Say Yes!

Interesting read in Taipei Times on women's enhanced spatial abilities during menstruation. Hopefully women's ability to say yes instead of always no when guys ask them out are also enhanced during this time, perhaps? It's clear that there are some fundamental differences between man and woman. There are just some things that the male brain is more suited to do, and same with the female brain; certainly our physical bodies differ. But the important thing to stress is that despite these innate, biological differences, society should not structure things so as to make differences a hinderence. Of course this is being idealistic because it is also precisely the differences in ability that makes one either outstanding or just regular, regardless of race or gender. So I just sort of went in a circle there. I guess I want to say I am for equality and fairness without comprimising excellence. In some sense we need to say its ok to have an elitist system, because only when there is incentive to excel will society as a whole be propelled forward. The important thing to remember though is that either a man or woman or someone of any race could do the job and fulfill this criteria. Basically as long as they are human, they fit the bill. Well, in most stories the aliens are always more advanced, so technically they could too...

An interesting question I read the other day is, why do we have gender specific restrooms in public spaces while at home, restrooms are obviously gender neutral? Why the difference at home and in public? What is it in public that we cannot accept while in private there's obviously no issue? During college I lived in a dorm that had coed bathrooms. I have to say sometimes it did feel weird sitting on the loo and in the stall next door you have someone in high heels. I do remember trying to make sure whoever was next door didn't know it was me! One gets used to it, or was it because of social conventions drilled into our minds since youth that made things awkward in the first place? Or did our male ancestors clearly choose to go in the woods at locations different from the females, perhaps because as I had felt, if they know who you are any chances of potential dating are shot out the window? After all, the process of removing waste is a rather private one, and until there is a reasonable level of intimacy established, these things are best done out of sight and knowledge?

At some point in my career I really am going to switch to studying the human brain and behaviour. It's just fascinating.

On a slightly darker note though, the bird flu seems to be spreading. So to my bro in Europe, please make sure to keep your hands clean! I think it's absolutely a high priority for all governments to keep watch and contain any potential outbreaks. This is far more dangerous than terrorism.