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Walker Fire Holds at 1,200 Acres Overnight
According to a 9 a.m. Aug.16 update from the Inyo National Forest, the Walker Fire is estimated to be 1,200 acres and is 7% contained. The fire is northeast of Walker Lake and west of Lee Vining Canyon.
The fire remained active most of last night, including torching and spotting. Fire crews focused on line construction on the north and east flanks in an effort to contain the active fire edge. Dozer lines and strategic burning operations were completed last night. Crews will strengthen and extend these lines today in an effort to keep the fire west of Highway 395 and south of Highway 120 West (Tioga Pass). The forecast calls for hot and dry conditions today and active fire behavior is expected.
Closures and Evacuations:
· Walker Lake "Fishing Camp" has been evacuated.
· A CodeRed Emergency Alert notice has been issued for Lee Vining and everything north of Double Eagle in June Lake (including Silver Lake and Grant Lake areas) for potential evacuations.
· Highway 120 West (Tioga Pass) between Highway 395 and Blue Slide (approximately 5 miles up-canyon from Highway 395) is closed.
· Campgrounds in the Lee Vining Canyon have been evacuated and are closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, and Big Bend Campgrounds.
· The Walker Lake Road (1N17), the Parker Lake Rd. (1S25), the Upper Horse Meadows Rd. (1N16), and the Gibbs Road (1N18) are closed for fire operations and public safety. All of these roads are accessed via the northern end of the June Lake Loop. All spur roads off of these roads are also closed. The trail to Mono Pass (trailhead is at Walker Lake) is closed.
· The Lee Vining area is becoming a center of fire operations and it is suggested that visitors should avoid this area.
The fire is burning is mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened. Visitors and residents should expect to see smoke from the June Lake and Lee Vining area and along Highway 395.
Approximately 300 firefighters are on scene. There are five helicopters, 4 dozers, and numerous engines assigned and more resources are on order. Resources from Mono County, local fire departments, Cal Fire, the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, the Tahoe National Forest, BLM Bishop Field Office, and the Mono County Sheriff's Office are assigned. The cause of the fire is under investigation.


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Alex "BuckyBit" Covic
E2E: Erik Meijer and Cormac Herley - Rational Rejection of Security Advice by Users
I thought about users and security a lot over many years...and I gave up on end-users. You, of course, cannot.
How many, 1 billion PC's worldwide? 100s of millions financial transactions every day. It is a miracle that so little is compromised! On the other hand, you can buy (in a couple hours, every time of the day) DVDs full of legit credit card numbers and other relevant data, if you know the sources.
End-user security will never improve, because IMHO we cannot show the users pictures of rotting carcasses or dying baby seals ... something to make them more aware, more cautious BEFORE something 'bad' happens, they lose their money or ID-theft. Who uses PGP? Who checks his own passwords with password crackers? Who encrypts his emails? Last time you updated your Key Fingerprint?
My concern is more on the company and government side. The recent New York Times article that explained how the Google Hack was possible (including the usage of Microsoft Instant Messenger and a click to a link - ah, ActiveX Controls) made me shiver.
Your company is as secure as your dumbest employee? But who was the real risk factor? The guy that clicked? The supervisor, that did not explain, not to use such a thing? The CTO who had no policies in place to explain the risks to the employees? etc... who's fault is it?
When it comes to security problems, I often defend Microsoft and Windows products explaining to people "This is what you wanted" - they want easy usability, they want to drag and drop things, to copy and paste... they wanted COM and ActiveX controls - jumping between apps, shiny, Flashy, javascript web, ... do users care about the problems this may cause? No! They are no programmers! They just want to drive the car, no wait - they just want the ride! They don't want to care what the difference is between http and https...
Blackhats who are after individuals are not my concern anymore. We need to think of the Chinese hacker madras (no offense, fellow Chinese Devs), the Cyberwars that are going on right now. The daily attacks we have to deal with on a daily basis. Industrial and military espionage is real. Our technology is used in critical areas. The vulnerability is there, too. People, who work in sensitive areas need to be educated.
[Edit] Consumer world End-users? What can we really do for/about them?
TechDays 2010 Keynote by Anders Hejlsberg: Trends and future directions in programming languages
It's my fault.
I read the title and thought the content would match it: 'Trends and future directions in programming languages'
So, what is the future in programming languages? Doing the /qParallel - all problems solved?
