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Gravitycollapse

(8,155 posts)
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 12:54 AM Sep 2013

Question: Is the fact that the men's group has a page for posting attractive women...

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Gormy Cuss (a host of the Feminists group).

Some sort of ambiguous, poorly executed attempt to subvert stereotype by reclaiming the stereotypical characteristics?

Or is it just a bunch of jackholes doing exactly what feminist and gender theory predicts?

I'm confused.

27 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Question: Is the fact that the men's group has a page for posting attractive women... (Original Post) Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 OP
it's the equivalent of gun humpers open carrying Skittles Sep 2013 #1
perfect BainsBane Sep 2013 #2
I love that you hope for the best, BainsBane Sep 2013 #3
When I read the thread title, I thought it was some sort of joke... Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 #4
We're used to it BainsBane Sep 2013 #6
We have two, to be precise, and... TreasonousBastard Sep 2013 #5
You expect me to believe that thread was created with straight women in mind? Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 #7
The original thread was.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2013 #9
The issue is a matter of male sexual appetite. Which is more often than not excessive, aggressive... Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 #10
Huh....really.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Sep 2013 #12
This has now devolved into... TreasonousBastard Sep 2013 #16
Less. More like 50 BainsBane Sep 2013 #20
This message was self-deleted by its author BainsBane Sep 2013 #21
I have no idea what an "alarming pace" would be, and... TreasonousBastard Sep 2013 #14
I know why you do and it is not the product of some sort of ancient truism... Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 #18
You'll notice the complete obliviousness to the point in question BainsBane Sep 2013 #8
Oblivious goes both ways... TreasonousBastard Sep 2013 #11
Why do you think those women are in stilettos? BainsBane Sep 2013 #13
It's not men controlling ads or fashion any more, so... TreasonousBastard Sep 2013 #15
No, that's not what I'm saying (re. shoes) BainsBane Sep 2013 #19
Have you ever seen the series "Killing Us Softly" ? Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 #17
Bleh... chervilant Sep 2013 #22
We had a troll link to a blog BainsBane Sep 2013 #23
I have the Men's group trashed JustAnotherGen Sep 2013 #24
I'm a bad feminist JustAnotherGen Sep 2013 #25
I'm confused now as well. The thread I posted in scored some attractive men pics as well... Violet_Crumble Sep 2013 #26
Please do not start threads to criticize other DU groups. Gormy Cuss Sep 2013 #27

Skittles

(158,474 posts)
1. it's the equivalent of gun humpers open carrying
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 12:58 AM
Sep 2013

BainsBane

(54,671 posts)
2. perfect
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 01:08 AM
Sep 2013

BainsBane

(54,671 posts)
3. I love that you hope for the best,
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 01:09 AM
Sep 2013

something evolved. But no. Just no.

Gravitycollapse

(8,155 posts)
4. When I read the thread title, I thought it was some sort of joke...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 01:13 AM
Sep 2013

That would be followed by a long OP explaining the benefit of avoiding the further production of excessively and overtly sexualized images of women.

Then I realized it wasn't a joke. Then I became sad for a bit.

BainsBane

(54,671 posts)
6. We're used to it
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 01:16 AM
Sep 2013

That's the least of what's offensive. Check out the threads about all the horrible women who falsely accuse men of rape. Or a recent fav, that women used a disproportionate burden of health resources because we bear children, evidence of yet another way that men are screwed over. Never mind that those kids are theirs as well.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
5. We have two, to be precise, and...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 01:16 AM
Sep 2013

the posting of attractive men is encouraged, and frequent. Nowhere is it said in either of those threads that the thread is merely attractive women.

What stereotype does that fit into, and exactly what feminist theory predicts jackholes (or, more likely, straight women and gay men) posting pictures of hot men?

Gravitycollapse

(8,155 posts)
7. You expect me to believe that thread was created with straight women in mind?
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 01:22 AM
Sep 2013

I'm not a thick individual.

My statement of the stereotype was more of a joke on my part. It's not a stereotype but an actuality that men produce and consume female sexuality at an alarming pace. And said thread in question fits EXACTLY into that paradigm. A group designed to cater to substantive issues men confront should not be turned into a show and tell wall for the latest Maxim layout.

But, of course, "It's not bad because we also have pictures for gay guys" is really the only possible reply one could expect from such a circumstance.

ProudToBeBlueInRhody

(16,399 posts)
9. The original thread was....
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 01:57 AM
Sep 2013
If you could date a totally hot celeb who would it be?

