Vapors and Ambition

I just read Margaret Carlson’s (Commentary, Feb. 22) quoting of MIT professor Nancy Hopkins regarding Harvard President Lawrence Summer’s gaffe: “My heart was pounding and my breath was shallow; I just couldn’t breathe because this kind of bias makes me physically ill.” Then I read Carlson’s comment: “For goodness’ sake -- a return of the vapors. That’s not going to get us to the top.”

I wonder what would the vapors be called if they were experienced by a man, and I wonder if making such a comment would prevent said man from “getting to the top.”

JoEllen Geanes

Sherman Oaks