« From Vouchers to Credits | Main | "Appeasement Reconsidered" » 2718 May 2008 11:57 am It's my birthday! But don't buy me a present, buy a copy of Heads in the Sand for yourself. Amazon's now pairing it with Ron Paul's book, so you know it's got to be good. Or something. Also -- reading/Q&A this evening at Politics and Prose, 5PM. All things considered, I thought 26 was one of my top years. I'm pretty sure my dad once advised me to get married by the time I was 27 or I'd be bald by then, but I think I've still got a couple of good years left in me. Comments (52)
Happy Birthday! Or, in keeping with the spirit of the blog, Happpy Brithday! 
Happy Birthday!! Don't worry, you'll go bald soon.
You're not getting the point. The idea is not to get married before you've gone bald, but to get married before you've started showing evidence that you're going bald. Would you get involved with a woman who had only started going bald, but still had a few good years left? No. No you wouldn't. Women don't find bald men any more attractive than men find bald women attractive. Women only put up with it because they have to.
Happy Birthday! The book is great. My question is this: Peter Beinart seems to have all the time in the world for Jonah Goldberg. Why won't he debate you? Have you offered?
keep biking MY. Wifey's don't like ewoks
Happy Birthday, Matt!
Hippy Brithdoy Trast Foond Skimbuq! Just so you know your fans and admirers out there love the famous Yglesias prose! Don't forget to make a wish when you blow out the candles....
Happy Birthday! Have a fun reading.
Re "I'm pretty sure my dad once advised me to get married by the time I was 27 or I'd be bald by then, but I think I've still got a couple of good years left in me. "
You're not getting the point. The idea is not to get married before you've gone bald, but to get married before you've started showing evidence that you're going bald. Based on the picture he used to post on his original site, I think that was already clear when Matt was still in college. But maybe it's still not too late to give Natalie Portman a call.
After all, you've bought Sara home and introduced her to your blog audience. Everything's just a formality from here on down..er.. out.
The law of the conservation of hair ensures that no man ever loses his hair, he just starts growing it in new places, like his back, his ears, and his nostrils.
So the rumors about Miley Cyrus and Yglesias are not confirmed... as yet?
I remember turning 27. It was about that time that I began to appreciate how much I didn't know and seek out those who knew more than I did. Reading them, sure; but even more important, spending time with them, because one's perspective comes through better in conversation. So on your birthday, Matt, I will buy a copy of HITS, assuming it's in stock, and that the storm rolling in from the west isn't too apocalyptic. And I hope your next five new friends are at least twice your age.
Well I got married before I turned 27 [smug emoticon]. So that's one thing I've done younger than you. The other is ... uhm ... [ birds chirp] well ... so impressive that I don't want to damage your fragile young ego.
I don't understand! How would getting married keep you from going bald?
"Women don't find bald men any more attractive than men find bald women attractive. " This is so FALSE. Bald women are... really unattractive. Some bald men pull it off really really well.
OMG, we have the same birthday! That's funny, you don't look like a Taurus. How a generation that shaves their genitals can worry about going bald is utterly beyond me. In any case, balding didn't hurt the batting average of my buddy who looks exactly like what Matt will look like, if he keeps riding the bicycle regularly. (Strange but true fact- women who are worth your time are more concerned about your personality than your appearance.) And bicycling will not reduce your virility. Having children, OTOH, might. Treat that thing like the loaded gun that the city won't let you own.
It may have been hyperbolic and overgeneralized, but it's certainly not so false. Most women (who aren't already in a relationship with a bald/balding man) will say that baldness reduces a man's attractiveness by an order of magnitude. I'm sure exceptions are out there, but I haven't met them yet.
HIPY PAPY BTHUTHDTH THUTHDA BTHUTHDY! (I couldn't resist a literary reference.) 27 is a good age to look back on one's accomplishments. (What did I do at 27? Decided to quit my job and go back to school.)
Happy Birthday MY - I remember 27 as being one of my favorite years - hope it is for you too. So - how many tattoos so far?
"Most women (who aren't already in a relationship with a bald/balding man) will say that baldness reduces a man's attractiveness by an order of magnitude." @1:15 This is why I never take off my bike helmet.
Happy birthday! Mine was yesterday, and my husband's was the 16th - so a very good week for birthdays. (BTW, as long as you stay away from comb-overs, you'll be fine.)
Methinks JH doesn't understand the meaning of "order of magnitude." Matt, baldness isn't a problem if you treat it correctly. And by treat I don't mean take pills or use creams. Embrace the baldness. Cut your hair short (no longer than a #3) and trim it every week. I guarantee you'll love the result. Oh, and happy birthday!
Methinks eriks is bald. Also, my use of "order of magnitude" was fine. I don't know what you're carping about.
Methinks eriks is bald. Also, my use of "order of magnitude" was fine. I don't know what you're carping about.
Happy birthday! And wait, you're only 26?! Now I'm depressed. I'm turning 27 in a few months, and have yet to have a book published or a popular political blog. Agh!
Happy Birthday and good luck with the book sales--which I do plan to contribute to.
Happy Birthday, Matt! Reading your book between flights back to Chicago. And re: the bald, it really seems a thing of how you handle it. My personal plan is to just dress really well.
