Thank you for this provocative and engaging piece! I love how you tackled a topic that sits at the edge of mainstream discourse and explored it with a mix of curiosity and critical distance. The title itself sets the tone well; it signals both skepticism and a willingness to examine ideas that are often dismissed outright, which makes the essay intellectually interesting from the start.
What stood out to me most was your exploration of how certain beliefs or movements move from the margins toward broader visibility. That process is fascinating and highly relevant in today’s information environment. One aspect that might further strengthen the piece would be to more clearly differentiate between critique of specific claims and the broader social dynamics that allow those claims to spread. That added clarity could help readers engage more precisely with the argument while still appreciating the wider context.
Overall, this was a thoughtful and stimulating read. Thank you for engaging with a topic that benefits from both openness and critical analysis!
While women may not be thrown into asylums these days, there are still cultural norms that expect women to be confined within arbitrary rules. Navigating through these rules feels like a modern day asylum. I argue the “blue hair liberal” trope that is used against women who are outspoken on their political views is simply a modernized lunatic fringe! Thanks for the history lesson.
Grrrr, old as time, the anti-woman judgements. So depressing. Keeping that repressive power structure at bay takes essays like yours because apparently we have to fight that fight every day of existence. It’s seemingly never over :(
Did you know that StL has a Fringe Fest every August? I think the attendees are generally ppl who would dig this essay. It’s a good one :)
Thanks so much for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed the article. I'm trying to put out one article at the beginning of each month. That's all I can manage right now.
The hair history is fun but the medical side is where it bites. «Morally insane» was a real diagnosis, not a metaphor. The treatment for spending too much time reading was surgical. Anyone in clinical work knows how that machine runs, you give something a name and the institution does the rest. Nobody has to be personally cruel. The asylum just needed a label that fit whatever the husband wanted removed. Quieter than barbarism, and you can't appeal a diagnosis the way you can appeal a sentence.D&D rules, never opened. Committed to the bit.
Thank you for this provocative and engaging piece! I love how you tackled a topic that sits at the edge of mainstream discourse and explored it with a mix of curiosity and critical distance. The title itself sets the tone well; it signals both skepticism and a willingness to examine ideas that are often dismissed outright, which makes the essay intellectually interesting from the start.
What stood out to me most was your exploration of how certain beliefs or movements move from the margins toward broader visibility. That process is fascinating and highly relevant in today’s information environment. One aspect that might further strengthen the piece would be to more clearly differentiate between critique of specific claims and the broader social dynamics that allow those claims to spread. That added clarity could help readers engage more precisely with the argument while still appreciating the wider context.
Overall, this was a thoughtful and stimulating read. Thank you for engaging with a topic that benefits from both openness and critical analysis!
Thanks for reading and thanks for your input. I'm glad you enjoyed the essay.
Outstanding essay! So much knowledge from the past shared here. Wonderful writing.
Honestly, I had been thinking about getting bangs. Now I kind of wanna do it out of rebellion.
Be subversive!!! Do it!!!
Fascinating essay! And thank you for the shout out.
Outstanding read! Thank you for your words!
Thank YOU for reading!
While women may not be thrown into asylums these days, there are still cultural norms that expect women to be confined within arbitrary rules. Navigating through these rules feels like a modern day asylum. I argue the “blue hair liberal” trope that is used against women who are outspoken on their political views is simply a modernized lunatic fringe! Thanks for the history lesson.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iF65PxSQPXvWgYZ66
Friend sent me info about micro bangs getting some men all bent out of shape.
Good
Grrrr, old as time, the anti-woman judgements. So depressing. Keeping that repressive power structure at bay takes essays like yours because apparently we have to fight that fight every day of existence. It’s seemingly never over :(
Did you know that StL has a Fringe Fest every August? I think the attendees are generally ppl who would dig this essay. It’s a good one :)
Never heard of Fringe Fest! Sign me up!!!
Beautiful and insightful essay
Thanks so much for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed the article. I'm trying to put out one article at the beginning of each month. That's all I can manage right now.
Thank you so much for this article. Words have more than meaning - they have history and in history, if we look deep enough - we may find her story.
Alyce, you appear to be up late or up early! Thanks so much for reading my article. Her story is everywhere, just itching to be told.
The hair history is fun but the medical side is where it bites. «Morally insane» was a real diagnosis, not a metaphor. The treatment for spending too much time reading was surgical. Anyone in clinical work knows how that machine runs, you give something a name and the institution does the rest. Nobody has to be personally cruel. The asylum just needed a label that fit whatever the husband wanted removed. Quieter than barbarism, and you can't appeal a diagnosis the way you can appeal a sentence.D&D rules, never opened. Committed to the bit.