Syrians speak English. Most of the world manages to communicate in English while learning their regional or national language, just so you know

I do not understand how anyone cannot like coconut water. It think it is a cultural thing. Anyone who grew up in the tropics knows how delicious it is. Its not even debatable. I grew up with a coconut tree growing outside my bedroom window...and after all that, I can tell you the tetrapak is not bad. its not puddle…

and Beyoncé maybe in the second?

I saw her talk at her (and my) alma mater Architectural Association in London. She was tough and powerful with a wry sense of humour. It was difficult to not sit up and listen to her, barbs and all. She was a woman and an Arab and did not conform to any of the stereotypes that abound in the discipline of…

exactly! The writing is pretty bad. Its amateurish and completely lacks empathy. It also shows no ability to see a predicament/story from different perspectives.

Of course. I have seen the same. Women work much harder...as though they are constantly trying to prove that they are good. When in fact they are kicking ass. It makes me so angry and sad at the same time.

How do departments react to women with older kids, as in 5-6 year olds? I started my Phd with a 6 month old and it was difficult, but not impossible. I worked hard and received a lot of support from my department, but I am really ensconced in a progressive little cocoon in my opinion. I am scared of the real world.

Nicely put. I think this is so true. As a non-American who has lived in the US, UK and Asia, the premise that the US-American woman (of all shades really) is “cooler and easier” that everyone else is so pervasive its annoying. On top of that, American friendliness is frequently misunderstood.

I am sure Jennifer Lawrence will win another Oscar, trip on stage and say something obnoxious. She will continue to be cast as a 30 and even 40 year old blonde woman with perfect skin and hair.

This is not a muslim only phenomenon. While Reshma Quereshi is Muslim, acid attacks are not religion specific in India. It is also prevalent in Cambodia, Bangladesh and Pakistan. There is also the case of Sonali Mukherjee from 2003, whose assailants were set free by the Indian high court.

while that could be true, it is not “100% true” unless you prove it.

This not a compare and contrast. There was not a single line of acknowledgement about the national security of the USA or any other nation. I dont have to assume such readings. The writing has to clearly state so...In fact I throw your advice back to you: You take a step back and think about how your own biases…

The writing is orientalist to the core. Its text book bad writing when you speak or ‘wish to speak’ for other cultures. I know how the US visa officials treat you. They also ‘peer into your soul’ and give you ‘a gruff grunt of disapproval’ as well. I have stood in hour long lines with screaming children and aging…

I think there are many artists/actors who do not have a conventional college education but who do not come across as blank as her. This is not about public speaking at all...answering a few questions about her life should not be that difficult. Why is there this need among gawker writers and readers to support and…