Why Are Men Raw-Dogging Flights?

the new masculinity challenge that has the entire internet talking.

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, which means two things: lots of people are traveling and lots of people are trying really hard not to think about America right now. So I thought this would the perfect time to dissociate and devote all my time to making a special report on a mesmerizing new internet trend: men flying raw.

In a world where we're suffocating under screens, noise, and endless pings, a new breed of modern male warriors is strapping in and taking off. These fearless broskis are embracing a ritual so edgy and unfiltered, it’s like a Tough Mudder for the mind. It’s called “raw-dogging flights” and it’s exactly what you think it means. It’s the hardcore art of boarding a flight without earphones, music, entertainment, snacks, water—anything that makes the experience remotely tolerable. Just you, the plane, and that agonizingly slow map screen showing your glacial crawl across the planet.

So, what’s the deal with this new extreme sport? Is this the new battleground for proving one’s manliness? You bet your bumpy ride it is.

The Dopamine Detox

In a twist that would make any boomer parent proud, men are now voluntarily stepping away from their digital crutches. By stripping away the creature comforts of modern air travel, they’re reprogramming their brains to find joy in the boring. No more mindlessly scrolling through social media or binge-watching a show they’ll forget the plot of by the time they land. Instead, they’re embracing the real, unfiltered reality of human existence at 35,000 feet.

A Modern Example of Men Going to War

Historically, men have always found ways to test their mettle. Whether it’s going to war, surviving in the wilderness, or embarking on perilous journeys, the refusal of comfort has long been a badge of honor. Fast forward to 2024, and we see this tradition evolving. The battlefield has shifted from the trenches to the economy class, but the essence remains the same. It’s about endurance, mental fortitude, and proving that they can withstand anything life throws at them—without the help of a podcast or a pack of pretzels. It’s the kind of challenge that separates the men from the boys—or at least the men who need noise-canceling headphones from the ones who don’t.

According to my calculations, the origins of the raw-dogging flight movement seems to pre-date this viral trend. After doing some deep archival research, I found this tweet from 2022 that seems to indicate that a woman actually came up with the term (duh) after seeing a man in JEANS (no less) do this on her flight.

Raw-dogging purists will also note that the practice could date back to 1997 when an episode of Seinfeld depicted Elaine’s on-and-off-again boyfriend Puddy, doing it on their flight back form Oslo (she dumps him over it).

The Positive Spin

And while some of us (just like Elaine) wouldn’t be able to tolerate a man doing this in our vicinity, let’s not forget the positives. In an age where we’re constantly seeking instant gratification, this flight club movement is a refreshing reminder of the joys of simplicity. It’s about men reconnecting with themselves, embracing discomfort, and finding strength in solitude. It’s a radical act of self-improvement, a chance to reset our dopamine levels, and an opportunity to come out of the experience with a newfound appreciation for the little things in life.

So, the next time you see a guy on a plane staring blankly at the seat in front of him with nothing but the in-flight safety card for entertainment, don’t pity him. Admire him. He’s on a journey—a journey to prove that in a world filled with distractions, he can still find peace in the chaos. Raw-dogging flights might just be the masculinity challenge of our times, and who knows? Maybe we could all learn a thing or two from it.

The Interview

Curiosity piqued, I needed more information, so I went straight to the source for the inside scoop. As you know, I love men and love talking to them. So I found a willing participant of this viral trend, Kareem Rahma, who bravely raw-dogged an international flight to answer a few questions about it. Kareem is the creative genius behind the brilliant digital show Subway Takes and he also has a fantastic Substack called Another New Thing that everyone should subscribe to! 🚀✈️

LP: So, you embarked on a flight without any entertainment or snacks. How did you mentally prepare for this endurance challenge? Did you read Tony Robbins or Tim Ferriss, or did you also raw dog the raw-dogging?

KR: I did not plan on raw-dogging the flight in advance. This was a decision that I made in the moment, for the love of the game. I was on an 8 AM flight to London from NYC and found myself in the rare position of literally having absolutely nothing to do, so I just sat there. I actually didn't even know that there were rules. I knew that men were raw-dogging flights, but I didn't know that they weren't eating or even getting up to take a piss. I am guilty of eating as well as taking quite a few pisses, but I didn't watch movies, listen to podcasts or music, or read anything. I just sat there. Every once in a while, I would take a nice walk around the plane. I noticed that a lot of other men were raw-dogging too. I ended up having a nice chat with a guy while standing in the galley. We had a conversation that lasted about 30 minutes. I called it "hanging out at the coffee shop" because we were standing there drinking coffee together. Great guy. Tony, on the off chance that you're reading this, hello and no, don't buy that electric car!

