Duration 14:58

The toxic female gaze | Emma Jones | TEDxGhent

555 864 watched

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9 K

Published 28 Jun 2017

Distorted perspectives on females have been created in the subconscious of our society, creating a confidence crisis that endangers the current and future female generations. Urgent action is needed to stand up against how women are portrayed. Emma provides an insider perspective on the media’s obsession with the personal lives of female celebrities perpetuating an inherent belief that the value of a woman is physical. From being a BBC News reporter to producer in politics, economics and social affairs. In recent years she has worked a lot within the fields of arts, culture, media and tech. The type of work ranges from interviewing to live presenting for news or film festivals such as Sundance and Cannes. Co-founder of Noble Media and Electra Media – a media channel that speaks for women in the film industry. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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TEDxTalks

English

Belgium

Social Science

Feminism

Media

Social Change

Social Justice

Women

Women in business

Women's Rights

Comments - 1550

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@Yo-n27515 years ago I' m a girl and can say that my fellow girls have hurt me more than boys ever did. 2051
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@TSorovanMHael7 years ago I' ve met so many women who seem to feel that everything is a competition, even intimacy. 1238
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@helianxie4627 years ago Psychology tells us that a good appearance can make a good impression on others but it is just a temporary feel. With the deepening of communication, the personality weighs more. 476
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@user-xc9ie1fm9f5 years ago In china there is joke - three girls need 4 chat groups. 628
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@marciwhitton63514 years ago As a 50 year old woman i can just remember a time when there was a lot of positive reinforced support within girls and women in the time when the unspoken rule was to be there for one another and if necessary lift up someone if they happen to fall. Now it seems that almost the exact opposite is the case. Interesting. ...Expand 128
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@judithfurmston37315 years ago I know this comment will get lost but i really wish ted wouldn' t mic up their speakers so close to their mouth.
i find it hard to focus on the words because of the mouth sounds. 286
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@fern45207 years ago Off topic but i love her voice. She should narrate an audiobook. 481
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@pristineparr75095 years ago Thank you for this talk. Very insightful. Manipulative industries that want us to constantly compare and devalue ourselves have a truly toxic effect on . ...Expand 111
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@anjalilalithambika15316 years ago I was a naive little girl. The first time i found out how closely media scrutinised something asas celeb looks and makeup, i was disgusted. So maybe it' s not ingrained. Maybe it' s learned. 106
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@-Rickster-5 years ago Everyone is judged!
men on looks and capability to provide as well as social status. Women are judged on fertility /age, looks, being a mother the only winners are people who manage peoples perceptions or people who simply dont care. ...Expand 46
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@edgarquintero28764 years ago If you stopped looking at other peoples lives you will start listening to your body and love yourself. 29
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@rmsmith11265 years ago " every beautiful woman dies twice. " lauren bacall. 322
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@sonicfoxxmusic42814 years ago Women dress for women and undress for men. They also dress their men. Pretty much.
a woman told me that once. 164
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@danerose5756 years ago Thanks, emma. I appreciate you for taking a stand for human dignity. One of the most interestingabout your talk is the ecological relationship between writer and subject, speaker and listener, interviewer and interviewee. I' ve been aware all my life that the most interesting parts of me and others are not viewed because there is no role in our dumbed-down version of culture through which to express them. If 99% of people ask me " keeping busy? " it defines the whole cultural dialog based on a competition to manically create things to do. If everyone asks women about age it' s the same thing. Here are a few metrics i think are medicinal to pay attention to:
1) what are 40 things that if anyone did them would make you feel completely and totally loved?
2) who would you love to be as a human being if no one was watching or ever knew? Why?
3) what are your greatest strengths and what role, if it existed, would allow you to bring the most value to the most people, based on your strengths?
from experience the person who answers these questions thoughtfully is a pretty amazing person to spend time with of any age, body type or gender. ...Expand 24
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@michaelbonade46674 years ago I like the way we ask questions that we already know the answers to.
and act bewildered before and after.
about everything apparently. 10
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@davidkaplan27454 years ago Van morrison: " the girls walk by dressed up for each other. " 86
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@ajl22325 years ago The best ted talk ever. I love this woman. I am going to follow her on her social media page. I agree, this intense worship of body is not helping young girls and women. Instead of confidence, it is doing the opposite. 7
