[extropy-chat] Gay marriage in Spain, a world of change

[David Lubkin]

Steinem's famous "A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle" 
is clearly wrong, from what I know of women and of men. And I rather doubt 
that she still holds that opinion.

I was hunting recently for an analogy that I thought actually captured my 
perspective succinctly. The best I've come up with is

"A woman without a man is like a pillow without a blanket." (Lubkin, 30 May 
2005)

They are each fine and useful in of themselves, and have distinct 
strengths. One can use a pillow as a blanket, or a blanket as a pillow, but 
this is less satisfactory. A pillow with a blanket is a useful combination, 
and is what is most often seen. But some prefer two pillows and no blanket, 
or two blankets and no pillow. Some want several of each.

Beyond my personal preference for a single pillow and a single blanket, I 
can present a rational argument for its superiority and "normalcy." But 
such a case is just an intellectual exercise to me; in truth, whatever gets 
people through the night is fine by me.


-- David Lubkin.