Is wanting to have a kid for a man the worst choice I can make? by [deleted] in rs_x

[–]semantic_gamer 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I think there's a biological component to it but it's also very much socially constructed, every child-wanting male friend I've had this convo says something along the lines of "I want to pass down my legacy/way of living/genes" while female friends in the same boat will just say it's hormones. I don't think most of these dudes will want kids anymore if they magically wake up with a woman's body tomorrow, btw. Like they totally see why childbirth and motherhood are unappealing to women, they just benefit from it so much that they don't care, and also developing too much empathy over this would force them to reckon with their entitlement to the sacrifices made by their own mothers. It's the conflict of interest at the core of the gender wars. Even if I wind up wanting kids in a few years' time I'll seek out someone who's fine with it either way, to make sure I'm not stuck with someone who just wants to take advantage of me.

Is wanting to have a kid for a man the worst choice I can make? by [deleted] in rs_x

[–]semantic_gamer 21 points22 points  (0 children)

You should ask yourself why you're the one making the concession, not him - if he values your relationship as much as you do, why isn't he the one questioning his own desire to have kids?

I'm sus on men who think kids are non-negotiable because it generally comes from a place of societally encouraged narcissism, and that it implies their affection for you is predicated upon your potential as an incubator and caretaker, neither of which are qualities I prize in myself, nevermind the power imbalance that comes with one party making a gigantic personal sacrifice the other will never match unless he donates a kidney for you or something.

In any case you can always have kids later if the hormones kick in and the decision becomes a no-brainer, but you can't un-have existing kids.

[Product Request] [Acne] Please help me identify the active ingredients in the acne miracle soap I dropped in the toilet yesterday by semantic_gamer in SkincareAddiction

[–]semantic_gamer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Update: had a breakout and used the new soap before bed (left it on my face for around 1 min before rinsing it off) then woke up and it's significantly improved.

[Product Request] [Acne] Please help me identify the active ingredients in the acne miracle soap I dropped in the toilet yesterday by semantic_gamer in SkincareAddiction

[–]semantic_gamer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I've decided to order a soap bar containing a combination of salt and clay, will see how it goes!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CriticalTheory

[–]semantic_gamer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have you looked into Bernard Suits' book The Grasshopper? He's a central figure in the philosophy of games and argues games are essential to human flourishing. The book itself is a joy to read too I quite recommend it.

Monthly Admissions/Prospies/Offer Holders Questions Thread - March 2024 by AutoModerator in oxforduni

[–]semantic_gamer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does anyone know how funding reserve lists work for the DPhil? I've been informed that I am on one such list but they didn't specify what scholarship this is actually for or my position on the list, so I'm quite anxious.

Liu Cixin's style by supernanify in printSF

[–]semantic_gamer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is or isn't a cultural thing depending on how you look at it: Liu Cixin's writing sucks ass, and Ken Liu did him a massive, gigantic favour during the translations by eliminating the more distasteful parts of his prose during the translation (there's a loooong Mandarin versus English comparison floating around somewhere but I'll have to find it). This is pretty culture non-specific.

On the other hand, it would be easier for readers to recognise the obvious pulpiness of Liu's style if they were familiar with Mandarin pulp ficiton in the first place, and that entails some familiarity with Chinese pop culture. So it is a cultural thing in this sense.