benlehman | (no subject)

(no subject)

Most painful thing I've had to write in a while

Why? Because I spend a lot of time and emotionally energy in said isolated circles.

Ahw, fuck it all.

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Ben, you know I don't always agree with you, but sometimes you're the bomb-diggity. And today's one of those days.

I just spent several paragraphs trying to explain to Tony LB that I value Jess and Mo's opinions MORE THAN OTHER PEOPLE's because they tell me things I'm less likely to hear other places. I realize that other people don't feel the same way, but that's where I currently stand. Yay for diversity.

But you already knew I was a leftist vegan commie hippie pinko.

Ah. But do you value their opinions because they are different...or because they are women? The former is valid, but I can't see the latter as anything but sexism in drag. (Ok, I'm just using your statement as an example, you don't need to answer that.)

This is where it looks like I break with Ben on this. I don't believe that I should value a woman's opinion more highly than a man's -- or treat them differently, either better or worse -- just because they are a woman and we live in a patriarchally-inclined society. That makes no sense to me.

I rank and value different people's opinions differently based on the behavior, history and attitude of the person in question. Not according to their sex, and regardless of the whims of the culture.

(I also find it interesting/ironic to note that the women posting to that discussion found disturbing the idea of having their opinion being given MORE weight because they were women...and then to have the argument arise that one needs to listen to the opinion of women more popping up with disregard for those statements.)

I would say it's not just because they are women, but I can't pretend that that aspect isn't important. I feel like it's hard to isolate one aspect of a person from all the other aspects. If it helps, I also value Shreyas' opinion more than other people's. And Ben's, especially on certain issues. And Brand's. And Thomas's. And Josh K's. And there are plenty of reasons for me to value Jess and Mo's opinions that have nothing to do with them being women.

That's cool. We don't disagree in any respect here.

See my response to Jon, below.

I don't necessarily agree with feminism. I'm just in the know enough to understand the politics, and not in a position to change them.

yrs--
--Ben

Jonathan: You're reading me as saying "feminism = good."

I'd just like to point out that this is not what I said.

yrs--
--Ben

Ben, give me some credit, 'kay? I know what you're saying.

Sorry, it seems like a common misreading. My bad.

yrs--
--Ben

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