I don't want strangers touching my arm unless it's absolutely necessary. Yank me back if a bus is about to hit me: yes. By all means, touch whatever you need to touch if you are in the process of saving my life. But even if breasts were as totally desexualized as elbows -- well, I just don't want strangers touching my elbows.
I started to write you an email that asked if you encountered this ferret guy and his boob project at the con, and whether you kicked him in the balls to help him fully appreciate the beauty of his body. But then work intervened. Ah, well.
From his updated entry, it looks like he's finally grasped how an idea that worked well within his small group of friends would not work AT ALL with a larger group. That's good, although I'm still tempted to slap him upside the head and say "DUH."
I started to write you an email that asked if you encountered this ferret guy and his boob project at the con, and whether you kicked him in the balls to help him fully appreciate the beauty of his body.
Yeah. You have something that, in a safe and private context with clear boundaries, could be all sorts of interesting and awesome about de-mystifying bodies, or exploring touch.
Or, if nothing else, a consensual groping party for those who might feel like that.
And instead what you get is a bunch of men who basically feel that they should be able to go up to strange women and ask to grope their breasts, and have no comprehension of why a "polite" request might be perceived as threatening and humiliating nonetheless. And a "project" which rapidly starts sliding towards the idea that women should have to wear red buttons in order not to be asked (this became rather clear in some of the comments, denials aside).
I just read about this so-called 'project' this afternoon. If I had gone to Penguicon, encountering this behavior could very well have ruined it for me. (here I imagine bands of geeky men, roving about looking for well-endowed women. ugh!)
Though if I had been asked, I very well might have asked for the ninny to show me his dick first, laughed at said appendage, and walked away. :-p
When I saw it one of my thoughts (besides the seeing red) was "wasn't that the con Julie! went too? Hope she wasn't accosted..."
*sigh*
Yes to everything you said.
I want to see breasts lose their objectified sexual mystique, to be seen as just a (occasionally functional and fun) body part women have
This reminds me of my mom's story from her Anthropology days of the missionaries (I forget where exactly) who were SO proud for finally getting the natives to wear clothing, only to find the women had cut big holes in the dresses right around their breasts to make nursing their babies easier.
I'd love to see the energy that went into the OSBP directed at things like supporting breastfeeding in public. THAT is a boob project I could get behind.
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Yes. That.
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From his updated entry, it looks like he's finally grasped how an idea that worked well within his small group of friends would not work AT ALL with a larger group. That's good, although I'm still tempted to slap him upside the head and say "DUH."
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I was wondering the same myself. HEH.
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Or, if nothing else, a consensual groping party for those who might feel like that.
And instead what you get is a bunch of men who basically feel that they should be able to go up to strange women and ask to grope their breasts, and have no comprehension of why a "polite" request might be perceived as threatening and humiliating nonetheless. And a "project" which rapidly starts sliding towards the idea that women should have to wear red buttons in order not to be asked (this became rather clear in some of the comments, denials aside).
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I just read about this so-called 'project' this afternoon. If I had gone to Penguicon, encountering this behavior could very well have ruined it for me. (here I imagine bands of geeky men, roving about looking for well-endowed women. ugh!)
Though if I had been asked, I very well might have asked for the ninny to show me his dick first, laughed at said appendage, and walked away. :-p
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*sigh*
Yes to everything you said.
I want to see breasts lose their objectified sexual mystique, to be seen as just a (occasionally functional and fun) body part women have
This reminds me of my mom's story from her Anthropology days of the missionaries (I forget where exactly) who were SO proud for finally getting the natives to wear clothing, only to find the women had cut big holes in the dresses right around their breasts to make nursing their babies easier.
Reply
I'd love to see the energy that went into the OSBP directed at things like supporting breastfeeding in public. THAT is a boob project I could get behind.
Reply
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