This popped up on digg tonight. Interesting read.

http://www.slate.com/id/2167870/

Discuss.

I've talked with a professor who has written several books on this top as far basically making a worthless stone priceless. His name is James Twitchell.

I really dislike diamonds but i'll conform to the tradition unless by some miracle I meet a women with the same views (doubtful).

As clique (sp?) as it sounds.. it isnt the size of the rock that counts. It is more about the meaning/feelings behind it... instead of spending all that money on a rock, I'd rather put that money towards something like a house (or a place to live.)

I hear ya. I think the whole diamond thing is a bit out of hand. I have no problem spending the money, I'd just prefer it was on something useful.

As clique (sp?) as it sounds.. it isnt the size of the rock that counts. It is more about the meaning/feelings behind it... instead of spending all that money on a rock, I'd rather put that money towards something like a house (or a place to live.)

+1

anyone see Blood Diamond? lol...

It is apparent that the writer attempts to discredit the concept of giving diamonds by appealing to modern feminist ideals. This is a novel approach. However I can't help but think that, in fact, most men simply resent the obligation of having to spend a significant amount of money to be tied FOREVER to one woman.

Unfortunately, guys, we can't have our cake and eat it too.

Despite the increased equality (compared to the previous generations and many countries in the world) American women enjoy, to act like we no longer live in a patriarchal society is disingenuous at best. I would argue that the diamond tradition, while the result of an ingenious marketing scheme, is a by-product of a society that we, as men, have created.

We have positioned ourselves as protectors, providers, authoritarians, and leaders for centuries now. Simply because women can now vote, drive, hold public office, choose their reproductive options, and not get burned as witches does not immediately eradicate societal structures we have spent so long building. The argument that diamond rings are anachronistic is not entirely without some academic merit. But it is most certainly not a realistic application.

The sexual politics (as the writer touched on) play a large part as well. Men are far more capable of infidelity than women. This is PARTLY a product of biology that we (with varying degrees of success) attempt to quell or overcome with our intellect and morals. But, regardless, a man who has bedded numerous women can be known as a "stud". There is no comparable term for for a woman who sleeps with many men. In fact, many of the words applied to such a person are degrading and damaging. And that kind of disgrace is MILD compared to the incredibly uneven and sometimes legally or tribally applied punishments meted out to perfidious men and women in MANY parts of the world.

So, for a woman to have some (albeit marginal by today's social mores) guarantee that the man will be faithful lest he suffer, at the very least, financially is not that surprising.

But let's not suck all the romance out of the situation simply for the sake of analysis and argument. As gems, they are beautiful and dazzling. And as signifiers of love and committment, they have an importance that cannot be circumvented.

And let's not forget, guys, that we ALL value physical items that many women couldn't care less about. My snowboard and paintball gear still draws "did you really need to buy a new one of those?" stares in my house.

However I can't help but think that, in fact, most men simply resent the obligation of having to spend a significant amount of money to be tied FOREVER to one woman.

LOL. That's a good point.

The sexual politics (as the writer touched on) play a large part as well. Men are far more capable of infidelity than women.

I disagree. It's generally easier for a woman to fool around vs a man. I know plenty of cheating women. No smart comments. :-P

But let's not suck all the romance out of the situation simply for the sake of analysis and argument. As gems, they are beautiful and dazzling. And as signifiers of love and committment, they have an importance that cannot be circumvented.

I understand your point here...it is nice to give them a nice gift and wow them, etc. But again, I'd much prefer to buy them something useful.

And it does kind of suck that we get the short end of the stick. We spend thousands on a ring, and in return, they buy us...?

I asked for a Baltimore Ravens Personal Seat License.. but that turns out to be much more expensive than a ring.

Now we are looking at rings with diamonds from the US or Canada (all Tiffany diamonds are from Canada)

I agree that it's outdated...

but.. i'm getting henry a Ducati so his ass better do it up (whatever 'it' may be)

^Now THAT'S a good deal.

Meh

Ok...so being a dumbass...I bought my ex three engagment rings. And lemme tell you...


The rings made her flippin nuts! She went from being a hot, fun nympho to being a hot psycho controlling nympho. It'll be a long while till I do that crap again.

Ok...so being a dumbass...I bought my ex three engagment rings. And lemme tell you...


