As a once-powerful economy doomed by decade-long deflation, Japan is a vision of our own future. But as trend-adopters, Japanese men are years behind us. Still with the fey emo metrosexual thing, guys?

Tumblr's David Karp and Iminlikewithyou's Charles Forman are just really friendly, OK? When Rachel Sklar let it drop on Radar yesterday that Karp is now dating CNET's Caroline McCarthy, people started saying, "Wait? Thought he was gay?" Nope! And of course you already know that fameball-in-training Forman is dating ex-Star talking head Julia Allison. He's not gay either, to the surprise of some people in the media orbit. What about these pictures, then...? A combination of freedom of expression, metrosexuality, and fameballing? (Click for our "despite what it may look like in these many photos, David Karp and Charles Forman are Not Gay—the Photo Gallery!")

The propagandists of metrosexuality succeeded beyond their wildest dreams: teenage narcissists dare pose like this for their high-school yearbook. [Nightcharm, via John]

Given that making fun of (or even mentioning) metrosexuals ceased to offer any sport or reward some time ago, it's good that we now have the entirely manufactured backlash against metrosexuality to mock. The New York Post is on stereotype-reinforcement patrol, never fear. Jokey masculinity experts like "Tucker Max" and "Maddox" have books to shill and brands to build, so get with the program and help American men get their balls back. Research indicated that manly men were "angry" that "advertisers were out of touch with their interests." Remember how enraged you were the last time an advertiser didn't cater to your interests? God, that pisses us off too. Hope awaits after the jump.