Sorry, but this keynote is for 5-year old programming toddlers? Nothing in there, that Anders did not say before in the videos Charles did over the years? But, I am not the audience for this. I did not want to sound too harsh.
This sounds more like a Level 100 for marketing types who have to sell the new VS? Who is this audience?
There are many moments when I was shaking my head, since the old discussions are popping up - this time unchallenged. Watching the power of dynamic and functional programming languages through his old 2D-OO-glasses is great for .NET, I guess.
Again, it's my fault.


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CSCL 2: Carrying Forward the Conversation is a thorough and up-to-date survey of recent developments in Computer Supported Collaborative Learning, one of the fastest growing areas of research in the learning sciences. A follow-up to CSCL: Theory and Practice of an Emerging Paradigm (1996), this volume both documents how the field has grown and fosters a meaningful discussion of how the research program might be advanced in substantive ways. Recognizing the long-standing traditions of CSCL work in Europe and Japan, the editors sought to broaden and expand the conversation both geographically and topically. The 45 participating authors represent a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including anthropology, communication studies, computer science, education, psychology, and philosophy, and offer international perspectives on the field. For each chapter, the goal was not only to show how it connects to past and future work in CSCL, but also how it contributes to the interests of other research communities. Toward this end, the volume features a qconversational structureq consisting of target chapters, invited commentaries, and author responses. The commentaries on each chapter were solicited from a diverse collection of writers, including prominent scholars in anthropology of education, social studies of science, CSCW, argumentation, activity theory, language and social interaction, ecological psychology, and other areas. The volume is divided into three sections: *Part I explores four case studies of technology transfer involving CSILE, one of the most prominent CSCL projects. *Part II focuses on empirical studies of learning in collaborative settings. *Part III describes novel CSCL technologies and the theories underlying their design. Historically, there has been a certain amount of controversy as to what the second qCq in CSCL should represent. The conventional meaning is qcollaborativeq but there are many C-words that can be seen as relevant. With the publication of this volume, qconversationalq might be added to the list and, in this spirit, the book might be viewed as an invitation to join a conversation in progress and to carry it forward.A laboratory manual for microbiology. Portland, ME: J.Weston Walch. Newman, D . (1990). Using social context for ... Powel, M.B. (1993). Demonstrating an Epidemic [On-line]. Available: http://www. accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/CC/ epidemic.
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Open Thread: Everything You're Reading, Watching, Listening To and Looking At
This is your place to talk about the TV, movies, music, books and art that are thoroughly entertaining you.
The other day, I harumph-marched over to Emily's desk and said, "Can you believe stores are already playing Christmas music?"
Emily replied, "I know, right? And did you see MTV doesn't play music videos anymore?"
I realized it's hackneyed to complain about how early Christmas oversaturation starts, but it really does annoy me. The only thing that bothers me more than seeing a Christmas-themed commercial before summer's over -- I saw two different ones this year (Kmart and Radio City Music Hall) -- is hearing Christmas music before December.
OK, so, that's not entirely accurate. I actually don't like hearing Christmas music in December, too.
I'm just not into Christmas -- never have been. I was raised superficially celebrating Hanukkah; today, I don't celebrate anything. Belief-wise, I'm basically the secret lovechild of Bertrand Russell and Robert G. Ingersoll, though I do give end-of-year gifts to close friends and family because... America?
I've been accused of being a Grinch, a Scrooge, a four-star general in the (nonexistent) war on Christmas. I'm the person who says, "Thanks, but I don't celebrate" when someone says "Merry Christmas." And I've been known to shout "Nooooooooooo!" after starting a car and having the radio greet me with a late-'90s boy-band rendition of an age-old Christmas carol I didn't like in the first place.
That said, music is music; so some Christmas music, by deductive reasoning, inevitably sounds pretty good to me. And by "some Christmas music," I mean, like, 10 songs.
These 10 songs.
"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses (1981)
This song just appeals to my musical sensibilities. It's one of those Christmas songs that I'd forget is about Christmas if I didn't listen carefully to the lyrics, which can be more or less summed up as, I'm too tired for Christmas but not for Christmas sex. And nothing captures seductive holiday apathy better than the late Patty Donahue's emotionless voice.
"Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney (1979)
If you watch only one video in this article, let it be this one. Linda McCartney's mullet and inexplicable animation that seems like a practice run for Tim Curry's musical number in "The Worst Witch" make it THE BEST.
I'm blind to Paul McCartney's flaws, one of which is supposedly this song, according to many people. But in addition to loving just about anything he's done, I also associate this song with the Christmas week I spent at my dear friend Heather's house in New Jersey my junior year of high school. I was visiting from Florida, and she and I were both depressed and angsty and snowed-in-stir-crazy. As we were zoning out on her queen-size waterbed, we noticed that her alarm clock was ticking to the exact tempo of "Wonderful Christmastime."
I know, it doesn't sound special or fun or anything -- especially when I round out the story with the fact that I woke up with a 100+ fever on Christmas morning, which is super-awkward when you're a guest -- but I will always fondly associate this song with Heather.
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon & Yoko Ono (1971)
Man, what a stark contrast between two former Beatles, right? Paul's all like "Whoopity doo!" and John's all like "Whoopity do you have any idea what's going on in the world?"
But even though this is a downer of a Christmas song, it's timelessly inspirational, and it proves that Yoko can carry a tune with some pretty sweet vibrato.
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid(1984)
Let's keep the vintage Christmas guilt trip going, shall we?
Ethiopian famine was the first international crisis I became aware of as a child, largely due to this song (as well as USA for Africa's "We Are The World"). I was five years old when this was released late in 1984, and even my kindergartner brain was impressed with the roster of pop stars Bob Geldof brought together for it: Phil Collins, Duran Duran, George Michael, Boy George, Bono, Sting, and even a couple of Americans. Americans!
They just don't make star-studded philanthropic songs like they used to. (Actually, I don't think they make star-studded philanthropic songs anymore, period.)
"Sleigh Ride" as performed by Arthur Fielder & The Boston Pops Orchestra (1949)
The oldest song on this list, composed by Leroy Anderson in 1948, this is the original recording of "Sleigh Ride," before the lyrics were even written. It's one of my all-time favorite orchestral recordings, regardless of its link to a holiday I don't care about.
What makes it especially magical to me is the verse after the bridge -- starting at 1:50 in this video, featuring a bizarre "Christmas with Colonel Sanders" album cover -- where the song seems to forget its classical sophistication and gives a seven-bar nod to the swing era that was on its way out. I have literally wept without warning when I hear that part. Can't explain it; I'm just nerdy and sensitive.
"Lonely Christmas Eve" by Ben Folds (2000)
Before you start thinking I'm warming up to the idea of Christmas, here's a song that's written from the perspective of the Grinch.
Ben Folds wrote and recorded "Lonely Christmas Eve" for the live-action Grinch movie, which I can take or leave; but, like with Paul McCartney, I am immune to any of Mr. Folds' deficiencies and will physically fight Emily for the chance to be his fifth wife.
"Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg (1980)
I'll admit two things: this is, by far, the sappiest song on this list (it's a true story, by the way... Awwwww), and it's also not officially a Christmas song. The narrative takes place on Christmas Eve, though, and it ends with a totally '80s sax solo of "Auld Lang Syne," the traditional New Year's song.
This song is almost as old as I am -- I think growing up with it made me like it -- and although it was played on the radio throughout the year during the '80s, it seems to pop up only during the holiday season nowadays.
Did anyone else think it's strange that they couldn't find an open bar, but they could find an open liquor store? That always bothered me.
"Step Into Christmas" by Elton John (1973)
I love this song because it's catchy as hell and it doesn't make a lick of sense.
First, he welcomes you to the song. After thanking you for the year (you're welcome?), he says he'd like to sing about all the things your eyes and mind can see, at which point, I just tune out and bop along because what?
Also, how does one step into Christmas? It's not like Christmas is a bathtub or pants.
It's insane and wonderful.
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" as performed by U2 (1987)
This was a tough choice for me, because I do really like the original recording by Darlene Love. Every year, she sings it on "The Late Show With David Letterman," where I interned and served as an audience page over a decade ago, and she randomly sang it in my hometown's high school auditorium when I was a kid.
I guess there's something about an Irish rock band's '80s spin on a Wall of Sound classic that makes me feel extra-tingly/tolerant.
