tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post7523319797933003661..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Fictional Matriarchies Brian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-84944854834780099242017-06-08T05:40:19.199-04:002017-06-08T05:40:19.199-04:00Thanks Baili - It is important to remember that we...Thanks Baili - It is important to remember that we are only talking about averages. There are indeed violent women. However, when one looks across cultures and times, in every category of violence, men's tendency to be violent is always much greater then is women's.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-29363170756465463642017-06-08T03:12:15.714-04:002017-06-08T03:12:15.714-04:00Fantastic review and comparison of books.
I think...Fantastic review and comparison of books. <br />I think the differences between men an women regarding violence was physical some years back but now it has become psychological. <br />I have read ,heard, observed and vitnesd men that were more violent than women but I also saw women who were more violent then men and they were those who were physiologically stronger than average women, it made me think that how much we become violent decides our physical power also.<br />Now in New world we find women almost equally violent as men and it reflects the realization of her rights and value which provokes her to be more aggressive towards her surroundings. <br />bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-14587754606114525252017-06-06T19:12:55.495-04:002017-06-06T19:12:55.495-04:00Thanks Maria.
The Gate to Women’s Country is real...Thanks Maria.<br /><br />The Gate to Women’s Country is really good. I would love to know what you thought if you read it. <br /><br />Though I agree that a lot of competition, especially if it violent or malicious is bad, I think in certain contexts completion can be beneficial. For instance, I believe that often capitalism, when well regulated, is better then government control of production.<br /><br />I think that violence is slowly being diminished in the world. There are unfortunately nasty setbacks. Part of that less violent society is slow movement toward egalitarianism. <br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-90838811463085055792017-06-06T13:18:38.539-04:002017-06-06T13:18:38.539-04:00Another fascinating post, Brian!
I must admit tha...Another fascinating post, Brian!<br /><br />I must admit that I have not read any of these novels.... I really MUST! And I might very well start with Tepper's novel. From what you've described, it seems that hers is the most balanced and realistic of the three.<br /><br />In regards to violence, examples from real life definitely prove that men tend to be much more violent than women. Every time we hear, in the news, about either a mass shooting or terrorist attack, it's men who are the perpetrators. And I've seen comments on the Internet to the effect that humanity has never seen a female Hitler. Indeed not!<br /><br />I think that, if men as a group could come together and decide to eliminate violence, we would live in a much better world. Unfortunately, that's not likely to happen. As you have pointed out, men seem to have a biological predisposition toward violence. There's just SO much competition going on among men. They're always striving to prove who's the top dog. In fact, this is the basis of the patriarchal system.<br /><br />In the case of women, they're in competition, too. From what I've seen, this competition is unfortunately based on who can get the most male attention. Men's competition is based on who has the best abilities, power, and prestige. Who has the most attractive woman also factors in, but I think it does so to a lesser extent than happens with women who want to make sure they get the best catch, whether it's a boyfriend or a husband. <br /><br />In other words, women are competitive in regards to physical attractiveness, whereas men are competitive in regards to physical strength and intellectual abilities. <br /><br />Women's aggression is much more subtle than men's, and is verbal instead of physical. I have sadly seen and experienced it myself -- the catty remarks, the looks of contempt, the subtle manipulations. Women can, unfortunately, be very underhanded. It's sad that such tactics should be employed against other women, but again, this is what I've seen and experienced in my life. I have never been part of any type of 'sisterhood'. In fact, I have felt like an outsider, where women are concerned, sad to say.<br /><br />It's been said before, but it bears repeating: the elimination of competition would make this a much better world. I wonder whether competitiveness, whether among men or women, is biologically determined. If so, then we can never have a world free of violence, because someone will always be trying to come out on top.<br /><br />I wonder if there's no other way for human beings to be motivated into bettering themselves. Why can't people just focus on themselves, instead of comparing themselves with others, and striving to be better, faster, more beautiful, or more intellectually accomplished than the next person? If competitiveness is a built-in human trait, though, this is most likely an impossibility.<br /><br />Perhaps it would be possible for a matriarchal society to eliminate violence to some degree, but not entirely. Of course, the ideal is an egalitarian society. But for that to happen, human beings would have to be willing to stop trying to prove that they're "better than". Competition would have to be eliminated entirely. There should be no "winners" or "losers", so that no one feels "less than". There should be no exultation in beating a rival in some contest. But again, perhaps human competitiveness can never be eliminated entirely.<br /><br />Thanks for the thought-provoking post!! Hope you're having a great day!! <3 :)<br />Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-9934348614086854832017-06-04T18:38:07.615-04:002017-06-04T18:38:07.615-04:00Thanks Susan.
