Cat Bohannon includes a chapter on "Sexism" her very important book "Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution." That chapter is timely in that addresses societies which restrict women to childbearing and childrearing for the continuation of the group/tribe/etc.
Possibly because women actually bear children? Sex and sexuality discussions are ergo immediately more natural for women - as an enthusiastic hetero male I never found that much of a problem, only that the patriarchal / guilt / shame tendencies in our larger culture are so damn weird.
Yes, weird, and not in a mystical Halloween poetic Shakespearean way. No, weird in a creepy way = a way that slut shames, guilt trips and annoys.
One example of many: if you voluntarily go to a nude beach, STRIP! SWIM! RELAX! etc.
I suppose now with all these cell phone cameras and immediate online consequences that's not so easy...But my point is that Ruth writes a blog about issues that matter so much more than some hypothetical frolics at a nude beach, WHY is the nudity still a big deal in our culture? It's very strange.
I can see a theory that women have to be shamed & guilt-tripped for being "naturally comfortable with being in charge of nakedness," if you see what I mean - it's culturally powerfully to be more free. That is, to enforce some social standards so nobody (no pun intended!) HAS to get naked, no, one can always be clothed (fashion is cool) yet also - but at the same time the default setting is nudity.
Maybe we (this entire third planet from local sun) are not evolved enough to allow BOTH nude beaches AND cults that forbid nudity even in consensual situations? It's very strange and also at the heart and soul of humans.
Very interesting point about feeling more free. I'm not sure how women get there, but what you've said answers part of the comment I made a few minutes ago.
I am hoping that Dr. Bandy Lee, lead psychiatrist on the book The Dangerous Case of Donald J Trump, may one day be a guest on your show. She was instrumental in educating George Connelly on this topic.
Thank you so much for replying to the comment, Dr. Ben-Ghiat! And for asking Dr. Lee to be on your webinar many times. Perhaps those of us who are subscribers to both of your gatherings might be able to give a push from our side? Would that be appropriate and/or acceptable to you? Thank you again for holding these wonderful meetings and for your crucial role in the public dialogue at this time!
Dr Lance Dodes, retired psychiatrist was one of the first to come out and say that tRump was a psychopath; I believe in 2017. He's also a good source of information about tRump's sickness. He's been on MSNBC.
I’m currently reading Jennifer Rubin’s book “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump” published in 2021. It covers the years of his presidency and how women started seeing the danger early on, during his four years, becoming much more involved in politics at all levels, and running for office in the midterms.
How exciting to have George Conway at our meeting tomorrow! A great Republican for Harris, I would say, and your lineup going forward sounds great too.
I'm so sorry about your laptop, Ruth, and I'm still hoping it may yet be recovered.
I am apparently a major threat to the Republican Party, something I'm perfectly okay with. I'm a retired professor (Vance said professors were evil), a single cat lady (see Charlotte Clymer's recent Substack about childless men - great satire), post-menopausal without any grandchildren, and a suburban white woman (Vance said we don't care about abortion - he's wrong). Of course, Trump is an adjudicated rapist and today he said that he was entitled to insult VP Harris. I can't wait to hear from George tomorrow.
I'm probably in there with you. Never a professor, or professional teacher, although I did teach in my career. Post menopausal, always had cats (indoor cats and ashtma don't get along), only have step children/grandchildren. I wouldn't have had those, had I not met a good man (emotionally strong) and married him 16 years ago. I'm happy with being a threat to republicans. I would most likely not be here today had I been forced to be married and bear lots of children, who would be a mess like jD Vance. Actually, you don't quite tick all the boxes - I pick up no scent of bitterness from what you wrote…
It seems to me that they are just doing a scattershot, picking on people, fishing expedition and if they find something that presses their followers’ hot buttons, then that’s what they focus on. The beauty of Harris is that she ridicules them with humor, which hits two of their hot buttons: being ridiculed and humor, which they don’t understand at all. She shaping up to be a good leader.
Ruth, you've presented us with a really hard choice; Simon Rosenberg is having a session on "With Democrats, things get better" at the same time tomorrow. I love you both; what am I to do?
I am not only a fierce advocate for women’s rights and complete autonomy over their own bodies, but I am a proponent of female leadership on the world stage. With few exceptions, women leaders have led with steadier demeanor and they possess the nurturing qualities that promote the well-being of people, communities, and our planet over-all. We are on the brink of shattering that ‘glass ceiling’ in our own country, and I couldn’t be happier! I am looking forward to hearing George Conway, - however as a bonafide member of the Federalist Society, and one-time husband to Kelly-Anne, I’m not “all in” on the guy…but he’s certainly on the right side of the Trump-debacle.
This is a bit hard, but I feel it may be necessary......simply being a woman is not, in and of itself, a guaranty of "steadier demeanor." I am so happy at the prospect of being able to say "Madam President" for the first time.....but, please, do not forget Marjorie Taylor Greene......sorry to be a 'downer' .......peace.