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@gregdahlen43754 years ago Guys might be attracted to women first for their looks, but they stay for their personality. 47
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@alexanderwindh48305 years ago Women judge other women. It' s really sad. 41
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@AshleyAbbuhl7 years ago Something that has always bothered me is the idea of makeup and how women are the ones expected to wear it. Not to say men can' t and don' t wear . ...Expand 407
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@crikeymos223 years ago What a genuinely amazing heart felt talk with non of the silly shallow mannerisms that lots of women on ted talks use. Most act the same like they have . ...Expand 1
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@ebbyc18176 years ago Watch at 1. 25x. Changes the entire tone. 116
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@kathrynhurn63075 years ago One of the most valuable lessons i learned from great courses instructor, dr. Rufus fears, is that i didn' t need to beit' s much more attractive and powerful to beto be with, " which means cultivating knowledge, passion and wisdom. ...Expand 8
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@juliettezea95075 years ago I was never called pretty as a little girl and thought i would meet prince charming. I had to develop strength and some personality. 129
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@blademaster5d1534 years ago The minute she said its nothing harmful its just a click. I had to question why i was watching this video. 10
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@rhonnaleigh6093 years ago Dear Ms. Jones. Thank you for presenting facts and numbers that drive home how huge a problem female expectations are. To all of us. I wish the lighting where you gave your talk this night had let you see the faces of men in your audience like the two shown around the minute mark of this presentation. If you had been able to see their heartache about the statistic you'd just shared, that 1 in 4 British girls and young women self-harm, you couldn't have said only moments later that men should take heed because anorexia is on the rise in young male populations. We're all in this together. And every loving being feels pain at reports of another's suffering. Thank you for sharing your ideas of ways we can all ease the load of suffering that comes of harboring and being subjected to unrealistic standards of approval by one's kind, Ms. Jones. I especially appreciate your recommendation of Conscious Clicking. It's such a simple, doable by anyone, way of pulling for Team Humankind. And such an effective way to approve of oneself a lot more than before a conscious click. You've done a good service, drawing folks attention to the importance of acting in accordance with the higher of competing values and impulses. More power to you! .. ...Expand 3
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@nefiseHphotography3 years ago Amazing ted talk, so empowering and inspiring! 1
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@PoodleParti6 years ago Browsing the web with photos turned off helps a lot. And not clicking on anything that says kardashian. 46
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@simplyredislandgirl4 years ago Much needed discussion on tedtalk! Well said! Insightful perspectives! 2
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@Armageto1007 years ago I wonder how many people will dislike and leave when they seeandin the title without taking a second to think about the video at all. 359
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@TheWolverine19845 years ago I don' t think this issue can be laid at the feet of the media.
beauty and youth were desirable traits in women long before television or even . ...Expand 46
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@SariaSchala4 years ago There' s a reason i don' t read celebrity gossip. I just think people are butting in to famous people' s private lives way too much, sometimes . ...Expand 2
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@MelModica5 years ago I agree completely! Women need to find their confidence in who they are as a person and through their actions! Sure everyone wants to look their best but . ...Expand 4
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@franciscoenriquez2384 years ago It is something i' ve always talked about, how most of the prejudice regarding female appearance is coming from media meant for a female audience, which . ...Expand 1
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@robot5576 years ago I can' t believe how intellectually bankrupt this whole situation is. How can you so seriously dance yourself around and ignore the obvious conclusion? 17
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@guyfromdubai5 years ago It' as if women are just as competitive as men when it comes to attracting mates. 45
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@lobaetoile84407 years ago This is really interesting. I appreciate your perspective that shows empathy, and the initiative to search for solutions and cooperate in order to change certain aspects of society, looking for balance, respect and quality content. ...Expand 92
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@frogmouth4 years ago I can remember as a non conforming teen i felt most relaxed with boys my own age and none made remarks about my appearance identity or preference. In the . ...Expand 19
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@ksg69033 years ago She' s literally talking about the male gaze, why didn' t she name it like that. 15
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@DaveE994 years ago Part of me applauds her for talking about this, another part of me just kinda goes this is wishful thinking. And i think that comes from just learning and . ...Expand 3
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@G-Confalonieri5 years ago In my country we' d say " this woman discovered orange" ie nothing new. 24
