December 15, 2009

Science: Testosterone getting a Bad Rap.
— Ace

Since the dawn of womynkind, testosterone has been blamed as the root of all manner of evils. From mongering wars that claimed millions, to leaving the toilet lid up resulting in numberless midnight bum-dunks into the icy porcelain depths.

(blockbuster story after the fold) A new study on the topic has been published by valiant scientists that managed to overcome the efforts of female scientists intent on killing it in peer review. (Which wasn't that hard of course. Female scientists? Everyone knows that is as mythical a prospect as the idea that the Sun plays any substantial part in the Earth's climate.*)

The study, which is published in the journal Nature, sought to test this using a common psychological exercise known as the ultimatum game. In this game, a player is given a sum of money, say £10, to share with a second player, offering as much or as little as he or she wants.

If the offer is accepted, the pot is distributed that way, but if it is refused, neither player gets any cash. Players who are very aggressive, offering just £2 or £3, stand to benefit financially, but also risk coming away with nothing.

Before playing the game, a group of 60 women was given either a testosterone supplement or a placebo. “We wanted to verify how the hormone affects social behaviour,” said Christoph Eisenegger, of the University of Zurich. “If one were to believe the common opinion, we would expect subjects who received testosterone to adopt aggressive, egocentric, and risky strategies – regardless of the possibly negative consequences on the negotiation process.”

The subjects who were given testosterone supplements in fact made much fairer offers in the ultimatum game than those given a placebo, suggesting that the hormone does not promote aggression in these circumstances, but co-operation.

Of particular note, those subjects that believed they had been given testosterone acted in a manner generally considered more "manly", regardless of which supplement they received.

“It appears that it is not testosterone itself that induces aggressiveness, but rather the myth surrounding the hormone,” said Michael Naef, of Royal Holloway, University of London, an author of the study.

Author, and, I might add, hero to mankind.

So stand proud, male morons! Take your testosterone by the hand, and wave it with honor. In fact, share as much of it as possible, as it can only make the world a better place.

* I can write jokes like that, because I've been stewed in the cerebral and testosterone rich gravy of Ace's.. erm, my brain for many years.

Posted by: Ace at 07:26 AM | Comments (79)
Post contains 440 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Furs.

Posted by: charles emerson winchester IX at December 15, 2009 07:29 AM (Jw5LI)

2 B+ for being firstest?

Posted by: RightwingProf at December 15, 2009 07:30 AM (UOcNk)

3 For someone who is supposed to be "traveling" all day without access to a computer, you're posting an awful lot today, and before the crack of noon to boot!

Posted by: Hedgehog at December 15, 2009 07:30 AM (oQIfB)

4 I give it a B+, too.
so that's BB++

Posted by: HobbieHawk at December 15, 2009 07:32 AM (qzOby)

5 First I think of a man, and then I take away all reason and responsability.

Posted by: Truman North at December 15, 2009 07:33 AM (e8YaH)

6

 

On the down side the women grew mustaches.

Posted by: 801 at December 15, 2009 07:36 AM (Efq1G)

7
All of my most heated "discussions" have been with "estrogen laden human units".

And at the very REAL risk of igniting "Banhammer 3.0".......Who is more "catty"....  a group of guys or a group of gals.  Guys will argue for ten minutes then go get a beer.....

Gals???? That fight lasts forevuh.....


Posted by: fixerupper at December 15, 2009 07:36 AM (J5Hcw)

8 Let's take our destiny into our hands, stand erect and let it proudly wave. Let our will never go limp and fall into the wrong hands. Forever, tumid!

Posted by: Mike H at December 15, 2009 07:37 AM (N0yKt)

9 5 First I think of a man, and then I take away all reason and responsability. (sic)

Posted by: Truman North at December 15, 2009 11:33 AM (e8YaH)

When God made man she only gave him enough blood to operate one head at a time.

Posted by: SFC MAC at December 15, 2009 07:38 AM (cuNX0)

10

testosterone = justice juice

i like it...

Posted by: Shoey at December 15, 2009 07:38 AM (MaNzU)

11 Take your testosterone by the hand, and wave it with honor.

Done and done!

Posted by: Pee Wee Herman at December 15, 2009 07:41 AM (5aa4z)

12 Testosterone -- Because there are things in this world that need breakin', and people in this world that need killin'.