"All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey(1994)
This is the second-newest Christmas song on my list, which is saying a lot considering it's almost 20 years old and sounds like it was written in the '60s. But it's just that -- the could've-just-as-easily-been-sung-by-a-young-Ronnie-Spector factor -- that makes me appreciate it.
Also, I think there would have been an office uprising had it been omitted.
The only thing that may be better than the original version is last year's rendition from "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," which you've probably seen, but just in case: watch and try not to cry from being tickled with joy.
There are, of course, a handful of honorable mentions, like Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" and Stevie Wonder's "What Christmas Means To Me" -- that's just good music, Christmas-themed or not. But that's where I draw the line. OK, I like "Feliz Navidad" too.
Oh, and one last thing: The Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy" is not -- I repeat -- NOT a Christmas song. It's Peanuts' perennial theme. So there.
Do you love, hate or just deal with Christmas music? What's your favorite/most tolerable Christmas song?


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Very much the same as the Moving On, but just moving further, so you have more stuff to carry. Wallet, wax, granola bar, maybe a slingshot? It's a well-designed cotton/polyester men's short, featuring single welt back pockets, button closure, zipper fly, and a chambray interior waistband with woven label and utility loop. These shorts are regular fit with a 20-inch outseam.
- This item fits true to size
- 20" Outseam
- Regular Fit
- Model is wearing a size 32. He is: 6'2", waist: 32", inseam: 32", suit: 40.
- Front Slash Pockets
- Woven Label
- Utility Loop
- Button Closure
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- Chambray Interior Waistband
- Zipper Fly
- Iron Low
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- 55% Cotton, 45% Polyester
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Mina's Dish
New Mexico Flavors Bring New Yogurt Shop Home
Olo Yogurt Studio
Olo Yogurt Studio opened its doors on Sept. 4 in the heart of Nob Hill with some of the best fro-yo you've ever drawn from a tap. Located just east of Boba Tea Company and across from Kelly's Brew Pub, Olo fits right in with Nob Hill's eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. In case you're wondering—Olo is not a franchise, but a dream made real by four creative entrepreneurs. This self-serve frozen yogurt shop sparkles with the energy of owners Paula Griego, Matthew Pope, Tom Haines and Precious Haines. Bold swaths of color swoop from the wall to the ceiling, drawing customers into the bright, contemporary space designed by local architect Mark Baker.
Restaurant Review
Saffron Tiger
Slow food, fast
If you read the online reviews of Saffron Tiger, on Paseo del Norte, you'd think going there is like rolling dice. It's interesting how many people label the restaurant as an Indian version of Panda Express, and how this contingent is split over whether this is a good thing.


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Words that start with barracoo
Found 2 words that start with barracoo. Browse our Scrabble Word Finder, Words With Friends cheat dictionary, and WordHub word solver to find words starting with barracoo. Or use our Unscramble word solver to find your best possible play! Related: Words containing barracoo
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On the Monday edition of Breitbart News Daily, broadcast live on Sirius XM Patriot channel 125 from 6AM to 9AM EST, host and Breitbart News executive chairman Stephen K. Bannon will discuss how the global terror threat impacts the 2016 election.
Nina Shea, international human rights lawyer and author of Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians, will discuss the Easter day massacre of Pakistani Christians by the Taliban.
Armstrong Williams will be calling from Paris to discuss the fate of Europe under the weight of the terror attacks.
Pollster and Cruz-aligned Super PAC head Kellyanne Conway will discuss Cruz's drive to victory in Wisconsin.
Sahil Kapur of Bloomberg will discuss his recent article about how the white working class vote forms the foundation of Donald Trump's drive to the White House.
Stephen Miller, the senior policy advisor to the Trump campaign, will discuss how the issue of trade is key to Trump's electoral victories.
We'll also hear from Breitbart correspondents around the globe, including Dr. Tom Williams in Rome discussing the military-level security at the Vatican, Aaron Klein in Jerusalem discussing ISIS bragging about future attacks in America, and Nick Hallet reporting live from Brussels on the latest in the investigations of the terror attack there.
Breitbart News Daily is the first live, conservative radio enterprise to air seven days a week. Sirius XM Vice President for news and talk Dave Gorab called the show "the conservative news show of record."
Follow Breitbart News on Twitter for live updates during the show. Listeners may call into the show at: 866-957-2874.


