Lamenting Man's Love Of Younger Women, A Form Of Self-Flattery Not Only Born In Evolutionary Science

Lamenting Man's Love Of Younger Women, A Form Of Self-Flattery Not Only Born In Evolutionary Science

Mona Chalabi's 'I Want My 2.3 Bonus Years' op-ed for Sunday's New York Times is a bit tongue in cheek. Chalabi reflects on not being a fun first date, being a woman wanting a husband and family. The man who shrugs off commitment, even though he has a few gray hairs, strikes her as "wild arrogance."

This arrogance has, as I see it, two main causes — one, a belief that their spermatozoa are good for a very long time, indeed, and two, a belief that they could get a younger woman if they wanted to. Let me examine the evidence for each of those male beliefs; fertility first.

With that introduction, Chalabi delivers the message: Your sperm is not immortal. In fact, even though male sperm do decline in vitality with age, all the studies of age-driven female fertility do not control for the age of the male. NOW THAT IS RESEARCH BIAS!!!!

Agreeing that most research on OkCupid's dating site confirms that men are communicating with younger women, the question is how much younger. Men actually flatter themselves that even at age 50 -- and not being wealthy -- they can have a 25-year-old partner if they choose. This male preference for younger women definitely impacts the pool of men available to Chalabi herself. 

There are no answers to Chalabi's lament. But these sometimes fatal flaws in the assumptions of evolutionary science -- one's that don't account for human vanity and ego needs -- have her stewing mightily in this Times essay.

Camilla Akrans Captures Captain Marvel's Brie Larson For Porter Magazine Winter 2017/18

Camilla Akrans Captures Captain Marvel's Brie Larson For Porter Magazine Winter 2017/18

2016 'Best Actress Oscar for Room Brie Larson covers the winter issue of Net-a-Porter's Porter magazine, focused on honoring incredible women and their activism. Brie is styled by Julia von Boehm in romantic hues of reds and rose -- and Gucci for her covers -- for sensual images by Camilla Akrans./ Hair by Ali Pirzadeh; makeup by Wendy Rowe

Larson is set to play Carol Danvers in 'Captain Marvel, a film set before the events of the first 'Iron Man' movie. Samuel L. Jackson will return as S.H.I.E.L.E. agent Nick Fury in a story involving "the strongwoman battling the aliens known as Skrulls," writes EW.

“I spent months thinking about whether or not I was going to do the film and I realized that it was a chance to tell a story on the largest scale possible,” Larson tells Porter. “I know it is going to make me lose some of the things I love most about my life, but I think it’s worth it.”

In the May issue of Vanity Fair, Larson spoke further about joining the Captain Marvel universe. “Ultimately, I couldn’t deny the fact that this movie is everything I care about, everything that’s progressive and important and meaningful, and a symbol I wished I would’ve had growing up,” she continued. “I really, really feel like it’s worth it if it can bring understanding and confidence to young women — I’ll do it.” 

Republican Calls San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz "A Political Hack" On CNN Sunday Morning News

SAN JUAN MAYOR CARMEN YULÍNCRUZ HUGS A RESIDENT OF A SENIORS HOME AFTER HURRICANE MARIA DEVASTATED PUERTO RICO. (THAIS LLORCA/EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY-EFE)

Republican Calls San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz "A Political Hack" On CNN Sunday Morning News

San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz made waves on Friday, speaking to media outlets including CNN and MSNBC about the need for more support from the Trump administration in dealing with the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. 

Cruz's comments were prompted by those made by Elaine Duke, acting Homeland Security Secretary, on Thursday. In an astonishing lack of empathy for the scene millions of Americans watched all week -- including frequent images of Mayor Cruz walking through sewage-laden waters with her bullhorn calling for her people. 

Duke iterated her satisfaction with the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, explaining that it was “really a good news story in terms of our ability to reach people and the limited number of deaths.”

Mark Zuckerberg Apologizes For Ways in Which Facebook -- His Work -- Was Used To Divide People

Mark Zuckerberg Apologizes For Ways in Which Facebook -- His Work -- Was Used To Divide People

Facebook chief executive mark Zuckerberg spent a thoughtful Yom Kippur, ending the holiest day of the year for Jewish people with an apology issued on his social media platform.

“For those I hurt this year, I ask forgiveness and I will try to be better,” he wrote in a brief post. “For the ways my work was used to divide people rather than bring us together, I ask for forgiveness and I will work to do better.”

Trump Ignites High Tech Relocation To Canada, Determined To Make Canada Great Again

Canada moved immediately when Trump issued his immigration ban -- helping US companies to set up shop in Canada. Trump knows this fact, as it started in Feb/March when I first wrote about it. This asshat American president will create not only a tech brain drain but also our doctors. His day of reckoning is coming, and I expect his voters and also the Dems who supported him to explain to the country how they let this happen. Alas, being one of the elites they love to hate, I knew this would happen and began tracking the migration to Canada right after the inauguration.

