Blog Feed: Bite-sized Subversions - challlenging thoughts about everyday things

Death for Willy?

Published on 2012-03-01 01:17:35

I was sort of attacked by a dog a while ago when I was out running.  It wasn’t really a severe attack: I was simply taken down, like a deer, in a well-executed stealth manoeuvre by a large German Shepherd; he did not, nor did his companion, come in for the kill, or even the [...]

Boy Books

Published on 2012-02-19 00:09:52

Boy books. You’re thinking The Boys’ Book of Trains and The Hardy Boys, right? I’m thinking most of the books I took in high school English. Consider Knowles’ A Separate Peace. Separate indeed. It’s set at a boys’ boarding school. The boys are obsessed with jumping out of a tree. This involves considerable risk of [...]

The Superbowl: knock yourself out

Published on 2012-02-04 20:56:03

So does anyone think someone’s going to get knocked out during this year’s Superbowl? It’s happened before. And frankly, I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more often. Just like that latest disgrace with our prisoners of war. I mean, consider the similarities: both the military world and the sports world are nothing but teams of hyper-emotional [...]

Getting Married

Published on 2012-01-26 10:34:00

When you ‘get married’ you are entering into a legal contract. You might be doing a few other things (promising your love to someone, making a deal with a god), but you are most certainly entering into a legally binding contract with another person. There are rights due to and responsibilities incumbent upon people who [...]

The Other Sex

Published on 2012-01-17 17:59:44

Men, I mean. After all, they are the ones who define themselves in relation to us: to be a man is to be whatever is not to be a woman. If women are graceful, then to be graceful is feminine. A graceful man is effeminate. A real man is not graceful. He’s not necessarily clumsy, [...]

What Went Wrong with Political Correctness?

Published on 2012-01-04 20:42:00

My guess is that it started well enough, as sensitivity: people realized that terms such as ‘crippled’ and ‘retarded’ had gathered too many negative connotations, had become insults; so they replaced them with new words such as ‘physically challenged’ and ‘mentally challenged’ – words that, because new, would be free of such slant. This linguistic [...]

Bang Bang

Published on 2011-12-24 10:08:31

Ya gotta love Christmas. Peace on earth, goodwill toward men, and record sales of toy guns. But, my friend says, her son, and all of his friends, will make a gun out of any old thing. The problem isn’t the toys. Okay, so it’s the boys. Seems they’re hardwired with a propensity toward killing. Why [...]

Appropriation or Imagination?

Published on 2011-12-09 22:52:04

Two poems of mine have been published in a journal dedicated to “the Black experience”. An audio piece of mine has been aired on Native radio programs. I am neither Black nor Native. Had this been known, I suspect some might have accused me of cultural appropriation. It’s an interesting idea, but as a reincarnation [...]

Smile!

Published on 2011-11-29 09:25:34

If I had a dollar for every time someone (i.e., a man) told me to smile, I’d be rich. (And if I had five dollars for every time that same someone did not tell a man to smile, I’d be really rich.) Why is it that women are told, are expected, to smile a lot? [...]

Supervisory Responsibility

Published on 2011-11-21 00:09:44

I have come to realize that the corporate definition of ‘responsibility’ is very different than the common definition. I am thinking, in particular, of ‘supervisory responsibility’. Consider this situation. A subordinate (say, an assistant) prepares and distributes advertisements for a position; she interviews various applicants, selects one and notifies him of his success, then trains [...]

King of the Castle

Published on 2011-11-14 09:51:35

Octavia Butler got it right in Xenogenesis when the aliens identified one of our fatal flaws as that of being hierarchy-driven (they fixed us with a bit of genetic engineering) – but she failed to associate the flaw predominantly with males. And Steven Goldberg got it right in Why Men Rule when he explained that [...]

Leadership?

Published on 2011-10-22 00:39:25

Some time ago, I attended a “Women in Leadership” conference put on by one of Ontario’s larger unions.  Wheat I learned there disillusioned two parts of me: the labour part and the feminist part. In the seminar on Collective Bargaining, I was told that “Every negotiation is an exercise in perceived power: if you have [...]

An Open Letter to Summer People Everywhere

Published on 2011-06-30 23:49:14

This is not “a recreational paradise” or “a summer playground”. This is our neighbourhood. Those labels are marketing ploys used by real estate agents and business owners eager to make money on sales. They do not speak for us. We live here; t

Permitting Abortion and Prohibiting Prenatal Harm

Published on 2011-06-25 18:41:51

I think abortion should be allowed. And I think prenatal harm (especially that caused by ingesting various legal and illegal substances while pregnant) should not be allowed. Some accuse me of hypocrisy or, more accurately, maintaining a contradictor

To the Morons who wear Make-Up

Published on 2011-06-18 22:12:46

First, there’s the ageism you’re perpetuating: make-up is intended, to a large degree, to make one look younger. In many respects, younger is better, but in many respects, it isn’t (and anyway, make-up merely gives one the appearanc

Drugs and Sports – What’s the Problem?