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CLARK — Seventh graders at Carl H. Kumpf Middle School in Clark recently learned about story elements in their language arts class, while sixth graders have been studying air pollution in science class.
Seventh graders in Suzanne Hamilton's language arts classes at Carl H. Kumpf Middle School in Clark reviewed story elements using a short story that they read in class. Hamilton would call out an element and the students would jot down a part of the story that they felt best fit into that category. After this, the students walked around the classroom and posted their sticky notes in specific locations to separate the different elements. Pictured above, Gabriella Stawinski, Victoria Torres, Victoria Zatko, and Michael Shackleton stand next to their "Resolution" sticky notes on the classroom door.
Students in Danielle DeFalco's sixth grade Earth Science classes at Carl H. Kumpf Middle School in Clark designed their own public service announcement pollution posters.They have been learning about pollution and the effect it has on both the atmosphere and all the living things within the atmosphere. Students worked in "pollution research teams" to investigate which cities had the highest rates of pollution in the United States. After coming up with a list of the top 20 most polluted cities, students designed posters to promote a healthier, pollution free city. Posters were filled with catchy slogans, detailed illustrations, and tips for people on how to lower their carbon footprint. Pictured above, R.J. Talarico, Anthony Diaz, Jenna Wiese, and Samara Infantino show off their pollution posters.
(Photos courtesy of Clark Public Schools)
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Fast-fashion chains are pouring into China as millions of young adults head into the work force -- and the dating pool -- and need to look good on a budget.
"Chinese love to shop, but growing up in Nanjing, consumers of my generation didn't understand Western fashion. They just copied Hong Kong trends," said 32-year-old Vivian Chen, China marketing manager at Hennes & Mauritz, or H&M as the Swedish fashion retailer is better known.
Today's young adults are far more fashion conscious, thanks to rising incomes and the popularity of style websites, magazines and reality shows such as "Creative Sky," similar to "Project Runway."
"The trend is clear: Fast fashion will dominate the retail fashion market in the next five years, gradually changing consumers' consumption behavior," said Ms. Chen. The former Ogilvy & Mather PR executive joined H&M in 2007 to oversee marketing, advertising and social media in China, where the global retailer now operates 85 stores in 33 cities.
For international brands like H&M, that means getting sizes and styles right. "We do focus groups with customers to improve the sizes and choose the right colors," said Ms. Chen.
For example, H&M sells men's hats in green, but not in China, where the phrase "wearing a green hat" refers to a cuckold. And forget about summer dresses with playful daisies. White flowers are associated with death in China.
Affordable fast fashion is a relative term among young Chinese. A $35 H&M sweater is a bargain in the West, but per capita disposable income in Shanghai, China's wealthiest city, was just $5,760 in 2011.
H&M is building a foundation in China's second- and third-tier markets, where disposable income, and fashion sense, are still in the early stages, Ms. Chen said. "Many lower-tier consumers don't know how to wear the clothes, how to mix and match."
Distribution is another challenge for H&M as well as rivals such as U.S.-based Gap, Japan's Uniqlo and Spain's Zara. In China, H&M works with 60 developers, many of whom have never heard of the brand.
Even so, H&M is thriving there -- its 2011 sales totaled $539.4 million, up 42% from the previous year.
Ms. Chen identifies digital media as her next challenge, working with key opinion leaders online to raise the brand's profile and expanding e-commerce sales through partnerships with online retailers.


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Albion Water v Ofwat (Shotton site) [2006] CAT 36
Competition Appeal Tribunal judgment (125 pages, PDF) in the Albion Water / Welsh Water (Shotton) case.
In line with the Tribunal's main judgment in the case, this ruling quashes the substance of Ofwat's non-infringement decision. It declares that Welsh Water held a dominant position and that it committed a margin squeeze abuse by offering a common carriage access price to Albion Water which would not have allowed Albion to earn a margin on a retail price competitive with Welsh's retail tariff. It refers to Ofwat (under the Tribunal's supervision) the question of whether Welsh Water's access price offer was also unfair in the light of the relevant costs, and therefore an exploitative abuse.
The interim measures (a bulk supply from Welsh Water at a price that allows Albion Water to earn a margin) are maintained during Ofwat's investigation into Welsh Water's costs and potential exploitative abuse.
