The intelligence debate. Why?

[spokette]

Maybe I am cynical, but I think the only reason this debate (I use the term loosely) is occuring is because she is a woman. If she had been a man, there would not be this level of jaw dropping incredulity being shown by the media.

In 2009, an intelligent woman still appears to be a misnomer for a lot of journalists and members of the public

Why can't the media just celebrate her as an intelligent, articulate and well informed person?

I agree - "woman with brain shocker"!

Having said that, I watched the final and thought Manchester was robbed! They were generally the stronger side until the last few rounds which all seemed to be classics questions which rather favoured the CC team .

But then I've always been a bit anti-Oxbridge cos Paxman is always so biased towards them!

Has she been called a 'blue stocking' yet?

Actually I think that there is another degree of discrimination going on, I think that part of the hoo-ha is because she is young(ish). We live in a society which has demonised the young and we tend to assume that they are all verging on illiterate.

I got bored reading the article. It's wrong anyway, as UC does test 'fluid' intelligence. Did anyone actually know the answer to the question about some South American currency? Not many, but the question was analysed and the answer extrapolated via vaguely related existing knowledge and deduction; La Trimble did it very quickly, but anyone else could have done it.

GT has a head stuffed full of stuff because she has read a great deal. She is capable of putting things which seem unrelated together and coming up with an answer. She can do this very quickly. She is extremely clever and I admire her hugely.

And no, we would not be having this discussion if she were a bloke.

I agree with all that Jux just said.

I would add that her retention as well as recall of information is absolutely amazing. I can't remember a lot of what I have read!

I said exactly the same thing to my DH - if she were male there would be no debate. He looked at me really strangely and said I was being unrealistic. I still think that I'm not. Men may think women are treated equally these days, but they are not.