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The following is an excerpt from The Trouble with Men: Reflections on Sex, Love, Marriage, Porn, and Power , a new book by David Shields.

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I have thought about having sex with all of my female friends. Doesn’t even mean I want to, but I’ve thought about it for sure.

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How they’ll ask a girl for their number and then never actually use it.

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Alpha males are excellent conversationalists. They are not going to stare at their phone in the middle of a conversation. They are going to keep the conversation flowing and listen closely when it’s your turn to talk.

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Often times, we genuinely don’t care where we go to eat because we’re just hungry and want food. Any food. As long as you eat some too.

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We are women, and we are not equal. We are better. Let’s be even better.

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If we live in a world in which my brother exists, then not all men can be assholes. 

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When you give your word, keep it.

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Some people are strong enough to not settle, because we know that walking alone isn’t the same thing as being lonely.  

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I pass him
wanting to stab a fork in his eye.