The Tribunal considered that it did not have jurisdiction to order Ofwat to withdraw its guidance on access codes. But the judgment recalls at paragraph 358 that the Tribunal is not satisfied that this guidance is correct or lawful, or that it would be lawful for undertakers to follow it.
Both Welsh Water and Ofwat have appealed or threatened to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
For further information or advice please contact Franck Latrémolière.
Filed under Article 82, CAT, Water.


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Sony has patented a video games controller that would work seamlessly across multiple consoles, in the same way that manufacturers offer phone chargers that work on many different types of handset.
The patent describes a device that has a touchscreen LCD in the middle, which would display different button layouts depending on the console it's connected to. It would have a speaker and vibration unit, but most interesting is the list of consoles that it describes as being able to connect to. The patent says:
"This document describes an adaptable or universal game controller which can be used to emulate the controllers of popular game consoles, such as, without limitation, the PlayStation.TM. made by Sony, a controller made by Nintendo, X-box.TM. game controllers made by Microsoft, Amiga CD-32.TM. controllers, Atari Jaguar.TM. controllers, Gravis Gamepad.TM. controllers, Sega controllers, and Turbographics controller".
As Kotaku points out, there's a lot of very old consoles in there - could this actually be a patent for a virtual console experience, rather than the altruistic offering that it suggests? We'll keep you posted of any announcements.


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Over the years the company brand has become SFS. There is no abbreviation hidden behind the three letters. The SFS brand rather represents our corporate culture and our values.
In the Engineered Components segment we serve our customers under the SFS intec, Unisteel and Tegra Medical brands. SFS intec products are supplied to the automotive and aerospace industries, the medical components industry is supplied with products under the SFS intec and Tegra Medical brands. Products for consumer electronics and hard disc drives are marketed under the Unisteel brand.
Fastening Systems distributes its products under the SFS intec and GESIPA brands. For construction and construction suppliers we develop, manufacture and distribute fastening solutions under the SFS intec brand. The GESIPA brand stands for the development, manufacture and distribution of high-quality blind rivets, blind rivet washers and powerful setting tools.
Distribution & Logistics provides fasteners, tools, architectural hardware, chemical-technical products as well as value-adding logistics solutions under the SFS unimarket brand in Switzerland. The tailored logistics solutions enable customers to achieve substantial savings in their process costs.


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First, to clarify, let me define the "NotAllMen" or "NAM."
A "NotAllMen" is typically a heterosexual white male, who, when encountered with feminist anger, the patriarchy, or women's issues in general, respond with "but I'M not like that. It's not ALL men! this is an isolated incident. It cannot possibly be as bad as you think!" A NAM shares similarities with those who call themselves Men's Right's Activists, but may be less extreme or active or even know about the MRA because they really don't know a lot about the whole women's rights thing to begin with.
The NAM suffers from something known as "Male Privilege." They show a natural tendency to resist any acknowledgment of such privilege, and make a concerted effort to remain ignorant of what the term means.
Male Privilege is often invisible to the typical NAM, but symptoms include a warped world view due to the fact that they have never encountered many of the systematic forms of societal oppression women face every day, and therefor seem unable to understand how the life of an average woman can be so different from their own. Since they do not grasp the fact that they are afforded more opportunities and freedoms (I.E. Feeling safe walking alone) they view feminists are trying to take away something from them, rather than giving women more equality. To them, equality is a finite resource. In order to give it to women, it must be taken away from men. Most people know this not to be true.
The NAM may also show signs of entitlement to their (often uninformed) opinion. These opinions typically include (but are not limited to)
- It's not ALL men
- Feminism is just a platform to hate men!
- It hurts my feelings to be told men do bad things
- We already HAVE equality
- Some form of blaming the victim
- But men have issues, too!
- We NEED inequality to function as a society!
The NAM also may exhibit signs of "Mansplaining," in which he will attempt to explain things to you, on topics which you are well-informed and well versed, and he knows little. However well informed you may be, the NAM will always feel that he has to explain it to you, using knowledge often gained from other uninformed NAM's, internet comments, and Fox News. The NAM believes he knows what feminism ACTUALLY is, and how the world ACTUALLY works, according to him. The NAM's invisible Male Privilege causes him to believe, while oblivious to the sheer level of narcissism involved to create such a delusion, that if he as an individual has never encountered a problem, the problem does not exist. The problems inherent in this logic are obvious.
