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Dumb is the new stupid!

sogeshirts.blogspot.com — Do young tween and teenage girls dumb themselves down do the the media or due to social pressures from the opposite sex?

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akpwnz 94 days ago

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akpwnz, on 07/10/2008, -0/+36Sorry for the typos, I was laughing while I was submitting.
- bosssmiley, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2Ow! I think some of my brain cells just killed themselves rather than read that article.
  
  Someone should tell the author that boldface font weight does not, in fact, add greater weight to an argument. :-(
DeathWish808, on 07/10/2008, -0/+28I'm not sure Saved By The Bell was a good reference for portrayal of stupidity. If I remember, Zack got a perfect score on his SAT which ousted Jesse from the smartest kid in school throne. Screech, well, he did stupid clumsy things, but was top of the class with Jesse. Anyway, I guess i used to watch that show too much. Later!
- sogeshirts, on 07/10/2008, -0/+5what about slater and kelly? Not exactly rocket scientists. Also jesse and screech were outcasts because of their smarts. I watched that show too much as well.
  - vault, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1What about Slater and Zack? They were gay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHLr5AYl5f4
- AmyVernon, on 07/10/2008, -0/+13I'm not sure what's scarier: The fact that both of you know this show far too well, or that I said, "Yeah!" to most of it. But Jessie wasn't really an outcast. Her best friend was, after all, Kelly. Wasn't Jessie a cheerleader, too?
  - DeathWish808, on 07/10/2008, -0/+7Yes, Jessie, Kelly and Lisa were all cheerleaders. Jessie only did it for her permanent record though. Remember, she was the bra burner.
  - xtinamo, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4I hate myself for knowing this, but Jessie was actually best friends with Zack. They were neighbors and always coming in through each other's windows. Remember when he supported her during the drug addiction?
  - vault, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5^^ yeah her addiction to what was it, caffeine pills haha?
  - ssn697, on 07/11/2008, -1/+5@vault and xtinamo
    
    Sad... just sad...
    
    pffft
  - vault, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5Indeed, ssn.
- DeathWish808, on 07/10/2008, -1/+6Slater was portrayed as being pretty smart too on most episodes. When he was going into the military like his father wanted him too and he scored very high on the tests, but he wanted to do other things. Kelly and Lisa Turtle were the hotties and never portrayed as ditzes either. The only person that I can think of that was portrayed as an idiot was Richard Belding. He was a complete baboon until it came time to have his "Mr. Rogers" talk with the kids or peers then he was friggin' full of wisdom. Ehhh, I've said too much now.
  - Bologner, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3I know for a fact that the jocks and ditsy girls were portrayed as dumb although I think some of them passed a history test to play their football game.
- hmd1987, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1probably the scariest part of this particular thread is that it's 4 (excluding mine) comments deep about a show that can just as easily be forgotten as it can be remembered haha. but hey, what ever floats your boat!
- wolphkaat, on 07/11/2008, -1/+2Bayside is for chumps, Valley Rulz!
- wild, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Sure, Slater was smart, but never ask him to be a sports broadcaster.
EricaBZ, on 07/10/2008, -1/+24I know it's not related to this submission, but I am starting to really miss Saved by the Bell!
- socialwebtools, on 07/10/2008, -0/+6It comes on TBS in the early mornings & on The N at night....... weekly......... yes I still watch it from time to time; it's a good show.
jcorn1, on 07/10/2008, -0/+24With a teen son out there, I am truly appalled by the number of smart teen women I see who pretend to be stupid. They manage to work for school and get good grades but never want anyone to know about it. Since when did being smart become unsexy? Has it always been that way or is it increasing? I'm truly wondering.
- zeabu, on 07/11/2008, -0/+7Getting good grades is not the same as being smart. It's having a good memory.
- bosssmiley, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1“Be sweet, young maid, and let who will be clever”
  Nothing new under the sun.
BennyGreenberg, on 07/10/2008, -0/+12I loved Saved By the Bell - Where is Kelly!
DeathWish808, on 07/10/2008, -1/+11author...I guess you're already working on a SBTB atricle...right? lol
nowsamsara, on 07/10/2008, -0/+20I am not even sure if this *trend* [God! Is that what it is?] is new? I haven't been in High School in a little over a decade but even back then I could smell the change of my girlfriends when the male species was around. As an undergrad I remember specifically having the conversation with my roommate why, even then, in college do women seem to "play dumb" when testesterone levels reached inordinate proportions. She maintained that that was society's fauly; that men feel emasculated at having to deal with the "gentle sex" who was [if not smarter 8than*] "as smart as."

