Just one of many possible themes...

Not so long ago, in a long and arduous debate with a fake ID account, I was told: "if it's personal, it is political."

True, up to a point. The only hitch with that argument is that it is the essence of "ad hominem" as well.

Her argument, the "ad nominem". I'm male, ergo I must be macho. Enough said. Non-sequitur, right?

More recent, I saw an article that I hope escaped the notice of anyone who has read about the concept of neurosexism. It was about male masturbation and brain degeneration.

The writer seemed to be aching for a fight. She did mention a recent study on conectomes, accepting a number of potential phallacies as "a priori" to build her case upon.

1.- As she pointed out, there was no female "control" group.
2.- The study on brain conectomes is being contested, and that writer was aware of a response by Cordelia Fine, Evolutive Psychologist in Australia.
3.- There was a claim that masturbation reduced neural plasticity. Now THERE is a claim Francisco Bergoglio would be happy to put his seal in.

And, as usual, the lack of link to the source in the article.

I expected so much more from a very admired writer. Yes, somebody who did earn my respect and still has it.

She's a fiery writer with a good balance between precission, clarity, reliable references and passion.

We all have bad days. I'd like to discuss this with her at some point, but my own brain is not up to much lately.

It's not masturbation, but melancholy, at least in my case.