Top of the posts: Bikini sabotage, 50 Shades of Grey and the citizenship test

By Laura Davis
Notebook
Friday, 6 July 2012 at 4:21 pm

As seen with the Samantha Brick saga, the subject of jealousy and bitchiness is a sure-fire way to get people clicking and talking. Shooting ahead this week was Louise McCudden’s take on a recent survey that showed a quarter of women were guilty of bikini photo sabotage and how much of mainstream media targets women, setting out a long list of conflicting ideals.

Our debate this week looked at erotic novel 50 Shades of Grey, with Dr Gina Barreca arguing that the submissive relationship is not only degrading, but outdated. Meg Barker disputes this arguing that, although the wider relationship could raise concerns, the sadomasochism seen in the book is both a fantasy and reality for many to enjoy.

With the announcement that changes are to be made to the citizenship test in the UK, Seth Alexander Thvoz shares his experience of the error-laden questions about life in the UK. “Is you here for the English test?”

To round up our class in politics-themed week on Independent Blogs, Owen Jones discussed how class is in fact the main determining factor in educational success. If you haven’t seen it, also read his piece today about the idea and expectancy of “coming out” – the topic is also addressed by Anna Nathanson as she commends Frank Ocean’s very honest Tumblr post in the macho heavy culture of urban music.

It was revealed that the touching moment watched by millions, where a German fan shed a tear mid-match of the Euro final, was in fact here’s-some-we-made-earlier footage. Simon Rice argues that although as viewers (if we’re honest) many of us enjoy seeing things go wrong – being misled is a different matter.

As a devastating forest fire swept across Valencia forcing over 2000 people from their homes, Katherine Rowland warns of the reality of climate change, as the alarming global trend of severe droughts leading to forest fires exacerbates global warming.

“Get your epilator, stick it up your arse, we don’t give a fuck, because we’re gunna fucking smash your face…I’ll give her a fun game, I’ll stick this up her fucking minge the stupid bastard.” This is a quote from one of this year’s Big Brother housemates. Nat Guest questions the parameters of entertainment. She’s also written a piece today about following buildings on Twitter. They may not sound like they could be all that interesting, but what if they started drunk tweeting?

Elsewhere James Bloodworth examines the connotations and actual meaning of the word “Islamophobia”; Richard Darlington reacts to the news that Britain’s teenage girls are the biggest binge drinkers in Europe; Susan Elkin addresses the tradition of end-of-term dossing at school; Simon Martin looks at the controversial cartoon of Mario Balotelli as King Kong; Nicky Clark criticises the general assumptions made about autism; Sherelle Jacobs explains why Berlusconi’s replacement Mario Monti is failing to impress the Italian public, and Majid Mohamed follows the Netherlands disastrous 2012 displays and takes a look at the changes that are on the way.

So here are the most read blogs this week, as determined by stats. And though making this next point plays into the idea that there is indeed a battle of the sexes – I believe for the first time ever, there’s a stronger female presence than male in the most read. On my first Top of the Posts, there wasn’t a single female writer in the top ten. So although most areas of influence (newspapers, politics and comedy) are still strongly male-dominated, online can break things down a little more evenly…

1. Bikini photo sabotage isn’t proof that women are bitchy By Louise McCudden

2. The debate: Is the submissive relationship seen in 50 Shades of Grey degrading to women? by Dr Gina Barreca and Meg Barker

3. Confessions of an immigrant: Knowledge of Life in the UK By Seth Alexander Thvoz

4. It’s not the school you go to that determines how well you do – it’s the class system, stupid By Owen Jones

5. ‘Live’ footage of crying German fan was pre-recorded – and it’s not right By Simon Rice

6. Frank Ocean’s brave decision in the macho world of urban music By Anna Nathanson

7. Teen girls drink like the rest of us – to forget By Richard Darlington

8. Spain burns as global temperatures rise By Katherine Rowland

9. Time to cancel the end of term By Susan Elkin

10. Italian press depiction of Mario Balotelli as King Kong is naïve by By Simon Martin

11. It’s time to stop using the term ‘Islamophobia’ By James Bloodworth

12. Netherlands set to implement changes after disastrous Euro 2012 campaign By Majid Mohamed