I guess some men need their women to be stupid so they feel better. I have a man who, if he wanted a stupid woman, wouldn't be the man I desired. I need, respect, value and _find extremely sexy_ a man who appreciates a woman being all that she is ~ even if the poor girl is less than brilliant. But pretending to be anything you're no tfor the sake of a relationship is not only then based in a lie, but is extremely self-deprecating to start with!

Remember Family Ties, when Alex P. Keaton had the date with the "less than brilliant and very fluffy" blonde nitwit? But then fell in love with the character of the smart roommate played by his *now* wife? I loved that episode/storyline.
- sogeshirts, on 07/10/2008, -0/+4good point as I wrote in the article this has been going on since i was in high school and it appears even longer before that. Its a sad reality i'm afraid cause there are so many smart women.
- zeabu, on 07/11/2008, -0/+6To me, it annoys. I rarely have female friends, because of that. And I can't actually believe they're just acting stupid.
  Why on earth would you dumb yourself down, when someone is talking with you while showing he doesn't like stupid people? Besides that, you can't fake being stupid 24h. You are, or you fail at faking.
RookieExpert, on 07/10/2008, -0/+15Its really dumb if people think being dumb is cool!! Sad, but true, dumb, stupid things make people laugh...does it apply to people too though?
GiJoeBob, on 07/10/2008, -0/+23All the guys worth catching are really into smart girls.
- Ebjius, on 07/11/2008, -0/+9That's cause girls need to be judged for their brain...
  - BennyGreenberg, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4Sexiest part of a womans body is her brain!
louiebaur, on 07/10/2008, -1/+11Dumb is really cool I like being a dumbass@!
kloop10, on 07/10/2008, -1/+11^^^
I couldn't have said it any better!!!!
Haoie, on 07/11/2008, -0/+27Teen Talk Barbie:

Math is hard. Let's go shopping!!
- AmyVernon, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5i just threw up a little in my mouth.
- xtinamo, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1I'm not sure what we expected girls to become when they're given such a role model so early on. I didn't chose the Barbie game as my first for NES, but it happened, and thus began my all important quest for cute clothes and boys. It always bothered me that I had to wait years before I played SMB3 and Darkwing Duck, two games that have actually helped me learn valuable skills.
  
  We desperately need to rethink this exposure to materialism and superficiality in order to better understand the effect that these "female-geared" products have on a young girl's mind and perception of the world .
Eavesdropping, on 07/11/2008, -0/+12The only thing cooler than being dumb is being slutty and dumb, follow Paris Hilton's excellent example.
Lane, on 07/11/2008, -0/+8Answer? Majority rule : /
smitas, on 07/11/2008, -0/+8How do the Teens then grow up to be smart and clever adults? Or not in this World of Science and Technology?
UltramegaOK, on 07/11/2008, -7/+4Buried as irrelevant.

