Letters to the Editor
nancyh
Published Letters: 155 Editor's Choice: 5
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Two thoughts
[Read the article: The certainty epidemic]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]First, I agree with earlier posts that suggest that it is not appropriate to use the same word "belief" to describe both scientific and religious/spiritual knowledge. The implication is that both systems of thought are on a single continuum, with scientific information earning a higher belief "score" 99.99999% than religious/spiritual knowledge. I am perfectly comfortable talking about the devine in terms of my "beliefs" because this word reflects the fact that there are no data. On the other hand, I am happy to talk about the scientific basis of my work in terms of "knowing" (and also "know" that I may be required to revise what I "know" with the addition of new data). The distinction in language reflects an underlying multidimensionality of the feeling of knowing in a way that saying I realy, realy, realy believe in evolution does not.
Second, I think the fundamental point that Burton was trying to make is that "knowing" is more akin to an emotion (he uses the word feeling) than cognition. This, I think is accurate and indicates (as he aludes to) that the feeling of "knowing" predates the development of language. But, linking back to my original point and after a little introspection, I would assert that belief without evidence carries with it a different feeling (or emotion) than does knowing with evidence or having a hunch or gut feeling. While I agree that it is appropriate to think of all of these as feelings, they are as different as hunger, thirst, elation, anger, contentment, and fear.
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the skinny and the fat
[Read the article: On the runway, still needing a sandwich]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The skinny-the reason that designers like the skinny models is because they no longer have the tailoring skills to accomodate women with breasts and hips (damn curves) or in the case of men, big shoulders. In other words, the vast majority are talentless hacks.
The fat-people focus on anorexia and bulemia to a greater degree than obesity because it a) it kills much more quickly than obesity and the death of a young person is usually seen as more tragic than the death of an older person. b) It is much easier to understand how someone becomes obese than it is to understand anorexia. We can all to a degree empathize with people who eat too much (because we all do it on occasion). It is much harder to understand how someone can learn to ignore the strong physical impulses that we all have to eat when we are hungry. c) Annorexia is much more likely to occur in affluent white girls. Obesity is much more common in lower income African American, Latina women. I am sure others can add to this list. Me, I am just tired of companies that use 14-year old boys as fit models for their jeans (we have hips you morons).
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Conspiricy theories
[Read the article: On the runway, still needing a sandwich]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]So here is an observation about women, power, and body weight. During the last 100 years there have been three time periods during which being excessively thin was the fashion-ideal. The roaring 20's (flappers), the '60s (Twiggy), and now (see above). Each flare up of the emaciated corresponds with steps forward in women's rights. Flappers followed ratification of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. Twiggy followed the sexual revolution. And, the current crop of emaciated models follow a time during which women have been making greater strides in corporate culture and politics. Is this part of the backlash? Can you imagine how much women could do if they were not constantly worried about their weight (in either direction)?
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re Ruby
[Read the article: On the runway, still needing a sandwich]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I don't get it. Where's the profit in that?
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Men. . . They are always coming and going, going and coming. . and always too soon
[Read the article: Women ARE funny. And foxy!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]How could you miss Madeline Kahn????!!!! Hilarious, hot, and hilariously hot!!!!!
I defy Hitch or any man not to laugh at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-pmpgrYQgs
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6eTTaY1a6M&feature=related
or how about Young Frankenstein. Can't find the exact clips, but Madeline Kahn's "No tongue" and her final scene as the Bride of Frankenstein. . .. . . HILARIOUS!! (Terry Garr also funny and beautiful, Chloris Leachman's Frau Blucher a scream).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZybFl_pfMk&feature=related
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Where do you shop?
[Read the article: Do not go gentle into that Eileen Fisher]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I get the cosmetic stuff and the hair-care/color and frankly I look damn good for 42 and on a good day pass for 32 (and laughed when I got carded at the liquor store last week).
But, where do you shop? I am not ready for Talbots, Gap works for the jeans/tanks/t-shirts, and I coble things together from a variety of stores- but there are no chain stores that cater to the over 40, still a size 6-8, not stodgy, but definitely waaaayyy to old for Charlotte Russe/Urban Outfitters/Wet Seal/the Limited/Banana Republic.
Just curious ladies, suggestions?
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Thanks for the shopping advice
[Read the article: Do not go gentle into that Eileen Fisher]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thanks for all the shopping advice. There were a few brands that I had not heard of (e.g., 7 for Mankind).
My favorite fashion finds have been on Ebay-Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses. They look great on almost everyone and are affordable on Ebay (~$100) and I have a drop dead cool coat (get compliments from young, old, men, women) from the Black and White store. And for the legs (during winter) the answer is boots-functional and cool.
But, here is a shout out to all you retailers. There are A LOT of >40 women with disposable income that want JUST ONE STORE that caters to us. Someplace where we can find cool and edgy clothes that look and fit in an age appropriate way. I don't want to look like I am in my 20s-God fobrbid. But I do want to look vital, energetic, and (I admit it) cool!
Gap-4th and Towne was a disaster. Try again.