This is another fallacy assumption born of men's butt hurt feelings and ignorance of being in the woods and bears.

First off, the hypothetical was phrased as "would you rather be alone in the woods with a random bear or a random man", at least initially.

If I'm alone in the woods with a bear, then I'm alone in the woods peacefully coexisting with the bear (and other wildlife) in the woods. I may see the bear or know the bear is there or not. The bear is, generaly speaking, not seeking me out or bothering me in any way. Most of the time when you're in the woods with a bear, you see signs of their presence and if they hear or smell you, they'll avoid you. If you see them, it will be from afar. There's a caveat to that.

Then the hypothetical phrasing changed somewhat.

"If you're alone in the woods, would you rather encounter a random bear or a random man?"

Okay. Now we have "an encounter.". That can mean several things, depensing on how you interpret the word encounter.

Encounter means two things. 1. Unexpectedly experience or be faced with (something difficult or hostile); or, 2. An unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something.

Notice in that second dedinition, the encounter is neutral; there's no automatic expectation of threat or hostility though it could go that way.

Based on the commentary, it's pretty clear that by and large men are going with the first definition and women are going with the second in how the understand and use the word 'encounter'.

Then, it was "cross paths". ....same basic thing happening. For women, there is still no expectation of violence. Just a bear in the woods that is dangerous bexause it's a wild animal but not inherently violent and does not regard you as prey. Wish I could bold that last phrase.

The bear does not regard you as prey. It could hurt you, but it does not see you as prey.

Interestingly, it was men on the internet losing their shit over not being chosen that made it the binary, mostly because they were .....oh so Freudian.....in their outrage.

The complete lack of self awareness of some irony going on was also simultaneously hilarious and groaning eyeroll worthy.

It's been fascinating to watch it unfold.

I pick the bear all the way, btw. Reason being, I don't expect automatic violence from either one but I can be unexcited by Random Barney in his cargo shorts, drawers hanging out, and flip flops and ball cap any old day. But bear encounters, while potentially dangerous because theyre wild animals, are almost always near magical experiences, as anyone who lives in or has lived in bear country will tell you. And I'm a competent and skilled outdoorswoman, if I'm in the woods, I'm not lost and I don't need help. It's usually me that is rendering aid. Encountering a random man for me, is most likely going to be some sort of hassle that intrudes upon my day and plans.

Often, because he's going to try to "help" me. And now I have to contend with everything that too often gets attached to that. IFYKYK.

But never in any of that am I in hysterical fear for my life.

But I understand why many other women are. And within the constraints of the hypothetical, I completely agree with them.