How to Create Controversy

It's so easy to make an inflammatory statement these days. Just try saying one of the following: "Some people like to have lots of kids." "I don't want a cellphone." Or better yet....

From: Dorothy J Heydt
Subject: Re: You know, we have a word for that
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
Date: 2004-06-30 07:45:05 PST


Karl M. Syring wrote:
>Dorothy J Heydt schrieb:
>>Jesper Lauridsen wrote:
>>>Marriage without prior sex seems like a much bigger risk than sex without prior marriage.
>>
>>Why?
>
>Because inevitably the question "Did I miss something?" comes up. That is the beginning of the end.

Inevitably? No. Beginning of the end? No.

Here's one data point for instance. My husband and I did not have
sex before marriage. The question of did we miss something has
never come up. Thirty-three years now and no beginning of the
end in sight.

Dorothy J. Heydt

This was not exactly a revelation, as her life story and general values are well known. She's a highly respected, long-time member of the sf community, and has published two justly acclaimed (though not well-marketed) novels. She's also a feminist in the positive sense.

Yet you would think she'd confessed to killing and eating babies, from the critique that followed. Which is ironic, since sf.written is completely capable of having a polite discussion of the pros and cons of Swift's modest proposal. (Science fiction fans are generally good on speculation.)

One more reminder that many people now regard virginity as the only perversion and a happy traditional marriage the only really disgusting 'alternative lifestyle'. Even in the sf community, which keeps telling itself it's welcoming and openminded. Bah.

Remind me again why I don't gafiate?