every time there is an issue discussed it tends to be: women, minorites, whatever have a problem, men are the problem.
This can't be overstated. There are a lot of loud misandrists posing as feminists, broadly painting men as The Problem just for being men. Speaking up is automatically condemned as condescension, sitting comfortably is encroaching on women's space, striking up conversation is harassment, glancing at someone in the gym is sexual assault, a drunk hookup is rape.
Of course, there are problematic men who are guilty of these accusations, but the majority are normal people being baselessly lumped in with actual offenders for no other reason than being male. Women get unwavering support for just being women, men get trashed for just being men. That by itself is demoralizing.
Then you combine that with the fact that a large percentage of women want an assertive "manly" man. The boys who err on the side of respectfulness watch the aggressive dudebros succeed sexually and romantically where they fail.
If respect loses to toxic masculinity so often, then it's only reasonable to think that maybe the guys pushing toxic masculinity know what they're talking about. And if they're going to be demonized for being men anyway, they might as well live up to the condemnation and at least get something out of it.
Edit: let me specify, I don't find Tate compelling, I'm only speaking of the mental state that would bring young men into his influence.
Re-listening to Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality. It came up in conversation a week ago and since I've read it before I can do other things while it plays in the background. Ravenclaw Harry is just so much more compelling than the original.