Geez Fractelle, female friends have worked out my waist size, but I've never put it down to sexism, just good powers of observation. In fact, my observation is that women are much better at observing these things than men. But the way this conversation is trending I'll probably be accused of sexism on that last count as well.

"Because that's what we, the audience, tune in to be exposed to. It's what makes the ratings. It's what drives 50 million YouTube views."

Pericles,

You won't be surprised to know that I'm not one that's all that "entertained" by phoniness or sensationalism. (I only saw the rections of the judges because it was plugged to death on Channel Ten's other programs and promos).

"We, the audience", is of course the generic we. But it ain't everybody.

"Ah Bronwyn, Not everything is about you m'dear! I find it interesting that you have assumed I was talking about you particularly in the later quote."

I knew you'd come back with this comment. How predictable. Of course it's not at all about me, but as Fractelle and I were the only women who'd posted immediately prior to your comment, it's reasonable to conclude that at the very least you were referring to us, if not solely, then certainly fairly directly.

I've replied on my behalf and will leave Fractelle to exercise her own judgement, but I know we're both perfectly capable of deflecting the odd personal insult when we think it's warranted. In this case, I'd say Fractelle's decided that some things are just not worth responding to.

Fractelle's right about the chip on the shoulder though. If I'm carrying a chip, you're carrying a boulder. Sorry if that sounds a bit like a corny biblical line, but it seems very apt.

Graham

"But the way this conversation is trending I'll probably be accused of sexism on that last count as well."

Yes, it's fraught territory alright, but it can provide some light relief, as well of course as some thought provoking commentary.

Just tread carefully! :)

Sorry, I know it's probably fairly obvious, but the first part of that last post should have been directed specifically towards Houellebecq. I always have to cut and paste that name and I clean forgot to come back and do it.

Graham

Facts of life.

1. Men check women out.
2. Women are more likely to be judged than men, by both sexes (but particularly men), on their appearance.

Not accusing you of being sexist, just average. Therefore I find much of what you have to say, vis a vis Susan Boyle, to be completely disingenuous. Next you'll claim you never check out women. Oh, have I made a big mistake? You're not into women?... could've sworn you were straight.

Bronwyn

Perhaps we should be kinder to Houellebecq, some things just go over his little head. He still doesn't understand why I used Pamela Anderson in an example rather than a genuinely beautiful woman like Rose Byrne or Kate Blanchett. He doesn't get the contrast of natural and unpretentious with artificial and specious. And how we (as a society) underestimate the ordinary.

Fractelle, it really annoys me that posters continually accuse me of dishonesty when this site demonstrates my openness and tolerance to a wide range of views. It is possible to sincerely disagree with your views. It is not a sign of perversity leading to a charge of being disingenuous.

You seem to be suggesting that men check women out, but women don't check men out. I'd be interested in the research that backs that assertion up. I think you'll find that both sexes check the other sex out, but they do it in different ways. I think you'll also find that they also check other members of the same gender out. And in fact women are more likely to judge other women more harshly than men do the same women.

Of course I check women out. But where does that lead the conversation? At least half the people passing the Susan Boyle video around are female. So their reaction can't be sexual. And in fact most of life isn't sexual, or I'd never get onto editing the journal, I'd be too consumed looking for Ms Looks AlRight.

So can we move on past the 70s feminist stereotypes and accept that there are a lot of reasons why Susan Boyle hit the mark, and most of them have nothing to do with gender politics?