Tags
art, books, glasses, intelligence, maths, movies, nerd, sexy, stereotypes, writing
(Yep sorry I am not talking about Nano like every other blogger posting today, hopefully the post will be just as rewarding.)
I have an image I reblogged on tumblr whereby it says intelligence is sexy. I wanted to reblog it a hundred times. Intelligence is damn sexy. I don’t understand why it is often seen as “lame” and “uncool”. I even added it as a shirt on my redbubble account to promote the sexiness of intelligence.
I wanted to find some interesting ‘intelligent people’ photos. So, I typed in nerd as one of the most blatant terms for people who are intelligent. On a stock site where they keep many photographs pretty much ALL of the photographs had the models in glasses. Why? The “cool/attractive” 
females were in skimpy outfits, pouting or doing the puppy eyes. The males all looked blatantly “unattractive”. I chose the most stereotypical representation of what a nerd would look like. I giggle when I look at it, it’s so stupid.
Being intelligent doesn’t mean your unattractive. Being attractive doesn’t mean you intelligent. But why do these stereotypes exist? Do intelligent people innately lack fashion sense, hygiene and good looks in books or movies? Why isn’t intelligent seen as a stereotype of attractiveness in its own right?
I understand that we are humans and as humans we are visual. We make judgments, assumptions and interpretations based on what we see because without such evolutionary feats we probably wouldn’t be where we are. But just because we are visual people doesn’t mean that intelligence should be associated with an unattractive person, especially geniuses. Why are people surprised when beautiful women or men are geniuses?
Why are glasses seen as unattractive? Why has intelligence been paired with glasses? Maybe intelligent individuals study a lot and therefore wear out their eyes in their teenage years? I think that it is a genetic factor that they need glasses rather than whether they are intelligent or not. As a straight female I find both men wearing glasses and without just AS sexy as the other. Why should one be better? I grew up watching movies and advertisements where glasses made you look ‘smarter’ but all models, beautiful people never wore glasses as if it somehow flawed their beauty. People wonder why young teenage boys and girls obsess over their pimples rather than grades but it’s quite a simple message the media sends about what is more “attractive” and socially desirable.
I have known individuals who have repressed their intelligence because they think it’s desirable to be ditsy or clueless. To me that is a completely unattractive trait. I watched movies where the heroine was gutsy, passionate, often a fighter and was usually the most intelligent of the group. I always looked up to those characters because they were independent, fierce and strong in numerous ways. I was gifted with intelligence, nothing out of this world but I achieved, with little effort, good grades. I was never ashamed and instead because I valued intelligence and thought it was attractive and “superior” trait it drove me further to prove myself as an intelligent student and clever individual.
Why don’t we advertise the beauty of intelligence? Why doesn’t the media promote the beauty and value of intelligence in terms of physical attractiveness? If intelligence is sought after in terms of employment and people who are intelligent are revered then why is the stereotype of intelligent people unattractive, lame and lack fashion sense?
Just like personality, for me at least, intelligence enhances one’s appearance by a lot. Although I am only one human being I try to promote how sexy intelligence is as I heavily complement those with smarts. If I ever had children I would remind them how attractive intelligence and knowledge is and how it often only ripens with age as oppose to physical appearance. If my partner wasn’t intelligent I wouldn’t be with him. Physical appearance is important to some extent. Personality and intelligence together seal the deal for me. Is it weird that I would find somebody whispering mathematical calculations in my ear, leading me through their exquisite artwork or discussing the complexities of life (to be blatant) hot? Maybe I am, maybe not. Whatever kind of intelligence it is I hold a strong belief. Intelligence is sexy, damn sexy.
– Ermisenda Alvarez
Intelligence is damn sexy! Thank you for posting this! I just graduated with my Masters in June and my Fiance is working on his Ph.D. in genetics. I am proud to be smart, and even prouder to have a Fiance that is really smart. In fact, I enjoy bragging that he is getting his Ph.D. and seeing peoples reactions. My brain always has the same conversation with itself, “I see that face you’re making. Damn straight he is smart. And I’m the lucky one that will get to spend forever with him!”
I actually feel bad for people with a lower intelligence. Really, those are just the people that make fun of the intelligent folk because they are jealous/envious/wish they were smarter.
Congratulations on both your masters and having an intelligent (attractive) fiance! We should stay proud being smart. We should continue to promote this pride (but not arrogance) to the world. A lot of it is often jealously but at the same time it is simply fear, they are intimidated by intelligent people and therefore reject them. A sad repetitive mistake humans love to make with different cultures, races, sexes, intelligence levels etc. Thanks for leaving a comment and promoting intelligence as attractive!
