Deductive Reasoning
Male myth on female Logic19 total reviews
Comment from suneagle
I found this essay to be logical and argued in a rational manner. Also, I have no disagreement with the premise that men and women are intellectually equal.
However, it lacked a degree of quality in the writing, and in sourcing of relevant reference material. Because I was already sympathetic to your conclusions I was not deterred in my belief by these failings. Nevertheless, I do believe that such a valuable topic should be presented and argued with greater force and credibility by improving the presentation.
I have noted a number of observations that you may like to consider:
(If I could get my hands on the bombastic Victorian male who started this rumor, I would resurrect the bastard and make sure his [second] death was slow and painful[.)]
(Better to use words for ordinal numbers in your narrative. Also, when a complete sentence is in parenthesis the period comes before the final bracket.)
(To borrow Scrooge's line .... bah humbug!!).
[In my opinion, that should be written as:
(To borrow Scrooge's line: "Bah humbug!").]
In Cordelia Fine's book "Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference" she dispels the myth of there being major differences in the hard-wiring of the male and female brains.
(Italics for the book title.)
Fine, a researcher at Melbourne University, states that "there may be slight variations in the brains of women and men", but added, "the wiring is soft, not hard. "It is flexible, malleable and changeable," she said.
(There is a problem with your quote marks in the latter part and the final dialogue tag 'she said' is superfluous and could be deleted:
Fine, a researcher at Melbourne University, states that "there may be slight variations in the brains of women and men", but [adds], "the wiring is soft, not hard. It is flexible, malleable and changeable."
[Note the correction of the tense change. If there is a break in continuity before that final sentence insert an ellipsis.])
"another fine mess ]you've] gotten us into" (to quote Oliver [Hardy]).
I am certain her response would be swift and full of expletives[.])
(With the exception of Ralph Kramden (The Honeymooners) and his wife Alice who nailed his balls to the wall at least twice a day ... Go Alice!)[]
[Period deleted. The exclamation mark is the final punctuation.]
How many times did Rob (Dick Van Dyke Show) tell his wife Laura not to ... "worry her pretty little head" about one thing or another?
(Are you sure that was the exact quote? Surely it was:
"worry your pretty little head".)
"The feminine energy has a powerful gift: the ability to nurture, love, have deep compassion and empathy." (Excerpt from Divine Feminine - by Sue Patton Thoele[.])
[I cannot find any reference to a book by that title written by Sue Patton Thoele. The exact quote appears to come from this website:
http://www.thefemininewoman.com/2010/06/how-men-and-women-destroy-each-other/ [accessed 14 Jan 2013], which does not attribute it to Sue Patton Thoele. Perhaps you need to clarify your source.)
If during the course of his response he says something[] stupid, vague or insensitive, then all bets are off and you are free to resume throwing objects of your choice at him.
(Comma deleted.)
The setups of the brains of these two genders consist of soft-wiring and therefore are subject to change.
("setups" is a real stumble. It may be better to simplify the sentence:
The brains of both genders consist of soft-wiring and therefore are subject to change.)
One article I read stated: "in short, our intellects are not prisoners of our genders or our genes and those who claim otherwise are merely coating old-fashioned stereotypes with a veneer of scientific credibility."
(Quote your source.)
The list is never-ending[.]" - Beth Hess (Sociologist)
So do we have a few more hormones to deal with and much more complex bodies for the privilege[?] [Yes.]
I trust that I've been helpful. PM if you have any questions or comments about this review. As I mentioned, I'm in full agreement with the basic premise--and the message should be conveyed with the greatest clarity and force possible.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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I found this essay to be logical and argued in a rational manner. Also, I have no disagreement with the premise that men and women are intellectually equal.
However, it lacked a degree of quality in the writing, and in sourcing of relevant reference material. Because I was already sympathetic to your conclusions I was not deterred in my belief by these failings. Nevertheless, I do believe that such a valuable topic should be presented and argued with greater force and credibility by improving the presentation.
I have noted a number of observations that you may like to consider:
(If I could get my hands on the bombastic Victorian male who started this rumor, I would resurrect the bastard and make sure his [second] death was slow and painful[.)]
