Burningbird's Anonymous
Hello, my name is Sam Ruby, and I'm not afraid to admit that I read Shelley Power's weblog (Hi Sam!)
Speaking of what people are afraid to admit, apparently a large number of people prefer not to cry in public. Some of the male of the species say that it's because it is not perceived as masculine to do so. Some of the female of the species say that it's because it is perceived as too feminine to do so.
I believe that in most cases, it is because the person does not wish to appear vulnerable (or perhaps, in Shelley's case, exploitative). Unfortunately, the reasons people state for this behavior perpetuate the myth that the female gender is the weaker sex.
Those that believe that the female is the weaker sex have not met my wife. I can guarantee that those who are reading this weblog and have met my wife have a knowing smile on their faces right now. For the rest, let me describe a shirt that she often wears. It has a snarling cat on it. The caption reads "don't mess with me, I draw blood".
It is not an idle threat.
Actually, the first posting that Sam linked to was one I pulled. But I forgot that the postings aren't necessarily deleted. I should have known if anyone could ferret it out, it would be Sam. The man has eyes in the back of his weblog.
Dare, I do agree with you -- I take weblogging too seriously. Need to spend time on photography and hiking more. Or focus more on my current projects. (Fun new toys for good girls and boys.). But I am concerned that I'm perceived as playing the victim too frequently. I appreciate this feedback, very much. It's good food for thought, and will keep this in mind in future postings.
Posted by Shelley at
And Sam, draws blood, eh? Metaphorically, I'm assuming.
Now that's my idea of 'feminine'. Hehehe.
Posted by Shelley at
Hey, your wife sounds she'd be great addition to Blog Sisters. Just our kind of female!!
Posted by Elaine of Kalilily at
My uncle, who <i>is</i> a sexist (as we all are) says that the myth that men are the hunters of our species is incorrect. Women are the hunters.
Another friend who will remain nameless says that men and women tend to have different common character flaws. Women tend to be mean. Men tend to be clueless.
Just passing on some conventional wisdom.
Posted by Dave Winer at
Despite "conventional wisdom", I know for a fact that there are some men that are both clueless and mean.
Just having a bit of fun. As Dare implies, one shouldn't take any of this too seriously.
Posted by Sam Ruby at
I'd like to point out that to not cry, in public or private, needn't be due to not wanting to be less "masculine" or "vulnerable". Some people simply don't let people's opinions or actions affect them on that level.
Not crying needn't be because one has problems handling or showing ones true emotions, sometimes it's because ones emotions aren't affected at all.
And, I know some clueless _and_ mean women, too.
Posted by Tomas at
Sam, lets never let our wives meet. They may be cut from the same cloth. We should conspire to keep them from meeting at all costs. ;-)
Posted by Andy at
Some Obligation Required
I can't speak for others. Would I be offended by tasteful adverts on other pages? Heck no. Would I consider putting such a link on my page? Not yet. I've had people offer to "exchange links". I've had people offer to send me stuff if I would mentio... [more]Trackback from Sam Ruby at
I read Shelley's blog. Hers, yours, Joshua Allen's and Joel Spolsky's are probably the four I read with any regularity that I consistently like.
However I do think she takes blogging too seriously and may be too quick to play the victim.
Posted by Dare Obasanjo at