A discussion of what it is to be masculine, echoing many of Manual's ideals, came from two unlikely sources coming together a couple of weeks ago, when James May of xenophobic misogynistic idiot-fest Top Gear appeared on Radio 4's Woman's Hour. May was talking about reclaiming what it means to be a 'Bloke' from the image of a useless loutish beer guzzler to one who attempts to do things of worth. He says of modern male culture: "It's become fashionable to be useless, if you do something that is creative/constructive...its said to be your gay/effeminate side...'Blokes' are supposed to be good at something or at least give it their best shot...It's time for a male backlash, which is not against women but against men who are doing the rest of manhood a disservice by portraying us wrongly . We don't want useless men."
Have a listen, a lot of it is pretty spot on.
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Please note I do not share these views of Top Gear, I think the show is really rather marvelous and one of the better programs on TV.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I thought you might take issue with that, but hey, I didn't say it wasn't entertaining. But it would be hard to deny it isn't xenophobic misogynistic and hosted by, excluding James May, idiots.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Clarkson is borderline genius though, Hamster not so much. James May is rather brilliant and yes it is many phobic and istics - there is an element of anarchy about it that is rather appealing
ReplyDeleteactually I might just make an addition to that sentence.
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