(Better to use words for ordinal numbers in your narrative. Also, when a complete sentence is in parenthesis the period comes before the final bracket.)
(To borrow Scrooge's line .... bah humbug!!).
[In my opinion, that should be written as:
(To borrow Scrooge's line: "Bah humbug!").]
In Cordelia Fine's book "Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference" she dispels the myth of there being major differences in the hard-wiring of the male and female brains.
(Italics for the book title.)
Fine, a researcher at Melbourne University, states that "there may be slight variations in the brains of women and men", but added, "the wiring is soft, not hard. "It is flexible, malleable and changeable," she said.
(There is a problem with your quote marks in the latter part and the final dialogue tag 'she said' is superfluous and could be deleted:
Fine, a researcher at Melbourne University, states that "there may be slight variations in the brains of women and men", but [adds], "the wiring is soft, not hard. It is flexible, malleable and changeable."
[Note the correction of the tense change. If there is a break in continuity before that final sentence insert an ellipsis.])
"another fine mess ]you've] gotten us into" (to quote Oliver [Hardy]).
I am certain her response would be swift and full of expletives[.])
(With the exception of Ralph Kramden (The Honeymooners) and his wife Alice who nailed his balls to the wall at least twice a day ... Go Alice!)[]
[Period deleted. The exclamation mark is the final punctuation.]
How many times did Rob (Dick Van Dyke Show) tell his wife Laura not to ... "worry her pretty little head" about one thing or another?
(Are you sure that was the exact quote? Surely it was:
"worry your pretty little head".)
"The feminine energy has a powerful gift: the ability to nurture, love, have deep compassion and empathy." (Excerpt from Divine Feminine - by Sue Patton Thoele[.])
[I cannot find any reference to a book by that title written by Sue Patton Thoele. The exact quote appears to come from this website:
http://www.thefemininewoman.com/2010/06/how-men-and-women-destroy-each-other/ [accessed 14 Jan 2013], which does not attribute it to Sue Patton Thoele. Perhaps you need to clarify your source.)
If during the course of his response he says something[] stupid, vague or insensitive, then all bets are off and you are free to resume throwing objects of your choice at him.
(Comma deleted.)
The setups of the brains of these two genders consist of soft-wiring and therefore are subject to change.
("setups" is a real stumble. It may be better to simplify the sentence:
The brains of both genders consist of soft-wiring and therefore are subject to change.)
One article I read stated: "in short, our intellects are not prisoners of our genders or our genes and those who claim otherwise are merely coating old-fashioned stereotypes with a veneer of scientific credibility."
(Quote your source.)
The list is never-ending[.]" - Beth Hess (Sociologist)
So do we have a few more hormones to deal with and much more complex bodies for the privilege[?] [Yes.]
I trust that I've been helpful. PM if you have any questions or comments about this review. As I mentioned, I'm in full agreement with the basic premise--and the message should be conveyed with the greatest clarity and force possible.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 13-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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Much appreciation my erudite friend,I will give the piece another look.
Comment from Spiritual Echo
Here's to you girl, for never forgetting, despite our comtinual struggle to attain equality, particularly in the realm of self-respect, that the war is never over.
Ninety-five percent of your essay flowed through me in fluid acceptance of truth, but the five percent that wavers is based on minor eyebrow raising pauses where you seem to be asking, rather than demanding men's attention. I suspect, like me, you are a very strong woman who overcame personal difficulties to reaquaint yourself with what you believe to be true, rather than some homoginized version of a spineless man's attitude towards the size of your breasts or the colour of your eyes.
Feminism never died. In fact some our lazy gender driven sisters used new rights to incoprporate their welfare-driven survival techniques.
I'm afraid that after a lifetie of defence, I've simply given up the battle. I support myself and honour y sons, but you won't finf me with a placard or marching for any cause.
Yet, when I read the words of another warrior I want to cheer.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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Here's to you girl, for never forgetting, despite our comtinual struggle to attain equality, particularly in the realm of self-respect, that the war is never over.
Ninety-five percent of your essay flowed through me in fluid acceptance of truth, but the five percent that wavers is based on minor eyebrow raising pauses where you seem to be asking, rather than demanding men's attention. I suspect, like me, you are a very strong woman who overcame personal difficulties to reaquaint yourself with what you believe to be true, rather than some homoginized version of a spineless man's attitude towards the size of your breasts or the colour of your eyes.
