Hi All.

I have long been interested in the sorts of topics discussed here. But I am a busy family man with little time so have never really hashed this thought out. I have a Masters in sociology with a focus on social inequality, so this topic is right in my wheelhouse, although I differ from most sociologists, who are likely solidly blue due to ideological bias. Can you tell I have a thing for bias, logic, and fallacious reasoning?

Ok, anyway. Let’s start with the blues. Men and women are very different from each other, much of this being due to hormones, chromosomes, and brain anatomy. It isn’t all about toxic masculinity, socialization, and culture. This leads to different behaviors, motivations, preferences, and historic outcomes. Blues often seem to operate under the assumption that most behavior is NOT innate when we know much of it is.

Let’s move to the Reds so we can then get to a good example to bridge the divide. Reds tend to think all gender related outcomes are the result of either A. Natural causes or B. Modern, especially feminist, cultural norms. They often argue women are helplessly motivated by their biology and can’t help it. They seem to operate under the assumption that most behaviors are innate when we know many behaviors result from variables in the environment. This results in changes to motivations, preferences, and outcomes that many reds say is “wrong.”

Let’s use this lens to look at patriarchy and dating. Blues will argue patriarchy is bad because it oppresses women and causes inequality. Reds will argue “but things are that way because men are stronger and leaders and things are that way for a reason.” SO WHAT? So what if things have always been that way? Arguing men are naturally stronger and can overpower women and have always led and must be respected as the alpha…all of that is pure naturalistic fallacy. What is natural is not necessarily what is right.

Then dating. Blues will argue consistently that innate preferences aren’t real because they’re socially unpleasant and it gives them the jimmies. Short guys, very ugly girls, the jawless…they can all tell you this is complete bullshit. Moreover, they’ll tell you all dating norms are cultural and there are almost no evolutionary forces at play. It’s absurd. Stop running from what makes you uncomfortable.

Reds need to get past the idea that nature is the end-all-be-all. Blues need to understand nature is actually a real thing.