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@entertain7us1484 years ago Love those ted talks that sound like the microphone is located inside their cheek. 10
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@jaredprince47725 years ago Self-esteem is generated from within.
no one else can give or reduce another' s self-esteem.
that would be called other-esteem. stop asking others to make women strong.
women that become strong make themselves
strong completely on their own. ...Expand 21
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@Wendededed6 years ago I struggle with this so much. I am in pain. 3
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@flybobbie14497 years ago Very good lecture, attentive audience. 7
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@boboloko5 years ago I' m so glad someone is finally addressing how women objectify men. . 315
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@zer0nix5 years ago We are concerned with women' s looks because we are enthralled by beauty, to the extent that it becomes a kind of power.
this is really an issue an over reaction to social media is not simply a problem with the media but also a problem with society. I am not a socialist by far but i think we ought to give more respect to personal qualities besides appearance and financial productivity. Those two qualities alone do not make a well rounded person, and a society that focuses on these elements above all else will be an awfully empty one.
i would blame authoritative ' news' media that seeks to admonish the other and the poor before i would place blame on the ramblings of random strangers. ...Expand 3
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@paulvarn47127 years ago The most articulate presentation on this rarely discussed subject i have heard. 2
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@tatianabergamasco71004 years ago Very convincing talk about the unseen circumstances of media coverage content generation. Before i click on a paparazzi work outlet, i shall remind myself the circumstances i which princess diana died.
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@MattFrost2244 years ago So how exactly are things tougher for women than men in the film industry? 2
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@maramiranello5 years ago What's happening on the bottom left of the screen is exactly what she's saying 4
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@Hugsarefreedrugs7 years ago This is not a men verse women issue to all of you saying " but men have problems too blah" she' s not making this about men. Yes, men' s a very smart women! The media puts out what gets clicks, so watch what you are voting for. ...Expand 368
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@LikeToWatch775 years ago Based on the title i thought this would be about how women use expectant eye contact to pull in men but get extremely hostile if the man does not approach them. Happens to me in the workplace all the time. 1
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@mr.universe2505 years ago Very strong message for women. If this was the message of feminism, i support it. 1
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@aldrinmilespartosa15783 years ago Note: we are not enemies, but people who have different opinions. 2
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@lobaetoile84407 years ago I' ve been thinking that. In the last decade it seems to me that social media alsomale beauty. At least in young pop idols. . 31
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@colintosh54174 years ago Its the way they look in a condescending way as if they are superior to you in every manner. 2
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@jaschabull23655 years ago How are media consumers supposed to tell which thumbnails are taken by paparazzi and which aren' t? It' s a bit confusing to be told " be careful . ...Expand 3
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@landmassproductions5 years ago If you (anyone) does not feelit is the internal that needs work, and the external takes care of it self, after the fact.
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@DrachonaTheWolf4 years ago Psychology courses should be universally mandatory. So many people don' t understand that, unless society breaks down your door and forces you to make . ...Expand 1
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@lockandloadlikehell5 years ago This woman should do asmr
such a sedating voice.
dayum. 7
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@anthonyc705 years ago I love jen. Shes cool and i wish i could meet someone like her in my life.
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@abeloth71885 years ago I know so many men who are giving themselves serious back problems to lookwe are all hurting ourselves for nothing imo.
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@AgentZero7 years ago I thought it would be about when a men does something wrong and the female gives him the toxic gaze. 3
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@awol26024 years ago Unusual to hear these truths aired - gently and. 1
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@Appleblade6 years ago " mom! Jennifer' s looking at me! " 3
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@martinheath59475 years ago My oh my, blue peter has gone downhill. 4
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@RapidBlindfolds6 years ago When you were coming up with your talk, you started with a main premise you wanted to get across. You had a few vague, undefined points which you strengthened what i' m trying to say that the principle of perfectionism is everywhere from writing to music composition to international policy. If you' re arguing that the beauty industry is corrupt because it distorts, exaggerates and sells the beautiful and untouchable, look around you and you' ll see that if you this apply this neurotic line of reasoning anywhere else it seems daft. Should we stop playing football matches in pubs because it will sadden the old pensioners to know they' ll never be as good as gareth bale? Should we not promote best selling books at barnes & nobles in case it puts someone off writing because they' ll never be as good? Fashion images are part of the continuum of the art tradition and are just as worthy of respect as other crafts.