Politico writes:

President Donald Trump has moved to cut legal immigration by half over the next decade, increase security along the border, build a wall with Mexico, ban travel indefinitely from several countries and overturn DACA, the Obama-era policy that grants work permits to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the country as minors. The Trump administration has also suggested limiting “startup visas” for high-tech entrepreneurs entering the United States, and massively cutting America’s funding for scientific research. Trump’s aggressive “America first” posture on trade and international diplomacy has transformed the United States into something of a pariah nation, out of touch with the basic norms and values of advanced democracies."

Nor only has Canada has opened centers for refugees streaming over the border in northern New York State from the United States, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau personally welcoming some of them to the country. As AOC noted right after Trump's inauguration, Canada is specifically recruiting the skilled, ambitious talent that drives innovation and economic growth, with a particular target on top thinkers and workers in technology and industry, and also doctors. Canadian universities—ranked among the world’s best in fields like computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and artificial intelligence—are successively recruiting foreign students, who in turn are matriculating in Canada at higher levels than before Trump’s election. Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal are attracting more venture capital to fund the nation's tech industry, on par with American tech hubs like Seattle and Austin, write Richard Florida and Joshua Gans for Politico.

Beyoncé Donates Proceeds Of 'Mi Gente' Remix To Puerto Rico & Hurricane Relief

Beyoncé Donates Proceeds Of 'Mi Gente' Remix To Puerto Rico & Hurricane Relief

I am donating my proceeds from this song to hurricane relief charities for Puerto Rico, Mexico and the other affected Caribbean islands. To help go to Beyonce.com/reliefefforts.

Beyoncé appears on a new remix of "Mi Gente" by J Balvin and Willy William for a good cause, the superstar announced on Instagram Friday. Continuing her threesome images on Instagram, Queen Bey struck a hopeful, optimistic colorful tone Friday, in this killer button-up dress, vertical stripes dress from Solzce London. Off White cinches her post-babies waist with a yellow belt. 

Bruce Weber Flashes 'The Wow Club' With Taylor, Carolyn & Grace Elizabeth For V Magazine F/2017

Bruce Weber Flashes 'The Wow Club' With Taylor, Carolyn & Grace Elizabeth For V Magazine F/2017

Legendary photographer Bruce Weber captures 'The WOW Club . . .  the royals in my backyard." Membership in The Wow Club requires only one quality -- "you have to flirt with life". Alex White styles a star-studded group of humans including Carolyn Murphy, Chase Hill, Grace Elizabeth, Jacob Riley, Mackinley Hill, Noel Kirven Dows and Taylor Hill for V Magazine Fall 2017./ Makeup by Fulvia Farolfi; hair by Duffy

Meghan McCain Set To Join The View's Revolving Door Panel For Women

Meghan McCain Set To Join The View's Revolving Door Panel For Women

Variety reports that Meghan McCain is joining 'The View', replacing conservative voice Jedediah Bila, who announced her departure on the ABC daytime show last week. McCain signed off Fox News' 'Outnumbered' with the announcement of her father Sen. John McCain's brain cancer.  Before joining Fox News, McCain co-hosted the Pivot Network’s "TakePart Live" and is an op-ed contributor to publications such as the Daily Beast, Newsweek and Time. Meghan McCain is known for being a free-thinker in the GOP, rejecting the party line on issues like same-sex marriage and climate change.

Saudi Women Will Be Driving In June 2018 As Kingdom Harnesses Their Economic Power

There are few greater symbols of women's oppression worldwide than the prohibition against women driving in Saudi Arabia. AOC has lobbied against this absurd law for nearly a decade.  The New York Times reminds us:

Some said that it was inappropriate in Saudi culture for women to drive, or that male drivers would not know how to handle women in cars next to them. Others argued that allowing women to drive would lead to promiscuity and the collapse of the Saudi family. One cleric claimed — with no evidence — that driving harmed women’s ovaries.

Pure economics is part of the change promoted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the king's young son charged with overhauling the kingdom's economy and society. Low oil prices have limited the government's ability to fund unneeded jobs. Women's incomes are critical in expanding economic demand in the kingdom. 

Saudi women are expected to legally hit the road in June 2018, after a period of training male police officers how to interact with women and teaching women how to drive. 

Earlier in 2017 King Salman bin Abdulaziz Saud issued an order allowing women to benefit from government services including education and healthcare without getting the permission of a male guardian. The decision came after spring 2017 outrage over the the election of Saudi Arabia to the UN's women's commission, whose role is to shape "global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women".