Feminism never died. In fact some our lazy gender driven sisters used new rights to incoprporate their welfare-driven survival techniques.
I'm afraid that after a lifetie of defence, I've simply given up the battle. I support myself and honour y sons, but you won't finf me with a placard or marching for any cause.
Yet, when I read the words of another warrior I want to cheer.
Comment Written 13-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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There truly is not another 'placard' driven march in me and I suspect mine is a pretty toothless roar these days, but from time to time I like to put forth the effort just to keep my hand in. You see, I am still very entrenched in corporate America and all the premium BS that continues with that 'old boys' club.
As far as my being strong and having overcome personal difficulties ... have you been reading my memoirs? You are spot on with your intuitive take on that.
Thanks for this great review, I truly enjoyed it and also for the very generous rating.
Peace out my sister
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No haven't read too many of your posts, it was a knee-jerk reaction. Corporate America? Too bad it's not in the jewelry biz. I tried to resign from my post as VP of sales in the last quarter and the firm has put a shackle on my ankle and is content with crumbs and my peripherl interest. I do lisy ten or so segments in my portfolio that catalogues blatant feminine prejudice to today's reality and though it doesn't matter if you read it, the writes were as accurate as I could be about 30 years of crap.
Comment from mauial
I defer to the account in Genesis. Prior to Eve's creation, God declared: "I am going to make a helper for him [Adam], as a complement of him." (Genesis 2:18) Does the word "complement" imply that the woman was inferior to the man? No, because this Hebrew word can also be rendered "counterpart" or "a help corresponding to" man. Think of the complementary roles played by a surgeon and an anesthetist during surgery. Can one manage without the other? Hardly! Though the surgeon performs the actual operation, is he more important? It is hard to say. Likewise, God created the man and the woman to cooperate closely, not to compete with each other.--Genesis 2:24.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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I defer to the account in Genesis. Prior to Eve's creation, God declared: "I am going to make a helper for him [Adam], as a complement of him." (Genesis 2:18) Does the word "complement" imply that the woman was inferior to the man? No, because this Hebrew word can also be rendered "counterpart" or "a help corresponding to" man. Think of the complementary roles played by a surgeon and an anesthetist during surgery. Can one manage without the other? Hardly! Though the surgeon performs the actual operation, is he more important? It is hard to say. Likewise, God created the man and the woman to cooperate closely, not to compete with each other.--Genesis 2:24.
Comment Written 13-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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Aloha Mauial,
Well, you fell back on the ultimate resource to support your response and I bow to your adroit use of biblical verse.
I knew this would not set well with some men, because they simply don't fit into the mold and I understand and appreciate that.
This was never meant to be an axe grinding against men, Al, please understand that. It was my intent to air out a myth that has been perpetrated against women for decades and that is that we are incapable of overriding our emotions to think logically.
If I in anyway offend you or any other enlightened males, I do so apologize.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and informative review.
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You did not offend me. What I quoted was in support of what you wrote. Men and women are meant to be complementary and supportive of each other. The Bible also says that a "man is to love his wife as himself." Sorry if you misunderstood my review :)
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Thank you for your clarification. I greatly appreciate your supportive response and I am so glad that I did not offend you.
Comment from humpwhistle
I take a little umbrage at your stereotyping of the male.
I don't quarrel with much of what you say,I just don't care for being touched by the wide brush.
Incidently, men aren't the only ones who (some) believe there are inherent differences in gender thinking processes.
Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars was a wildly popular book embraced by many (not all) women.
I do agree with your conclusions that understanding ANY differences between the sexes is the key to understanding each other.
Thanks for letting me spout.
Peace, Lee
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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I take a little umbrage at your stereotyping of the male.
I don't quarrel with much of what you say,I just don't care for being touched by the wide brush.
Incidently, men aren't the only ones who (some) believe there are inherent differences in gender thinking processes.
Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars was a wildly popular book embraced by many (not all) women.
I do agree with your conclusions that understanding ANY differences between the sexes is the key to understanding each other.
Thanks for letting me spout.
