Listen "Heteropessimism"
Episode Synopsis
Are the straights okay? In episode 44 of Overthink, Ellie and David dive into “heteropessimism,” the sense of disillusionment or even shame associated with heterosexuality. From viral TikTok videos to studies showing that women are less dissatisfied than men in heterosexual relationships, post #metoo society is reckoning with the everyday sexism of many relationships. Ellie and David explore the reasons for heteropessimism, consider alternatives such as political lesbianism and boys' education, and ask: how can we be attracted to things that are bad for us, and how can we break out of a heteropessimistic approach to love?Works DiscussedAsa Seresin, “On Heteropessimism”Lena Gunnarsson, The Contradictions of LoveMari Ruti, Penis Envy and Other Bad Feelings: The Emotional Costs of Everyday LifeLauren Berlant, Cruel OptimismSandra Bartky, Femininity and DominationLauren Berlant and Lee Edelman, Sex, Or the UnbearableAndrea Long Chu, “The Impossibility of Feminism”Pauline Harmange, Moi les hommes, je les détesteJack Halberstam, In A Queer Time and PlaceRonald F. Levant, Philip A. Allen, and Mei-Ching Lien, “Alexithymia in Men: How and when do emotional processing deficiencies occur?”Ronald Levant, “Desperately Seeking Language: Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Normative Male Alexithymia”Lauren Papp, Chrystyna D. Kouros, and E. Mark Cummings, “Demand-Withdraw patterns in marital conflict in the home”D.L. Vogel, S.R. Wester, M. Heesacker, and S. Madon, “Dating relationships and the demand/withdraw pattern of communication”Stephanie Coontz, “How to Make Your Marriage Gayer”Support the showSubstack | overthinkpod.substack.com Website | overthinkpodcast.comInstagram & Twitter | @overthink_podEmail | [email protected] | Overthink podcast
More episodes of the podcast Overthink
Neighbors
16/09/2025
Black Women's Magic with Lindsey Stewart
09/09/2025
Post-Truth
26/08/2025
Burnout
12/08/2025
Travel
29/07/2025
Weirdness with Eric Schwitzgebel
15/07/2025
Air
01/07/2025
Earth
17/06/2025
Water
03/06/2025
Fire
20/05/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.