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Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

620 followers 360 following 1.9K posts

Teacher Writer Editor in Taipei, Taiwan 台灣台北市. Currently at NTU/AWEC 台大/寫作教學中心.

https://linktr.ee/grahamiam

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Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

This interview is so good.

www.patreon.com/posts/fascin...

What I ultimately realized is that, in a very narrow sense, “she’s just better at it” is often true. But that isn’t because she was born that way. Instead, it’s because she a) has invested in building up the skills and relationships that facilitate cognitive labor, and b) sees domestic outcomes as her ultimate responsibility. And what happens when someone is both highly motivated and gets lots of practice? Usually, they get good at something!

Then the question becomes, why are women disproportionately investing in building these skills in the family arena, and why do they feel so responsible for outcomes like whether the kids are dressed in matching socks or show up to school with their clarinet on band day?

Because they’ve been taught from birth that this is part and parcel of femininity, and that if they fail there will be consequences. Meanwhile folks raised as boys have been taught a corollary set of lessons, about how masculinity is about not paying attention to such things. And when it comes to gender, there’s no resting on one’s laurels.

One of the most-cited articles in the sociology of gender argues that “man” and “woman” are not stable identities but roles we must constantly perform. It’s less “I am a woman” and more “I do woman.” And one of the most legible ways to “do” woman is—still!—to care about things like what your house looks like when company comes over or whether you’ve responded to all the birthday party invites your kid received. On the flip side, overlooking the dishes in the sink or forgetting to check your personal email remain very legible ways to “do” man.

December 9, 2025 at 2:35 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

Took a wonderful little hike up 福州山 today with NTU students and scholars.

This continues my year of being a ball of rage at how good exercise makes me feel after.

December 6, 2025 at 4:02 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

Now playing

December 5, 2025 at 1:50 PM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

December 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

It was the year of 珂拉琪

Spotify wrapped showing my top genres were Taiwanese Indie, Lo-fi Beats, k-pop, Latin, and soundtrack

December 4, 2025 at 12:34 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

two master's degrees in English and I've never in my life heard the word "malversation," Google is making some shit up

Screenshot of Google Translate offering a few translations for 盜用, second choice is "malversation"

December 2, 2025 at 9:10 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

December 1, 2025 at 2:22 PM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

November 28, 2025 at 2:32 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

November 28, 2025 at 1:27 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

Trees sprouted at the gym.

Two tiny fake Christmas trees on a table in front of a placard and exercise equipment and a computer

November 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

found a quest

triangle warning sign that only has an exclamation mark, with a fence, palm trees, and a sunset behind it.

November 26, 2025 at 9:08 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

I'm getting the book promo scam and I haven't even published a book!!!

November 20, 2025 at 1:35 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

我中文老師說，她看到這種馬卡龍的時候馬上想到我，買給我。

我覺得我有很好的名聲。

November 18, 2025 at 9:11 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

Now playing:

November 15, 2025 at 11:29 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

bagels poofed too much, are they still bagels?

November 15, 2025 at 8:23 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

really appreciate when mannequins are set up to show more realistic situations

A mannequin with bulging calves wearing a suit and lifting dumbbells.

November 13, 2025 at 1:13 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

November 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

November 9, 2025 at 8:06 AM

Graham Oliver

@grahammoliver.bsky.social

Just in shock every time I login and see this, but I also don't know if I'm being weird about it - is it really different from a building named after a rich dead guy?