That’s a very inspirational post! Indeed intelligence is sexy… and I’ve been struggling in my whole life to prove it to the world. Why shouldn’t the ability to keep good grades work with the ability to keep one’s own physical beauty? people who are intelligent know what is best for their body; they are intelligent enough to know which fashion trend goes well with them… so intelligence is to be in harmony with sexiness! I hate the media for reflecting out such different proof-less assumptions. I hate it when people are surprise that a genius is beautiful!
Too bad that because of this brainwashing media, even nerds begin to dress poorly – the young people are being influenced! This is not good! :S
Thanks so much for sharing this great post!
I hate media sometimes too. Some things they get right but definitely not all. It’s all about what sells. Its much more profitable for people to sell beauty as the key to life, changes to your creams/clothes/hair keep so many businesses alive. They thrive off your insecurities with physical beauty. It wouldn’t be as profitable to promote intelligence in the same way, or would it? Regardless of the “what ifs” we live in the here and now. This is our world and it’s up to us to change it. Thanks for commenting and I am glad you are on this side of the battle field. Intelligence is sexy! *promotes*
Since I cannot say it better than Daphnee, I’m copping out here: “what she said.” LOL
I’m a bit confused as to what you’re getting at in this post. I completely agree that intelligence is sexy, and I think it makes a person more attractive, but in the same way that someone with a sense of humour becomes more attractive. But no matter how intelligent the person, if they are extraordinarily unattractive then I probably will not be sexually attracted to them, hence probably not find them sexy. Intelligence does not make you sexy, but it is a sexy trait (I personally at least find). Intelligent people can be both physically attractive and unattractive. I agree that the media should portray both these things, but intelligence itself does not equal attractiveness. For me, if I meet someone I will notice perhaps how they look physically, and if they’re intelligent this will only enhance my perception of their beauty. If I meet someone incredibly attractive, but also incredibly dim witted then then for me they become less attractive, less sexy I suppose. However, if they’re intelligent and also a complete wanker it won’t matter how intelligent they are, I will not find them sexually appealing at all.
I think the mistake you made was typing in nerd. A nerd is a stereotype. Yes it has strong connotations with intelligence because it’s associated with studiousness, i.e. people who study study study generally achieve higher marks. People who study study study also tend to miss out on the more social aspects of life, hence are possible slightly more socially awkward than someone who doesn’t perhaps study study study. If you’re more socially awkward you might wear less socially “hot” outfits. Nerd is not intelligence. And many people make the mistake of using these terms interchangeably.
Also, perhaps nerd is associated with unattractive, because attractive people do not generally have to work as hard in life to get far. If two people go for an interview, if one is incredibly attractive, they are probably just as likely to be chosen as someone who has exceptional skills but is unattractive. This is horrible, and it isn’t always the case, but humans are visual creatures, and all our decisions are heavily influenced by our emotions, hence our emotional reaction to people, even when we think we’re making rational decisions. What I am getting at here is that if you’re less than attractive then you might find other areas of life to excel. You might not be asked out to socialise, or wanted on the sports team, or accepted in school as much. You might retreat perhaps (only enhancing social awkwardness), and you might turn to studies as your way of succeeding in life. You may not be a model or popular, but dammit you’re going to be smart, go to uni, and become extraordinarily rich. Those bitches that call you names will end up working for you.
So, my point here is that, due to the cruelness and superficiality that exists in our society, those that are unattractive may turn to this nerd stereotype as their way of succeeding in life.
I think this, and a combination with perhaps less intelligent people being envious or jealous was what created this stereotype. There had to be something there, and then someone to reinforce it.
Now, that is describing the stereotype of a nerd, not intelligence. I know many many many many intelligent people who do not fit that stereotype at all, who are very intelligent. No one would call them a nerd because they don’t fit this stereotype. You are one of these people Ermisenda. You are attractive, you are intelligent, you are SOCIAL, you are not socially awkward. YOU are not the definition or stereotype of a nerd.
I think in this day and age, intelligence is not seen as a bad thing, or unattractive. At my university at least, talking to males who are extremely attractive, one of the things they value most is intelligence (and good looks :P) From what I have grasped they are interested in attractive girls, but if that girl is not intelligent she loses her appeal. So intelligence is sexy to them. It is also to me, only I’d hope I was a little less superficial than some of my friends. Intelligence to them, and to me, serves as a trait that enhances somebody’s beauty, it makes them more attractive, and it is a sexy trait, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are physically attractive. If someone is hilarious, it enhances their attractiveness, but once again, it does not necessarily mean that they are attractive.