The rings made her flippin nuts! She went from being a hot, fun nympho to being a hot psycho controlling nympho. It'll be a long while till I do that crap again.
why 3?

why 3?

Got the first one...she loved it...then i pissed her off by doing something so rediculous that no one would really care. Honestly, I don't even remember what it was. So she wouldn't touch it again. I traded it in on the 2nd. Went to the Outer Banx, propsed again...all good...same shit happened. So i bought the third. Then I said fuck it and left.

Got the first one...she loved it...then i pissed her off by doing something so rediculous that no one would really care. Honestly, I don't even remember what it was. So she wouldn't touch it again. I traded it in on the 2nd. Went to the Outer Banx, propsed again...all good...same shit happened. So i bought the third. Then I said fuck it and left.
trust me with what I hear... you are better off without her! :D

Ok...so being a dumbass...I bought my ex three engagment rings. And lemme tell you...


The rings made her flippin nuts! She went from being a hot, fun nympho to being a hot psycho controlling nympho. It'll be a long while till I do that crap again.

Hahahah

(pics?)

Hahahah

(pics?)

Hahaha...word.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/Chupotimko1/Christy/ChristyGuitar2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/Chupotimko1/Christy/DSC01091.jpg

cute.

cute.

Controlling.

Alot of good points being made...but my view is, it depends how crazy you are for the girl. If your "ah well it's such a waist of money and you get nothing in return" kidding guy, it's because your not nuts about her and most of all, your a cheap bastard. I also judge a guy's view on this by the wheels on his own car...hint hint. That's it, I could be wrong but whatever....I would spare not expense if Jennifer Love Hewitt declared her love for me..lol!

Alot of good points being made...but my view is, it depends how crazy you are for the girl. If your "ah well it's such a waist of money and you get nothing in return" kidding guy, it's because your not nuts about her and most of all, your a cheap bastard. I also judge a guy's view on this by the wheels on his own car...hint hint. That's it, I could be wrong but whatever....I would spare not expense if Jennifer Love Hewitt declared her love for me..lol!

True. I was nuts for her, and did whatever she wanted. That was primarily my downfall. If I would have stood up to her a little more, who knows...perhaps I'd still be with her. But I didn't, and crap got crazy, and that was enough for me.

Controlling.

lol

Alot of good points being made...but my view is, it depends how crazy you are for the girl. If your "ah well it's such a waist of money and you get nothing in return" kidding guy, it's because your not nuts about her and most of all, your a cheap bastard. I also judge a guy's view on this by the wheels on his own car...hint hint. That's it, I could be wrong but whatever....I would spare not expense if Jennifer Love Hewitt declared her love for me..lol!

So wait, you're saying that the more in love with a girl a guy is, the more likely he is to spend money on a ring for her. Also, the more in love with a car a guy is, the more he'll spend on his rims?

True. I was nuts for her, and did whatever she wanted. That was primarily my downfall. If I would have stood up to her a little more, who knows...perhaps I'd still be with her. But I didn't, and crap got crazy, and that was enough for me.
not letting you see your family? she needed to be "let go".. you are better without her!

not letting you see your family? she needed to be "let go".. you are better without her!

True...now I can go after that girl at work that drives the sunlight silver mazda3 hatch. Shes' got good taste in colors...

Shes' got good taste in colors...:jedi:

True...now I can go after that girl at work that drives the sunlight silver mazda3 hatch. Shes' got good taste in colors...

404 - pics not found.

404 - pics not found.

Ya gotta wait for those. I'll make them worthwhile tho...

Ya gotta wait for those. I'll make them worthwhile tho...
first you have to TALK to her.. lol.

first you have to TALK to her.. lol.

Shhh shhh...I will.

Shhh shhh...I will.
:whipping:

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8196/rungirlrun5ehto5.gif

I don't know wtf that pic is posted for but I sure like it.

Can't help but notice your lack of an avatar...hmm...

Shhh shhh...I will.

Ask her if her name is Alice.

I don't know wtf that pic is posted for but I sure like it.

Can't help but notice your lack of an avatar...hmm...
I crossposted it to another forum yesterday to wake the boys up in the afternoon. :)

Haha, nice.

I just now noticed the mediocrity which is her face.

Ask her if her name is Alice.

Close...Ashley...

It's a good icebreaker though.