Peace, Lee
Comment Written 13-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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Sorry Lee if I stuck a chord. This is not meant to be an axe grind and if the shoe doesn't fit then please don't wear it.
There are most certainly fundamental differences between male and female and as I said in my author's notes, I applaud the differences.
Women have been painted with a broad brush for decades when it comes to the universally accepted 'fact' (which,of course, is anything but fact) that they are incapable of thinking logically because they are in touch with their emotions.
This is a myth I wanted to dispel and while it may rankle some male feathers a bit, I believe it is something that a lot of men and even some women (through the collective eye of society)actually believe is true.
Anyway, my virtual friend, please accept my sincere apology if I in any way threw the baby out with the bath water.
I greatly appreciate that you took the time to read and comment on this piece.
Comment from Dawn Munro
Congratulations on a most thoughtful and well-documented essay. It is full of humor, sharp thinking and an irrepressible enthusiasm that gives evidence to the fact that it's quite possible to exhibit emotion AND be logical at the same time. Now if you will excuse me, there's someone I need to hit with a hard, very hard object. (LOL)
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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Congratulations on a most thoughtful and well-documented essay. It is full of humor, sharp thinking and an irrepressible enthusiasm that gives evidence to the fact that it's quite possible to exhibit emotion AND be logical at the same time. Now if you will excuse me, there's someone I need to hit with a hard, very hard object. (LOL)
Comment Written 13-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2013
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Thank you, Dawn, as always you are too kind.
This piece is not going to set too well with the testosterone crowd, but it is a commonly accepted myth they have championed for years as a way of negating us.
I was not axe grinding just trying to point out the weaknesses in their fundamentally flawed theory (if it was a piece of cloth it would look like Swiss cheese).
Anyway, glad you found the piece informative and entertaining as well. Thank you for a really great review.
As for that person needing to be hit with the hard object ... You go girl!
Comment from PoeticXscape
this is a good essay that holds the attention of the reader. it had great descriptions, emotion and detail in it. Thank you for this essay and keep up the good work.
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2013
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this is a good essay that holds the attention of the reader. it had great descriptions, emotion and detail in it. Thank you for this essay and keep up the good work.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2013
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So glad you liked it. Thank you for this positive review of my work.
Comment from Gregory K Shipman
Put that object down, Marisa!
I'm in total agreement with you and your source material. This is, without doubt, one of the best... oh bullshit!... the best essay I've read here. You've peppered in the humor (no satire in this piece... this is serious stuff)while still delivering the message loud, clear, rationally and precise. Knowledge is power, they say... and this essay has goo-gobs (technical term) of power... so much power that it should have a cape and a secret identity!
I've been the recipient of two strong gandmamas, four (count them... four) superb female managers... two super-duper female attorneys and a incredibly astute female therapist (who didn't sleep with me... dammit!). Your points here are well taken and I agree with them... BUT... our side (male) has the same potential for greatness as your side... we just have to learn how to accept the fact that testosterone and estrogen are not mortal enemies... but rather neighbors comfortable with low fences and big gates...
I applaud you and your essay... and if the subject comes up during an all-male fishing trip... I'll only be pretending when I agree with the guys that this is all bullshit... we men have worked really hard to get this screwed up... far be it for me to destroy that dynamic!
greg
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2013
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Put that object down, Marisa!
I'm in total agreement with you and your source material. This is, without doubt, one of the best... oh bullshit!... the best essay I've read here. You've peppered in the humor (no satire in this piece... this is serious stuff)while still delivering the message loud, clear, rationally and precise. Knowledge is power, they say... and this essay has goo-gobs (technical term) of power... so much power that it should have a cape and a secret identity!
I've been the recipient of two strong gandmamas, four (count them... four) superb female managers... two super-duper female attorneys and a incredibly astute female therapist (who didn't sleep with me... dammit!). Your points here are well taken and I agree with them... BUT... our side (male) has the same potential for greatness as your side... we just have to learn how to accept the fact that testosterone and estrogen are not mortal enemies... but rather neighbors comfortable with low fences and big gates...
