Author Archives: Sylvia McLain

About Sylvia McLain

Girl, Interrupting aka Dr. Sylvia McLain used to be an academic, but now is trying to figure out what's next. She is also a proto-science writer, armchair philosopher, amateur plumber and wanna-be film-critic. You can follow her on Twitter @DrSylviaMcLain and Instagram @sylviaellenmclain

You only got it ’cause you’re a girl

Posted on 30 August 2017 by Sylvia McLain

This week there was a fabulous article, by Alison Coil, on the bias against women in the sciences and why men don’t believe it exists. For ‘men’ you could just as well read ‘the establishment’ because we know not all … Continue reading →

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Stop re-writing Confederate History : this includes you Simon Jenkins

Posted on 17 August 2017 by Sylvia McLain

Simon Jenkins published an opinion piece yesterday in The Guardian entitled With every sneer, liberals just make Trump stronger. Jenkins derides those who deride Trump and his supporters and he thinks that Trump missed a trick in criticising the left: … Continue reading →

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We the people have to keep striving for equality and justice for all

Posted on 14 August 2017 by Sylvia McLain

We the people of America, we have a problem with racism. Like many of you, I watched the events in Charlottesville, from the safety of my home, in horror, tears and blinding anger. Ostensibly, these folks are angry that a … Continue reading →

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Beware of the monoculture (why diversity is good for crops and tech companies)

Posted on 8 August 2017 by Sylvia McLain

In the 1930’s, the USA along with a number of other countries, went through a massive economic depression. This was in no small part due to a lack of diversity. Those amber waves of grain, which had only been recently … Continue reading →

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On ending the myth of the Lost Cause

Posted on 29 May 2017 by Sylvia McLain

During Reconstruction, that horrific impoverished period in the US South after the Civil War, the Cult of the Lost Cause (of the Confederacy) took its roots in the minds and attitudes of Southerners and indeed of the nation as a … Continue reading →

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On the removal of our Southern ‘heritage’

Posted on 27 May 2017 by Sylvia McLain

In the US South, in various places, confederate statues are being removed. In New Orleans Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, General Beauregard – all these relics of the Confederate past are being transported to a cobweb, pigeon-shit and dust legacy.

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The president needs a civics lesson

Posted on 29 January 2017 by Sylvia McLain

President Trump needs a civics lesson. First I would suggest that he reads 1st amendment of the US Constitution. I know this might be hard for a president who doesn’t read but it is a short read. Alternately, he could … Continue reading →

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Goodbye David – my brother and childhood hero

Posted on 11 September 2016 by Sylvia McLain

My older brother, David McLain, died suddenly of a heart attack on August 18, 2016. He was only 51 years old and none of us saw this coming. He was a force of nature, my big brother, I already miss … Continue reading →

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Would you like fries with that ? (my time at the wonderful world of Wendy’s

Posted on 23 May 2016 by Sylvia McLain

I graduated from high school in 1986. I was 18, I had a job and a $600 Chevy Chevette and was living in an apartment with (too many) other folks and wasn’t going to University. I was gainfully employed at … Continue reading →

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Cervical cancer is not porn – Knox County schools shouldn’t cave to ignorance

Posted on 9 September 2015 by Sylvia McLain

My hometown has made the international news. Is this for the fact that Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero was one of the few Tennessee mayors to fully support same-sex marriage? Or for the fact that Ms. Dolly Parton, our great lady … Continue reading →

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