This is more of a daybook post, in the classic sense of the word. Things that I find between other jobs. Firstly, I got my hardback copy of Mike Williamson’s first book, which in the intro explains why the editors of his books made him cut 90% of the sex scenes out. He made his first money as a writer producing erotic romances. He now writes good Mil SF. Just shows you can change. Besides, this was years ago, before erotica such as 50 shades became mainstream.
Anyway, JB on NAWALT: when women interact with men talking about men….
You can start by recognizing that some conversations are truly not about women and participating in those conversations requires you to set your ego aside and consider the world from a perspective you may not be used to considering. You can contemplate the idea that women may in fact be the recipient of privileges that have come at the direct expense of men. You can acknowledge that there are some important rights and freedoms that men do not have and that there are responsibilities and obligations that apply only to men and not to women.
The MHRM is a place that welcomes all, so long as everyone understands that the discussion centers around the needs of men and boys, and that women will be criticized in ways that might make them uncomfortable. Responsibility, agency and culpability will be discussed. Women will be assumed adults capable of that conversation. And that might make some women feel a sad.
Welcome to being a grown-up.
Now, the economist has taken an interesting take on the reduction in the religious saying that it is because the Vatican does not empower women. Excuse me while I giggle: this is a bunch of people who venerate Mary and multiple female saints, and among whom the Abbess of the local nunnery was respect, if not feared, by all sane men. It is not an issue of being anti feminist, but instead a tendency to be fashionable and neglect the gospel.
The limited role the church grants women is a big reason the number of nuns is falling http://t.co/Uegy4TglwJ pic.twitter.com/SkX3s1VGiw
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) May 23, 2014
In the meantime I’ve had to talk to the local radio and press about a survey a summer student did. Which is taking a fair amount of the day and energy.
