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After discussions like this, the boys would turn around and talk about how girls weren't reasonable, they were emotional, you couldn't even have an intelligent conversation with them - but it was the boys who fled from the evidence and constantly shifted their arguments to fit what they wanted to believe. And it was [she] who was ruthlessly realistic, refusing to deny her own feelings or the facts that she observed around her. And refusing to deny that she reached her conclusions first, because of her inmost desires, and only afterward constructed the arguments to support them. Only boys were so foolish that they actually believed their arguments were their reasons

Orson Scott Card#461

CommunicationPsychologyEmotionsGenderBias

About this quote

What does it mean?
Boys dismiss girls as irrational while avoiding evidence, whereas a girl confronts facts and emotions directly, constructing arguments after feeling her desires.
In plain terms
Boys claim girls are emotional but ignore proof; the girl faces reality head‑on.
What can you take from it?
Recognize and challenge gendered bias in discussions.

Where it applies

  • classroom debates
  • workplace meetings
  • online forums

Putting it to work

  • listen to opposing evidence
  • avoid dismissive language

Questions to consider

  • How do stereotypes shape our willingness to accept evidence?
  • What steps can we take to hear opposing viewpoints?

Another view

The quote generalizes both genders and may oversimplify complex interactions.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. Boys always argued as if they knew then had the forces of logic on their side, even when they were being completely irrational. Even when their 'Logic' defied …

    Permalink to quote #460
  2. If you don't want to control what I think, why did you raise your voice? Why did you argue with me at all?

    Permalink to quote #462
  3. Because you're really, really sure doesn't that mean you're right?

    Permalink to quote #459

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