AoM as a publication places high value on doing things. Its general ethos says societal incentives reward abstraction while most people find more satisfaction in actually getting their hands dirty and producing something.

Mostly because power is attractive. AoM tends to reject the idea of power to promote the idea that living simply and humbly is more satisfying. The author was in law school when he started the blog in the mid 2000s and learned that he didn't want to be a lawyer after all, for various reasons. His blog went viral after a few years, and he was able to make that his main job instead. Posting about manual skills and working men's philosophies, and all.

I love the site myself. It generally stays apolitical, and I have learned quite a bit from it. Ironically, most of what is in the blog applies to people across the board, not just men. Things like how to drive on icy roads, how to become social in your 30s, etc.