Discrimination at the Workplace
A group, representing more than a million women, have joined together to file a class-action suit against Wal-Mart, alleging that the giant retailer discriminated against them with lower wages and fewer promotions. Today, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments to decide whether these women can be considered a “class,” for the purposes of their lawsuit. One woman named as a plaintiff, claims that a Wal-Mart manager told her that if she wanted to advance in the company, she needed to “brush the cobwebs off” and “doll up.” (Is doll up the opposite of man up?) Have you experienced workplace discrimination?
Image: Sexism3 by Fede Yankelevich, 2010
Spring Fever
How’s your sexual appetite these days? Have you noticed an uptick with the coming of spring? Apparently it’s hormonal. Our bodies are responding to more daylight, with a desire to sleep less and play more. I can’t get focused on dating right now (the precursor for sex), despite it being my New Year’s resolution. (Fail.) But at least I’m appreciating the bouquet of spring, and the gorgeous produce showing up at the market.
Image: Wild Strawberries in a Wan Li Bowl, 1704, Adriaen Coorte
Sunday Night with Mildred Pierce
Todd Haynes, who directed this remake for HBO, is responsible for some of my peak movie experiences (Safe, Far From Heaven). I can’t wait for Sunday nights.
Why Indulging Can Be Good For You
As a kid, I used to get quizzed, weekly, on the news. Which may explain why I can recognize an obscure politician’s voice on the radio, in the same way that others would know a favorite sports figure or movie star. But unlike sports or entertainment, the stakes are really high. That could be the reason that I scream into the TV at pundits, but maybe it has more to do with not eating more chocolate. There’s a study that suggests our rage gets ignited when we deprive ourselves. So maybe it’s time for me to put down the newspaper, and go grab a candy bar.
Image: Barbara Astman from The Newspaper Series. 2006.
Don’t Believe the Rhetoric. PLEASE.
Brene Brown’s TED talk got me thinking about shame, and with that in mind, my well-intentioned new therapist suggested a relevant Atlantic Monthly article she remembered liking. So there I was on a rainy Sunday, tucked into an armchair, hoping to learn something. That is, until I read this: Continue reading »
Is Delaying Gratification a Marker for Success?
I’m not sure what compelled me today to re-read Jonah Lehrer’s fascinating piece about self control, and it’s ability to predict success in life. I’m not convinced it was a good idea. Lehrer recounts a famous marshmallow test, in which four-year-olds are given a choice between having one marshmallow right now, or getting two, if they can wait a few minutes before eating it. These children were tracked through the years, and it was discovered that the ones who weren’t able to delay gratification did worse on standardized tests, had a higher body mass index and were more likely to have a problem with drugs. I thought back to my one-night stands, and wondered if there’s a correlation with the current state of my romantic life. On second thought, I need some ice cream.
Image: Steve Lambert
What We Do When We’re Misunderstood
Here’s a beautiful story about stuttering from John Updike, whose birthday is today: Continue reading »
Archive for March, 2011
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