology? Black pill ideology is an extreme extension of red pill philosophy, adopted by far-right and white supremacist men’s rights groups. It suggests that men are sexually oppressed by women and that being an incel is predetermined by women’s preferences.

　　Who primarily believes in black pill ideology? Black pill ideology is most deeply rooted in misogynistic online communities that are heavily populated by incels, or involuntarily celibate men.

　　What is the manosphere? The manosphere is a collection of online sites and forums that promote the idea that men are subjugated by feminism and encourage men to change that perceived reality.

　　What are some examples of black pill-inspired violence? Examples of violence inspired by black pill ideology include Elliot Rodger’s 2014 shooting and stabbing spree that killed six people, a Canadian man’s 2018 van attack that killed 10 people, and the 2021 fatal shooting of five people in Plymouth, England—all involving violence against women.

　　Black pill ideology is inspired by the 1999 film The Matrix, which created a futuristic world in which fighters against the status quo are presented with a choice between taking a blue pill or a red pill. Those who pick the blue pill remain blissfully ignorant about the true ways of the world. Those who take the red pill see the truth about the Matrix, the technological system through which humans are exploited by robots, with all its unsettling and tragic elements, and understand their previously obscured reality. The red pill as a symbol has been seized by alt-right groups ...(100 of 688 words)

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