Of course my comment was merely a generalization about women v. mens’ overall characteristics, certainly no ‘guarantees’ were being made about either gender. Many male leaders have lead with steady demeanor; Biden and Obama come to mind. However, given the context of our present choices for the presidency, the choice seems quite clear. Without delving into the woke/gender thing, the maternal and often nurturing instincts of women in general may make them less inclined to incite a war, for example. The egos, narcissistic and tyrannical behaviors of leaders like Trump, Xi Jinping, Victor Orban, Kim Jong Un, and of course Putin, are examples of our male-dominated world stage. I think of Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Jacinda Arden (of New Zealand), as superb female leaders. Marjorie Taylor Greene is simply stupid, loud, and somewhat lucky, I suppose; we can thank our media to some extent for her undeserved popularity. Our electorate may not be the brightest, - but there’s no way someone like Greene or Bobert would ever get elected for the presidency. Perhaps Ruth can reflect on how many true autocracies were ruled by women,- Cleopatra, Catherine the Great come to mind….You weren’t a downer, - I was just praising women, - and I still contend that the world would be a better place if there was a preponderance of matriarchal societies throughout; just my humble opinion. Peace to you too!
Vance has a problem with women because he's a fan of social Darwinism, a major pillar of fascism. To fascists, women only have utilitarian value. This mindset fits in perfectly with sociopathic behavior, which fascist leaders mostly have been. Vance could easily be a sociopath.
The majority of White women vote for Trump. That’s a significant part of his base, which is expanding as White women reject the idea of electing their maid as president.
I am a white woman, who would never, NEVER vote for trump. And I'm proud of that. Of course I'm not one who has ever had a maid, I also recognize intelligence when I see it, and Kamala Harris is very intelligent. Intelligence (surprise, surprise!!) is NOT restricted to whites. It is very sad to think that some people see Blacks only as maids. And I hope trump's base is not expanding.
George is a true American Patriot! He knew all along that Trump was ☠️!
Cat Bohannon includes a chapter on "Sexism" her very important book "Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution." That chapter is timely in that addresses societies which restrict women to childbearing and childrearing for the continuation of the group/tribe/etc.
Other books of interest: the descent of woman by Elaine Morgan, Sex, Time and Power: How Women's Sexuality Shaped Human Evolution, Leonard Schlain
Possibly because women actually bear children? Sex and sexuality discussions are ergo immediately more natural for women - as an enthusiastic hetero male I never found that much of a problem, only that the patriarchal / guilt / shame tendencies in our larger culture are so damn weird.
Yes, weird, and not in a mystical Halloween poetic Shakespearean way. No, weird in a creepy way = a way that slut shames, guilt trips and annoys.
One example of many: if you voluntarily go to a nude beach, STRIP! SWIM! RELAX! etc.
I suppose now with all these cell phone cameras and immediate online consequences that's not so easy...But my point is that Ruth writes a blog about issues that matter so much more than some hypothetical frolics at a nude beach, WHY is the nudity still a big deal in our culture? It's very strange.
I can see a theory that women have to be shamed & guilt-tripped for being "naturally comfortable with being in charge of nakedness," if you see what I mean - it's culturally powerfully to be more free. That is, to enforce some social standards so nobody (no pun intended!) HAS to get naked, no, one can always be clothed (fashion is cool) yet also - but at the same time the default setting is nudity.
Maybe we (this entire third planet from local sun) are not evolved enough to allow BOTH nude beaches AND cults that forbid nudity even in consensual situations? It's very strange and also at the heart and soul of humans.
Cats and dolphins are naked all the time.
Very interesting point about feeling more free. I'm not sure how women get there, but what you've said answers part of the comment I made a few minutes ago.
I am hoping that Dr. Bandy Lee, lead psychiatrist on the book The Dangerous Case of Donald J Trump, may one day be a guest on your show. She was instrumental in educating George Connelly on this topic.
I have asked her many times! She is not doing many public appearances right now.
Thank you so much for replying to the comment, Dr. Ben-Ghiat! And for asking Dr. Lee to be on your webinar many times. Perhaps those of us who are subscribers to both of your gatherings might be able to give a push from our side? Would that be appropriate and/or acceptable to you? Thank you again for holding these wonderful meetings and for your crucial role in the public dialogue at this time!
Dear Ruth - I honestly do an ex hypothesi here, it's death threats. Cf. Taylor Swift - Cui bono?
Dr Lance Dodes, retired psychiatrist was one of the first to come out and say that tRump was a psychopath; I believe in 2017. He's also a good source of information about tRump's sickness. He's been on MSNBC.
I’m currently reading Jennifer Rubin’s book “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump” published in 2021. It covers the years of his presidency and how women started seeing the danger early on, during his four years, becoming much more involved in politics at all levels, and running for office in the midterms.
Great book!
How exciting to have George Conway at our meeting tomorrow! A great Republican for Harris, I would say, and your lineup going forward sounds great too.
I'm so sorry about your laptop, Ruth, and I'm still hoping it may yet be recovered.