Posted by: Cautiously Pessimistic at December 15, 2009 07:41 AM (pZEar)

13 I have found that the more hirsute womens are much more.....fun.....

Posted by: Smokey at December 15, 2009 07:41 AM (t/GDA)

14 Hey, remember me?

Posted by: That manly chick who won that race this past year at December 15, 2009 07:43 AM (92zkk)

15 Does this mean we can go back to "the women deserved to get raped because she dressed and acted provocatively" defense?

/ducks

Posted by: FreakyBoy at December 15, 2009 07:43 AM (4s1it)

16

There are about ten words I will never, ever be able to learn how to spell.

Posted by: Truman North at December 15, 2009 07:43 AM (e8YaH)

17 REALLY? MEN ARE MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN WOMEN? YOU EXPECT US "GALS" TO BUY THAT LOAD OF CRAP?

Posted by: phoenixgirl at December 15, 2009 07:43 AM (ucxC/)

18 Remember this the next time you hear some sportswriter getting his panties in a bind over "roid rage."

Posted by: brak at December 15, 2009 07:43 AM (W5NBA)

19 I am a bit confused. Ace said he was going to be away today. And I still see him posting. Have the co-bloggers been homogenized intoa single entity to provide a solitary voice, or has Ace sneaked out from his other obligations to post?

Posted by: Tushar at December 15, 2009 07:44 AM (KXhmI)

20 "Does this mean we can go back to "the women deserved to get raped because she dressed and acted provocatively" defense?"

Sure you can.  If you don't mind us pulling out the "he was pawing me while I said no so I pulled out a Sig 9mm and promptly shot off his junk" defense.


Posted by: That manly chick who won that race this past year at December 15, 2009 07:46 AM (92zkk)

21 I thought the Ace was incognito today?  I loaded up on work related stuff to fill the void.

Posted by: Winston at December 15, 2009 07:47 AM (FggW0)

22 Damned sock.

Posted by: Intrepid at December 15, 2009 07:47 AM (92zkk)

23 I am a bit confused. Ace said he was going to be away today.

Evil Twin???

Posted by: Paladin at December 15, 2009 07:47 AM (H7yeS)

24

The subjects who were given testosterone supplements in fact made much fairer offers in the ultimatum game than those given a placebo, suggesting that the hormone does not promote aggression in these circumstances, but co-operation.

But, of course. How else could we get along with the female species? Never being able to make up their minds. Always going to la la land once a month, while attempting to murder us. We have to have all the help we can get. Testosterone allows us to cope with the unstable female half (who put Zero in office I might add) of the human race.

Posted by: maddogg at December 15, 2009 07:48 AM (OlN4e)

25

Oh, look fellas, it's Tushar.

He thinks he's better then us because he reads bylines. Mr. byline-reader says he knows who wrote the article none of us read before we commented on. Isn't that special.

Well let me tell you sumthin Mr. Spanky McReadsStuff...

.....

.....

I'll get back to you.

Posted by: Entropy at December 15, 2009 07:48 AM (IsLT6)

26 A study with similar results comes out every couple years, then everyone forgets it and pretends it's news that testosterone isn't the Stew of Satan.

Bullshit that people already "know" is stronger than science.

Posted by: oblig. at December 15, 2009 07:48 AM (Z3r1p)

27

Gals???? That fight lasts forevuh.....

Do you remember what you said back on August the 5th 1978?

I sure as hell didn't but she sure as hell did.

Posted by: harleycowboy at December 15, 2009 07:48 AM (JKGfQ)

28 Are you shittin me?!! Just go to any Doctor?Dentist office and run the gambit pass the medical billing window. You will see the HBIC clammering for as much of your cash as she can get.

Posted by: sonnyspats at December 15, 2009 07:49 AM (e5GmC)

29 Nice one Drew..err Ace's ghost.

Posted by: taylork at December 15, 2009 07:49 AM (4jZ56)

30 One only needs to read a few ONT's to understand this is a non-issue.

Posted by: Estro Jenny at December 15, 2009 07:51 AM (EL+OC)

31 Entropy! How are you, dude? I miss jousting with you.

Posted by: Tushar at December 15, 2009 07:51 AM (KXhmI)

32

"Take your testosterone by the hand, and wave it with honor. In fact, share as much of it as possible, as it can only make the world a better place."

I've always known that testosterone is really good stuff, but is it okay if I don't wave?  I'm told that the hair on the inside of my elbows and forearms is a bit unattractive.

Posted by: Arbalest at December 15, 2009 07:55 AM (Ym9lj)

33 to leaving the toilet lid up resulting in numberless midnight bum-dunks into the icy porcelain depths.

I've always wondered why is the burden on us to remember to put the seat up or down.