Speculations about gender and its ...Thanks Susan. <br /><br />Speculations about gender and its permutations are so interesting. A more egalitarianism society call for more women leaders.<br /><br />As for real life attempts, these folks are trying to set up a Commune based on Herland.<br /><br />https://www.facebook.com/HerlandCommune/<br /><br />In my opinion The United missed it and dove over a cliff. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-19629370598826779532017-06-04T18:32:02.303-04:002017-06-04T18:32:02.303-04:00Nice commentary & comparison. I think it woul...Nice commentary & comparison. I think it would be interesting if a matriarchal society existed even if long ago in the jungles of some continent. I'm sure some of those counter-culture 60s groups tried to go off and form one on their own -- in a camp or what not. Heck, I'm still hoping just to get a few more female world leaders ... which was so close in the U.S. ... the populace just Blew It on election day. How disappointing. Female leaders would be helpful to world order and society as a whole I think. PS. I like this topic! Great. thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-85934041269705436042017-06-04T09:55:38.370-04:002017-06-04T09:55:38.370-04:00Hi Evelina - The book sounds interesting. I may ha...Hi Evelina - The book sounds interesting. I may have heard of the society referred to. I should have included in my original post that some of The matrilineal societies do give more power to women then more traditional societies. When folks look closely however, most power is still in the hands of men. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16967134748504499142017-06-04T06:15:08.525-04:002017-06-04T06:15:08.525-04:00I have actually seen this book on NetGalley recent...I have actually seen this book on NetGalley recently (did not request it though) about a small society in China (quite out of the way) which IS matriarchal. And not just names, but I mean the power, owning land and all that. It was quite interesting, and the only reason I didn't request it was because I was swamped with books.Evelina @ AvalinahsBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09564183695294142501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-49709940330665823942017-06-04T03:52:44.328-04:002017-06-04T03:52:44.328-04:00Thanks Hila - In the great debate between nature a...Thanks Hila - In the great debate between nature and nuture I am a believer that there is a evolution biological reason why more men are violent then women. I would point as good sources for laypeople such as myself Stephen Pinker's The Blank Slate and Richard Dawkins's The Selfsh Gene. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-30852825215780266952017-06-03T23:48:56.847-04:002017-06-03T23:48:56.847-04:00I really enjoy the format of the post comparing th...I really enjoy the format of the post comparing these texts. It's doubtful I'll read all of them so I especially appreciate the analysis.<br /><br />When you say "propensity for violence" I wonder what kind of violence. Men and women are socialized to express aggression differently, but the underlying aggression is still there and in a female-dominated society could come out more in physical ways too against other women.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-73192376769007448542017-06-03T14:45:11.274-04:002017-06-03T14:45:11.274-04:00Thanks Naida. Out of the threes matriarchy books, ...Thanks Naida. Out of the threes matriarchy books, I liked Herland the best <br /><br />The Dune books, especially the easy ones were fantastic. There is a lot more to recamend them then The Bene Gesserit. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-21753234577511886682017-06-03T14:35:50.627-04:002017-06-03T14:35:50.627-04:00Thanks James. Women can Indeed be violent and do o...Thanks James. Women can Indeed be violent and do other terrible things not directly linked to violence. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-13284945126882538902017-06-03T14:09:59.010-04:002017-06-03T14:09:59.010-04:00Interesting post and yes, many times one book lead...Interesting post and yes, many times one book leads to another. Glad you enjoyed these books. Herland especially sounds good. I like the sound of the Dune books too, fantasy writers definitely have more leeway with story-lines than conventional fiction writers do.<br />Enjoy your weekend!The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52323409591142509262017-06-03T13:22:33.299-04:002017-06-03T13:22:33.299-04:00Fascinating discussion of matriarchies. Surely the...Fascinating discussion of matriarchies. Surely there is enough violence in the world to be shared by both men and women. Even so, this is an area where men have the edge at least in the physical sense.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561320676355168336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-84862137652918049632017-06-02T18:32:08.570-04:002017-06-02T18:32:08.570-04:00Hi Muddpuddle - Writing long blog comments and the...Hi Muddpuddle - Writing long blog comments and then losing them is something that has happened to me, and something that I have screamed over :)<br /><br />Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds like a fascinating book. <br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-17437022205323256762017-06-02T18:30:20.580-04:002017-06-02T18:30:20.580-04:00Thanks Suko.
