Not saying I agree with the bear thing, but understand there’s statistics at play here. Whether it’s a bear or a man, it’s not to imply all men or all bears will attack you. It’s relative likelihood. And whether I think women who chose the bear got the risk assessment correct or not, as a non-rapist, I’m not really offended by the idea that some subset of men has made women extra cautious.

Man, I feel this one. That put me off any interactions with women that I can avoid. I'm in a relationship, I have no need or interest in creating a situation because someone takes something the wrong way.

Precisely why I walk the other direction when kids try to talk to me. I'm polite and friendly as long as it takes to get away.

The bear thing scared a lot of decent guys off.

...leaving women with getting approached to an even greater degree by men who don't get that. Thus confirming their bias and continuing the spiral.

At this point, I know of no-one who has any idea how to walk back the great and widening chasm between genders. It's heartbreaking.