and none of which prove a damn thing about the specifics of the weaves, only that the shields are hard to break and do not seem flexible. I'm attempting a theoretical discussion here. Berowyn proves the point that vastly more effective shields are possible and that Shields can ALSO be flexible. Nothing more and nothing less. Why is this simple concept so difficult for you to grasp?

The second concept is that it's theoretically possible that a stone wall shield is more effective against a man and a more flexible shield is more effective against a woman. I say this solely based on the fact that Berowyn's flexible shield is vastly more effective than the standard shields we see used against a woman than any other shield we see throughout the entire series. I cannot, and have not stated that a flexible shield would be more effective against a man.

I would assert, based on so many other examples outside of shielding, that during the AoL there were likely many variations on shielding that have probably been lost to post-Breaking channeling organizations. This is loosely supported by both Lanfear and Graendal being vastly more effective at Shielding stronger males than anyone else we've seen. I am not, nor have I ever, refuted that they used "stone wall" or firm forms of Shielding, only that they probably didn't use the same technique as modern Aes Sedai, who's Shields would have been instantly destroyed by a Forsaken level male. In fact we know for fact that Verin and Alanna linked are very close to, if not stronger than, Lanfear and their shielding attempts were a total joke, whereas Lanfear nearly succeeds, even before she picked up the angreal.

On a side note, I will state that you are a massive hypocrite for using arguments about "ignoring direct quotes" ... no one on this forum dismisses direct quotes more than you when it suits their purposes. cough Aviendha's quotes about Egwene's strength.

So I'll make this simple so you can follow:

1. We know a flexible shield enabled Berowyn to hold a woman 38 levels above her with little/no effort

2. We know that Galina would easily be able to break Mecaras shield with a 13 level difference

3. Verin and Alanna linked could not shield Rand once he was holding the Power. Likely a maximum of 7 levels weaker than Rand

4. Graendal was able to cut off and hold a shield on both Aran'gar and Delana despite being 6 levels lower in raw strength

5. Lanfear was capable of shielding Rand with 5-6 levels lower strength and she clearly used a more effective shield against Asmodean who was 4 levels stronger than her.

6. Nynaeve was unable to cut off Elayne who was 6-8 levels weaker than Nynaeve

7. Logain could have broken Nynaeve's shield with a maximum 7 level strength difference

8. Rand broke through a shield held by 3 women who combined were at least his equal in raw strength given that Sashalle was a level 14, even two very weak Aes Sedai combined with her would have been stronger than Lanfear at the least.

It's not that difficult to realize that there are more effective ways to Shield someone, even someone massively stronger than you are, than used by modern Aes Sedai. It's just as obvious that the standard shields Aes Sedai teach are less effective than the shields used by Berowyn, Lanfear or Graendal. It seems likely that Moghedien's shield on Liandrin was probably a more effective shield as well, admittedly that is an assumption.

Shielding strikes me as something similar to Wards and thus there could be thousands of variations that would have just as many effectiveness levels. It seems, as with so many other things, like the Aes Sedai (likely the Reds) taught their traditional shielding weave and discouraged further study once they decided this was the most effective method.