Hello everyone!

[Sandra]

... after a while you get to like certain posters, and dislike others

That's natural. But I don't think there are too many unpleasant people here. I joined not long ago but I've been browsing this forum for a much longer time.

[Mirror Image]

Well, even if we grant it that men and women have different capacities in terms of thinking, using logic and reason... it's still wrong to conclude that it is men who have the advantage when it comes to rational thinking. The male culture (in America, at least) is dominated by a hysterical infatuation with professional sports. What's rational about that? What's rational about spending your hard-earned leisure on consumption of televised sports?

There may be differences. But I'm not a scientist and I have no way of knowing what those differences are. If Steven Pinker is on this forum, I'll be happy to know his opinion.

Well not all men in the United States are preoccupied with sports. In fact, I'm sure there are many that care nothing about them, and I'm one of them! But generally speaking, yes, the United States is a cesspool of neanderthals who, instead of stimulating themselves intellectually with good music or a book, would rather sit in front of a television and yell at it as if it's another person.

[Brian]

Major baseball enthusiast weighing in - but only to say that, contra an earlier post, I don't think there's anyone here I actively dislike. Disliking people is always optional, as a general rule, and here on GMG it's even harder. We all love music and want to have fun, and that's really what counts.

Oh, and I recently increased my total number of pairs of shoes... to 5. 

[karlhenning]

Well not all men in the United States are preoccupied with sports.

Yet, one understands how that impression is created . . . .

[klingsor]

Yet, one understands how that impression is created . . . .

Yes. There is a huge business aspect to sports, it's to their advantage to make sports seem all-important and indispensible.

I'm another guy who cares nothing whatsoever for sports. In fact a lot of music-oriented men I know are not interested in sports.

As for women and music, I was joining in with the generalization, and there are exceptions. When I was at New Eng Conservatory I met many women composers and musicians who were as interested in discussing music in detail as any of the guys were.

[karlhenning]

OTOH, there are women devoted to the Red Sox, too — and at least one of these women is a composer ...

[klingsor]

OTOH, there are women devoted to the Red Sox, too 

True. I know at least one myself, she's a rabid Sox fan

[Henk]

Major baseball enthusiast weighing in - but only to say that, contra an earlier post, I don't think there's anyone here I actively dislike. Disliking people is always optional, as a general rule, and here on GMG it's even harder. We all love music and want to have fun, and that's really what counts.

Oh, and I recently increased my total number of pairs of shoes... to 5. 

Do you like James? 

[DavidW]

Oh, and I recently increased my total number of pairs of shoes... to 5. 

Jeez man why do you need 5?

I have 3: slippers, sneakers and nicer shoes for work.

[DavidW]

OTOH, there are women devoted to the Red Sox, too — and at least one of these women is a composer ...

I think devotion to the Red Sox is required by law in Boston.

[karlhenning]

I think devotion to the Red Sox is required by law in Boston.

I wish the Sox only well, you understand. Still, I prefer to pay the fine ; )

I'll drink the occasional tumbler of Moxie, and think of Ted Williams, of course . . . .

[DavidW]

Since I just saw the Town... do you also rob banks?  I imagine you and your group as the clarinet trio... you play Brahms while you rob the bank...

[klingsor]

I wish the Sox only well, you understand. Still, I prefer to pay the fine ; )

I'll drink the occasional tumbler of Moxie, and think of Ted Williams, of course . . . .

I'd rather think of Hank Williams, or even John Williams 

Still getting away with hating sports after 30+ in the Boston area 

[Brian]

Jeez man why do you need 5?

I have 3: slippers, sneakers and nicer shoes for work.

I have two pairs of walking shoes - one old and worn-out here in London and one new, shiny and over in the States - plus a black pair of shoes which honestly serves no real purpose, some nice leather loafers for attending artistic functions, and a pair of sandals. Plus, now that you mention slippers, some Moroccan slippers bought from a glue-like salesman in Fez, but which are totally silly looking and the wrong size to boot. So 6.

[DavidW]

I have two pairs of walking shoes - one old and worn-out here in London and one new, shiny and over in the States - plus a black pair of shoes which honestly serves no real purpose, some nice leather loafers for attending artistic functions, and a pair of sandals. Plus, now that you mention slippers, some Moroccan slippers bought from a glue-like salesman in Fez, but which are totally silly looking and the wrong size to boot. So 6.

That black pair... those could be your reviewing shoes!   Put them on whenever you're going to write a review.   Yes I'm feeling pretty silly.

[eyeresist]

Do slippers really count as shoes? A question for the ages.

[karlhenning]

If they're the sort which can be (decently) worn in public, aye.

[DavidW]

So pink bunny slippers are not shoes then...

[karlhenning]

Nope, they're right out!

[Szykneij]

I think devotion to the Red Sox is required by law in Boston.

Absolutely -- and tonight is Red Sox-Yankees, so fines are doubled for failure to devote.