Published on 2011-06-12 17:51:37

Here we go again – drugs and sports. What’s the problem? No really, what exactly is the problem? Some say those who’ve used cocaine should be banned from the Olympics because it’s illegal. Well, there are many things that are ille

My Job, My Self

Published on 2011-06-06 00:59:38

I’m intrigued by the psychological devastation that seems to accompany layoffs, not to mention ordinary unemployment, as well as underemployment. It doesn’t seem to be just a matter of money – it seems to be a matter of self-worth, self

Women’s Fiction

Published on 2011-05-23 15:19:22

I finished a novel by J. D. Robb the other day and also happened to read the back inside cover blurb: “Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than one hundred novels. She is also the author of the bestselling futuristic su

Politics in Government: The Problem with Representation

Published on 2011-05-15 17:22:40

Long ago and far away, I was one of several high school students to participate in a Federal-Provincial Government Simulation. Each of us took on the role of a provincial or federal minister and met for three days of plenary sessions, committee meeti

Why are women more religious than men?

Published on 2011-05-14 01:08:50

Why are women more religious, in belief and in practice, than men? 1. Religious belief is more of an emotional thing than a cognitive thing. (Consider the fact that merely thinking about religious beliefs is usually sufficient to reveal they’re unw

What’s so funny about a man getting pregnant?

Published on 2011-05-08 00:58:32

I recently read The Fourth Procedure by Stanley Pottinger, in which, during a surgical procedure, a man is given a uterus containing a fertilized egg. He is enraged when he finds out, afraid that if it becomes public knowledge he’ll be a laughingst

Baby Androids

Published on 2011-05-01 22:24:04

It finally dawned on me after reading one too many ‘failed android’ stories. I can’t remember whether it was sci-fi or AI, but suddenly I saw the problem: they always try to create an adult without a childhood. If it weren’t f

Fiscal Conscription

Published on 2011-04-28 23:57:25

It’s income tax time. Do you know where 9.2% of your taxes will go? Well, let’s just say that you bought the bullets. (Out out damned spot, you say?) Then again, $2500 (if your taxable income is about $25,000) might buy more than a few bu

Tax Exemptions for Charitable Institutions

Published on 2011-04-22 19:40:40

If you believe in the supernatural and on that basis obtain a paying job, as a minister, priest, pastor, whatever, you don’t have to pay income tax.  If you establish a group of like believers and buy a piece of land and/or a building for meetings

Property Tax

Published on 2011-04-04 15:35:04

Property tax (money one must pay to the government based on the land, and the building/s on the land, that one owns) is odd in that unlike sales tax (money one must pay to the government based on the goods and services one purchases), it is payable e

Income Tax Deductions

Published on 2011-03-24 20:02:36

In Canada, if one agrees to pay someone else’s way in life, one gets to pay $7,500 less in income tax. I’m referring, of course, to the spousal deduction. If one decides to make some people and pay their way, one gets to pay $7,500 less per perso

Who Owns the Water?

Published on 2011-03-14 16:43:57

I am intrigued by struggles over ownership of water – not so much the issue of whether or not Canada should sell its lakes, but whether or not they are Canada’s to sell. Similar struggles arise in our international deliberations over blame fo

How many specialists does it take to change a lightbulb?

Published on 2011-03-07 00:19:37

Every now and then, perhaps with Hegelian predictability, there is a swing in academia toward the holistic approach, toward systems theory, if you will. In this anti-atomistic, anti-reductionist view, the essence is the process, not the structure; wh

What’s Wrong with Profit?

Published on 2011-03-02 01:31:55

Many would say it’s simply undeserved.  By any standard – be it need, ability, effort, or accomplishment/contribution.  In this respect, one might be tempted to compare profit to the ridiculously high salaries of sports stars.  And senators. 

God Promised

Published on 2011-02-09 18:19:16

With such regularity, it really should be the refrain of every national anthem, we hear something along these lines: ‘The land is rightfully ours. God promised it to us.’ Yeah well, God lies. Or at least he changes his mind. Consider this

The Political is Personal

Published on 2011-02-01 21:44:20

Back in the 60s or 70s, one of the insights feminism gave us was that the personal is political. It’s been a valuable insight. Many of us now routinely interpret personal interaction politically: we try to understand the influence of race, clas

The Political is Personal

Published on 2011-02-01 21:44:20

Back in the 60s or 70s, one of the insights feminism gave us was that the personal is political. It’s been a valuable insight. Many of us now routinely interpret personal interaction politically: we try to understand the influence of race, clas

The Pill for Men

Published on 2011-01-26 21:17:01

‘Outrageous!’ That was the word used way back in ’85 in response to the expectation that men take a contraceptive that had a side-effect of reduced sex drive. Hello. Let me tell you about the contraceptive pill for women. Side-effec

