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When Are You Guys Going to Get It?
LA Times ^ | February 13, 2005 | Deborah Blum

Posted on 02/20/2005 3:32:14 PM PST by neverdem

GENDER STUDIES

In Victorian times, scientists argued that women's brains were too small to be fully human. On the intelligence scale, researchers recommended classifying human females with gorillas.

The great 19th century neuroanatomist Paul Broca didn't see the situation as quite so dire, but he warned his colleagues that women were not capable of being as smart as men, "a difference that we should not exaggerate, but which is nonetheless real."

The president of Harvard University suggested that a lack of "innate ability" might help explain why women couldn't keep up with men in fields like math and science … oh, wait, that one happened just last month.

Hold for a minute — OK — while I dig out my corset and bustle.

If that sounds snotty, I mean it to be.

I, for one, am ready to leave the 19th century behind. Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers can apologize all he wants, but the fact is that — from a position of power — he felt comfortable speculating about women's inadequate intelligence and ignoring years worth of science that proved him wrong.

I don't find that excusable. Period.

And I wonder why we women are so willing to tolerate this kind of behavior.

Summers raised the issue of women's lesser capabilities in an economic conference in Cambridge, Mass., in mid-January. And the most consistent response from women — the one still resonating across the country — is defensiveness.

A litany of female scholars quote studies proving that, yes, we girls can do long division, actually understand a chemical formula, comprehend a physical law or two and not only become professional scientists but do good work.

In fact, when allowed, women have done excellent science for decades, even since the corset-and-bustle days. The physicist Marie Curie won....

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; US: California; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: academia; genetics; larrysummers; sexdifferences; summers
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Deborah Blum is a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer and the author of "Love at Goon Park: Harry Harlow and the Science of Affection."
1 posted on 02/20/2005 3:32:14 PM PST by neverdem
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To: Chgogal; CheneyChick

ping...


2 posted on 02/20/2005 3:34:56 PM PST by Cornpone (Aging Warrior -- Aim High -- Who Dares Wins)
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To: neverdem

"They may be stupid, but they sure are fun."


3 posted on 02/20/2005 3:36:03 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (The people previously responsible for this tagline have been sacked.)
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To: neverdem



Lawrence H. Summers offered a theory to explain why there were not more women in the math and science fields and that was that there might be innate differences.

This woman is an idiot.


4 posted on 02/20/2005 3:36:49 PM PST by LauraleeBraswell ( CONSERVATIVE FIRST-Republican second.)
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To: neverdem
IF women are smarter than men, then how come most inventions are attributable to men?

(Flame away!)

5 posted on 02/20/2005 3:38:28 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: neverdem

Was this the source for that famous line in
Hitchcock's THE BIRDS? "As a specie, their brain
pans are too small!"


6 posted on 02/20/2005 3:38:41 PM PST by Grendel9
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To: neverdem

Oh when are the MSM going to get off this topic? Sheesh! I guess it's not over until the man resigns. I'm disgusted.


7 posted on 02/20/2005 3:38:54 PM PST by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
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scientists argued that women's brains were too small to be fully human. On the intelligence scale, researchers recommended classifying human females with gorillas.

Oh how I wish my exwife had an FR account so I could ping her to that!

8 posted on 02/20/2005 3:39:14 PM PST by humblegunner
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To: neverdem





""And I wonder why we women are so willing to tolerate this kind of behavior.""

Does she think she can speak on behalf of every woman everywhere? Who is WE?



9 posted on 02/20/2005 3:39:43 PM PST by LauraleeBraswell ( CONSERVATIVE FIRST-Republican second.)
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To: neverdem

Amen sister!


10 posted on 02/20/2005 3:41:08 PM PST by cyborg (http://mentalmumblings.blogspot.com/)
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To: humblegunner

I'm gonna show this to Mrs. Slim as soon as I change the combo on the gun safe.


11 posted on 02/20/2005 3:41:21 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim (This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around.....)
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Comment #12 Removed by Moderator

To: neverdem

Article Snippet: "Hold for a minute — OK — while I dig out my corset and bustle."

A good diet and exercise will work better than a corset and bustle. Thank God for common sense [insert note here: I'm not a "Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer."].


13 posted on 02/20/2005 3:41:52 PM PST by Cindy
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To: humblegunner
Should women be classified as male gorillas or female gorillas? What are female gorillas to be classified as? lemurs?
14 posted on 02/20/2005 3:42:58 PM PST by escapefromboston (manny ortez: mvp)
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To: neverdem

An entire rant based on a misquote?

Never Mind!


15 posted on 02/20/2005 3:43:09 PM PST by ValerieUSA
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To: neverdem

Feminists seem to lack good humor more than they lack the ability to do high-level math.


16 posted on 02/20/2005 3:43:15 PM PST by 68skylark
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To: neverdem
"When Are You Guys Going to Get It?"

Uh, you get it ok? And bring me a beer while your up babe.

17 posted on 02/20/2005 3:43:15 PM PST by Enterprise
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To: Lurking2Long
how come most inventions are attributable to men

You didn't get the memo, obviously. This is because the women were and still are OPPRESSED by the men

18 posted on 02/20/2005 3:44:23 PM PST by eclectic (Liberalism is a mental disorder)
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To: neverdem
women couldn't keep up with men in fields like math and science


19 posted on 02/20/2005 3:44:28 PM PST by ErnBatavia (ErnBatavia, Boxer, Pelosi, Thomas...the ultimate nightmare Menage a Quatro)
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To: neverdem
There are differences between the average male and female. That doesn't mean that there aren't notable exceptions or a substantial minority that defy the odds.

Insisting that men and women are exactly the same defies everyday observation. Each sex has their strengths.

20 posted on 02/20/2005 3:44:44 PM PST by Dog Gone
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