Through the 1990s, 'Reason' was a voice of 'dissident feminism,' upholding the equal dignity of both sexes and supporting the rights of individuals against a government that had gone mad over sexual harassment. Virginia Postrel 1990sdignitydissident share on social
Viewers don't care how big media companies are. They care whether they can dump those they don't like, whether because of lousy service or because of crummy shows. Virginia Postrel bigcarecompany Change image and share on social
When credit is cheaper to use and easier to arrange, people do use more of it. Virginia Postrel arrangecheapcredit Change image and share on social
'CSI' has not only remained a top-rated show through seven seasons; it has had real-world consequences. Police and prosecutors complain of a 'CSI' effect' that leads juries to demand more physical evidence than they used to expect. College officials use the same term to describe spiking enrollment in forensic-science programs. Virginia Postrel collegecomplainconsequence share on social
Some of the higher price of L.A. real estate does reflect the intrinsic pleasure of living there, as I'm reminded every time I walk out my door into the perfect weather. Virginia Postrel doorestatehigh Change image and share on social
Clothes are unique sculptures, dependent on a supporting human form and created to move. Virginia Postrel clothecreatedependent Change image and share on social
The biggest threat to a better life is the desire to keep the future under control - to make the world predictable by reining in creativity and enterprise. Progress as a neat blueprint, with no deviations and no surprise, may work in children's cartoons or utopian novels. But it's just a fantasy. Virginia Postrel bigblueprintcartoon share on social
Abundant choice doesn't force us to look for the absolute best of everything. It allows us to find the extremes in those things we really care about, whether that means great coffee, jeans cut wide across the hips, or a spouse who shares your zeal for mountaineering, Zen meditation, and science fiction. Virginia Postrel absoluteabundantcare share on social
The Elgin Marbles were supposed to be on the Parthenon. For many works of art, a museum is an artificial setting - a zoo, not a natural habitat. Virginia Postrel artartificialelgin Change image and share on social
By giving unusual people an easy way to find one another, the Internet has also enabled them to pool rare talents, resources, and voices, then push their case into public consciousness. The response, in many cases, is a kind of hysteria. Virginia Postrel caseconsciousnesseasy share on social