I applaud you and your essay... and if the subject comes up during an all-male fishing trip... I'll only be pretending when I agree with the guys that this is all bullshit... we men have worked really hard to get this screwed up... far be it for me to destroy that dynamic!
greg
Comment Written 12-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2013
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I continue to enjoy your reviews. They are always full of wit and wisdom and it is a pleasure to get the male point of view.
This was not about axe grinding, but just about keeping this very important subject of intellectual equality and biased views about powers of reason on the front burner.
We women do tend to allow our emotional connectivity to become our bus drivers at times and so it is possible that we come off as being a tad bit irrational in thought on occasion (how is that for a nice little understatement?). Delivery is everything and men especially subscribe to the calm and rational approach. (Not a bad subscription to subscribe to I'd say).
Thank you for this most welcome review of my work and especially for your enlightening and clever comments.
As for your all male fishing trips and the usual women are crazy therapy sessions. Not a problem, we know that you wear your dysfunctions like badges of honor. Also, that it took every ounce of strength you gents possess to not be pulled along by the evolutionary current and to stay primal and supremely behind the curve when it comes to any sort of personal enlightenment where the fairer sex is concerned.
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Dear Marisa, I bow to your superior intellect... reference your last paragraph... after a careful concensus read by my homey-bros we are under the opinion that after the first sentence we are so lost OnStar couldn't help us... we did, however, see the word 'evolutionary' so we figured two things (1) This has nothing to do with 'creationism' and (2) there will be no offering plate passed around and Pastor Johnson won't be in attendence (which ain't necessarily a bad thing!).
We've also decided, to show our solidarity with the Sistahs cause, if we catch any fish we'll clean them in the garage so as not to mess up the kitchen... we wouldn't want to create an argument 'cause it's our time of the month and we're sensitive...
Power to the People!
greg
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Boy! Nothing gets by you and those 'homeys' of yours does it?
And that crack about 'our time of the month' was completely uncalled for ... nothing gets by me either - Tonto!!
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FYI ... Just pulling your chain Mr. S ... No harm no foul, right?
Comment from dancerwriter
Wow, what an impressive and amazing, emphatic essay on the differences between them and us! I agree with so many of these statements and the often amusing ones appearing here and there all the way throughout.Good on you-"Maya Angelo" for your profound message which will possibly will be contradicted" by so many, but not me. I applaud you and your powerful thoughts, Go girl!- Also, the statement that woman's brains are "flexible, maleable and changeable"is a compliment to be remembered, as men sadly lack these benefits, unless they are "one of that sex', in the mmiddle.Congratulations for all this written work. Lesley.j.
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2013
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Wow, what an impressive and amazing, emphatic essay on the differences between them and us! I agree with so many of these statements and the often amusing ones appearing here and there all the way throughout.Good on you-"Maya Angelo" for your profound message which will possibly will be contradicted" by so many, but not me. I applaud you and your powerful thoughts, Go girl!- Also, the statement that woman's brains are "flexible, maleable and changeable"is a compliment to be remembered, as men sadly lack these benefits, unless they are "one of that sex', in the mmiddle.Congratulations for all this written work. Lesley.j.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2013
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Lesley,
Thank you for your generous rating, but most of all your lovely review of my work. I am delighted that you found it a good read.
Comment from L. Sherman
My hat is off to you, and if I had a 6-star left, I'd be showering you with it.
There are so many spots in this writing where you could have gone off on a tangent (and probably be justified in doing so; and would have actually made your own counterargument...) but you stayed tacitly on subject and stated your thoughts in a plain, easy to understand way. Better still, you've backed it up with outside information, and not that it's needed to realize your point, but it adds credence.
A very wonderful read and I thank you for sharing your insights.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2013
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My hat is off to you, and if I had a 6-star left, I'd be showering you with it.
There are so many spots in this writing where you could have gone off on a tangent (and probably be justified in doing so; and would have actually made your own counterargument...) but you stayed tacitly on subject and stated your thoughts in a plain, easy to understand way. Better still, you've backed it up with outside information, and not that it's needed to realize your point, but it adds credence.
A very wonderful read and I thank you for sharing your insights.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2013
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2013
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I agree there are a lot of roads this could have taken me down. It is a broad subject matter to tackle, so I tried to narrow the focus a bit.
I am pleased that you enjoyed the piece. Thank you for your very positive review and comments.
