Ask Surly Amy

  • Featured

    Ask Surly Amy: A Degree in Naturopathy

      Dear Surly Amy, I have a problem that I’m not certain how to respond to.  A dear friend and occasional lover has recently been accepted into the Doctorate of Naturopathy program at the National College of Natural Medicine, and is proudly telling everyone that she’s going to “be a doctor” in 5 years.  I want to be a supportive…

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  • Feminism

    Ask Surly Amy: How To Fix a Sexist Boyfriend

    We get email: Hello, I was wondering if you could help me out with an issue I’m having with my partner. I’m starting to notice more and more how sexist and misogynistic he is, presumably as he becomes more comfortable I’m seeing the real him. I think its mainly a case of education and up bringing as he went to…

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  • Activism

    Ask Surly Amy: How To Help Fight Sexism On The Internet

    It’s been a while and things have been wild but I’m bringing back my Ask Surly Amy series because I have opinions and advice and I can not contain these feelings any longer. Besides, we get a shit-ton of emails sent in that ask us all kinds of random stuff and Rebecca just files them in the virtual round filing…

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  • Feminism

    Ask Surly Amy: Victim Blaming

    Dear Surly Amy, At uni today I got into a discussion about victim blaming, and someone did the stock thing of saying ‘If a woman gets so bladdered she can’t think, it’s her fault. Especially if she’s not wearing much’. How can you respond to this and attempt to make some sort of impression? The only other person involved supported…

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  • Skepticism

    Ask Surly Amy: Allergy Shots

    Dear Surly Amy, What’s the scoop on allergy shots? The year I spent on the maintenance dose was the sickest I’ve ever been in my life. I just moved to a new state and am pondering whether to start them up again. Are they really the amazing cure-all my allergist seemed to think they were? ~Megan Dear Megan, As you…

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  • Random Asides

    Ask Surly Amy and Elizabeth: Cats, Genetics and Diseases

    Message: Hi guys. I need your help to clarify a question that’s been bugging me for a while now. I’m a crazy cat lady and so is a friend of mine. We meet over coffee to discuss our “babies.” She said her cat – a beautiful Norwegian with probably the lushest coat I ever saw on a cat – was…

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  • Random Asides

    Ask Surly Amy: What to Do With Books You Don’t Like Anymore

    Dear Surly Amy, I have a question. Before I became a skeptic, I purchased A LOT of pseudoscientific self help/metaphysical books (a la Chopra, Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, etc.) and now I have them sitting on my bookshelf (a constant reminder of my shameful past!). I don’t know what to do with them now. I feel bad donating them because I…

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  • Skepticism

    Ask Surly Amy and Dr Steve Novella: Fibromyalgia

    Hi Amy- Short question here: What is the deal with Fibromyalgia? I have read that its existence is disputed, but is it a real condition and if so, what is it? Thanks- Meagan Dear Meagan, This is a great question as it is something that I have wondered about too. My understanding is that Fibromyalgia is sort of an umbrella…

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