There was no specification on gender. The OP's pick was a woman.

4 posts in, someone chose a guy.

Nobody batted an eye. Nobody cared, objected, did the old "hey hey that's not this kinda thread" bit.

Now you can continue to spin your wheels in the mud over it if you want. (I find it kind of amusing.) But I just thought I'd chuck that in there for the record.

Gravitycollapse

(8,155 posts)
10. The issue is a matter of male sexual appetite. Which is more often than not excessive, aggressive...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:08 AM
Sep 2013

And demeaning.

That is a foundational issue in intellectual discussion revolving around sexist tendencies. The ultimate male is the almost pathologically sexual who, for instance, can't post on a leftist discussion board without enshrining forever in the forum a thread dedicated to the overt sexualization of an object of one's desires. Whether that is a man or a woman is largely incidental.

It feeds perfectly into the idealized male machismo. That it has branched off into the community of gay men is not a cause for celebration. Quite the opposite, really.

ProudToBeBlueInRhody

(16,399 posts)
12. Huh....really....
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:12 AM
Sep 2013

....oh well.

We're going to be sacrificing kittens over there tomorrow, so I've got to hit the sack.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
16. This has now devolved into...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:20 AM
Sep 2013

never mind.

BainsBane

(54,671 posts)
20. Less. More like 50
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:52 AM
Sep 2013

Response to Gravitycollapse (Reply #10)

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
14. I have no idea what an "alarming pace" would be, and...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:15 AM
Sep 2013

I am not sure how you know what we consume at such a pace.

Yes, we like to look at pretty women, often in sexual poses. I don't know why we do, but we do and thousands of years of civilization have managed to deal with it.

Why is this suddenly a problem?

Gravitycollapse

(8,155 posts)
18. I know why you do and it is not the product of some sort of ancient truism...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:26 AM
Sep 2013

It is a rather recent phenomena, actually. At least, the variant that currently plagues society is no more than a couple hundred years old.

BainsBane

(54,671 posts)
8. You'll notice the complete obliviousness to the point in question
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 01:27 AM
Sep 2013

It really is hopeless. They aren't interested in understanding. They want to believe feminists are just prudes. It's easier for them that way. Essentially, they are a lost cause. I consider myself lucky if I can get through a day on this site without seeing women referred to as whores or sluts. Remember the demographic on this site is quite old so they weren't educated to think about gender. They assume everything about their current worldview is entirely natural--genetic--and have no concept of the economic and cultural factors that give rise to ideas of gender, race, and sexuality. The ones I find most disturbing are the female misogynists. I really have no patience whatsoever for them. Others in HOF are more understanding of what makes women that way than I am.

Edit: Just realized I'm not in HOF. Only recently put this group on my list.
I'll duck for incoming.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
11. Oblivious goes both ways...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:09 AM
Sep 2013

men are, for some reason going eons back into time, visually stimulated in the mating business more than women. That's just a simple fact. Problems arise with how we deal with it.

Note that men are not the ones in five inch stillettos, Victoria's Secret bras and mascara. Or spending much money on hair care products. Well, most of us aren't. And also note that going back to ancient, and even prehistoric, times the art of the human body was often focused on sexual characteristics. Highly focused. Both sexes.

I'm not qualified to argue what all this means, but I can note that it exists and does have the effect of men noticing good looking women. We also notice the competition between women in this looking good business. Most of us realize that his is not done specifically for our benefit (I am in no way playing "blame the women&quot but we are perfectly happy to take advantage of it as spectators. I might also note that most men don't find the stillettos, too heavy makeup, or excessively revealing clothing to be more attractive than less fashionable clothing. Many find them artificial and offputting. Especially if it makes you walk funny. Fashion photography, btw, is designed to put all these together into a fantasy look, so pushing it isn't as grotesque as it could be in real life.

While I readily admit that some men can be creepy, or outright pigs, dangerous even, I do have a problem with putting all this on men as if there is something going on that is entirely our fault. We did not invent microskirts, and even if a man did invent the bikini, nobody is forcing you to wear them. Wearing such clothing, or lack thereof, does not invite any sort of attack, of course, verbal or otherwise, but I don't understand complaints over our admiring the results of hot clothes, workouts, makeup and a little surgery on top of what you were born with.

