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Posts from the ‘Science’ Category

Apr 4

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“Born This Way” Or Not: No Justification Required

By Adam Turner
In the past few weeks I've heard the "born this way" argument pop up all over the place in classes and everyday conversation. I quite appreciate its value as a strong, proud anthem of self-empowerment (implicitly in the face of an unaccepting world). It's also a pretty sweet jam. The foundation associated with it seems also to be up to some great things, and I certainly agree with their mission "to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated." I'm not here to critique the song. But it is a handy jumping-off point for a larger issue

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Oct 31

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2 Comments

When the Personal Really is Historical (and Scary!)

By Jacqueline Antonovich
So, I have pertussis. You may know it better as whooping cough. Believe me, the irony of a gender and medicine historian catching a 19th century disease is not lost on me. It’s hard enough to be a graduate student, a GSI (Graduate Student Instructor), a wife, and a mother of two, but throw in a good old-fashioned Oregon Trail disease, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a semester.

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Oct 16

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Because Science Says So

By Adam Turner
Vagina Week continues! With this post by Adam Turner on Naomi Wolf's use of Science! in her new book, Vagina: A Biography. Naomi Wolf uses a whole lot of science in her new book, Vagina: A Biography (perhaps more accurately called an autobiography). She lectures at length about the nervous system, stress responses, brain chemistry, and how all of these things seem to have their center in powerful mind-altering (heterosexual, vaginal) sex. Taking her personal experiences as a jumping-off point (itself a dubious scientific technique) Wolf references a wide variety of studies to make her argument that the vagina, broadly defined, is a driving force in women's lives, responsible for their happiness, successful relationships, creativity, and existential health.

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