Hollywood heroines are being increasingly portrayed as neurotic, idiotic and obsessed by men, weight and weddings, a professor at Oxford University has claimed.
Dr Diane Purkiss, who is a fellow at Keble College, argued that over the past five decades the film industry has made its female characters “dumber and dumber”. The latest slew of chick-flicks, including He’s Just Not That Into You and Confessions of a Shopaholic, fall prey to the “worst kind of regressive, pre-feminist stereotype of misogynistic cliche,” she added.
Culture
The milieu through which we swim
Women as wheelbarrows: Italian PM wants woman in coma alive as fetus container
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in consultation with the Vatican, is trying to overturn a court order to remove the feeding tubes from a woman who has been in a coma for 17 years and been assessed as having no… Read More ›
Damnit, dykes, you’re so good at sport but would it kill you to wear frickin’ heels? (Guest post by bluemilk)
This guest post is by blue milk.
Imagine the disappointment. You’re a female athlete, who is talented enough to have turned professional a couple of years ago, and you’re also a gorgeous model – you should be everywhere, you should be raking in the dollars, but much as you love your sport it is kinda pulling you down.. its reputation isn’t as sexy as you are.
You’re Anna Rawson and you play golf and damn it, you expect the sisterhood to understand your dilemma because it isn’t fair, men’s golf gets all the attention and all the money. Why is that?
Salma Hayek cross-nurses needy baby in Africa
Remember the fuss over Salma Hayek being “abusive” because she was “still” feeding her toddler?
Salma Hayek took a humanitarian trip to Sierra Leone. This video[1] shows her being there for the death of a baby from tetanus, speaking to a UNICEF representative, and travelling to a remote part of Sierra Leone.
Note to sportscasters
A batsman being bowled at 98 is not accurately described as “tragically failed to make his century”.
Quickhit: freebies to a Sydney comedy show
There’s a limerick contest over at my comedy guide site, with a double pass valid for the next 2 months as the prize, so if you’re able to get to Sydney on a Tuesday night sometime in that time period, why not have a go?
I defy you to not at least contemplate trying #15
25 Things I Didn’t Want to Know About You
Honestly, the way some journos react to Facebook memes is a dead giveaway that they’ve only just joined the digital social revolution.
Natural vs Artificial Selection
I caught some of an interview on RN yesterday morning with an erudite bioscience type, who made some very nice distinctions about what does and does not constitute evolution, including the provocative statement that in the West, humans have virtually stopped evolving as the term is normally understood (there are caveats and clarifications).
Thursday Cheezburger, and Delurking Day
more animals
Runner-up: Interior Decorator Kitteh Luvs This Arrangement
Post your own favourite cheez from this week.
Food for thought
PJ, a personal trainer in Brunswick has decided to stack on 40kg (on his current 80kg) and maintain that weight for 3 months, then lose it through diet and exercise at the gym with his clients, so that he can understand what they are going through. Interesting idea.
Hoyden About Town 