BainsBane

(54,671 posts)
13. Why do you think those women are in stilettos?
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:13 AM
Sep 2013

Ever give much thought to that? You do you think controls the advertising industry? OMG, this is all soooo basic.

You have exemplified the points in my post perfectly, particularly about believing this is all natural. Yes, scientists have identified the genetic marker that make you attracted to stilettos and surgically altered women. It has absolutely nothing to do with the capitalist marketplace, sexism, and stereotypes that some women feel they must conform to. However did human kind reproduce itself before internet and print porn?

I'm not getting into this with you. As I said, it's obviously a lost cause. If some one else has the patience for it, more power to them.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
15. It's not men controlling ads or fashion any more, so...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:17 AM
Sep 2013

just forget about that.

And stop trying to tell me women are too stupid to find comfortable shoes until men tell them to.

BainsBane

(54,671 posts)
19. No, that's not what I'm saying (re. shoes)
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:37 AM
Sep 2013

Last edited Tue Sep 24, 2013, 03:52 AM - Edit history (1)

And yes men do indeed control advertising.

I don't know what to say if you haven't read anything about how identifies are constructed. I'm guessing you've never read post-structuralist theory, much in gender studies, critical race theory, or cultural history. Society generates cultural expectations and ideas that frame how people see the world. Women are rewarded for their appearance.

It's really not unlike any set of cultural assumptions that frame how people in a given historical period see the world: like, for example, the difference in the understanding of knowledge, God, and the natural world pre-and post-Enlightenment. Other examples are how understanding of labor, money, and employer responsibility is culturally bound. Only in the past century or so has money itself come to be seen as a virtue. Capitalism has created a cultural environment in which women's bodies are treated as commodities, along with other objects bought and sold in contemporary society. Our cultural circumstances frame how we understand gender, just as they do race. Pretending it is natural is like imagining race is biological. They are not. They are cultural notions, historically bound.

Gravitycollapse

(8,155 posts)
17. Have you ever seen the series "Killing Us Softly" ?
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 02:21 AM
Sep 2013


chervilant

(8,267 posts)
22. Bleh...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 03:50 AM
Sep 2013

Always sad and demoralizing to watch someone fly their sexism flag in order to deny that sexism exists.

BainsBane

(54,671 posts)
23. We had a troll link to a blog
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 03:54 AM
Sep 2013

arguing the same thing last month. Seriously. It even mentioned Victoria's Secret. He was nuked after the first post.

JustAnotherGen

(33,341 posts)
24. I have the Men's group trashed
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 05:03 AM
Sep 2013

So I miss their "fun and games". When I didn't have it trashed - these whiny threads about "why don't women like meeeeeee when my mutheeeer says I'm very handsome" used to pop up. It struck me as a vacuum of willful ignorance. Guess not much has changed.

JustAnotherGen

(33,341 posts)
25. I'm a bad feminist
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 05:21 AM
Sep 2013

Because I believe turn about is fair play.

I also believe the Women's World Group does not get nearly as much traffic as it should. Now I just read a thread in HOF where redqueen got an op hidden because someone alerted for misandry. In reality - sometimes "girls just wanna have fun" and just chit chat about the world. Seems if we do that in the groups related to feminism or in the general boards - its not "nice".


So if women can't be women in Women's World . . .

Violet_Crumble

(36,139 posts)
26. I'm confused now as well. The thread I posted in scored some attractive men pics as well...
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 06:02 AM
Sep 2013

And the title is 'Totally Hot Celebrity Thread 3.0', not 'bikini babes' or 'only attractive women can be posted'.

I dunno. I think people might be over-thinking the whole thing. My impression was that the whole thing started as a light-hearted thing and took a turn into shit-stirring territory at some point. I'm just not seeing the harm in it. I had a good time posting in the thread and would never have seen the Eddie Vedder Portlandia thing if I hadn't...

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
27. Please do not start threads to criticize other DU groups.
Tue Sep 24, 2013, 09:19 AM
Sep 2013

Calling out the Men's Group or any other group puts the attention on all members of that group and quite frankly turns the discussion into one about the GROUP rather than the ISSUES. Furthermore, such calling out has lead to spectacular feuds between groups in the past. It got very ugly and resolved nothing.

Therefore, in the interest of keeping the discussion on point please call out specific sexist/misogynist/otherwise offensive posts or threads, not groups.

The thread(s) in question deserve criticism here. Intaglio started a thread on one and it's still active for comments.

Thanks,

Gormy

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