What I’ve Been Reading, April ’13

As you know, I’m an avid google reader fan (and of course was devastated to hear the news that it’s being closed down – if anyone has any recommendations for alternatives, hit me up!) and every lunchtime I digest many articles via my reader feed.  So, without any further ado, here are my favourite things I’ve been reading over the last month or so!   Bit of a mixed bag, so there should be something here to cater to most tastes 🙂

Hyperbole and a Half is back, with a poignant and insightful tale of the author’s struggle with depression.

Did you hear about broadcaster Stuart Hall, who sexually assaulted a number of young girls?  A leading barrister has labelled his actions “low-level misdemeanors” and thinks we should reduce the age of consent to 13 to stop so many do-gooders from “fetishising victimhood”.   Heaven forbid a formerly respected man might have actually raped and assaulted children(!) The F Word analyses everything that’s wrong with this statement beautifully.

A Doctor Who fan does the impossible and maps the TARDIS interior! Amazing! 

The problem with Dove’s latest “real beauty” campaign.

Canadian zinester/author Maranda Elizabeth writes about jealousy, and recently finding themselves the target of other people’s jealousy.

Feminist theology blog ‘Women in Theology’ on the portrayal of mental illness and self-forgiveness in ‘Silver Linings Playbook’.

Loved this – ‘Bad Reputation’ on mermaid mythology and the Disney adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’.

Not clever but still funny – Buzzfeed on the 26 most annoying things about working in an office.  I can particularly relate to #6!

Zombie Industries sells female mannequin shooting target called “the ex”: read Feministing’s take on it here.

My twitter friend @nice_reminder linked me to this informative comic on Dr Andrew Wakefield’s fallacious MMR/autism claims, and why we should be suspicious of his motives.

Is this the worst case of mansplaining ever?!  Yuck!

This is perfect. A cartoon about rape culture.

Did you see Loki’s new hairdo in the Thor: The Dark World trailer? The Mary Sue documents tumblr’s reaction; I love Ginger Haze’s the best!

Awesome blog on why Ched Evans was not the victim of a miscarriage of justice, as his defenders are trying to claim (defenders who are also overwhelmingly victim-blaming, ugghhh).

I only recently discovered Gala Darling’s lovely blog, and this blog on alternative date night ideas is one of my favourites! An oldie, but a goodie.

Back in Steubenville, rape culture is still winning as football coach’s contract is renewed: http://bit.ly/15Hf3Dd

Soc Images on how we can engage men in the efforts to end sexual assault.

The Mary Sue are writing a detailed synopsis and review of every Doctor Who episode in this series, and their analysis of gender politics is usually spot on.  Check out the latest review, ‘The Crimson Horror’  (as an aside, my friend Tracey has started using the phrase ‘The Crimson Horror’ as a euphemism for a period, ha).

(Props to Gala Darling for this feature format.)