talbotlucas.org: a word to the wise is sufficient

When writing about what men (seem to) want--specifically, women who aren't as smart as they are--Maureen Dowd refers to:

a second study, which was by researchers at four British universities and reported last week, suggested that smart men with demanding jobs would rather have old-fashioned wives, like their mums, than equals. The study found that a high I.Q. hampers a woman's chance to get married, while it is a plus for men. The prospect for marriage increased by 35 percent for guys for each 16-point increase in I.Q.; for women, there is a 40 percent drop for each 16-point rise.

While I know men who are exceptions to this--indeed, there's one sitting right next to me!--I have no doubt that this really does reflect the majority. Sad, but true.

I've recently talked with classmates and friends who've been advised not to talk too much with men about their interests (because they might be perceived as intimidating or too brainy), not to express opinions, and certainly to dress more provocatively and show a "more feminine" side. I realize I'm not the target audience, but these women all seem really feminine to me, which leads me to believe that the last piece of advice means "giggle a lot and act dumb" rather than a more nuanced view of what it means to be feminine.

Dowd's Thursday column, if haven't seen it already, and the article by John Schwartz that she mentions in the article.