Scott Galloway, investor, academic, author, and podcaster, joins Radio Davos hosts Robin Pomeroy and Silia Banner to discuss his latest book Notes on Being a Man. Galloway presents a data-driven analysis of the crisis facing young men in America, arguing that no cohort has fallen further faster than young men in recent decades.

The conversation explores the intersection of gender dynamics, economic policy, and social structures. Banner, who oversees the economic inclusion portfolio at the World Economic Forum and works on the gender gap report, co-hosts this discussion about masculinity, economic viability, and the need to restore what Galloway calls 'the greatest alliance in history' between men and women.

Galloway challenges both far-right and far-left approaches to masculinity, proposing instead a positive framework based on protection, provision, and procreation. Drawing insights from researchers like Richard Reeves and his work Of Boys and Men, the discussion covers everything from housing policy and venture capital to mandatory national service and the practical steps young men can take to 'level up' in an evolving economy.

The Data Behind Young Men's Crisis

Notes on Being a Man presents stark statistics: one in three men live at home at 25, one in five at 30, and only one in three men are in relationships versus two in three women.

College attendance shows a 60-40 female to male ratio, with some states reaching 2-to-1 female graduation rates due to higher male dropout rates.

In morgues, four out of five suicide victims are men, highlighting the mental health crisis among young males.

The mathematical impossibility of relationship ratios is explained by women dating older men who are 'more economically and emotionally viable partners.'

Redefining Masculinity Beyond Toxic Stereotypes

Galloway argues 'toxic masculinity' is an oxymoron because true masculinity means 'to protect, to provide, to procreate' - incompatible with abuse or violence.

Research from Richard Reeves and Of Boys and Men shows men received 77 of 81 Carnegie Awards for heroic acts, demonstrating that male aggression can manifest as valor.

The far-right conflates masculinity with 'coarseness and cruelty' while the far-left suggests men should 'act more like women' - both approaches fail young men.

Young men need 'a code' - an operating system for decision-making that religion, military service, or strong family units traditionally provided.

Economic Policies Hurting Young People

People under 40 are 24% less wealthy than 40 years ago, while those over 70 are 72% wealthier - representing a deliberate transfer from young to old.

The biggest tax cuts benefit homeowners and stock owners through mortgage interest deductions and capital gains policies, favoring older generations.

Housing affordability crisis stems from 'weaponized housing permits' where homeowners oppose development due to traffic concerns - 'It should be build baby build.'

Young men are 'disproportionately evaluated based on their economic viability, just as women are disproportionately evaluated based on their aesthetics.'

The Rule of Threes for Young Men

Galloway's practical advice: work out 3+ times weekly, work 30+ hours outside home, and spend time with strangers 3 times monthly in service of something bigger.

Following these three rules 'immediately puts you in the top 5% of young men' because 'the bar has been lowered, quite frankly.'

Most men should call themselves 'vesel' (voluntarily celibate) rather than 'incel' because they've given up rather than facing genuine barriers.

Having platonic female friendships is 'key to getting a girlfriend' because women will introduce you to their networks and teach you social skills.

Venture Capital and Female Entrepreneurship

Just 10 years ago, 40% of venture capitalists were white men from Harvard and Stanford, naturally investing in people who reminded them of themselves.

One VC firm went from 0 female partners in 2014 to 9 of 36 partners today, showing progress but still 'a long way to go.'

Galloway found 'alpha in females' by offering flexible work in the '90s, attracting incredible talent leaving corporate world - 27 of 31 seven-figure equity outcomes at his companies went to women or LGBTQ individuals.

Market change will come from 'well publicized multi-billion dollar outcomes from female founders' rather than just virtue signaling.

Restoring the Alliance Between Genders

The 'greatest alliance in history' between men and women must be restored - 'greater than NATO, greater than ASEAN.'

'Empathy is not a zero-sum game. Gay marriage didn't hurt heteronormative marriage. Civil rights did not hurt white people.'

97% of elected leaders who voted for Title IX were men, proving this isn't 'men versus women' but 'liberal versus illiberal thought.'

When young men struggle, they become substance abusers at higher rates than women, who channel energy into friend and professional networks.

Mandatory national service in Israel and Singapore correlates with the lowest levels of young adult depression in the Western world.