Ew.

I swore I wasn't going to post about this subject, but it bothers me enough that I need to write about it. I usually find that, after I've written about an issue that disturbs me, I can let it go. It's not serious or at all personal, so don't worry. :P

Yesterday, I was looking for necklace patterns on the Internet, and I came across this disturbing guide to seducing women. One of its techniques is called the stone necklace pattern, and, as I clicked on it, I went "Ooh, I have some rose quartz that I want to use for . . . OMG, you are kidding me! Some men actually believe that shit works?"

This guide bothers me for unspecifiable reasons. I think it might be because I find it profoundly depressing as a feminist, a woman and a human being. Much of it seems to be written by bitter men who don't appear actually to like women very much, and who see relationships and sex as a means of getting back at them. They present themselves as "nice guys" who never get laid because women are either "only interested in looks, money and status" or "bitches who play mindgames and test them the entire time." Their solution is to lie, concoct stories, play distasteful games, and generally treat women badly. Apparently, these techniques get them sex of both the vanilla and more exotic varieties.

Plus, in the guide, they present sex as a commodity, rather than any expression of love, emotional involvement or intimacy. Women are the suppliers who are holding out on them, and men have to trick them into giving it to them.

I think that's just such a depressing construction of human relationships, let alone relationships between the sexes. I wish I could tell those men that alternatives do exist, that men and women can be friends, that you can really like and respect your partner, that they'd be happier for doing so. :(

Now, I am running late for karate, but I do feel better. :P