Firstly this: being able to shred neo-classical sweeps,tap wail and warble pinch and dive doesn't make you an alround technical guitarist. Can Steve Vai play Tarrega's classical guitar pieces? I sincerely doubt it. Nor could he play all of Stanley Jordan's or Allan Holdsworth's stuff. That said he's a hugely talented player.

Malmsteem; never used to be able to stomach him. I think I found Satriani humbling enough without listening to Malmsteem. Now my playing's improved I don't find it so objectionable, maybe the jealousy is easier to live with. In fact he's flippin cool even if the songs themselves are a bit one dimensional.

Women guitar players: best classical guitarist I've ever seen (Galina Vernigora) was a woman. Apparently someone called Rak wrote a piece and had to wait many years to find someone who could play it properly.. guess what, it was her.
I think Jennifer Batten is wonderful. I think it's just the case that women end up playing violin rather than guitar. Maybe it's something to do with having smaller hands? Surely it isn't that hard to get 3/4 size guitars though and if the stretches really bother them maybe they should get a 24 fretter and widle at the top end?

One note for hours? Maybe Steve Vai's trying to cut out competition by making sure people waste their time for hours on end? Surely by one note he would mean whatever one might vibrato or bend from one fretted string?