They shouldn't be out of the kitchen in the first place.
AManWithNoName, on 07/11/2008, -0/+14Stupidity has been trendy here in America for ages. That's why our presidents try to pretend to be "A guy you could have a beer with" instead of "A guy with intelligence and leadership skills". I blame it on the failing education system. When everyone's dumb, the dumbest wins first prize.
heidityann, on 07/11/2008, -2/+6Another great post. Scary to think about though.
jess184, on 07/11/2008, -2/+4Great post, well written, and right to the point, love it!
zebco, on 07/11/2008, -0/+7Good concept, horribly written.
These girls aren't acting...the majority of kids today are dumb as *****. They know 'txt langwaj' but can't spell. They can read but they can't write for *****. They can name every single one of their friends on myspace or facebook but can't name any of the states or countries they've never been to. They have no concept of government, civics or books....just scads and scads of popular culture garbage.
I generalize, of course but if the shoe fits, wear it.
theysayjump, on 07/11/2008, -2/+3When someone makes a post about people being dumb, it makes it even more difficult to ignore the typos.
Sucka27, on 07/11/2008, -0/+7MTV.
Quizboy, on 07/11/2008, -0/+8I say its the media; I can't turn on the tv for more than 30 minutes before shutting it off due to all the ridiculous ***** about some random people's personal lives which I don't give a flying ***** about. I especially can't stand most of the stories that pass as news anymore.
serenityflexed, on 07/11/2008, -1/+5This is a bit *****, I know, I wrote it quickly; reading this and see people agree with this douchebag made me want to vent:
As someone in High School, I don't see the mass pretend-stupidity in order to seem more appealing. Even if I did see it – people do apparently, as per zebco's comment - I don't see how it's different than at any other time. Haven't you ever done something in order to fit in? I'm not saying it's ***** smart, just your nature.
I know many people whom are extremely smart -- musically talented, mathematics, scientifically, and artistically inclined. Some never say anything to anyone!

Call me naïve, but to many in Europe, Americans are overweight, ignorant, insensitive and far-less-intelligent-than-anywhere-else. But I just don't see it: to me, that's not a rule. It's a biased POS.

The evidence is lacking and poor (The Disney Channel, really?), seemingly based entirely on expression, language in particular. But isn't this, like people, fluid and changing? (133t speak, eurgh?)
For example, "Thank you Disney for making America's kids stupider."
Strictly speaking, it should be "more stupid", but we all understand anyway. Ergo, you're an idiot for saying it?
Conformity's a tricky issue, and I don't think the game isn't changing. Maybe I'm wrong: girls are becoming idiots to get guys, now, but I don't see it, and it pisses me off when other people think they do and write stuff like this. Don't get me wrong, they could be right. So, for now ...
Dear SOGESHIRTSGUY,
I'll read your next piece when you think more objectively and have decent numbers to back-up your statements.
Regards.
- Cate320, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1I think that it is wrong to make generalizations. You're right about that. I also wouldn't take offense to what his statements. As a female that has recently gone through high school (only 7 years ago) I can see what you're saying. But I went to a "top" high school and thus almost everyone was considered "smart" and proud of it. Chances are you're in the same boat?
  
  However, just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I certainly have seen young women act this way in the past. Also, you can't deny that the media does seem to glorify women that act this way and who can say what effect that is having on today's youth? I would hope that there are strong female influences in young girls lives to discourage this behaviour, but I know that unfortunately this isn't always the case.
  
  I also agree that conformity does happen to gain acceptance - especially at that age. However, I don't think it should ever be encouraged or applauded when a woman would make herself less than she is to get attention. It seems that a guy would be more appreciative if a girl helped *him* with a homework assignment, rather than pretending not to know the material to have an excuse to chat.
  
  Also you're right about the opinions of other nations being wrong. I have been living in NZ for 2.5 years now and have been very shocked and annoyed to see the media's portrayal of Americans. They almost exclusively show the most ignorant, bible-thumping, gun crazy, bigoted rednecks every time they show an "American" on the news. It is no wonder the rest of the world thinks we're trash. But it gets good ratings right? *rolls eyes*
  
  However, unfortunately there is some truth to those beliefs. Even if it isn't the case where you are from, in some parts of the country, people can be stereotypical "Americans". I was shocked when someone quoted to me "~50% of Americans don't believe in Evolution". My immediate response was "WTF, did they exclusively survey all of the hillbilly church congregations? *I've* never met anyone that didn't 'believe' in evolution." Which remained true... until I joined Digg. Also there are statistics that show Americans are fatter than the rest of the world - again, some states more than others.
  