Well I got married before I turned 27 [smug emoticon]. So that's one thing I've done younger than you. The other is ... uhm ... [ birds chirp] well ... so impressive that I don't want to damage your fragile young ego.
Happy birthday Matt!
Happy Birthday to my very favourite blogger!
Happy 27th, Matt! My wife and I got married on your 10th birthday - of course, we didn't realize it at the time. (Nor did we realize that some guy named Kevin Drum was getting married on the other side of the country on that same day.) Best wishes for a great 28th year!
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!
Matthew, If you note your time and place of birth - a full astrlogical makeup can be done. But, for a general perspective - Jill Phillips is pretty good. May 18 Birthday Astrology Tauruses born on May 18 are characterized by love of freedom and independence. These individuals are temperamental, lovable and exasperating; they make it impossible for others to be indifferent toward them. They possess extraordinary creative energy, and they are never without an important cause to champion. They enjoy taking risks, but only when they believe the risk really matters. Taurus Information for May 18 You should avoid: Rationalization, anxiety, feeling guilty May 18 individuals favor a large circle of friends who share their love of sports and good conversation. They are likely to have only a few close friends. They often have troubled love lives. Because they are extremely emotional, breakups are hard for them. Their strong sexual nature often leads them to make some poor choices in love matters. Children and Family May 18 people often stand alone within the family. Either they distance themselves from the family at an early age or their chosen life-path creates a breach. Parenting is not often at the top of the list of priorities for them. These dedicated, driven people often need to fulfill a personal or career ambition first. Health May 18 people have high energy and a strong constitution. They adapt well to a daily physical regimen of exercise and toning. They should also be aware of the benefits of showing their emotions. When these people bottle up their rage, they can experience headaches, indigestion, and other physical complaints. Career and Finances May 18 natives have a single-minded approach to career goals. As a rule, most decided early in life what they wanted to do and are not likely to deviate from that path. Their independent spirit makes them ideally suited to careers where they are their own boss, or are at least autonomous within a larger structure. Dreams and Goals May 18 people want to make it on their own. These individuals can never be accused of getting somewhere due to nepotism or favoritism. No matter how successful they become, they never forget their roots and may even draw upon them for inspiration. They are deceptively ambitious, a fact that may go unnoticed.
happy birthday. bought it and enjoyed it. i am quite upset, however, to learn that while i thought you were around my age, you are actually seven years younger. curses.
You're quite perceptive, JH. Congratulations. Your comment about order of magnitude is silly. If true, all bald men would be considered wildly unattractive regardless of any other features. And that simply isn't the case. Don't worry, JH, you're not hurting my ego. I'm aware of enough flaws (including arguing on the internets) to ever consider myself attractive.
Only 26!?!?! I HATES you!!....thousand burning suns!!!......youth not wasted on young!?......(sniff)
Happy Birfday Matt!!!....(YAYS for Matt!!)
Happy Birthday. I'd sing "Happy Birthday" to you, but it's copyrighted.
If true, all bald men would be considered wildly unattractive regardless of any other features. Not really. Let's take, for example Natalie Portman, who normally would rate about 1000 on a hypothetical hotness scale. When she shaved her head for V for Vendatta, she became much less attractive. You might even say an order of magnitude less attractive. So for a while she was at 100. But Bertha, your office secretary who is 5'6, 190lbs, and has bad acne, is clocking in at around 20 points, even with hair. The point is, even though Natalie Portman became an order of magnitude less attractive, she was still MUCH more attractive than a lot of other women. Of course, I've used women as an example. With men it's a little different. Not because bald men are better looking than bald women, but because physical attractiveness comprises a much smaller part of the overall attractiveness of a person from most women's perspective, as compared to men. This is why, for example, Yglesias, the balding Harvard graduate, author, and up-and-coming political pundit, still seems to be able to persuade women to couple with him.
Happy Birthday Matt! I'll be joining you December 8th.
"This is why, for example, Yglesias, the balding Harvard graduate, author, and up-and-coming political pundit, still seems to be able to persuade women to couple with him." Citation, please. And Ann Coulter doesn't count.
wow we are almost the same age - I am turning 27 on tues. happy bday!
Just because Bertha is heinous doesn't make the 100 more attractive. Using your silly order of magnitude rating with a typical looks scale (1-10), a 10 with hair becomes a 1 if bald. That is, a bald man maxes out at 1. Again, that's a silly presumption.
Happy birthday!
Baldness should be your least concern. Ask Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain. Happy Birthday, and good luck!
Happy birthday, Matt! When is the book tour coming to Philadelphia?
Happy Birthday Matt! I'll be joining you December 8th. What?! I, too, will be joining Club 27 this December 8th. And Happy Birthday Matt! You go girl!
holy crap! You're only 27!!!
OMG, you share the EXACT same birthday as my ex-girlfriend. Ew Ew Ew! I'm so over you, Matthew Yglesias!
Comments closed June 01, 2008. |
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Heads in the Sand
Happy Birthday, Matt! Bought the book, reading it now, it's really good. I look forward to doing something reviewish with it.
Posted by Neil the Ethical Werewolf | May 18, 2008 12:06 PM