Comments on: Gunning Down Romance

By: jfpbookworm

jfpbookworm — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 13:38:17 +0000

While I believe that the ideas in the bullet points above are too prevalent, I’m not sure what proportion of people actually buy into them. One of the annoying things about living in a media-saturated culture where people are intensely private about their own relationships is that it makes it really difficult to determine how common things like this actually are, and how much they’re overrepresented by selection bias.

By: philly jay

philly jay — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 11:54:02 +0000

How many nice guys does anyone here know. I don’t mean people who claim to be nice, but guys who are generally nice.

By: WhiteWhip

WhiteWhip — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:06:18 +0000

Hi, I just wanted to drop a few line to say that I enjoyed this post. However I am still not sure how this topic intersects with feminism. I also do wish that you would make a series on this theme. I have the feeling that you have not completely expressed your though about the subject. I am left with the â€œwhat now?â€ in my mind. If your goal was to make me think, then you can say success, because I am very confused now.

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 22:34:43 +0000

“Being attracted to someone entitles you to their time, attention, affection, body, whatever;
To not have your attraction reciprocated is a serious insult, or a statement about your worth as a person”

Truest and most horrible things ever. Typical situation:

DUDE (with stars in his eyes, except “stars” is spelled B-O-O-B-S): I’ve never met anyone like you before. I think you’re The One.
MARY: I’m sorry, I am unable to reciprocate your feelings. ACCESS DENIED.
DUDE (very seriously): Don’t say that! You and I are MEANT TO BE! If we don’t work out, I don’t know what I’ll have to DO to myself!
MARY: I’m sorry, this is not a fetch quest; it takes more than the Level 5 Keycard of Emotional Blackmail to get to my vulva. ACCESS DENIED.
DUDE: Bitch.

I’ve often thought of guys like this as living according to a movie script; it’s both gratifying and depressing to see that other people agree with that idea. Sigh.

By: Dora

Dora — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:57:45 +0000

Tekanji – I’m excited to see the new guest bloggers you have here, since I’ve seen them elsewhere in blog/LJ-land.

Jeff – Great post! Section I really pierces the root of the problem. IV and V are also excellent connections to the ways in which pop culture and cultural narratives reinforce our twisted perceptions.

By: Dan Jacobson

Dan Jacobson — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:10:17 +0000

Well I’ve been punching reality for what seems like ages now, but it doesn’t seem to be falling over…

By: jfpbookworm

jfpbookworm — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 00:43:00 +0000

Thanks. I intend to stick around as long as I’m welcome, unless there’s a real-world Crisis that retcons the world into no longer having stupid things to post about.

By: Lake Desire

Lake Desire — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 00:33:31 +0000

Jeff, wonderful post. I hope your guest blogging is more than a stint because I’d like to read more of your writing here.

By: tekanji

tekanji — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 22:36:29 +0000

Yay first post! I’m pretty much on board with what you’ve said… it leaves me wishing you had decided to do a series on it, though.