  I think the best that you can do is just continue to fight against generalizations and stereotypes like these by leading by example. Hopefully eventually the rest of the nation will follow.
geoken, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4Obviously Disney is interested into turning kids into mindless drones. Their self contained pop star factory is extremely disturbing.
fakekevinrose, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5"In this day an age working at mickey d's is cooler than having phd's."

...

I know the author is trying to make a point in the article, but please try to avoid ridiculous hyperbole, I take you less seriously for statements like that.
wild, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5All I know is, when I was in high school, I was pulled into the guidance counselors office and asked why I never raised my hand in class and always sat at the back. She told me I was the smartest kid in the school and yet seemed to like writing funny comments instead of the real answers on tests. She asked me why I played dumb and if I didn't crave the smell of success. I ended up suspended for 3 days.

Turns out "I am less interested in the smell of success than I am the taste of pussy" was the wrong answer.
- geoken, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Turns out if you actually said that then your guidance counselor was extremely incorrect and you were in fact one of dumbest kids in school.
  
  I was able to get 90's in school and it didn't require me to be outwardly engaging in class. Frankly I found classrooms to be inherently dis-engaging (until I got to university) but I was still able to get high marks without having to rub in peoples face that I was good in school.
  
  If you were truly intelligent, giving the outward appearance of not being smart while aceing every test/assignment would have been a trivial task.
  
  None of the people who I truly considered smart were socially awkward because mastering the forms and conventions necessary to be accepted into any 'clique' where trivial to anyone with the slightest amount of intelligence.
  - wild, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2Take it how you will. I was 15 years old and I was smarter than everybody else. But I learned quickly that sitting up front and answering questions was socially unaccepted at a high school in Texas. So I changed my pattern and it got noticed. Both by my teachers and the girls around me.
    
    Maybe its hard for you to fathom, but teenage hormones are pretty strong. Getting a laugh from the girl next to me because of the answers on my tests was more rewarding than seeing a perfect 100 at the top.
    
    Sorry, I am only human. We all take time to develop.
AchaIemoipas, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2"Something must explain this phenomenon of brains = totally megalamers."

Well that's easy: dumb people are the vast majority. Smart people make them feel stupid, they feel threatened by them.

Smart people are a minority by definition, we say smart, but we all know we mean smarter than the average. And the average is really stupid.
wenfri, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3When did becoming stupid become trendy?

Since boys won't date smart girls No idea
Cate320, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3This trend is disgusting, but not something I witnessed personally in HS. Actually, one of the main reasons that I "got my act together" sophomore year of HS is because I had a crush on one of the "over-achiever" boys in my school. I basically started competing with him academically to impress him. I won on both scores ;)

I'm not sure why girls think they have to act this way for boy's attention. It seems so much easier to me to prove that you are smart and suggest a study session or something. That way, you get the required attention AND get to keep your self-respect.

This isn't just a trend among teens either unfortunately. Last weekend I was standing in line for the movies and heard a female voice say behind me (In response to something her husband/boyfriend said - I can't recall what) "I don't know. I case you haven't noticed, I don't have a very big brain" in that stereotypical simpering "I'm a little helpless female" voice. I was like *inner facepalm* and when I got out of line, I turned around to look, fully expecting to see a couple of 16 year olds, but no! This couple was probably in their 40s!

You're right though, the problem is most likely because of the media. Increasingly it seems that famous females (like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears) that are "looked up to" by today's youth act this way. It also explains the growing trend of young tweens and teens dressing like prostitutes. (There is actually a pretty hilarious and relevant South Park episode about this). The parents are to blame also since they don't seem to be discouraging this behavior.
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