Posted by: rockhead at December 15, 2009 07:55 AM (RykTt)

34 So men actually have a place in civilized society?  Who knew?  Womynists aren't going to be happy about this getting out.

Posted by: kefka at December 15, 2009 07:55 AM (n1uMU)

35

Sorry to burst your testoserone bubbles guys, but a lot of females, me included, don't quite fit the stereotypes.

I like men, I just don't put up with anybody's shit.

Anyway....

We're actually very similar biologically. Both sexes share common features in the initial embryonic state.  The addition (under normal circumstances) of an X chromosome results in the gonads developing inside as a uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina, Skene's gland (the female prostate), and externally, the clitoris. Or, with a Y chromosome, as a prostate, penis, Van Deferens gland, and scrotum, etc.

Think of them as biological counterparts. I.E. Ovaries=female version of Testes, etc.

Oh , by the way, we also share testosterone and estrogen, just different amounts IAW the gender.  

Aggression in us females can be the same as with our male counterparts, it just depends on the motivation.

 

 

 

Posted by: SFC MAC at December 15, 2009 07:58 AM (cuNX0)

36

Yeah, but I bet that test was conducted by evil evil MEN! Either that or women who didn't go thru the approved channels to speak for science on behalf of womyn. Therefore your premise is a charade. Testosterone and men are evil. The science is settled, the womyn came to a consensus long ago on that.

Posted by: paranoidpyro at December 15, 2009 07:58 AM (t4syE)

37 This is the best one-man blog on the internet, and I just don't know how he does it.

Posted by: Johnny I, unseeded funnyman at December 15, 2009 07:58 AM (xjOV/)

38

Ace,

You can wave your testosterone at me anytime, sweetie.

XXXOOO

Posted by: SFC MAC at December 15, 2009 08:02 AM (cuNX0)

39

http://tinyurl.com/y8r4x37

Dems offer Ben Nelson $500M of your money to vote for deathcare

Posted by: Truman North at December 15, 2009 08:03 AM (e8YaH)

40

I've always wondered why is the burden on us to remember to put the seat up or down.

This is what you do, if she insists you puts the seat down. Oblige her. Don't leave the seat up. Don't pick the seat up either.

Just piss on it.

And pretend like you didn't notice you pissed on the seat and it went all over the place.

(That's actually the same thing you do when the dog takes a dump on the rug. Dog? What dog? I didn't see nuttin! OMG I totally didn't notice that huge dump you're standing in! That's gross wash your shoes.)

Posted by: Entropy at December 15, 2009 08:04 AM (IsLT6)

41

Both sexes share common features in the initial embryonic state.

Uh... in their initial embryonic state sex isn't determined.

Posted by: Entropy at December 15, 2009 08:05 AM (IsLT6)

42

Actually, what you do when the dog takes a dump on your rug is:

1. put on plastic gloves

2. pick up the dog poop

3. put it into the pocket of your overcoat

4. send the overcoat out to be dry cleaned

Posted by: Truman North at December 15, 2009 08:06 AM (e8YaH)

43 I hate Bad Rap. Come to think of it I hate Good Rap too.
I guess I just hate Rap.

Posted by: God at December 15, 2009 08:16 AM (Q1lie)

44 So I guess it's misogynist jokes day here. Yippie. (For the record, I don't like man-bashing, either. I prefer lib-bashing.)

Posted by: AngelEm at December 15, 2009 08:18 AM (brCzq)

45 ...midnight bum-dunks

This is actually a good name for a band: Ace and the Midnight Bum-Dunks.

Posted by: OregonMuse at December 15, 2009 08:22 AM (ySpdZ)

46

He thinks he's better then us because he reads bylines. Mr. byline-reader says he knows who wrote the article none of us read before we commented on. Isn't that special.

Yeh, but he's not getting the joke. So we have that on him.

 

Posted by: Mama AJ at December 15, 2009 08:22 AM (Be4xl)

47 All the chickfights I've seen over the years - all from testosterone.

Uh huh.


Posted by: Crissy Matthews (hearts Obama!) at December 15, 2009 08:24 AM (hIOnV)

48 Screw it.  The shitter's clogged.  Pee in the sink.

Posted by: Old Sailor at December 15, 2009 08:26 AM (/Ft4q)

49
to leaving the toilet lid up resulting in numberless midnight bum-dunks into the icy porcelain depths.

Dont pee in the dark......

Im just sayin....  ;-)

Posted by: fixerupper at December 15, 2009 08:26 AM (J5Hcw)

50

>>Yeh, but he's not getting the joke. So we have that on him.