The NAM attempts to sound reasonable and respectful, as a contrast to the typical woman's hysteria. However, what the NAM understands to be reason and respect is actually intense condescension and patronizing. It is typical of a NAM to have a misunderstanding of the definitions of many words.
While all of these symptoms may indicate NAM tendencies, men who exhibit them may recover if they manage to possess an open mind, a willingness to learn, and enough maturity to admit they were misinformed.
A true NAM will reveal himself when actually challenged on any of the above. If at first patronizing doesn't succeed, try, try again. If you politely and respectfully attempt to explain to a NAM why his opinion is problematic, his initial response will be "oh dear, her small lady brain was unable to understand what I so clearly explained to her. Let me try again." This time he will reach a level of simplicity so obtuse, most observing will be slightly shocked. After, once again, attempting a respectful, if more forceful reply to the NAM, who is now exposing himself to be severely uneducated on the topic he is attempting to discuss, he will now start to get pissy. This is because being challenged on something he has told a woman is such a blow to the NAM's fragile ego, he must now resort to grand generalizations, name calling, and general sexist stupidity.
Let me explain to you how your comments look to a well-informed feminist, woman, or female friend who posted an article on an issue related to women's rights or feminism.
When you try to explain to a feminist what feminism is, to be base, you look like an idiot. It would be like me trying to explain to OJ Simpson how best to write a book about getting away with murder. I've never gotten away with murder! I haven't even researched it! Or read his book! Who am I to try to explain to OJ Simpson how it's done? This is just general common sense when it comes to literally any discussion in life. If you don't know what you're talking about, or if your opinion is based on other people's opinions and you haven't actually done any unbiased research you can't expect other people to take your opinion seriously. When I talk about feminism, I'm talking from personal experience, academic research, personal research, and a whole lot of statistics. When you try to talk to me about feminism, and want to disagree, you better be able to back yourself up, because otherwise your opinion is not valid. Not to me.
When men do this, especially men I know and am acquainted with, this is what it says to me: You don't respect me and you don't respect women. If you really, really respected me as your equal, you wouldn't feel the need to talk down to me. You don't actually respect my opinion, because although it is generally back up with facts, figures, and hundreds of years of systemized oppression, you STILL feel the need to chime in with your uninformed, simplistic, privileged understanding of what women go through every day. If you actually respected me and women as a whole, you'd be an ally. You wouldn't be telling me to shut up and stop posting articles on Facebook.
I just want to clarify, once again, how narcissistic this is. When I post an article calling out sexist behavior, violence against women, or Men's Rights Activists, it is not me yelling at you. I am not saying "LOOK AT THIS SHITTY STUFF MEN DID AND HEY PAUL YOU ARE A MAN THEREFORE YOU ARE A PIECE OF SHIT!" That is you personalizing the issue to you as an individual, and is probably missing whatever point I was trying to make entirely.
I'm not suggesting that men can't have opinions about feminism, and they can't be different than mine. But you must keep in mind the platform you're speaking from. If you are a heterosexual white male, you are speaking from the most privileged platform in our current North American society. You're life experience is going to be vastly different than say, a queer African American Woman. Vastly. Everyone as an individual can only speak with a combination of their personal experience, perspective, and education. Before speaking on any issue of inequality, it is your responsibility to acknowledge that you are speaking from a privileged platform, and that you do not have the firsthand experience of being part of an oppressed or minority group. Until you accept and acknowledge your privilege, you really can't expect to be taken seriously in matters like feminism or any kind of inequality.
I used to have a policy of education over confrontation, but the more NAM's I encounter the more I realize they just don't want to hear it. Trying to be civil with a NAM or an MRA is like trying to convince a brick wall that it's anything other than a brick wall, because a brick wall is a brick wall and it ain't gonna change.
But, if you're mature enough and want to actually learn, that's when I'll be willing to talk to you like an adult. But remember: the oppressed are allowed to be angry at their oppressor. Women are allowed to be angry at men. Again, this does not mean that I am angry with you, Dustin, Sean, Kurt, or any of my male acquaintances individually.
So instead of getting up in arms and trying to defend yourself against the evil feminists, how about you defend women? Be an ally. Learn. Educate yourself. Don't be a NAM.