Hannity Beats Maddow In Monday Night Debut | Megyn Kelly Off & Running | Fox Confirms Ingraham 10PM Slot

9-2017

Rachel Maddow's 9 pm queen of cable news reign failed in its first test against Fox News Sean Hannity's debut in the 9pm hour Monday night, writes The Hollywood Reporter. Hannity won the battle for total viewers with Maddow trailing by 610,000 in viewers but had only 75,000 adults 25-54 deficit.

Ingraham Fills 10 PM Hannity Slot

The long-denied rumour that Laura Ingraham would be taking over Hannity's spot was confirmed by FNC last week. The program will be called 'The Ingraham Angle' and will debut Oct. 30.

Eye: Joseph's CD Louise Trotter Joins Romy Schonberger In Showing Off Practical Elegance For The Edit September 21, 2017

Eye: Joseph's CD Louise Trotter Joins Romy Schonberger In Showing Off Practical Elegance For The Edit September 21, 2017

Models Romy Schonberger & Joseph's Creative Director Louise Trotter are styled by Anina Hee in Joseph's tailored, practical elegance.  Trotter reflected on her pov with AnOther, following these images, as well as her meaty Edit interview. Benjamin Werner flashes the duo for The Edit September 21, 2017. / Hair by Misha Oshima; makeup by Emilie Plume; art direction by Matt Duncan

Trotter tells The Edit:

The Cut Announces '5 Under 35' All Women National Book Foundation Honorees

The Cut Announces '5 Under 35' All Women National Book Foundation Honorees

New York Magazine's newly revamped 'The Cut' shares the names of the National Book Foundation's '5 under 35', an annual prize recognizing five young debut fiction writers whose work "promises to leave an indelible mark on the literary landscape".  For the second time in the award's 12-year history, the five nominees are women, with three being women of color. 

“At a moment in which we are having the necessary conversations surrounding the underrepresentation of female voices, it’s a thrill to see this list of tremendous women chosen organically by our selectors,” said Lisa Lucas, executive director of the National Book Foundation. “These writers and their work represent an incredibly bright future for the world of literary fiction.” Here are the honorees, each selected by a former honoree:

Eye: Kim Kardashian West Is Lensed By Daniel Jackson With Words By Devin Friedman For Allure US

Eye: Kim Kardashian West Is Lensed By Daniel Jackson With Words By Devin Friedman For Allure US

Kim Kardashian West covers the October 2017 issue of Allure Magazine,styled by Beth Fenton for images by Daniel Jackson. / Makeup by Pat McGrath; hair by Garren

Kardashian is a bit late for her simply-brilliant Allure interview with GQ writer Devin Friedman. When I say 'brilliant', the word applies to both humans. In fact, Friedman's writing sparkles -- not with the common broad-stroke, high-and-mighty intellectual condemnation of Kardashian's character on behalf of millions of Twitter minions -- but with verve and personal insights.

I can't remember when I last read such an insightful, entertaining and clever interview -- one definitely dependent on the creative and psychoanalytical talents of the writer. 

Elephant Love: Doutzen Kroes Launches Phase 2 Of Tiffany's #KnotOnMyPlanet

In 2016 supermodel Doutzen Kroes launched her #KnotOnMyPlanet campaign, created to support elephant conservation. Tiffany & Co came on board as a major sponsor and collaborator.

“We tie a knot when we don’t want to forget,” Doutzen said in the 2016 launch, explaining the campaign’s slogan. “We’ve been forgetting the elephants, and if we don’t do something now, they will disappear.”

The 2017 #KnotOnMyPlanet campaign launched in August with Tiffany & Co. developing key pieces to support elephant conservation. The New York jeweler has committed at least $1 million of sales to the Elephant Crisis Fund

“In the face of political uncertainty, those of us in the business community have a responsibility to keep moving forward,” Anisa Costa, chief sustainability officer and president of the Tiffany & Co. Foundation, explains. “From taking bold action on climate change to supporting organizations working to protect biodiversity and precious land and seascapes, Tiffany will continue to use the full power of its brand to bring attention to these critical issues.”

“Socially conscious consumers are demanding higher levels of sustainability and activism from companies today," Costa adds, "and the Save the Wild collection is an exciting opportunity for us to both increase awareness and financially support an issue we care deeply about."

Shop the Tiffany Save the Wild Collection

Angela Merkel's CDU Party Wins German Election But Must Form Govt With Greens & Free Liberals

FABRIZIO BENSCH / REUTERS

Angela Merkel's CDU Party Wins German Election But Must Form Govt With Greens & Free Liberals

Politico Europe shares news of Angela Merkel's victory as the Germany chancellor's Conservative party posts its worst score in national elections since 1949.  Likewise, the second-place Social Democrats (SPD) lost votes to the third-place, far-right finishers. 

“We don’t need to beat about the bush, we had hoped for a better result. But we should not forget that we had a very challenging parliamentary term behind us,” Merkel told supporters at the headquarters of her CDU party.

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“We have the task of forming a government.”