Have great weekend!Thanks Suko.<br /><br />Have great weekend!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-35359735415339319532017-06-02T13:49:21.290-04:002017-06-02T13:49:21.290-04:00Mudpuddle,
That's on my Search list for some...Mudpuddle,<br /><br />That's on my Search list for some time. Perhaps I should move it up.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233846613173866140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-80818895336933818582017-06-02T13:39:21.831-04:002017-06-02T13:39:21.831-04:00i wrote a long commentary which the ipad i was usi...i wrote a long commentary which the ipad i was using erased when i had two words to go... grrr...<br /> the gist was, though, recommending "The White Goddess" by Robert Graves, the great classical scholar, on the matriarchal societies preceding the Cretan occupation of Greece.... i've read him a lot and very much enjoy his work, although he may be somewhat of an acquired taste... especially his more factual material....Mudpuddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17194891656971454279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-19977986219485395122017-06-02T11:11:30.398-04:002017-06-02T11:11:30.398-04:00Fascinating post! Thank you for adding to my futu...Fascinating post! Thank you for adding to my future reading list. <br />Enjoy your weekend, Brian Joseph. Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-62723077424764064042017-06-02T05:36:59.708-04:002017-06-02T05:36:59.708-04:00Thanks Kate.
I really need to read The Terranauts...Thanks Kate.<br /><br />I really need to read The Terranauts. I have read the plot synopsis however. If such social experiments were possible, it would indeed be fascinating. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-89047196800917761012017-06-02T05:33:44.153-04:002017-06-02T05:33:44.153-04:00Thanks Sharon. You made me laugh :)
You raise a g...Thanks Sharon. You made me laugh :)<br /><br />You raise a good point. Though I think that for a small percentage of the population , gender may be fluid, probably due to genes and biochemistry, those who argue that all gender is fluid are ignoring the science and the reality of the world. <br /><br />Have a great weekend!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-14258668248264792422017-06-01T21:20:11.463-04:002017-06-01T21:20:11.463-04:00Great analysis! I've enjoyed reading your revi...Great analysis! I've enjoyed reading your reviews/thoughts on the books you mentioned discussed here. I only wish we could test some of the theories about gender, violence, and egalitarianism in a controlled way–like E2 in T.C. Boyle's <i>The Terranauts,</i> but with gender studies instead of outer space. A fun idea, but not realistic!Kate Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15878471739967889253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-15759834924369088892017-06-01T20:32:10.389-04:002017-06-01T20:32:10.389-04:00HI Brian! Great post as always.
Reading your r...HI Brian! Great post as always. <br /><br /> Reading your review of the book as well as the others you mentioned got me thinking about today's current trend of "gender fluidity". If gender is fluid and what only matters is what gender one identifies as, how can any definition of a matriarchal (or patriarchal) society exist?<br /><br />I'm being sardonic as you may have guessed.Gently Madhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10450371589766691273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-40608899789776096702017-06-01T15:34:25.459-04:002017-06-01T15:34:25.459-04:00Thanks Stephanie.
For an interesting and scientif...Thanks Stephanie.<br /><br />For an interesting and scientific take on the nature vs. nuture debate I highly recommend Stephen Pinker's The Blank Slate. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-53484590361475956672017-06-01T14:49:00.634-04:002017-06-01T14:49:00.634-04:00What an interesting compare and contrast between a...What an interesting compare and contrast between all these books and you even brought in Dune too! Kudos! As for nature/nurture and violence, I'm not sure we can ever have a conclusive answer until or unless we have a truly egalitarian society without gender bias. Until that day, should it ever come, anything we speculate regarding gender will always have bias attached to it.Stefaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943596258182968212noreply@blogger.com