Mama AJ, after I read to the post to the end, I figured that it was not written by Ace, but I can't figure out who wrote it. It is important to me, since I have met most of the co-bloggers. I know them as actual humans, not as bits and pieces stewing in Ace's brain-juice.

Posted by: Tushar at December 15, 2009 08:27 AM (KXhmI)

51 Testosterone is da bomb.  More!! More!! More!!  Okay, who's doing me this hour?

Posted by: East German athletes at December 15, 2009 08:28 AM (OS2KR)

52 So I guess it's misogynist jokes day here.

Only days that end in Y.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at December 15, 2009 08:33 AM (NtiET)

53

a group of 60 women was given either a testosterone supplement or a placebo.

What method of delivery was used to give these women the supplement?  I can think of one.

Posted by: EC at December 15, 2009 08:38 AM (mAhn3)

54

Mama AJ, after I read to the post to the end, I figured that it was not written by Ace, but I can't figure out who wrote it. It is important to me, since I have met most of the co-bloggers. I know them as actual humans, not as bits and pieces stewing in Ace's brain-juice.

Okay, Mr. Attribution McAuthorson, if the contributors are so important and 'real' to you, why don't you recognize their styles without the byline?  This post was clearly written by Laura.*  She always starts this genderwar crap.

 

*Wild Ass Guess

Posted by: Cautiously Pessimistic at December 15, 2009 08:42 AM (pZEar)

55 Hence phrases like "hey...be a guy."

Posted by: 29Victor at December 15, 2009 08:46 AM (AfPnb)

56

Yeh, it's a chick post.

I'm going to go wait for a new post about bacon, mentioning the weather in Iowa about 5 times and then ask what Ace is doing posting today.

Posted by: Mama AJ at December 15, 2009 08:47 AM (Be4xl)

57

When I was a lad, in college, my roomate and I saw our freshman year history professor out walking his dog on the common, on a lease.  His dog was male.  An  unleased female dog came along and started chasing him around and yipping at his dog.  Quoth the professor: "the bitch is always the aggressor. Remember that boys."

And so I have.

 

Posted by: Joe at December 15, 2009 08:49 AM (YwBI6)

58 Laura W. is less of a real 'person' per se, so much as a symbolic allusion to the inevitable macroscopic devolution inherant within the morphology of forms propogated onto the microcosmic level.

Posted by: Entropy at December 15, 2009 08:54 AM (IsLT6)

59

But HIV steroids treatment still makes you nuts, that 'theory' hasn't been shot down, has it?

Posted by: andycanuck at December 15, 2009 08:55 AM (2qU2d)

60

When I was a lad, in college, my roomate and I saw our freshman year history professor out walking his dog on the common, on a lease. 

He was leasing the common, or the dog?

Posted by: Entropy at December 15, 2009 08:58 AM (IsLT6)

61

" Laura W. is less of a real 'person' per se, so much as a symbolic allusion to the inevitable macroscopic devolution inherant within the morphology of forms propogated onto the microcosmic level."

 

i suspected as much...

Posted by: Shoey at December 15, 2009 09:04 AM (MaNzU)

62 Ahh...memories of the ex-wife.

Posted by: Bugler at December 15, 2009 09:07 AM (YCVBL)

63 "Well, that's a bit testosteroney, don't you think?"

Posted by: Bugler at December 15, 2009 09:09 AM (YCVBL)

64

There's a reason why testosterone is a controlled substance.  It can do a man tremendous good, help him to be physically strong, mentally alert, and generally "manly," so you can bet that the nanny state will work to control it.  The bitter feminists, professional mommies, and extreme beta males in the government don't like real men or maleness to begin with, so they are eager to induce as much testosterone deficiency in American men as they can.  Recently the FDA encouraged a massive supplement recall of a range of products, based on the assertion that they MIGHT have had minute amounts of steroids in them.  Many were aromataze inhibitors, which help preserve a man's natural supply without supplementing it. 

This study's conclusion fits well with others dealing with similar topics.  For example, it's been demonstrated that men tend to make moral decisions based on reason and fundamental priciples, whereas women base moral decisions on emotions.  Probably goes hand in hand. 

Anyway, testosterone's goodness is such that a clear case can be made that a sufficient supply of it in the blood stream should be a precondition for voter registration.  After all, we need more thinkers and fewer feelers making the decisions for this country.  What more effective screening method could you get?

 

Posted by: Reactionary at December 15, 2009 09:27 AM (xUM1Q)

65 You laugh.

Remember this.. I can still make you bald.