if your immediate reaction to seeing a beautiful person is self loathing then maybe the problem lies with you. Whats wrong with thinking ' wow, what a beautiful person, let me admire them'. ...Expand 27
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@jenniferh.72197 years ago Why are we so obsessed about a woman' s age & her looks speaks to one of the various things wrong about our society. Even if i identify the we as . ...Expand 1
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@TaraFayCreative4 years ago Dear emma jones, you could get paid to voiceover meditation apps! Calming voice! 2
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@user-ot2nh8qb7d5 years ago Society is obsessed with a woman' s beauty, youth, and fertility much in the same way society is obsessed with a man' s status, earnings, physical . ...Expand 11
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@edoardofedrighi21025 years ago Oh, poor celebrities, they got it so bad. 5
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@ddraigtribe87687 years ago I think thisabout what media we gravitate towards is very similar to the obesity epidemic, in that you can create good products that will benefit people (like healthy food) and you can make treats that people should only have a little of (candy, pizza and celebrity gossip trash articles) but ultimately the free market is consumer lead. People without restraint will binge on the treats and not eat the good stuff, and intellectually we do the same with the media content we consume. The subject raised here is a self-inflicted consumer issue that can only be addressed on the individual level - or you can have some creeping form totalitarian of media censorship " for the good of those who cannot controlis mcdonalds' the issue, or did they just find an opening in a market where consumers will literally eat themselves to death?. ...Expand 1
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@pippadawg70372 years ago If you happen to see a little girl sharing, compliment her for being kind. If you see a little girl practicing to win, compliment her drive. If you see her in a pretty dress please tell her she is beautiful. 3
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@fintrest77615 years ago I don' t mean to take away from the impact of this wonderfully insightful talk but does anyone else hear finn the humans mom from adventure time?
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@lawontriallast year It' s the patriarchy and women internalise male values without even realising it. When i first studied feminism (at university) i only took it because . ...Expand 2
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@debbystardust5 years ago This is the first ted talk ive watched in a while, but ii prefer onion talks.
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@bogdawson23235 years ago Time and age are the great equalizer. Beauty fades period. Dont put so much stock in it. 6
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@victorcates93306 years ago The counter argument is that treating family questions as worthless is a judgement of the domestic sphere. The female fascination with intimacy with celebs . ...Expand
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@eerinahart5 years ago This talk' s gonna change my life.
" it' s women that read. "
thanks for giving me the entirely new perspective, so refleshing talk! 6
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@JohnWilliams-ee5ly5 years ago Jennifer aniston gave that speech at rutgers a few years back with the free panera bread after. 1
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@cybtb5 years ago A symptom of excess wealth. We have not transitioned well from unforgiving sustenance living to modern abundance as we have become enveloped by ego and . ...Expand
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@kevinoduor98416 years ago The fitness gram pacer test, is a fitness test, that gets. 2
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@sophiexoxo61853 years ago After just watching " framing britney spears" this talk truly hits different.
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@Blackfire_20223 years ago Women have more power than they believe. Most guys are more reactionary to how a woman acts from what i have learned growing up. Yeah there are bad guys but that just means you got to step up like emma watson does. 1
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@whanowa7 years ago I' ve got feedback on something technical: you should put a gate on the speakers microphone. It just sounds so awful to hear her smack and slurp in . ...Expand 2
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@JohnSmith-kn1uq4 years ago Do an internet search for " image isor why " personal branding isevery time i go to a personal development with this worldview. Crass materialism meets psychology! It' s theof the self. " it feels narcissistic. I long for my youth when i was taughtis everything because it is constant; beauty, physical prowess, even sometimes our mental capabilities, fade with time. ". ...Expand 6
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@ChrisDragotta5 years ago Everything is a competition.
unfortunately that' s life.
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@agibsonallan5 years ago When you spend time every day covering up the bits you dont like and constantly need admiration dont be surprised your insecure. 4
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@twoonthewall7 years ago By so called flipping the question when interviewing aniston she effectively askes the question she purports to avoid? 3
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@FouriersSadness5 years ago To truly adress the subversion of the womans general conciousness profile you would need to tackle almost every other aspect of society.