The Analyzed Atheist

Ha! AATS

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:19:48 -0230

Ha! AATS

Another great, concise video. aats

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:32:53 -0230

Another great, concise video. aats

Orwell…

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:31:03 -0230

Orwell…

A Very Powerful Video…aats

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:29:30 -0230

A Very Powerful Video…aats

governorofwis: adirtymaxkindaguurl: Hahahahahaha Actual cool...

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 21:34:23 -0230

governorofwis:

adirtymaxkindaguurl:

Hahahahahaha

Actual cool cat photo

Nice catch.

THIS IS MY BIRTHDAY CAKE. Unf

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 09:53:55 -0330

THIS IS MY BIRTHDAY CAKE. Unf

A lovely Valentine's Day ask for a lovely person. <3

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:31:12 -0330

Thanks!!

skepticalavenger: It’s impossible to argue with clouds. Nope,...

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 00:16:16 -0330

skepticalavenger:

It’s impossible to argue with clouds.

Nope, can’t do it…AATS

christinsanity: I got one for less than 1$. King James...

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 00:13:14 -0330

christinsanity:

I got one for less than 1$. King James version.

The next time you stay in a hotel, just take the one there for free.

AATS

TinyChat with me, and reblog for others to join!!

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 00:10:47 -0330

TinyChat with me, and reblog for others to join!!:

Do it! AATS

I don’t like snow (by hippopotatomus) I found this video...

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:34:22 -0330

I don’t like snow (by hippopotatomus)

I found this video in a blog post by Jerry Coyne over at his blog:

http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/a-jumpy-paca/

AATS

My Opinion

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:45:09 -0330

Something occurred to me when I was reading Reap Paden’s post from last friday about that census that was conducted and its results seemingly pointing out the negative feelings experienced by female members of the secular community.

Perhaps it is something that has been hashed out and talked about a million times, but I don’t have the time nor the patience to read every blog post or comment or post to the Slymepit or the A+ forums to see if it has been talked about.

What I am getting at is the fact that feminism and womens rights is something that has to be approached from two angles. One, of course, is the attempts at changing attitudes, language, and behaviours that may promote sexist or misogynist views. The other is through the empowerment of women to stand up for themselves and help them to regain the confidence and courage they need to navigate social situations in the real world, where they will encounter humour, language, and satirical displays which they could take offense to, but they do not NEED to.

I think it is a subtle point to make, but there are some displays of sexist language or humour that NEED to be countered and can be reasonably (and justifiably) offense-inducing. However, it is decidedly unrealistic and really unfair to expect everyone to censor everything they say at all times for fear of beign condemned. I mean, many phrases and euphamisms have become so ingrained in our culture so as to have lost their original sexist meanings, and so to expect them to be somehow stricken from the record is so out to lunch that it needs to be challenged. Moreover, once they are strickened they would only be replaced by other forms of language by the ACTUAL bigots/sexists/misogynists, and the battle would only start this vicious cycle again.

It still needs to be said though, that we all must think critically about when and where we say certain things…but in the skeptical community, doesn’t this go without saying? There will always be dicks, assholes, bitches, etc, but these people will do and say what they want, regardless. It is completely unfair to tar every other reasonable person that has a slightly off colour sense of humour or respect for free speech as equally misogynistic or sexist as the select few assholes/jerks.

People need to start realizing that by constantly walking on eggshells we are doing nothing to really empower women or any other marginalized group. Empowerment involves providing the social scaffolding and support for women to speak up and tell others when they are uncomfortable or feel objectified. This open communication will likely (hopefully) result in an increased understanding between people about what really and truly constitutes harassment or offensive language, which will naturally be different for different people.

Now, so many people will say, women cannot speak up for fear of further oppression and name-calling (bitch) by men who are insecure, immature, or sexist. These things can, do, and will continue to happen, forever. At some point, we have to break the cycle. The more women that do become more vocal about what makes them tick in a direct social situation, the more moderate everyone will become. And yes, men have a role to play, attempting to make social situations as safe as possible for women to do so…

HOWEVER. Demonizing men who are really trying hard to be part of the positive change and labelling them as sexist or misogynist is completely counterproductive. I wouldn’t necessarily refer to this demonizing as “misandry”…I am actually quite skeptical of this idea myself. Does prejudice against men exist? Yes, in certain situations…but I think that it might be a little intellectually dishonest to call it “misandry.”

As for the whole Elevatorgate fiasco, I think it was a case of oversensitivity (perhaps) of an individual, and then when faced with a bit of ribbing, that individual decided to take it and run with it. I mean, for her to say “guys, don’t do that” is, I think, even a little unfair in and of itself. What elevator man did/said was, in fact, socially rather benign. I can understand the discomfort that might be felt by some women, I still think that it would have been more proper for Watson to say something like:

“It made me uncomfortable, and even though it’s low on the scale of threatening behaviours, it seemed innappropriate for me, so, in the future, if a guy finds himself in an elevator with me, please don’t do that.” The use of the phrase “Guys, dont’ do that.” is a sweeping and very unfair generalization to the rest of men and not to mention women, who would not necessarily have a problem with the situation, either because they can deal with it themselves, or they welcome an invitation for coffee.

To condlude, I just want to say that I have identified as a feminist before, and I will continue to do so. I do not think there is anything wrong with men identifying as so, and according to the traditional definition of the term, it simply means that the individual is in favour of and advocates for the EQUAL rights of women, which does not include the imposition of stereotypes or sweeping generalizations upon the male population. However, I would never go as far as to say that I completely understand what women go through, as that would be unskeptical and foolish at best…but that doesn’t mean that I do not have something worthwhile to contribute to the conversation. As skeptics, we cannot be made to walk on eggshells, but rather we should be working to empower women and whatever minority group is experiencing by discouraging sexist language, BUT AT THE SAME TIME acknowledging that this only goes so far. Censorship is really a very small part of the solution. The rest is intellectual empowerment and social support.

AATS

Reblog if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender or a supporter.

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:19:35 -0330

On Oversimplification and Certainty

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:40:21 -0330

On Oversimplification and Certainty:

-a blog post by Barbara Drescher

This movie is fucking good. Fuck yes. Watch it, motherfuckers,...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:27:11 -0330

This movie is fucking good. Fuck yes. Watch it, motherfuckers, do it. DO IT. aats

Melissa Harris-Perry, “Being transgender in...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:40:02 -0330

Melissa Harris-Perry, “Being transgender in America”

Reblogging for acceptance. AATS

bronycurious: acid-eater: CARL SAGAN: Make the most of this...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:34:48 -0330

bronycurious:

acid-eater:

CARL SAGAN: Make the most of this life

Sagan is the ultimate winner

Sagan for the win! AATS

There's over 9 million users on Tumblr now. Reblog if you're one of the few who's never EVER left anon hate in somebody's ask box.

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:31:02 -0330

kwakaron-ci:

thetasteofformaldehyde:

nekokasa:

jacqueline-evans:

typical-teen-with-digi-spirits:

If you can’t reblog this…

{{How does this NOT have more notes?!}}

[Judgin’ you mofos so freaking hard…]

Whoever left the soul eater gif…Ily

Judging you so much if you don’t reblog this. Just saying. Anon hate is almost worse than real hate. Neither are good, but if you use anon hate, you’re just being a coward.

werd

skepticalavenger: This week in science Science for the win! ...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:55:32 -0330

skepticalavenger:

This week in science

Science for the win! AATS

Summer glau is a goddess…AATS

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:50:37 -0330

Summer glau is a goddess…AATS