Jezebel 
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New York, 3:58 PM
Sun Nov 8
25 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/06/09
WHOA. Hold the presses. Women are worth listening to? They're not just something to stand there, look good and sell products? And if they are allowed to speak, they might have something interesting to say that doesn't involve semi-humorous anecdotes about their personal lives? And listening to a woman might actually be enjoyable? You might actually enjoy AND benefit from such a thing? That's wild! Someone tell Conan!
Jon Stewart, you are a man ahead of your times.
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"...but her conservative outfits and simple hair also give her a certain freedom — the freedom to talk about what she wants to talk about, without participating in a played-out sexual script."
That doesn't sound like freedom at all -- it's just an example of the constraint placed upon women that attractiveness supersedes intelligence, that one must be avoided in order for the other to be recognized. 'Choosing' to avoid attractiveness in order for her intelligence to be the subject of conversation isn't a choice at all, it's a sacrifice -- one that no one should have to make.
10/06/09
shes not there to sell a product based on her appearance (such a movie or tv show), but on her knowledge. knowledge doesnt need to be tarted up and paraded around in 4 inch heels. so if she doesnt feel the need to dress like that in her day to day, why would she bother for this?
some women dont actually spend a lot of time obsessing over their appearance, but that doesnt mean that they've forsaken attractiveness for intelligence. they've just prioritized it differently.
10/06/09
She clearly dresses with an aesthetic in mind, she's not ungroomed or presenting an attitude that she doesn't care at all. Just that she doesn't care that much. And I think what she does "play up", if you want to call it that, is the fact that she's unusual looking, cute, spunky, and very bright. There should be room for that without claiming it's avoiding something.
Also, I mean, you seem to be assuming that there's only one kind of physical attractiveness which she would then need to be avoiding. Which is assuming she conforms to it in some way. Or that it's a sacrifice to her. It really doesn't seem to be.
By not feeling she needs to play into our rather narrow beauty standards I'd say Vowell is doing quite well.
10/06/09
The first thing I thought of is that Jon would never adoringly say "You're so smart" to any male author who went off on a hyperarticulate monologue about the topic of their book.
I didn't dwell on it, but it did register as a little patronizing.
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10/06/09
And he's also the host of a comedy show - it's his job to make light of things every once in a while. In this case, it's how amazingly smart Sarah Vowell is.
10/06/09
Especially since my track record shows that I am the quickest into bed with intelligent men who look me meaningfully in the eyes and say "my god, you are so smart." Trust me, I've done the math.
10/06/09
... and then Lewis and Clark totally threw a hissy fit! But I kind of don't blame them because walking to the Pacific would be a major ass ache!
10/06/09
"and then World War II happened, and Modernists were like, oh shit! art was supposed to save the world! and it didn't! and it's wayyyy more fucked up than we ever conceived of! FUCKKKKK. ok. let's keep writing, and remember our sincere roots, but like, be sarcastic and nihilistic to make up for how bummed we are about this situation."
10/06/09
...So the bats are all, shit, man, where are we gonna live? Hey, check it, trees on a pig farm, and Nipah virus was like "Hey, pigs, how YOU doing?
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Some day, my love...
10/06/09
I need to avoid imagining what would've happened had Jon Stewart been there as well.
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10/06/09
Move over, "So how you doin?", a new pick-up line has entered my weak, weak, arsenal ;)
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I am generally a sad, weeping whore for any and all compliments, but (sincere) remarks about one's intelligence and/or wit are always the best. I think I can remember outright weeping when I got a COTD, then trying to explain to everyone what I was so worked up about. In other news, my co-workers think that I am batshit insane. They are correct.
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Do yourself a favor and read "Assasination Vacation" which is my favorite book by her. It's hilarious and super educational.
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10/06/09
Word on the blushing, though. Telling me I'm pretty will get a guy nowhere – but if he calls me smart or funny (and is smart or funny enough himself to recognize it), well, that's gonna get at least an embarrassed giggle and an 'Oh, stop!'
10/06/09