It's not often that I read all the way through a thread this long, but great conversation—thanks for getting it going.

Second.

I'm right there with Laura. I think Moffat and I just loved very different aspects of Who—his goal seems to be to bring the cool and the plot twist, both of which I enjoy, but he leaves behind awe of the universe and the emotional stakes-building that Davies did so well (corny and sentimental as hell, but somehow it…

Absolutely. Apart from the end, I'm having a hard time really remembering her doing much in this episode except nodding and asking questions. There is one cut where we go from Bad Wolf Rose to Clara and 11 and it was like the color had drained out of my screen. Really, really hope Moffat fixes this because I don't…

My rational brain says that this is exactly what makes the games great, that we could make such different choices, have such different outcomes and both create the experience we wanted. The rest of me...MONSTER!!!

I'm sure the method of regeneration is what makes the difference, as much as the name change. He deliberately created something outside of the natural order to end the Time War.

I'd like to read more criticism of Diamond's theories (not the article linked above which has far more vitriol than actual criticism) but reading the comments here I think there's a difference in premises here that is not being clearly stated. I agree that a complete story would have to include both the circumstances…

Appreciate you taking the time to answer some of this as I had the same questions 00lex00 did. I'm still skeptical about the use of the term racism to describe Diamond's shortcomings. He strikes me as someone who developed a pet theory that might have some kernel of truth and elevated it to Key to All Mysteries…

Agree—though there was something brilliant about "one of those dwarves, you know?"

Don't think we're disagreeing—think it's more a question of emphasis.

I don't disagree with any of that—and it's hard to speak fully on these issues in this setting as I feel as though every clause needs a list of caveats and clarifications—but what I was responding to was the fact that your characterization of sexism does the opposite of what you seem to intend it to do: you talk…

I think the point is that women are never allowed to be anything but. If you have a job interview or a date then most of us will put in some effort to look our best (in a way appropriate to the circumstances) but it's the idea that you have to be hot—not even just average but hot—at all times, going to the corner…

I think that might be taking things a bit far to the other extreme. As written in the original post, everyone wants to be attractive. We all talk about and think about the appearance of people of both sexes. If someone looks nice, I don't think paying a compliment is a sign of a lack of respect or a lack of…

Funny, if you had talked to me about this growing up I would have thought this was a problem for WOC more than WW. There is (or was when I was growing up) a fairly well-defined set of standards for what was beautiful within my community and while it was of course influenced by Euro beauty standards (light-skin, light…

I agree with this and I think it goes both ways. If a woman is conventionally beautiful there is a belief that she's being beautiful AT YOU—so if you go for her and get rejected, it's like she tricked you and the response is a similar level of crazed rage. A woman's appearance isn't just the most important thing…

You paint a picture of boys and girls just being born into the world and hit with the sexism bomb, but society is not a supernatural force that imposes itself on us. It is being created and perpetuated by each of us every day. I don't think anyone (well, never say never but very few people) would argue that men…

This seems like an issue of language more than anything. They're discussing a common experience, shared by human beings regardless of their beliefs about the world. I think the disconnect comes with Oprah defining "atheist" as someone who believes in a cold calculating universe that reduces humanity to the same…

Ta Nehisi Coates has made me an avid supporter of strictly moderated comments sections, but not every site is willing or able to devote the resources to this. For those that won't/can't, I think a ban is a legitimate choice.

Skimmed through the comment thread there—the OP was a little excessive but the actual conversation is a bit more nuanced than you've given them credit for. My question would be why you didn't participate in that conversation, since that's what you had an opinion on, rather than posting a comment complaining about the…

Yes! Still miss Donna—wish there were more episodes of hers to rewatch over and over.