LP: Some say raw-dogging a flight is the 2024 equivalent of going to war. In a world where physical battles are frowned upon, do you think these mental endurance tests are a new way for men to exercise a form of strength that's no longer required? How does this compare to other traditional acts of bravery that men have undertaken throughout history? 

KR: I like challenges. They are a nice way to entertain oneself. The stupider the challenge, the better. I hate challenges that actually make you a better person. For example, I would never do something silly like reading a book every week for a year or something like that. Or the Whole30. That sounds awful. I like really dumb challenges because they're fun. I enjoyed the Tide Pod challenge. I think that these types of challenges are nice inside jokes and a healthy way to build camaraderie. It is nice to feel like you're a part of something. Every man I know is lonely and has no friends, so at least this way we have single-use friends. Brothers, really.

LP: What were your survival tactics during the flight? Did you use the time to reflect on your love language, contemplate gender roles, or engage in some inner dialogue about the invisible labor many women endure daily?

KR: Honestly, I was just vibing. I kept it light. I didn't really contemplate anything; I just sat there and observed things. I wrote a few poems in my head, but I couldn't write them down. I think one of them was about cats. I repented. I felt like I was praying. I entered a different spiritual plane. When you watch movies on a plane, it is scientifically proven that you get more emotional because of the air pressure or something like that. But raw-dogging a flight? That's like mainlining meditations. I felt transported physically, mentally, and emotionally. The thoughts I had came and went; it was a very psychedelic experience. I think every man should do it. When I got off the plane, it felt like I had only been traveling for an hour, even though it was 7 hours. I was in a great mood. I slept like a baby that night.

LP: How did other men react? Were they in awe, jealous, or did they suddenly feel the urge to one-up you? Do you see raw-dogging flights as the next big competitive sport, like the modern-day Spartan Race for the modern man? 

KR: I got dapped up a few times. It was nice to finally be seen. There was a guy next to me who was raw-dogging as well, right across the aisle. He was even more impressive than me because he was traveling with kids and a wife! I wanted to compliment him, but I don't think he even knew he was raw-dogging. I think he's just truly always vibing like that. He was Hasidic. I really wanted to say something, but I was afraid he would accuse me of accusing him of something, so I just admired him from a distance. I don't think raw-dogging will be around much longer. I think it's going to be like the Ice Bucket Challenge. We will look back at it fondly, but the shelf life is short. Picture attached.

LP: In a world where traditional acts of proving masculinity are evolving, do you see raw-dogging flights as the next big thing? 

KR: I think there should be an organization dedicated to making Games for Men. Kind of like the Hunger Games, but less violent. There should be a Head Gamemaker, and every month there should be something new that we can all look forward to and participate in. I think it would make men less aggressive and the world a better place if we were occupied with innocent challenges. If men were distracted by the monthly game, I think they would give up power more easily, and then women could finally get a chance to truly rule the world, leading to a great utopian era of civilization. I am looking forward to that.

LP: Now that you’ve survived this epic journey, what’s next? Are you planning to take it up a notch with a long-haul flight, or do you think you’ve proven your point? And most importantly, how does it feel to be back on solid ground with access to Netflix and snacks? 

KR: I love the real world. I am happy to be home, but at the same time, I am feeling nostalgic for the challenge. I am hoping that another challenge is released soon. I love participating in internet challenges.

LP: Finally, do you consider yourself a hero for enduring such hardship? Should we start a support group for men who’ve raw-dogged flights, sharing war stories and survival tips?

KR: I am no hero. I am mid. The real heroes are those who raw-dogged the flights without posting about it. Those who don't even know that raw-dogging is a thing. Those dudes are just built different. I did it because I want to be cool. They do it because they're real men.

LP: Thank you for your bravery and dedication to the raw-dogging cause. Your service to screen-free skies will not be forgotten.

Click here to subscribe to Kareem’s hilarious substack!

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