Oh, and the gum thing - after Dawkins made the "some women undergo genital mutilation therefore Rebecca shouldn't feel uncomfortable when she's propositioned at 4am in a hotel elevator*" he stated that Rebecca's experience was equivalent to him being in an elevator with someone chewing gum. I can only assume this is because he personally knows people for whom sharing an elevator with a gum-chewer would trigger a panic attack due to previous traumatic gum-related experiences.
*after giving a talk about how she really REALLY hates being propositioned at conferences
I drove down here with Jennifer Ouellette, who is giving a talk on fictional narratives on cosmology post-Copernicus.
Both of us didn't want to come here after reading thousands of posts about how ridiculous women's concerns are.
But then I was like, "you know, I'd rather show up and make those fuckers uncomfortable and not want to come here anymore. Then the room will be filled with a hundred Phil Plaits next time around, and isn't that really preferrable to a hundred mansplainers?"
I should not have come into the office today. They're closing the freeway I drive on between the 10 (where I live) and the 101 starting at 7 tonight, and traffic is going to be crazy. Barely anyone is here. I am tempted to go back home as soon as I have a break in my block of meetings. And not stray far from home all weekend.
The pity fuck is over, gentlemen. You're going to have to come up with a better plan.
OMG I am in love with you Allyson.
Oh, I second Perkins' rec of the TJs tahitian vanilla caramels. Also the new dark chocolate bars with walnut and pecan toffee and black sea salt. My new favorite indulgence.
My other big TJs indulgence is getting their prepared salads to take to work for lunch. I know it costs more than making my own, but it costs less than buying a salad, or even a sandwich, at work. The lemon chicken salad is delish, as is the one with chicken, beets, and feta.
Jesse, my comment was regarding the people who - as far as I can see - believe that anytime they approach a woman she should welcome them, regardless of the time, place, or her wishes. (sorry - you struck a nerve there)
I think that's a wise plan, ita. I'd say leave work no later than 3 pm, noon is preferable.
Jess, my comment was regarding the people who - as far as I can see - believe that anytime they approach a woman she should welcome them, regardless of the time, place, or her wishes. (sorry - you struck a nerve there)
In my experience, these people are no more or less prevalent within the skeptical community than anywhere else. Assholes are everywhere. It's incredibly disappointing that Richard Dawkins is one of them, but he doesn't speak for the skeptical community at large any more than Michael Moore speaks for all liberals.
(And to answer Zenkitty....no, it's not a cult. I know I'm punchy today, I just honestly can't tell what's a joke anymore.)
Leaving work sounds good. I may do so myself. They're doing construction work on my floor, and my cube wall has been replaced by a white plastic tarp that wafts gently in the AC, just at the corner of my eye where it's driving me nuts. Plus a ton of dust in the air and so on--I have broadband at home, so why not use it?
I know it's not a cult. I was more making fun of my own inability to come up with the word I wanted.