The Pill for Men

Published on 2011-01-26 21:17:01

‘Outrageous!’ That was the word used way back in ’85 in response to the expectation that men take a contraceptive that had a side-effect of reduced sex drive. Hello. Let me tell you about the contraceptive pill for women. Side-effec

Every Man, Woman, and Child

Published on 2011-01-24 21:49:28

There’s an interesting phrase.  Man, woman, and child: those are my options, are they?  Identifying oneself by one’s sex is a prerequisite for adulthood: if I don’t want to identify myself by my sex, as either a man or a woman, I&

Every Man, Woman, and Child

Published on 2011-01-24 21:49:28

There’s an interesting phrase.  Man, woman, and child: those are my options, are they?  Identifying oneself by one’s sex is a prerequisite for adulthood: if I don’t want to identify myself by my sex, as either a man or a woman, I&

Congratulations!

Published on 2011-01-18 01:02:34

Congratulations.  Now there’s a word we misuse a lot. ‘I’m getting married!’ ‘Congratulations!’  Why?  Why should this be cause for congratulations?  Is it a good thing?  Half of all married couples end up div

Congratulations!

Published on 2011-01-18 01:02:34

Congratulations.  Now there’s a word we misuse a lot. ‘I’m getting married!’ ‘Congratulations!’  Why?  Why should this be cause for congratulations?  Is it a good thing?  Half of all married couples end up div

Paying Stay-at-Home Moms

Published on 2011-01-10 21:23:52

Every now and then, we hear the proposal that women be paid to stay at home and be moms.  That women are paid to be surrogate mothers suggests that regular mothers also deserve payment.  So.  Should we pay regular mothers the same as surrogate mot

Paying Stay-at-Home Moms

Published on 2011-01-10 21:23:52

Every now and then, we hear the proposal that women be paid to stay at home and be moms.  That women are paid to be surrogate mothers suggests that regular mothers also deserve payment.  So.  Should we pay regular mothers the same as surrogate mot

A Millennial New Year’s Resolution

Published on 2010-12-31 21:31:57

This was written, of course, in January 2000. I don’t do New Years’.  I especially didn’t do this New Years.  Though the chance to join in worldwide celebration of an error in addition (our calendar is such that there wasn’t

A Millennial New Year’s Resolution

Published on 2010-12-31 21:31:57

This was written, of course, in January 2000. I don’t do New Years’.  I especially didn’t do this New Years.  Though the chance to join in worldwide celebration of an error in addition (our calendar is such that there wasn’t

Why Do Men Spit? (and women don’t)

Published on 2010-12-25 20:57:28

Why do men spit? (And women don’t.) I mean, is it physiological? Do males produce a larger amount of saliva? Even so, why the need to spit it out? Why not just swallow it? Would that remind them of swallowing semen? Which is female, effeminate, gay

Why Do Men Spit? (and women don’t)

Published on 2010-12-25 20:57:28

Why do men spit? (And women don’t.) I mean, is it physiological? Do males produce a larger amount of saliva? Even so, why the need to spit it out? Why not just swallow it? Would that remind them of swallowing semen? Which is female, effeminate, gay

As if getting good grades…

Published on 2010-12-22 23:17:38

Who among us has not heard the student in distress, claiming not to know ‘what the professor wants’? As if getting good grades is dependent on finding out each professor’s hidden idiosyncrasies – on figuring out how to please. Thi

As if getting good grades…

Published on 2010-12-22 23:17:38

Who among us has not heard the student in distress, claiming not to know ‘what the professor wants’? As if getting good grades is dependent on finding out each professor’s hidden idiosyncrasies – on figuring out how to please. Thi

God: The Quintessential Deadbeat Dad

Published on 2010-12-16 17:21:15

He left almost 2,000 years ago. Said he’d be back real soon. Yeah. He never writes. He never calls. He left us these notes though. But half are so cryptic, the rest so contradictory, he must’ve been sloshed at the time. ‘Wait ’

God: The Quintessential Deadbeat Dad

Published on 2010-12-16 17:21:15

He left almost 2,000 years ago. Said he’d be back real soon. Yeah. He never writes. He never calls. He left us these notes though. But half are so cryptic, the rest so contradictory, he must’ve been sloshed at the time. ‘Wait ’

Christmas Elves

Published on 2010-12-06 23:01:23

Generally speaking, I don’t do Christmas. At all. But when I see an ad in the classifieds for “Three female elves to work in a mall during the Christmas season”, well, I have to say something. And the first thing I have to say is, I

Christmas Elves

Published on 2010-12-06 23:01:23

Generally speaking, I don’t do Christmas. At all. But when I see an ad in the classifieds for “Three female elves to work in a mall during the Christmas season”, well, I have to say something. And the first thing I have to say is, I

The Absence of Imagination

Published on 2010-11-26 21:38:08

We notice it when we say ‘Kids don’t know how to play anymore.’ Gone are the games of dress-up and make-believe. The more specific and recognizable the toy, the more popular; least favourite are the ambiguous toys, the ones with so