I do believe certain things can influence young men more. Porn, for instance, has influenced male sexuality since its inception, sometimes negatively. And it affects us women. And I do worry a lot because of how popular rape fetish videos are getting, and brutality porn too. But I don't think that stuff can actually…

Fair - except that I vehemently reject the "chemical = synthetic chemical" formulation, which is part of what I was trying to get at in the first place. I do get that many people use it, but that's no reason to encourage them, especially if they also believe that all chemicals are bad for you. Why not explain…

I took it as an awkward but pointed dig towards all the men who wouldn't be here without women giving birth to them; women they then disrespect by paying them less and treating them like second class citizens.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the point was "everyone who exists is here because of a woman so let's treat women better" not "you only matter if you've given birth."

That's actually not what I got from it at all, but sure, if you need to find fault with a powerful plea for equality, don't let me stop you.

I'm sorry, but, as a woman who has chosen to be child free I have only this to say to you, "Go blow it out your ass. This isn't about you. Don't make it about you."

More like they won't.

I have neither the time nor the inclination to provide history lessons. If that's all you think of the man, you're either racist or not knowledgeable enough to comment.

I don't know if this will be helpful to you, but it was helpful to me: I don't think of depression as my real feelings and the struggle to act differently as being fake. I see my depression as a state in which I can't access all my feelings, and I work to regain that access, the way an athlete, after an injury, will…

No no no no no no no no no no no no. Just no. New Kids on the Block were a manufactured musical product. Menudo was a manufactured musical product. Destiny's Child was a manufactured musical product. Patti Smith was and is the opposite of a manufactured musical product. She was a poet who teamed up with a guitarist to…

Notice, also, that the already plump Ursula wasn't enough for them, and they instead chose to manipulate Ariel into their desired image.

So I'm going to go out on a limb here: is it possible that the fashion kevlar vest for kids is actually a statement about racism, parenting as a person of color, and police violence in the US?

No, I don't. Your comment is actually pretty rude and over the top as a response to mine.

I'm curious what she registered for. Was it make-up, clothing, jewelry, stuff like that? Because if it was typical registry items— cookware, dishes, etc.— then if she shares the food she cooks with you, I can assure you that stuff wasn't just for her.

It is actually a useful distinction, it is entirely reasonable to take the natural/synthetic gradient into account when doing risk assessment, and saying that is not at all the same as saying that everything natural is good for you.

Lolita is really good though.

I agree that men have to deal with ageism as well. As well as with attractiveness standards regarding height, hair, etc. And I think this is just as wrong as the fact that women have to deal with it. But I don't think that men have to deal with it to the same extent as women do. I don't say this to minimize the…

Also horrifying: The argument that this wasn't attempted murder, because if he had really wanted to kill her, he would have. (That's why he only got nine years.)

The distinction is meaningful in risk assessment and application of the precautionary principle. Co-evolving + longer history = tendency to (a) have adapted to longer term effects, and (b) be aware of shorter term risks. That is not the same as saying that everything natural is good for you and everything synthetic…

but that distinction means nothing in and of itself. nature will totally kill you if given the chance. cyanide is naturally occurring. synthetic hormones can help your busted thyroid. penicillin is natural and probably great for you, but i'm allergic to it.