I totally agree. We spend so much time proving that women can be smart and rational, and fending off the idea that we are "emotional", that it's easy to forget that emotion can be appropriate, and even helpful.

But haven't you heard—experiencing emotions like love is just evidence of your weak ladybrain! *rolls eyes*

Seriously, though. If feeling anger at wrongdoing and rejoicing at justice is in any way incorrect, then I don't know what the fuck the point even is.

Amen, Barbara.

Have I told you lately that I looove you?

YOU ARE MIGHTY!!

Ahh Uber, can you please dismiss (and ban, if you have the power) the guy posting photos of graphic violence?

Oh, I'm so sorry that you've had such an onslaught of negative feedback. I know my initial response was overly glib and harsh, and a lot of that knee-jerk negativity was in reaction to the particular phrasing in the article. As you've probably seen, lots of other lovely smart people have come forward to suggest that…

Yes, this! The idea that female-coded things are boring, or that women who are interested in "girly" things aren't interested in anything else, is very unfortunate and so often inaccurate!

Yeah, I agree with you. I was overly glib in my initial statement, but you're totally right that there are lots of occasions where social dynamics might be more challenging.

Interesting! Glad to hear that, and I totally agree that this garbage comes back to haunt him.

"And yeah, groups of women seem to love to talk about the boringest shit EVER. The common denominators for men just seem more fun (sports, gaming, boobs) than ones for women (complaining, children, relationships)."

"Also, (and I'm putting this as gently as I can) try to realize your experience =/= EVERYONE'S…

I mean... yes, it sucks having to make small talk with people with whom you don't have a lot in common. This is true regardless of gender. "Is it possible to steer conversation into more interesting territory?" Probably. It depends on who you are and who you're talking to, but I've never had a problem doing so. That…

Oh, totally. There are many things I enjoy talking about, but when I'm meeting a new group of people it's easier to default to conversations about broad general topics than launching right into some specific interest.

Do you ever hang out in Groupthink? I recommend it for more nuanced discussions of the same issues that come up on the main page. I was actually thinking of posting a follow-up to this article's question!

Yeah, you're right that the backlash against her has been fairly harsh and I was probably unnecessarily glib. As Sailor Jupiter pointed out, it's a phase that many of us go through—I certainly did in my late teens. But there's a big difference between your thoughtful and nuanced description of the impacts of gendered…

Seriously! There is a common denominator in these relationships.

If you've never met a woman with whom you can talk about a variety of interesting, engaging topics, you've either been extremely sheltered or you're not good at conversation.

Which is extra ridiculous considering yawning is a pretty normal stress-response. As if it wasn't a million times ridiculous already...

In my parents' wedding photos, the whole wedding party has their noses taped up!

they're out already...