Posted by: Testosterone's Ghost Commenter at December 15, 2009 09:29 AM (GKyIE)

66

"...subjects who were given testosterone supplements in fact made much fairer offers..."

"Fair"?!?  Fuck fair! Punch that bitch in the mouth and take the money!

Posted by: Snoop-Diggity-DANG-Dawg at December 15, 2009 09:30 AM (BuYeH)

67 Would you rather I pee on the seat?

Posted by: dfbaskwill at December 15, 2009 09:33 AM (7Gs5S)

68 Remember this.. I can still make you bald.

Some of the most macho dudes I know are bald.

Posted by: GregInSeattle at December 15, 2009 09:34 AM (B5cM9)

69 Men die first.

If we get Obamacare, I'm suing the system for discrimination.

Posted by: AmishDude at December 15, 2009 09:34 AM (T0NGe)

70 Take your testosterone by the hand, and wave it with honor. Here? [Looks around furtively] Well, okay....

Posted by: joncelli at December 15, 2009 09:40 AM (RD7QR)

71

Uh... in their initial embryonic state sex isn't determined.

Posted by: Entropy at December 15, 2009 12:05 PM (IsLT6)

Uh...I didn't say the sex state was determined. The characteristics, as in the biological possibility to develop as either male or female was shared.

Damn men....Oh, scuse me, is that sexist?

Posted by: SFC MAC at December 15, 2009 09:41 AM (cuNX0)

72 Aye, 35 & 51...

One would think the very first bum dunk you took, you do like anyone with a brain and thereafter look before you sit.

Rule could be applied to numerous other situations as well...

Posted by: Schlippy at December 15, 2009 10:13 AM (yF7X5)

73

For example, it's been demonstrated that men tend to make moral decisions based on reason and fundamental priciples, whereas women base moral decisions on emotions.  Probably goes hand in hand.  Posted by: Reactionary at December 15, 2009 01:27 PM (xUM1Q)

Demonstrated by whom? I usually base my moral decisions on right vs wrong, the history of a given situation, consequences, principles, and individual rights and responsibility. 

Assumptions based on gender aren't always accurate.  Some people lend too much creedence to stereotypes.

 

Posted by: SFC MAC at December 15, 2009 10:15 AM (cuNX0)

74 Testosterone doesn't make women stupid enough to sit on a toilet without looking at it. Blond-ness maybe, but not testosterone.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at December 15, 2009 10:23 AM (PQY7w)

75

The line about the bum-dunks is what leads me to the conclusion that this work is the ghost-authorship of our fair Frau W.  We men are so completely oblivious to this notion...this lifestyle-choice of ASSUMING that the toilet is automatically in the configuration you require without giving a visual inspection...that we wouldn't have even thought to include it as part of testosterone's alleged crimes.

Plus, since we always look before we sit, we've never experienced one of these "bum-dunks" firsthand, and thusly would have no knowledge of the depths, or their iciness.  Because we pay attention to where our asses are going.

Posted by: reason at December 15, 2009 10:28 AM (5npD/)

76 Because we pay attention to where our asses are going.

Posted by: reason at December 15, 2009 02:28 PM (5npD/)

Really?

There's an abundance of evidence that proves otherwise.

The bulk of "stupid criminal" files are testosterone-related, and then there's shining examples of not watching where your ass is going, like this:

http://tinyurl.com/yetuljx

ROFLMAO!

We can't live with ya and we can't....well, I'm thinking about that second part. I like you anyway. I think I'll keep you around. Just for shits, giggles, and the sex.

Posted by: SFC MAC at December 15, 2009 11:48 AM (cuNX0)

77

"We can't live with ya and we can't....well, I'm thinking about that second part. I like you anyway. I think I'll keep you around. Just for shits, giggles, and the sex."

SFC Mac, I gotta tell you that this much-used line is equally bandied about by the male half of the population, and probably for many of the same fundamental reasons.  Maybe that's why they call it "the battle of the sexes"....  

 

Posted by: Cave Bear at December 15, 2009 11:55 AM (uMihF)

78

#5  First I think of a man, and then I take away all reason and responsability.

Come on, ladies, we only have ourselves to blame.  If we gave the men step-by-step instruction there would be no problems.

Posted by: Decaf at December 16, 2009 06:31 AM (BoFBr)

79

79 - Sounds like my kind of relationship.  Call my "agent" and give him your number.

PS - Yes, there will be pre-nup.  Soz.

Posted by: Tiger Woods at December 16, 2009 10:51 AM (rPDD/)

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