Type intelligence/intelligent people into google and you do not get pictures of the stereotype ‘nerd’.
Nerd is not intelligence, and intelligence is not nerd.
Whether glasses or “cliche nerd” characteristics are attractive is dependent on the person. I know people who find glasses endearing and cute.
Whether intelligence is attractive, is also subjective, but it seems the consensus to this is yes. At least at university. I suppose it all depends on your demographic, and your cultural values, but I can assure you, at university in Australia, intelligence IS sexy.
Sorry for this long post, I do hope you read it. I had a lot to say. 🙂
I think your point in saying that in this day and age that men find intelligence also attractive might also have to do with your social groups. If you’re attending university that skews the responses as oppose to just asking the average joes on the street. While you have descibed that intelligence does not equal sexiness, which I hope I didn’t imply in the post, it is sexy in it’s own right. Just because it is sexy doesn’t mean that the person is drop dead gorgeous to everyone for those reasons. Like you have pointed out there are physically attractive people who are arrogant pigs but the physical attraction doesn’t compensate for that personality defecit (in my opinion). But that doesn’t mean that their physical appearance wasn’t sexy. Just like intelligence is still sexy regardless of other parts of the person. To me intelligence overrides certain faults, easier than physical appearance but not all of course. Social capabilities are important. I simply referred to the NERD because people can easily associate with that stereotype and why that stereotype is so popular and used in our “day and age” as an insult saddens me. I think in more developed countries it is more likely that the people value intelligence as attractive, that point focuses on the fight for equality with women and the virtues they were forced to take or strive for. Even if everyone, through all periods of time, of all cultures, found intelligence sexy what we do have as a repetitiive theme with women (at least) is that physical attractiveness is her most valuable jewel that men seek. (Disney movies will also generally teach you that, the prince becomes captivated by her beauty (rather than wit/intelligence) which saves many of the princesses.)
My main point with the entire post was not to dissect the entire ordeal because of course, it’s to do with attractiveness. Which is, at it’s core, subjective. Everyone’s thoughts change depending on where you live and the culture you grew up in. The post stood to simply promote how intelligence is sexy, not claiming that everyone else thinks that it’s not, but to give intelligence it’s deserved attention about how attractive it is. That kind of attention physical beauty receives every day around us on television, magazines and within social gatherings.
The stereotyping still exists but overall, I think being smart is more widely accepted these days. Even glasses are now the “in” thing, especially when young Hollywood chooses to wear specs even when they don’t need to.
To me, there is nothing more unattractive than a man or woman who is unable to hold a conversation without stumbling over his/her words.
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Once again, I think that “acceptance” depends on where people sit in social groups and socio-economic status. But I agree with you, amongst certain groups intelligence is definitely attractive. Although I generally do hear more physical attractiveness statements (primarily about women) in terms of attractiveness, intelligence is seen as a bonus. I agree, if I can’t hold good conversations with you then that really damages appeal of the relationship (friendship or otherwise).
Intelligence should definitely be encouraged to be seen as a positive thing, a sexy thing, and yes I do value it more than how attractive a person actually is. But like Ti said, I think the negative stereotype has become a little dated. Perhaps it is my social group, but even in primary school (in a bogan area) intelligence was accepted and appreciated, and this only became more the case as I grew older and people had a better understanding of what intelligence meant, what it could mean. Perhaps it is based on your demographic, because perhaps in a lower-socio demographic people will tease those who are intelligent because they are aware at least on a sub-conscious level that those intelligent people have the chance to escape this standard of living.
But again, generally people teased are those who are unattractive not those who are intelligent, or look nerdish. You find these days “hipster” is basically the nerd look for attractive people. High waisted things, big rimmed glasses.If you look like a “nerd” but are beautiful (then you probably are not a nerd because you’re probably socially accepted) it’s doubtful you’ll be teased as much. I think the problem rests our cultures superficiality more than anything. Also, Nerd isn’t just a look though. Nerd means socially awkward, lacking social skills, boring, and studious. That is what a nerd is. If you’re teased for being a nerd it’s probably because of these things not because of your intelligence. And heck, even if you are a nerd, in all of the above ways, but are extremely beautiful, chances are you’re not going to be teased. Our culture is a very superficial one Ermisenda.
