Read part I and part II of this article So no, I don’t think women like assholes better. I think it’s more they believe they don’t deserve any better, or they’re buying into societal myths about who they must be. They don’t feel they can even ask the right guy without scaring him off… and…
Read parts I and III of this article Our hypothetical young female will probably deeply internalize just how much she sucks. No one could possibly ever like someone who is so worthless as she. She’ll be lucky if anyone ever shows any interest in her at all. In fact, she’d probably better latch onto the…
Originally posted November 2003 Thanks for article inspiration to Jonathan, who pointed me to an LJ which made me initially start thinking about this. Thanks for suggestions on this article go to George, Ian, and Dave, who made it a better read. You all rock! ;-) I’ve heard the plaintive question ‘why do women want…
Originally written in the early 1990’s for an absolutely amazing class on the bible as history and literature. My later notes, to clarify the paper, are in blockquotes. The story of Genesis in the bible has been used throughout history as an excuse for, and explanation of, why women should be subjugated by men. This…
I’ve changed somewhat in the handful of years since I wrote the Firestarter titled “What is Friendship?” I like to think my opinions have grown and matured somewhat as well. This is, therefore, a sort of musing friendship redux. In retrospect, my writing seems a bit rough to me, and the article itself is pretty…
Originally posted October 2003 I ask this question because I’ve always had fairly strong ideas about “real” friendship, as opposed to simple acquaintanceship. To me an acquaintance was always someone you’d be happy to smile and greet pleasantly, or chat with, or do a simple favor for, but with whom you’d not made any really…
Just got back from the opening weekend of the newest exhibit at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. The museum’s in the old SGI building, for locals, and it’s a lovely little place. The exhibit is a working Babbage Difference Engine! The following is based on my memory of what transpired, so if…
directed by John McTiernan 1 August 2006 movie review by Collie Collier Credits: For Dave, who brought it over — you know me too well! ;) This is apparently a movie with a very mixed reputation. I came to it unsure as to whether it would be any good, since I’d heard both that it…
by Mary Jo Putney 20 July 2006 book review by Collie Collier Credits: For my kind-hearted and thoughtful recommender, who I hope will both find this review interesting; and understand that while I didn’t care for the books, I was quite touched at her efforts to help me. Also for Lou, who helped me remember…
July 2006 Firestarter column by Collie Collier I recently spent a long weekend in the not-really-uncharted wilds of the Northeastern US, for a family gathering. This was a very mixed event for me, interestingly enough, as the family was thrilled and I had a great time. On the other hand, I managed to spend much…