Ladder theory

[Undertoad]

http://www.intellectualwhores.com/masterladder.html

Totally misogynistic drivel, or is there a hint of truth to it? Your call.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Based in truth.

[limey]

Totally misogynistic drivel [bored sigh].

[SteveDallas]

"misogynistic" seems like a somewhat problematic term to me to describe this Ladder Theory, because the proposition that "men are only interested in women to the extent they can fuck them" is hardly flattering to men, anymore than, "women only fuck rich men" is to women.

Anyway it's reductionist is what it is, pure and simple. I've met plenty of people who are like he describes--I'm sure we all have. But I've met plenty who aren't. I just had lunch this past Thursday with a former work colleague who happens to be female and I can categorically say I'm not interested in having sex with her and she's damn sure not interested in my money (or if she is she's deluded about how much I have!). I'd say it's helpful for each of us to know someone else who is on somewhat the same professional path (albeit at different places) to compare notes, strategize, give a bit of advice, and pass along news & job tidbits. I don't give a damn what gender that person is.

Does that mean I never walk down the street, see an attractive woman, and think, "Ummm... yeah"? Of course not. But it's not my sole criterion for interacting with women.

You've heard the saying, when you have a hammer, everything's a nail? Well this guy has a brush, it's broad, and he's painting.

IMHO.

[richlevy]

I don't know if I agree with the theory but

"A woman's test is material. A man's test is a woman...if a man could fuck in a cardboard box, he wouldn't buy a house." - Rabbi Dave Chappelle

that is a great line.

[xoxoxoBruce]

The flaw in the theory is they are speaking in absolutes. That will never be the case when you deal with people. But I've seen the basic premis happen more often then not.

[Clodfobble]

Though the website is obviously a silly over-generalization, I solidly approve of one aspect:

It tells these guy friends ("intellectual whores") that they need to wake up and accept the fact that just because this woman is friendly does not mean they're going to sleep with them. AMEN to that. Whether or not one believes the women are *using* these men for their scintillating minds and emotions before they go hang out with their brainless, dangerous, biker boyfriends (which sometimes is the case and sometimes isn't), I think this first part is extremely good advice to people who complain that girls don't go for nice guys.

I know lots of nice guys and nice girls who are married to each other--so quit whining about how women don't like nice guys, and quit BEING a guy who only likes women that date abusive guys.

edit: I realized it sounded like I was talking to xoxoBruce, which I totally wasn't. I was just trying to further illustrate the advice given in the Ladder Theory.

[Undertoad]

I think it's helpful to consider that this guy seems to be in his mid 20s or so.

Stuff is pretty intense at that point in life and I can imagine trying to reduce it to a framework I could understand.

[russotto]

Originally posted by Clodfobble
edit: I realized it sounded like I was talking to xoxoBruce, which I totally wasn't. I was just trying to further illustrate the advice given in the Ladder Theory.

Seen xoxoBruce's picture? If he's not an Outlaw Biker, I bet he rakes in the chicks who think he is!

This "ladder theory" is an oversimplification of reality and an overly complicated extension of what could be described in a few sentences.... but IMO it's not totally without truth.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally posted by Undertoad
I think it's helpful to consider that this guy seems to be in his mid 20s or so.

Stuff is pretty intense at that point in life and I can imagine trying to reduce it to a framework I could understand.

This ladder thing has been around at least 6 or 8 years.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally posted by russotto


Seen xoxoBruce's picture? If he's not an Outlaw Biker, I bet he rakes in the chicks who think he is!

This "ladder theory" is an oversimplification of reality and an overly complicated extension of what could be described in a few sentences.... but IMO it's not totally without truth.

No raking, maybe a little hoeing though.
I'm speaking more from observation and conversations than personal experience. I see the same principles coming true, frequently. Lots of variation but the framework is there.

I think it demeans both sexes and is just one more example of mindless stereotyping. All it does is promote bitterness and misunderstanding on both sides:

Joe: "All women care about is a guy with a great car and money to burn."
Mary: "All men care about is ONE THING."
Joe: I hate women!
Mary: I hate men!

Well, that sure creates harmony, doesn't it?

[russotto]

I see the bitterness, but where's the misunderstanding?

[Lady Sidhe]

Actually, when you look at it evolutionarily, women want someone who is able to take care of and protect them; For women, money and material things represent security and stability, and if the man is able to acquire such things, then it is evidence of his intelligence and/or strength. This is the one that the woman wants to pass her genes on with. The stronger and more intelligent a man, the more chance there is that those traits will be passed to the offspring, thus making their survival chances, and chances to procreate, better.

Men want someone attractive with whom to pass on their genes. The more attractive the offspring, the more chance that they will procreate.


I'm not saying that we make these decisions consciously. There are a lot of subconscious, instinctual factors at work as well. For instance, did you know that we choose people whose pheromones (think DNA) are most compatible with our own? I thought that was pretty cool when I read it (I'll have to find the book). Also, it's been found that there's a link between intelligence and body hair in men. Betcha wouldn't have thought that, huh?


Sidhe

[Clodfobble]

Along the lines of the compatible DNA...

I read about a study many years ago where 10 men and 10 women weren't allowed to shower or use any fragrance/deoderant products for three days or so (and had to wear the same white t-shirt the whole time.) Then they were all put in a room together and told to mingle. After a few hours, they were told to rank the respective 10 on general attraction--not just looks, but who they were genuinely interested in after the conversing.

Almost unilaterally, men and women both ranked highest the people in the room who had immune systems the most opposite of their own, the concluding theory being that mating with someone who complemented your weaknesses with their strengths would produce healthier offspring, and the pheromones subconsciously clued them in to what their immune system was like.

No, I have no reference for it. But as anecdotal evidence... I get bacterial infections constantly, but I've only had fungal infections a couple of times in my entire life. My husband is the exact opposite, fungal infections every few months but never needs antibiotics for anything. I've never had a single cavity; he had more than all his siblings put together.

Anyone else experience this, or did I just hear that Paula Abdul song too many times as a child?