Devil's Advocate
Zan and Pa tackle a controversial article from two different sides.
Hi Zan, Hi Pa
Volume #58
February 10th, 2026
HI, PA: As we go further into 2026, I thought it might be fun to look back at one of the trends, pop culture moments, national conversations, and other bits of news that defined 2025. What do you say?
HI, ZAN: Let’s have fun with this one. You pick a controversial subject from the happenings of the previous year, and I’ll play devil’s advocate and we can have a big argument. Our readers have been asking us to disagree more, so this is our chance. [Please note: some of the views expressed by me below do not reflect my actual views!]
ZAN: Let’s start with this one, which has been a topic of discussion among my friends and social media network: the Vogue essay titled: Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?
PA: Okay, here we go. I read this and wanted to throw up.
Chanté Joseph goes back and forth, trying to please every reader in every kind of situation, no doubt so as not to lose followers! Guilty about mentioning the boyfriend because her women followers will be jealous? Or not wanting to admit she likes having a man in her life because that makes her seem needy? Which is it? She quotes someone as saying, “They want the prize and celebration of partnership, but understand the norminess of it!”
Norminess?
ZAN: This must be some kind of new internet word—not of my generation!
PA: The essay is so juvenile, and so focused on preserving one’s online persona. Let’s be real. The vast, vast majority of women in the world like to have a male ‘partner,’ to use the term of the month. They actually like it! Shocking. They like having sex with a ‘male.’ Even more shocking! They like having a man to talk to at the dinner table, an intimate friend of the opposite gender with whom they can raise kids, go out to eat, or see a movie. Sure, they have their women friends. That’s great. And, sure, there are plenty of women who prefer another woman as their love partner. Also great. And, sure, there are people who are not ‘heteronormative.’ No problem!!
But the idea that admitting you have a boyfriend loses you followers (so important!), or makes you less of a strong woman…my God, how superficial can we get?!!
Blech! Ugh! How can you read this stuff?!