But intelligence itself is seen as sexy by the majority I believe, in our culture. Maybe we have a little way to go before it becomes more important that physical attractiveness, but the fact that many males and females I speak to wouldn’t date someone no matter how attractive if they were idiotic means we’re on the right track.
I don’t think intelligence itself is seen as sexy by the majority, attractive maybe, sexy is a whole different thing. Maybe I am wrong on that statement, maybe not. At least we agree that intelligence is sexy. Thanks for commenting!
I wouldn’t use the word sexy to describe intelligence. To be honest, it’s a complete turn-off for me if my partner says anything intellectual during sex. Is that just me? There isn’t a single one of my hot spots that responds to that. Not one. Am I attracted to intelligence? Yes, but not necessarily intelligent people, and not necessarily for sex.
Too many intelligent people lack the ability to restrain their conceit. That is not sexy. They feel sorry for or even impugn someone like me. Or they value their own wisdom so much they can’t shut their mouths and listen. Seriously. Get over yourself. You don’t even know how to do a simple thing like make me feel like I matter.
If I’m fortunate enough to have a greater capacity for understanding than someone else, I should understand first how to validate them. It reminds me of this brilliant quote from one of my favorite authors.
“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?”
~ A. A. Milne
Bear of very little brain.
As for stereotypes, I hope they don’t really matter. My glasses make me look hot. The only person I ever saw with theirs taped together, was mentally handicapped and it was the result of some “smarter” kid bullying him.
It’s like you said; we’re visually oriented. When we see a hot guy we don’t notice that he’s smart, we notice that he’s hot and he goes in the hot bucket. When we see some creeper guy, we notice he’s smart. When it all gets sorted out, there aren’t any hot guys in the smart bucket, because they’re all in the hot bucket.
Thanks for sharing your opinion! Maybe I am part of the minority who see intelligence as sexy, although I think some of your examples may be describing arrogant individuals who are intelligent. I dislike people who try to add many smart words into their speech simply to show off. Throughout history humans have competed amongst each other to have the best mating chances, however that may be attained – physical beauty, wealth, intelligence. Everyone values different things when searching for mates. Some people see expensive jewels on an individual which puts them in that ‘hot bucket’ you described so well. 🙂 For me ( and maybe others) when someone has proven their intelligence (whatever shade of intelligence) they jump into that hot bucket just like men who excel in physical beauty. I hate arrogance and I agree that intelligent people are more than often bullies as well. That is just as bad as the other way around.
Based on people I’ve personally talked to, I would say I was the minority and maybe I should have said so sooner. I was just sharing why I think relatively few of the intelligent people I know actually turn me on. And you know on the flip-side, I got very turned on the last time someone said I was hot because I was intelligent. 🙂
I think you’re confusing intelligence with arrogance Anne 🙂 Just because someone’s intelligent it does not mean they use long difficult words or try to sound like a genius. I personally believe that if you’re intelligent then you can convey the message you want to convey using the simplest and least amount of words. For example, “what’s for lunch?” as oppose to “When upon the time will thy food reacheth upon my stomach and fornicate in my bowels to produce feelings of ease and feed my brain and body?” :P:P That’s not intelligence… that’s just someone being a pretentious wanker because they feel they need to act in a certain way to be perceived as intelligent. True intelligence is knowing when it’s appropriate to use such language and knowing when you’re just going to sound like a douche. Like… a university essay vs hanging out with friends.
But I agree. If I were having sex with someone and they were to say something intellectual it might kill my buz…. But I’d be more inclined to have sex with someone who was intelligent because personally I find it an incredibly desirable and attractive attribute. If I were going to tap that though I’d want them to be hot as well! But, intelligence doesn’t mean being able to quote Einstein theories, it can be as simple as having good common sense, street smarts, being incredibly creative, such as an artist (creativity is a kind of intelligence), or not being ignorant about race, gender, etc. And can’t people be in more than one bucket? 😦 😛
AND FINALLY someone has said that it’s not just “dumb”/attractive people who bully intelligent people to make themselves feel better. It goes both ways. If anything, intelligent people are possible the most dangerous of bullies (if they happen to be a dickhead intelligent person), finding it easier to manipulate others or emotionally traumatise them, OR make them feel inadequate with their “superior language” and “higher education.” There’s not a conspiracy against the nerds… everyone get’s bullied, and intelligent people are probably behind a huge amount of it.
I agree! But on a personal level, I think I’m more attracted to intellect than sheer intelligence.