men really are better AND worse than women

She didn't know she was supposed to be unhappyRoy Baumeister made a presentation last month at the American Psychological Association that is a flash of cold reality to some, heresey to others and a welcomed breath of intellectual honesty to others.

Professor Denis Dutton chronicals Dr. Baumeister’s presentation on his site. Here are some of his points that resonated strongly with me:

1) “Almost certainly, it is something biological and genetic. And my guess is that the greater proportion of men at both extremes of the IQ distribution is part of the same pattern. Nature rolls the dice with men more than women. Men go to extremes more than women. It’s true not just with IQ but also with other things, even height: The male distribution of height is flatter, with more really tall and really short men”

“… In an important sense, men really are better AND worse than women.”

2) “Maybe the differences between the genders are more about motivation than ability. This is the difference between can’t and won’t.

3) “The gist of our view was that there are two different ways of being social. In social psychology we tend to emphasize close, intimate relationships, and yes, perhaps women specialize in those and are better at them than men. But one can also look at being social in terms of having larger networks of shallower relationships, and on these, perhaps, men are more social than women.”

4) “As a result, culture mainly arose in the types of social relationships favored by men. Women favor close, intimate relationships. These are if anything more important for the survival of the species. That’s why human women evolved first. We need those close relationships to survive. The large networks of shallower relationships aren’t as vital for survival — but they are good for something else, namely the development of larger social systems and ultimately for culture.”

My take:  Dr. Baumeister is thoughtful and heroic in presenting a view that no doubt will be viewed as heretical by those who like to view the world as they wish it to be… and not the way it apparently is.

Roger Freberg

Jenny Craig SECRETS now told!

A wonderful

Now does this really look like “DIET” food?

It really really doesn’t look like diet food when I add a large serving of cooked French Beans, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, pearl onions all dowsed with “Susie Q” brand seasoning!

Thanks to  “Mama Laura”  we are experiencing some of the ‘Meals-on-our-own” from the  Jenny Craig Cookbook … wonderful.

We do plan ‘something special’ for our 35th Wedding anniversary on Wednesday… one of Laura’s family favorites of her youth… a Chicken Pot Pie but with a “South African Dutch-Malay” flavor. It’s called ‘Hoender Pastei’ down there… but it looks delicious. Here’s a sneak peek…

Hoender Pastei... or by any name... delicious!

It takes a lot to make a Hoender Pastei!

Roger Freberg

Laura’s baking her wonderful Amarula Carrot Cake, too!

Burquini …. this year’s best gag gift

Nope.... leaves too much to the imagination

Well, those evil cartoonists are at it again! First, it was those Dutch guys making fun of Islamic Fundamentalist Extremists ( ‘terrorists’ for short )… now it has gone main steam in my dear “OPUS”. I am all for appropriate ‘modesty’… but ‘holy Paris Hilton, Batman, this is ridiculous!”

Well, I guess we should have expected the usual threats to cartoonists, protests from the typical sources and boycotts from sympathetic newspapers have failed to discourage  OPUS  from being read and enjoyed by millions. Free speech is a beautiful thing… when it happens.

By the by, I am very much aware of “Islamic” fashion and here is a link to study as recommended by OPUS: ahiida.com . In case you think you are superior, your female relatives probably dressed like this… back in the 13th century, too.

Roger Freberg

 

the SCIENCE of Kissing!

Oh… she can dance… but can she kiss?

but can she kiss?

Three recent articles caught our eye…

1) In  Science Daily  they report that:

Research by the University at Albany  shows that information conveyed by a kiss can have profound consequences for romantic relationships, and can even be a major factor in ending one….. The UAlbany study also found sex differences in the importance and type of kissing. Males tended to kiss as a means to an end — to gain sexual favors or to reconcile. In contrast, females kiss to establish and monitor the status of their relationship, and to assess and periodically update the level of commitment on the part of a partner. ” 

DEAR DAD says: You can tell so much from a kiss… it goes without saying.

2) In another study reported in Science Daily, researchers found:

Men may be more willing than women to sacrifice achievement goals for a romantic relationship…”

DEAR DAD says: Well, I think the operative word here is ‘sacrifice.” Many men are willing to sacrifice much for those they love. In Japan, there is a word for ‘working oneself to death’ … basically to support one’s family and those he loves.

3) Lastly, a disturbing article about the advice college students on getting from health care professionals.

Dr. Grossman’s book,  Unprotected: A Campus Psychiatrist Reveals How Political Correctness in Her Profession Endangers Every Student,  was published in November 2006 by Penguin Group. She has been interviewed on over 100 radio shows, the FOX News Channel, and The 700 Club. Her book has received positive reviews in The Wall Street Journal, National Review, The Weekly Standard, The American Spectator, TownHall.com, and elsewhere.”

DEAR DAD says: Are we surprised? Many colleges and universities have become less a place for learning and the free discussion of ideas and developing values than institutions of indoctrination and regimentation.

Here’s a  link to a site  that shows you how far it can go.

Roger Freberg

Never Give Up… Never Surrender!

We have always enjoyed a little quote from a Star Trek spoof entitles “Galaxy Quest”:

“As long as there is injustice, whenever a Targathian baby cries out, wherever a distress signal sounds among the stars, we’ll be there. This fine ship, this fine crew. Never give up… and never surrender!” 

Sir Winston Churchill offered some advice during WWII…

 “The speech was made 29 October 1941 to the boys at Harrow School. ” Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” 

our modern Knights of this era 

There is something to learn here for all of us. ‘Never give up’ is a reminder not to defeat ourselves… because if we struggle… sometimes, we win…. but if we give up, we always lose.

Roger Freberg