As a writer, not only do I write, but I read. I read for my blog, I read for fun, and I read to improve myself as a writer.
I admit, I’m kind of a sucker for those “5 things never to do as a blogger/in social media/etc.” lists. Today, I stumbled across one that said “Do not try to be smart.” No doubt the author was trying to convey that you should be careful that you don’t come off as pretentious in your writing, which can be pretty abrasive.
Still, it felt like a little bit of a blow, because she talked (in a nutshell) about how starting over, destroying her old blog and dumbing down her writing was one of the best things she had ever done. Knowing what I know about females dominating blogging and blog-reading statistics, this makes me want to get all uppity.
I don’t consider myself smart. Educated? Okay, but nothing that I know is out of reach for anybody with internet access or a library card. I can’t solve a Rubik’s cube even with directions, and I can’t figure out how ANYBODY solves the NY Times crossword puzzle. I am merely a walking repository of generally useless (but interesting!) facts that I collect like knick-knacks. I like to share that joy I get from little bits of info; it’s exactly the same feeling people get when they find money on the ground or a great deal at the store, and they just have to tell the whole world. True story: I just learned today (from my 5 year old son, no less) that Jupiter has the fastest rotation. Its “day” is only 9.8 hours long.
Kick. Ass. Maybe one day I will go rock Jeopardy.
But this woman’s post still troubles me because of the effort she went through to disguise her own intelligence. She changed her whole “writing voice” so that she wouldn’t appear smart.
What’s wrong with being “smart?” Why aren’t women supposed to write and read topics that make them think? Why should all of our reading material be tailored to less than 500 words and written in language suitable for a reader with junior high education? I thought we learned from the whole Barbie doll fiasco and the whole “Math is hard!” thing, but it appears that we’ve taken a few steps backwards.
To what end? Women make up more overall university enrolment in North America. They’re breaking through the glass ceiling and beginning to take on roles that have been traditionally dominated by men. Are they supposed to take their degrees and go play dumb, or is her statement supposed to be some sort of backhanded suggestion that people who read blogs are stupid?
The internet is a place of congress where people can share great thoughts together, commiserate, and learn from each other. It is not just a place to look at cat pictures and recipes. We all need “smart” people in our lives. We need something to reach for. Someone to help us keep growing. We need to support each other as women and tell each other it’s a good thing to indulge in self-improvement that doesn’t involve losing weight or a trip to the beauty salon.
Rise up, my fellow females, and strut your smarts. Read with your kids. Ask silly questions. Go watch a documentary. Seek answers to the meaning of life and find joy in it. Knowledge is power, and nobody’s too old to learn.