[Shaun J. Russell]

Originally Posted by Jane Holland

Men like the blustering chauvinists on Eratosphere would love it if we rolled onto our backs and lapped up their explanations like good little girls. Unfortunately for them, most of us have got better sense.

It's a complicated situation, and nothing that punitiary castration would solve, alas. Though it's fun to consider it as an option.

What in the world is that all about?

I don't think anyone here -- male or female -- has said anything that warrants something so vitriolic.

As with all discussions, you can interpret it whatever way you want, but I am appalled at the sheer insolence of the above allegations. The supposed gender gap is largely wrought by those who want there to be a gender gap. I am a proponent of true equality between both sexes and all races...and when I say "equality" I mean equality. Gender should not be a factor in what makes a great poem great, and you can call Eratosphere a lot of things, but I don't think "chauvinistic" is one of them. Not in any prevailing sense, at least.

I looked at your forum, expecting to see something positive and proactive, but all that's there is negative sniping against men. It's deeply disheartening, and has made what seemed like a good, fruitful discussion into a shallow pastiche. It screams of agenda.