12 November 2013

Jenny Strömstedt and gender-neutral toys

Some time ago, a certain Jenny Strömstedt, a journalist of sorts, working for one of the world's worst "newspapers" (called Expressen) wrote an article criticising the Telegraph (respectable British newspaper) for making fun of her because she supported the decision of the American company Toys-R-Us to produce a catalogue, for the Swedish market, with "gender-neutral" toys.

I looked at the Telegraph article and then looked at the Expressen article and immediately saw that the politically-correct, gender-neutral, and so on, Jenny Strömstedt's article was accompanied by an advertisement on breast enlargement for women. I immediately thought that I should write to her to tell her that this alone makes her article appear silly. A politically-correct, all-feminist, gender-neutral "journalist's" article next to a "breast augmentation" picture. I told her to change jobs. Of course, she didn't reply.

For the sake of book-keeping, here is my letter to Ms. Strömstedt:

from:     Takis Konstantopoulos
to:     redaktionen@expressen.se
date:     Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 11:38 AM
subject:     A message for Jenny Strömsted
mailed-by:     gmail.com


Dear Ms Jenny Strömsted,

I read about your argument against the Telegraph writer Thomas Pascoe who criticized the Swedish toys catalogue for attempting to mingle the roles of boys and girls. I read about it here: http://www.thelocal.se/44824/20121203/#.UMKGmqyBorg

I am not going to comment on the topic which, of course, is weird, but on the fact that the appearance of your article in Expressen immediately weakens its weight. Indeed, Expressen is not a serious publication; it is a low-quality tabloid, a paper full of offensive advertisements, big sensationalist titles, full of disagreeable colour images, void of any content, a paper which my American friends would immediately classify as "trash". In comparison to the Telegraph (which itself is not the best newspaper in the UK), Expressen can only be used for cleaning windows by those who are interested in reading a newspaper (I am aware that there are many who, unfortunately, are amused by trash publications, and I feel sorry for their lack of intellect).

Thomas Pascoe wrote an article in a rather respectable newspaper. You wrote in a newspaper favoured by the poor in the spirit. I would be ashamed to have anything published by the Expressen. If you think your article has any merit please try to publish it in a serious forum. Not in Expressen!

Sincerely yours,
Takis Konstantopoulos

P.S. I am now looking at the URL of your Expressen article

and that of the Telegraph article.
The second contains a couple of small size discreet *still* advertisements. The Expressen URL contains dozens of *animated*  (hence annoying) advertisements including one on bröstforstöring (breast augmentation). This is not a good place for a feminist article. Unless breast augmentation is for men too. I doubt it though, because, below your article, there is, clearly a woman with rather large breasts who obviously wants to make them bigger. Now, this contradicts the spirit of your article doesn't it? Like I said, seek an alternative publication venue!
PPS. For your information, here is the advertisement below your article.
breast_270x180_46937.jpg
breast_270x180_46937.jpg
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1 comment:

  1. You don't need to go to Aftonbladet to read "intellectual exercises" that give you stomach ache. You may read our most serious news paper:

    http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/kulturdebatt/sa-praglades-relativitetsteorin-av-den-judiska-traditionen/

    ReplyDelete




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