# Male Centrism at the Dope **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 5, 2018, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437 "2018-06-05T00:04:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 25
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/481 "2018-06-06T15:42:20Z")
Here you go: please go torment **Octopus** [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=21004221). I’m trying to start an Octopus bingo card and I need help with terms. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/482 "2018-06-06T15:56:50Z")
Question for females: When males step into threads like this to defend and/or support what you are saying, does it help the cause because of the visual support, or does it hurt the cause because it just ends up as more males overall drowning out _your_ voices? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/483 "2018-06-06T16:09:42Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Maybe we can get the admins to create a TREEHOUSE forum. For those times when dudes need to make things all about themselves and No Girls Allowed!! Wouldn’t that be the [GROSS](http://calvinandhobbes.wikia.com/wiki/G.R.O.S.S.) forum? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/484 "2018-06-06T16:26:35Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > I’m probably going to bungle this, but bear with me. It’s hard to explain how white-male centric this board is because it’s not a matter of individual threads. It’s about tone and expected audience. When people --including me–write on this board, our hypothetical audience is white and male and middle class. We explain things middle class white males would need explained, and don’t bother to explain things white middle class males would already know. If we want our posts to be read and responded to, we try to be valid and interesting to middle class white males. This literally pervades every post and it’s hard to descibe, in a way that a color blind person can’t explain how everything in the world is aimed at normal color vision, or a lefty explain how pervasively right-handed everything in society is. Middle class white male is normal, everything else is exotic and has to explain itself, justify itself. > > This isn’t just a SDMB problem, obviously: it’s everywhere, and I don’t know how to fix it. But it’s part of the reason why what might appear to be a slight drift toward an even more male-centric PoV causes such a strong reaction–it’s already a pain in the ass to deal with this constant slant, this constant need to write for a male reader, to understand as you read that what you are reading was intended for a male reader. It’s not a huge deal in most threads, but it’s a real deal in almost every thread. I think that’s why the bra threads were such a big deal: it added insult to injury that even in a bra-fitting thread, the schema had to be male. > > I think the best thing that can happen from this is just heightened awareness of how pervasive this is. Spot on. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/485 "2018-06-06T16:31:38Z")
and of course DSeid has to drag dirty laundry out of here into IMHO yet again. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/486 "2018-06-06T16:37:37Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Question for females: When males step into threads like this to defend and/or support what you are saying, does it help the cause because of the visual support, or does it hurt the cause because it just ends up as more males overall drowning out _your_ voices? I welcome everyone to the discussion, as long as it’s a discussion. When it turns into a pissing match, then I start a separate Pit thread. 🙂 In all seriousness, this is about inclusiveness, so not involving everyone would be pointless. I think many people of various genders have made good contributions to the discussion. Even just saying “I support this” or “I never thought about this, but I will start to” is important, because bringing the issue to the forefront is a real step forward. Even those people who don’t see the issue the same way I do are welcome. We’re still having the conversation and that’s a critical first step. What is counter-productive is getting lost in exchanges about censorship, or whether this is an attack on a particular poster (it’s not). Yes, please, everyone should discuss. This isn’t for venting. This is for fostering understanding and if we’re lucky, working towards more inclusiveness. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/487 "2018-06-06T16:49:53Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > and of course DSeid has to drag dirty laundry out of here into IMHO yet again. What do you mean? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/488 "2018-06-06T16:54:18Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > What do you mean? [Same sort of poll linked in the third post.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=856217) How long until the troglodytes come in with their “jokes”? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/489 "2018-06-06T17:00:46Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [Same sort of poll linked in the third post.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=856217) How long until the troglodytes come in with their “jokes”? A gender poll isn’t remotely dragging dirty laundry around, ffs, and it doesn’t remotely invite those types of jokes. DSeid might not “get it” but jz### is being a massive ass about it. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/490 "2018-06-06T17:19:38Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Look, you’re another one who stumbled and needed carried half the way. Drop the indignation you retard. > [@Morgenstern](#): > > Chimera, how does it feel to have your wife walk out on you? As a man I mean. You did say she left you because _she_ had mental issues? I’m not seeing that, I’m seeing evidence that you’re the one with the mental issues and maybe she was the one who was right all along. Oh? The noble white knight’s armor appears to have a spot or two of varnish. Will his obsequiousness be enough to keep his thralls in check? ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/491 "2018-06-06T17:21:33Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > If we had a dozen new active threads a day about bowel issues Officially defined as “a shitload,” FYI. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/492 "2018-06-06T17:23:28Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Try as I might, I just can’t muster any real self-righteous female outrage. A “Ginger or Mary Ann” type post simply doesn’t upset me. In fact, those kinds of posts make me think, “Were I gay, which one might _I_ prefer?” LoL > > Is there a smattering of assholes who do occasionally cross the line? Yes, I believe so, but I don’t feel the SDMB is a “board friendly” place for those kinds of people. Despite being openly female, I haven’t been approached or offended or bothered by anyone since I’ve been back and active. If it happens, I’ll simply report it. > > It appears that this site has a pretty definitive male majority, so it is only natural that it has more of a male flavor. Hey, I’m in elementary education where females significantly outnumber males. It’s a “women’s world” believe me. It’s not an evil plot to oppress men, it’s just the natural result of a definitive female majority. :eek::eek::eek: Be glad you are not a male saying that. The Pit can be a ferocious place when the deranged smell you are not in lockstep with the in-group think. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/493 "2018-06-06T17:26:37Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Oh? The noble white knight’s armor appears to have a spot or two of varnish. Will his obsequiousness be enough to keep his thralls in check? This thread ould be a lot more readable with you and Morgenstern on ignore, which is what I’m going to do for the first time ever. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/494 "2018-06-06T17:29:39Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Be glad you are not a male saying that. The Pit can be a ferocious place when the deranged smell you are not in lockstep with the in-group think. Huh. I can’t imagine what the difference is between a woman expressing how she experiences the board versus a man telling a woman how she should be experiencing it. You just don’t get it, do you. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/495 "2018-06-06T17:36:01Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Huh. I can’t imagine what the difference is between a woman expressing how she experiences the board versus a man telling a woman how she should be experiencing it. > > You just don’t get it, do you. There’s a difference there. I admit. I’m just not sure who was telling women how they should experience the board. The most challenging thing before the thread devolved into unsubstantiated personal attacks that was said is that perhaps women could address the issue of the lopsided ratio of male centric content with content creation of their own. ---
**Author:** ![Crybaby\_Boobie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crybaby_boobie/32/545_2.png) [@Crybaby\_Boobie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crybaby_Boobie)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/496 "2018-06-06T17:41:07Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Officially defined as “a shitload,” FYI. Bravo. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/497 "2018-06-06T17:49:34Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > There’s a difference there. I admit. I’m just not sure who was telling women how they should experience the board. The most challenging thing before the thread devolved into unsubstantiated personal attacks that was said is that perhaps women could address the issue of the lopsided ratio of male centric content with content creation of their own. The point isn’t that there is lopsided male-centric content. It’s the idea that certain content, often promoted by males, makes the place uninviting to women. This is not a separate but equal sitatuation, but that the tone of the board is unwelcoming. We don’t need more “chick threads”. We need fewer threads/comments that make it unpleasant. For example, the solution to the problems of guys barging in with boob jokes in women’s health threads was not more threads about women’s issues, but for those guys to knock it off. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/498 "2018-06-06T17:53:00Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > There’s a difference there. I admit. I’m just not sure who was telling women how they should experience the board. The most challenging thing before the thread devolved into unsubstantiated personal attacks that was said is that perhaps women could address the issue of the lopsided ratio of male centric content with content creation of their own. Let’s discuss the matter [over here](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=21004221). You are decidedly off topic and you persist on dragging people into the jungle with you. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/499 "2018-06-06T17:55:32Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > The point isn’t that there is lopsided male-centric content. It’s the idea that certain content, often promoted by males, makes the place uninviting to women. This is not a separate but equal sitatuation, but that the tone of the board is unwelcoming. We don’t need more “chick threads”. We need fewer threads/comments that make it unpleasant. > > For example, the solution to the problems of guys barging in with boob jokes in women’s health threads was not more threads about women’s issues, but for those guys to knock it off. Keep it up, people. Octopus is clearly open to learning and I can tell you’re starting to get through to him. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437/500 "2018-06-06T17:56:41Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Keep it up, people. Octopus is clearly open to learning and I can tell you’re starting to get through to him. :rolleyes: I know… but it’s impossible for me to leave patently false assertions be, and I always remain hopeful anyone can learn. It’s an occupational hazard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-centrism-at-the-dope/815437.md?page=26)