With the Social Democrats saying they will now become an opposition party, Merkel will be trying to form a governing coalition with the liberal Free Democrats (estimated 10.5 percent) and the Greens (9.1 percent). Such a coalition has never been attempted in Germany -- although if anyone can thread that needle, it's Angela Merkel. 

Alexander Gauland, one of the leaders of the anti-immigrant AfD, vowed to “hunt” Merkel’s government from its new base in parliament.

Led By NFL Players, Americans 'Take A Knee' Against Trump's Racist White Nationalism

Led By NFL Players, Americans 'Take A Knee' Against Trump's Racist White Nationalism

Once again America's racist, misogynist president Donald Trump has shown his true colors, causing more than a dozen -- 17 accounted for -- NFL players to 'take a knee' during America's anthem at today's NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The same players stood for the playing of the British anthem. 

The teams' owners also went on the record, with $1 million Trump donor Shad Khan, owner of the Jaguars,  linking arms with his players. “We recognize our players’ influence.” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, another $1 million Trump donor, said in a statement on Sunday. “We respect their demonstration and support them 100 percent. All voices need to be heard. That’s democracy in its highest form.”

This is a developing story on Sunday. All over America, people are 'taking a knee', led by NFL players.

Bipartisan Group Launches Committee To Investigate Russia, Led By Rob Reiner & Morgan Freeman

Bipartisan Group Launches Committee To Investigate Russia, Led By Rob Reiner & Morgan Freeman

Hollywood types like Rob Reiner and Morgan Freeman are the faces of the new Committee To Investigate Russia website. But the group does go 'off script', says Think Progress, with an advisory board that includes  conservative commentator Charles Sykes and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.  Max Boot, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and Norman Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, are also advising. Apparently, no women are qualified to advise on such a critical issue for our country.

In an interview, Reiner said that they are hoping to be a “one-stop shop where people can come and be made aware pop what the breaking news stories are today, the various investigations, what stages they are in, but also to the understand the history, and what the Soviet Union and now Russia has been trying to do for many, many years.," writes Variety. Reiner also said that a goal is to understand “what cyberwarfare is all about.”

Eye: Natasha Poly Fronts 'Logomania' By Brigitte Niedermair For CR Fashion Book | Is This For Real?

Eye: Natasha Poly Fronts 'Logomania' By Brigitte Niedermair For CR Fashion Book | Is This For Real?

CR Fashion Book editor-in-chief and industry mega-vision/voice Carine Roitfeld returns to a familiar theme of logo-wrapping in the Fall/Winter 2017 of CRF. Photographer Brigitte Niedermairflashes the bound-body of Natasha Poly in 'Logomania', styled by Ben Perreira

Erotic tension is a common top note in Roitfeld's styling toolbox, and I miss terribly her imprint on Vogue Paris. My first thought in seeing these images -- was an article about fishnets inspired by Carine.  My second one questioned the relevance of logos in today's fashion culture.   Read on. 

Milo Yiannopoulos & Berkeley Patriots Cry Foul As Free Speech Week Falls Apart Over Incompetence

Milo Yiannopoulos & Berkeley Patriots Cry Foul As Free Speech Week Falls Apart Over Incompetence

Former Breitbart editor and style diva Milo Yiannopoulos promised to shake things up in Berkeley -- and hopefully inspire Antifa & friends to confirm every comment Trump has made about them -- with four straight days of conservative thought and luminaries. Billing the event Milo Yiannopoulos's Free Speech Week in Berkeley, all the major press reported that Steve Bannon would be joining Ann Coulter in raising hell on one of America's most liberal campuses. 

UC Berkeley said as late as Friday afternoon that they are prepared to spend more than $1 million for security at the events, bringing in hundreds of police officers from around the Bay Area. Other student leaders say the event is 'off'. 

Doutzen Kroes Takes 'A New Direction' In Activism, Lensed By Sebastian Kim For The Edit Sept. 21, 2017

Doutzen Kroes Takes 'A New Direction' In Activism, Lensed By Sebastian Kim For The Edit Sept. 21, 2017

Supermodel Doutzen Kroes is turning her focus to acting, writes Jane Mulkerrins in her Doutzen interview for The Edit September 21, 2017. Kroes fronts 'A New Direction', lensed by Sebastian Kim in looks styled by Tracy Taylor.

The Dutch supermama also talks activism and saving elephants, a Doutzen Kroes passion that we've tracked religiously, considering AOC's own passion to saving elephants. 

Kroes hung up her Victoria's Secret angel wings in 2014, but has maintained lucrative contracts with brands such as Tiffany & Co. and L'Oreal.  Kroes' #KnotOnMyPlanet just launched its second collection with Tiffany's Save the Wild collection to the Elephant Crisis Fund). A Kroes posse of VIPs including Cara Delevingne, Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel wear the jewelry.