
Blocked and Reported Episode 281: Bluestockings Goes Bust
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Oct 20, 2025 The hosts dive into the rise and fall of Bluestockings, a feminist bookstore that evolved with community needs and faced backlash over harm reduction strategies. They explore declining trans identity trends and the flawed methodologies behind controversial reports. A significant focus is on the bookstore's abrupt closure due to financial strains and internal conflicts among workers. The discussion also highlights the cultural ramifications of such community hubs and the chaotic aftermath of its shutdown.
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Author’s Launch Reality Check
- Katie Herzog recounts her frustration after selling only about $1,200 worth of her new book soon after publication.
- She describes doing many interviews and still expecting far higher sales, highlighting the harsh reality of the book market.
Bad Proxy Doesn’t Prove Trans Decline
- Eric Kaufman's claim that fewer young people identify as trans rested on misinterpreting FIRE survey items about gender identity.
- The survey asked identity (man, woman, non-binary), not sex assigned at birth, so it cannot reliably measure overall trans prevalence.
Weights Can Warp Trend Estimates
- Using raw survey data without weights can mislead when samples are rebalanced for representativeness.
- Even weighted results may be distorted if the weighting calibrates on the very variable you're trying to track over time.






