What problems do Western Men have? Easy. We're busy working on the world's real problems AND supporting our families while all you angry, spoiled Western women whine about how "oppressed" you are.

Also, it's kind of hillarious to claim that women's studies encompass all of womenkind, when they really just encompass the concerns of privleged Western women.

Working on my Masters in public health administration/ epidemiology right now - that's what I know about "The Academy." But you're right, I do have a grudge against foolishness and the idle, softheaded time wasters that pass themselves off as "Cultural Studies" types.

Can we settle on that? I'm not saying that sexism isn't a problem - just that there are alot of bigger problems out there and the women that I tend to admire don't get too hung up on sexism. They usually just shrug it off and get on with solving the bigger problems that are out there. I'm not denying that it exists and that it's a problem, but when you put things in perspective it's really not the biggest problem we face on this planet. I just think that Western women who get all hung up on sexism are wasting their time and energy that could be better used elsewhere. To flip your comment on it's head - I doubt that many women in the developing world have the luxury of caring about "glass ceilings" and inequal pay for women in the corporate world.

... but my basic point is that "women's studies" are more divisive and myopic than inclusive and enlightening. They focus on one small, exclusionary segment of human experience at the expense of a larger engagement with the world. And the difference between this and various ethnic studies departments is that ethnic studies serve a real academic purpose by engaging, explaining and engaging in a dialog with "foreign" cultures - which is at the heart of what Univesities do. Women's studies, on the other hand, come from a place of entitelment within Western culture and grew out of the equally worthless Post-Modern school of reductive navel-gazing and idle foolishness. I've got no problem with real equality, but women's studies is (like most "Cultural Theory") just a lame excuse for a bunch of desperate academics to carve out their own niche at the academy.

Western men don't have entire academic departments devoted exclusively to "men's studies".

But you knew that, you just like to distort what people say. LOL

Also, Globally, Malaria kils more people than hunger every year.

If sexism is your only problem, then you really have nothing to complain about. Thanks for proving my point about the spoiled nature of privleged Western women.

Sorry, but I'm just more interested in solving the problems that affect EVERYONE, not just spoiled, middle class American women. If you think that being in favor of universalism over sexism (or, in the case of women's studies, exclusionary reverse sexism), makes me an asshole, then so be it. Meanwhile, I've worked for NGOs in East Africa that worked to remove landmines in Mozambique and eradicate Malaria in western Tanzania. Last time I checked landmines and mosquitos don't discriminate based on gender. I've got no problem with women's equality, but women's studies is an academic ghetto that does more harm than good.

That you ask this question not out concern for the planet or overpopulation, but out of some vague, theoretical perspective is proof that you are too ridiculous to procreate. The planet is overpopulated - if you don't see a compelling need to have kids, then don't. Adopt a nice kitty instead.

Is there anything sillier or more self-indulgent than "women's studies"? I mean what the heck are you supposed to do with a degree in "women's studies" - go work for one of the big, Fortune 500 women's studies firms? What a fucking waste of tuition.

Fact is, our current global human population is unsustainable - we need too many resources and the planet can't support all of us. What to do, what to do?

The only thing you need to add to black beans to make a great soup is water and garlic. Lots and lots and lots of garlic. Everything else turns purple. A little Crema Salvadorena is nice on top, though.

jq -welcome to the wonderful world of music journalism...

Actually, it was DJ Kool Herc - an actual JA immigrant - who first imported the Soundsystem concept to the Bronx. His enormous "Herculoids" speakers were direct descendants of Duke Reid's Trojan sound, and speaking of Bam, he was dropping "world music" into Zulu Nation mixes back in the '80s.

Okay, first of all, trip-hop never really died - it just kind of splintered off into a dozen micro-genres, from drum&bass to "future dub". And those of us who aren't paid full time to keep abreast of these things (ie, anyone not a member of the British music press) moved on to other things. But it still exists and crops up every now and again. Portishead didn't kill anything - they just evolved in a different direction. And what's wrong with that? While personally I'm definitely more of a fan of King Tubby than My Bloody Valentine, I still have both in my iTunes. Bands are allowed to evolve and try out new sounds once in awhile. Review the album and don't make it a referendum on the whole genre. And, while I do appreciate Salon's attempt to write about "black" music (albeit "black" music made by white people), I'm still waiting for Salon to extend its musical horizons beyond the same old Anglo-American pop market. Here's a suggestion, Salon - Seun Kuti, son of the late, great Nigerian legend Fela Kuti, is releasing his debut album this month and following it up with a North American tour. Maybe you could do something with that? I mean Portishead? Meh...

And there is no love/hate... only hate... and the husbands are worse than the wives...