Category Archives: Whatever

Shut Up George Clooney

Posted on March 8, 2006 by Maia

So I half watched the Oscars, despite the fact that I had seen just three films with any nominations at all. I was mainly hoping Michelle Williams would win Best Supporting Actress (I’ve loved her ever since she loved Dick), … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular (and unpopular) culture, Whatever | 27 Comments

Koufax Awards: Time To Vote

Posted on March 5, 2006 by Ampersand

The first round of voting for this year’s Koufax awards is open. I’m enourmously pleased that “Alas” was nominated in three categories: Best Blog (non-professional), Best Writing, and Best Single Issue Blog. (UPDATE: We’re up for “Best Group Blog” too! … Continue reading →

Posted in Whatever | 2 Comments

Magdalene Matters

Posted on February 10, 2006 by Ampersand

According to the New Testament, Mary Magdalene, a prosititute, cleaned Jesus’ feet with her tears and then dried them with her hair. What’s always struck me about this story is that it sounds kinda gross. Who wants to have their … Continue reading →

Posted in Whatever | 15 Comments

Students Getting Dumber: The Sky Has Always Been Falling

Posted on February 6, 2006 by Ampersand

Here’s a few relevant tidbits on this subject from the news…. Item: “Our standard for high school graduation has slipped badly. Fifty years ago a high-school diploma meant something. . . . We have simply misled our students and misled … Continue reading →

Posted in Whatever | 56 Comments

The Best Blog Post of 2006: Michael Bérubé on Academic Freedom

Posted on January 28, 2006 by Ampersand

Maybe it’s too early to be handing out the Koufax, but I’ll be surprised (pleasantly, to be sure!) if I read any post I think is better in the next 11 months. Here’s a small sample: For the first time … Continue reading →

Posted in Whatever | 10 Comments

Partisan Thinkers Don't Use Reasoning

Posted on January 26, 2006 by Ampersand

A new study has used brainscans (specifically, fMRIs) to demonstrate that partisan Democrats and Republicans don’t use the areas of their brains associated with reasoning when faced with criticism of their candidate. During the study, the partisans were given 18 … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections and politics, Whatever | 21 Comments

Men’s Rights Myth: Typical Child Support Payments Are Insanely High

Posted on January 18, 2006 by Ampersand

I frequently read and hear anecdotes about non-custodial parents (usually fathers) being ordered to pay outrageously high child support – amounts that are impossible for anyone with an ordinary income to afford. No doubt some of these anecdotes are exaggerated, … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-feminists and their pals, Families structures, divorce, etc, Whatever | 1,309 Comments

BDSM Sexualities vs Other Sexualities

Posted on January 12, 2006 by Ampersand

For those of you who are following the BDSM and Patriarchy discussion, be sure to read the comments to this post on Charles’ livejournal. Charles re-posted one of his comments on his livejournal, and the exchange between Charles, by Kip … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, Whatever | 1 Comment

If you have a little extra cash….

Posted on December 28, 2005 by Ampersand

I’m so lazy, I’m just gonna quote Bitch PhD: Group hugs are nice and warm, but not quite warm enough for Chicago in winter without a water heater. Flea’s went out. Her paypal tip jar helped her buy a new … Continue reading →

Posted in Whatever | 6 Comments

The Ten Worst Americans

Posted on December 27, 2005 by Ampersand

Alexandra at All Things Beautiful is asking bloggers to list who they think are the ten worst Americans of all time. Too many of the lists so far, both left and right, are both too partisan and too recent. (Protein … Continue reading →

Posted in Whatever | 61 Comments