And I think it’s two things, both typically gendered.

One is an unwillingness to do stuff if it’s not the Big Important Stuff – so he’s more interested in legislation than lifestyle change (unless it’s quantifiable, like cutting electrical use – he actually did the math on the carbon we would be saving by turning shit off, if we were still using coal-based electricity). Or if it’s a manly competition like the “how far will you bike?” or “how cold is your house” ones.

The other is that *most* of the plastic-free changes have to do with not buying stuff, or buying different stuff – and that’s pretty universally women’s work. At least the stuff like food, ink cartridges, makeup, where the packaging is a high percentage of the total item’s impact.

Thanks for your Men-oriented post. Neat idea, and very interesting comments it has sparked.

I think underbelly has a point, though I’m glad to say I don’t fit in that mold. I tend to do much of the cooking and cleaning, and a fair portion of the childcare in our home – and this is just how it works in our couple based on our interests, thresholds and the structure of our day-to-day life. I sure don’t fit in the mold Dennis describes either. JOE3, er, no comment – but great idea to give out fabric bags for free. I can relate to a lot of what Drew says.

I guess my point is that I find it very hard to categorize according to gender because the way I see it, every person is different. Generally, what I like is just what I like, it’s not based on gender. There are men out there who are reading you, and that’s great. When I read your posts, I’m not thinking it’s Beth the woman writing, but Beth the person. Frankly, I think if you just keep researching and writing as beautifully as you do, you will attract those who want and need to read you, regardless of what gender they happen to be.

But hey, if we’re looking for generalizations to work with, I’m sure a post on cars would bring in some more male readers – e.g., something about how many car manufacturers (especially the German ones) are now manufacturing their cars to be completely recyclable – a life cycle approach.

Good luck in your gender analysis!

Jay
Lifewithoutplastic.com

@underbelly I’ll check out Sociological Images. Sounds fascinating. In my home, my husband actually does more of the traditionally female work than I do. He cooks all our meals, vacuums the floors, irons, does the laundry, etc. I just help. So it really doesn’t occur to me that such gender disparity still exists. Perhaps I’d see it if we had kids. We have cats, and he takes care of them as much as I do.

@RD Allen The Pacific Gyre is what got me into this project and blog in the first place, and I’ve actually written about it quite a bit.

@Dennis I actually did write a couple of sex posts a while back. Not to attract men but simply because I am a human who has sex!

http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-1-reducing/

http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/

Probably won’t be writing about fishing because I have no interest in it. Could get a guest post on surfing because I have many friends in the Surfrider Foundation, which encourages surfers to take care of the oceans that they enjoy. They actually have a Rise Above Plastics campaign. Men’s clothes — I have one on underwear coming up this week! Booze — since I quit drinking, probably not. Saving money — Yes siree!

@Rob, I understand that women can learn to pee standing up like guys, so I’m thinking maybe we can learn to write in the snow with no hands.

@Joe3 “No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should ” Amen. And therefore you are doing what you need to do in the moment, and I and other greenies are doing what we need to do. The outcome is unknown. All we can do right now is our part — because it’s the right thing to do.

@shaggies In the past I have put out a call for guest bloggers (when I myself have been too busy to post regularly) and all the people who volunteered were women. At least that’s what I recall. Would you like to guest post? I’d love to hear about your experience using the straight razor!

@Jesse Interesting to realize that women in general like to comment more than men. However, I have seen tons of comments on the more techologically related sites. Maybe it depends on the topic?

@Matt “Why did you feel it necessary to make the blog a male/female issue? I can see it being a “gender” issue relating to masculinity and femininity, but why call out ‘men’?” Because according to Quantcast, the majority of my readers are women and I just wondered why. Not calling anyone out. Just curious is all. I have no idea how Quantcast gets its information.

@EcoYogini Of course men are not only interested in sex. And also, most women ARE interested in sex. It is a good topic for discussion as it relates to plastic because any aspect of our lives is good to discuss in relation to plastic.

@Clif What does your girlfriend think about your designs on Nordegren? :-)
.-= Beth Terry´s last blog ..Recycle vs. Refill: Conversations with HP, Cartridge World, & Silo Ink =-.

that being said- Andrew (my fiancé) reads blogs frequently but also rarely comments. He is just as involved with the eco-lifestyle and feels just as passionately about plastic wrapper toilet paper.

I gotta say though- posting a topic about sex, lube, condoms just to attract more men… is insulting… and not only to women but even more so to the men it is supposedly geared to attract. How insulting to be thought only interested in sex and lube. I can firmly say that most of the men I know don’t like to be considered as walking neanderthals who are only interested in one thing.

Beth- I think you write an extremely non-gendered blog compared to the hundreds of eco-blogs out there. and until sexism and socially constructed gender roles no longer exist in our culture, then a disparity most likely will be reflected in almost all public spheres….

I must ask you: Why did you feel it necessary to make the blog a male/female issue? I can see it being a “gender” issue relating to masculinity and femininity, but why call out “men”? Is it that being environmentally aware, conscious, and concerned is perceived by the public as “feminine”, which might challenge a man’s sense of identity? And if so, why then do we live with such insecure “men”? Why do we raise boys to be this way? Are men inherently passive towards issues concerning actually helping the planet rather than destroying it?

I feel that men are just as active and concerned about the environment as women, but generally express their concern in ways that might tend to be different than women. I don’t know, this is just a guess. The tendency to comment on a blog, or to not comment on a blog, might be one difference between men and women? I read some blogs, and rarely feel the need to comment. Thank you for opening up this discussion and getting me, a male, to comment on a blog.

Where’s an interview with Danica Patrick? I’ll bet her racing gear is all plastic, the cars too.

Not one word here about football.

Couldn’t you pop in a picture or two of Elin Nordegren now and then? I don’t follow golf, so had never heard about her until the “incident”. OMG, Tiger – you fool!!!

How about something on extreme snowmobiling in Yellowstone?

HEY! Brainstorm here (thanks to Hef) – a pictorial series – “The Women Readers of FPF Without Their Plastic On!

In short, women are interested in everything, men are interested in women and, if there is time left over, other stuff.

Women like to talk. I can’t tell you how different are my conversations (and emails) from men and women. One complete sentence if I’m lucky from the guys, whole paragraphs from women. Your blog is conversational.

As I’ve said before, I’m here about the plastic but also because you have such a concise, revealing, humorous and informative writing style – and your photos are incredible, even the macro of the lipstick blew me away. You just do it all so well! You should add a subscript – Fake Plastic Fish/Born to Blog.

No need to change. Just keep on being you and your readers, female or male, will follow. There is a world of blogs, so people can be very precise and picky in what they choose to read. You’ve taken what could be a very very restricted topic and expanded it in so many interesting ways. Do your thing.

Gotta go read the paper – saw a headline “Nordegren may soon be available…”

Still loving you work
Drew

women just like to comment more than men do.

I’ve noticed on my own blog that the majority of comments are from the ladies. Guys, being more technically minded, will only say something when/if they feel it will have an impact or if they have a question. It was the same in school, the girls always speaking up in class and the guys always screwing around…I mean staying quiet…

I really like what I see here so far and will add you to my reader, keep it up!

Jesse