I like The Good Men Project Magazine. It bills itself as the anti-Esquire/GQ, not because the creators don’t appreciate women (they make sure you know that they do), but because they treat their male readers as multi-dimensional human beings with complex feelings, emotions, opinions and interests. Ms. Magazine called them “what enlightened masculinity might look like in the 20th century.”
In that vein, writer Tom Matlack has skewered Esquire for limiting their list of “Women We Love” to what boils down to a list of “Women We’d Love to Bang.” That’s a fine list to have, I suppose, but call it what it is.
Although women may be able to claim a slight upper hand in the objectification-of-the-opposite-sex game, ladymags are frequently guilty of choosing abs and pecs over substance. Taylor Lautner looks good without a shirt, but is that really where we want to set the bar? (He’s also 18….women objectify youth too!)
So I’m taking a cue from Mr. Matlack. Who do I find both attractive and interesting enough that I’d want to spend an hour getting to know him? I’ll give you a hint, the Matthew McConaugheys of the world don’t make the cut.
Here’s Matlack’s list, and mine, of people who are actually “fascinating, cool, and lovable” (and also attractive in a myriad of ways):
| The Good Men Project Magazine List By Tom Matlack | The Let’s-Not-Be-So-Shallow-Either List
By Emily |
| Chelsea Handler | Jon Stewart |
|
Melinda Gates |
President Barack Obama |
| Jhumpa Lahiri |
Alec Baldwin |
| Kate Middleton | |
| Gwyneth Paltrow | Taye Diggs |
| Patti Stanger | Scott Fujita |
| Steffi Graf | Dan Savage* |
| Lady Gaga | Mike Adamick |
| Michelle Obama | Sam Kass |
| Laura Hillenbrand | Ryan Gosling |
| Portia de Rossi* | Tim Gunn* |
| Senator Kirsten Gillibrand | Dave Eggers |
*I like that Matlack included a lesbian woman, suggesting that likelihood-of-someday-fucking is not the top priority. Consequently, I have allowed myself to include two gay men who I find fascinating and lovable.
There are many more folks that could make both lists, obviously. But it’s a fun mental exercise, and worthwhile, I think, to spend some time pondering who you want to know, instead who you want to do.
Related Post: Sam Kass spends some quality time with Elmo.
Related Post: Why I’m okay rooting for Michael Vick (even though I am not nor ever will be an Eagles fan… Go Bears!)
Related Posts: Dreamboats: Damon and company make me drool… with their words.

1. James Franco: smart, poet, fit, athletic, inquisitive.
2. Mark Ruffalo: talented, eco-aware, intelligent.
3. Tim Gunn: “Jackie O would not wear camel toe,” wins (hands down) as the season highlight from Project Runway. Class, grace, tact, charm and damn funny.
Great list! Dan Savage is a good one. That’d be a great one to get a drink and talk, pick his brain
I must admit I’ve always had a crush on Alex Baldwin too. Thanks for sharing.
Pingback: Tweets that mention Good Men Pick Good Women (and I try to follow suit) | rosiesaysblog -- Topsy.com
*love* it! Alex has always been on my list too for his support for divorce dads and his humor, despite many other problems (who said love isn’t blind?).
Always free for a cup of plantonic coffee…
@tmatlack
Pingback: Featured on ChartPorn Today! | rosiesaysblog
Pingback: Guesting Over at Good Men | rosiesaysblog
Pingback: Sunday Scraps | rosiesaysblog
Pingback: BAM | rosiesaysblog
Pingback: “Dick”tionary Definitions | rosiesaysblog