I am apparently a major threat to the Republican Party, something I'm perfectly okay with. I'm a retired professor (Vance said professors were evil), a single cat lady (see Charlotte Clymer's recent Substack about childless men - great satire), post-menopausal without any grandchildren, and a suburban white woman (Vance said we don't care about abortion - he's wrong). Of course, Trump is an adjudicated rapist and today he said that he was entitled to insult VP Harris. I can't wait to hear from George tomorrow.
Oh my, you check all the boxes.
From Mipples I send you a hug from my heart, it is hunting you Ms. Jaeger!
I'm probably in there with you. Never a professor, or professional teacher, although I did teach in my career. Post menopausal, always had cats (indoor cats and ashtma don't get along), only have step children/grandchildren. I wouldn't have had those, had I not met a good man (emotionally strong) and married him 16 years ago. I'm happy with being a threat to republicans. I would most likely not be here today had I been forced to be married and bear lots of children, who would be a mess like jD Vance. Actually, you don't quite tick all the boxes - I pick up no scent of bitterness from what you wrote…
Thanks for having George Ruth!
Can’t wait!
It seems to me that they are just doing a scattershot, picking on people, fishing expedition and if they find something that presses their followers’ hot buttons, then that’s what they focus on. The beauty of Harris is that she ridicules them with humor, which hits two of their hot buttons: being ridiculed and humor, which they don’t understand at all. She shaping up to be a good leader.
Ruth, you've presented us with a really hard choice; Simon Rosenberg is having a session on "With Democrats, things get better" at the same time tomorrow. I love you both; what am I to do?
I am not only a fierce advocate for women’s rights and complete autonomy over their own bodies, but I am a proponent of female leadership on the world stage. With few exceptions, women leaders have led with steadier demeanor and they possess the nurturing qualities that promote the well-being of people, communities, and our planet over-all. We are on the brink of shattering that ‘glass ceiling’ in our own country, and I couldn’t be happier! I am looking forward to hearing George Conway, - however as a bonafide member of the Federalist Society, and one-time husband to Kelly-Anne, I’m not “all in” on the guy…but he’s certainly on the right side of the Trump-debacle.
"The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good," I hope you appreciate my years in gradual school studying philosophy?
This is a bit hard, but I feel it may be necessary......simply being a woman is not, in and of itself, a guaranty of "steadier demeanor." I am so happy at the prospect of being able to say "Madam President" for the first time.....but, please, do not forget Marjorie Taylor Greene......sorry to be a 'downer' .......peace.
Of course my comment was merely a generalization about women v. mens’ overall characteristics, certainly no ‘guarantees’ were being made about either gender. Many male leaders have lead with steady demeanor; Biden and Obama come to mind. However, given the context of our present choices for the presidency, the choice seems quite clear. Without delving into the woke/gender thing, the maternal and often nurturing instincts of women in general may make them less inclined to incite a war, for example. The egos, narcissistic and tyrannical behaviors of leaders like Trump, Xi Jinping, Victor Orban, Kim Jong Un, and of course Putin, are examples of our male-dominated world stage. I think of Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Jacinda Arden (of New Zealand), as superb female leaders. Marjorie Taylor Greene is simply stupid, loud, and somewhat lucky, I suppose; we can thank our media to some extent for her undeserved popularity. Our electorate may not be the brightest, - but there’s no way someone like Greene or Bobert would ever get elected for the presidency. Perhaps Ruth can reflect on how many true autocracies were ruled by women,- Cleopatra, Catherine the Great come to mind….You weren’t a downer, - I was just praising women, - and I still contend that the world would be a better place if there was a preponderance of matriarchal societies throughout; just my humble opinion. Peace to you too!
I’d like to hear what George Conway has to say about the upcoming “debates” especially with respect to Trump and Vance.
Ruth, please read: https://open.substack.com/pub/sethabramson/p/yes-donald-trump-has-formed-a-shadow?r=fcfxc&utm_medium=ios
George is da bomb! Vance took on post menopausal women today. So clueless. Keep talking!
Vance has a problem with women because he's a fan of social Darwinism, a major pillar of fascism. To fascists, women only have utilitarian value. This mindset fits in perfectly with sociopathic behavior, which fascist leaders mostly have been. Vance could easily be a sociopath.
Robert Odell, I just finished reading the Seth Abrahamson post you referenced. I encourage all of Dr. Ben-Ghiat's readers to read the
post as well, and promote it as essential reading to anyone who shares our concern about the future of American democracy.
The majority of White women vote for Trump. That’s a significant part of his base, which is expanding as White women reject the idea of electing their maid as president.
I am a white woman, who would never, NEVER vote for trump. And I'm proud of that. Of course I'm not one who has ever had a maid, I also recognize intelligence when I see it, and Kamala Harris is very intelligent. Intelligence (surprise, surprise!!) is NOT restricted to whites. It is very sad to think that some people see Blacks only as maids. And I hope trump's base is not expanding.
I suspect there are several people who could shed light on Trump but actually fear for their lives! After all he’s a “mob boss!”
This American Life did an episode on people who have reason to fear and may need to leave the country. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/833/come-retribution