Comments on: The Reason Why http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/ The world according to a hula hooping, TKD black-belt wearing, radio show producing physiologist with aspirations of science journalism. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:37:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Marshall http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-980 Marshall Thu, 15 May 2008 21:12:07 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-980 As the son of a woman who has: 1. University training as a Geologist and Computer Scientist 2. Was the highest paid woman at Standard Oil in 1970 3. Worked for NASA & JPL 4. Programmed computers back when they used punchcards I've never had issues with women who are smart. To me it's the empty-headed uberprimps that are the strange ones. As the son of a woman who has:

1. University training as a Geologist and Computer Scientist
2. Was the highest paid woman at Standard Oil in 1970
3. Worked for NASA & JPL
4. Programmed computers back when they used punchcards

I’ve never had issues with women who are smart. To me it’s the empty-headed uberprimps that are the strange ones.

]]> By: Geoff Offermann http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-971 Geoff Offermann Wed, 14 May 2008 16:13:43 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-971 There's a song, Four-Eyed Girl, by one of my favorite artists, Rhett Miller, that is an ode of sorts to left-minded women. Two of us in a double-feature I'm a rock and roller she's a science teacher I send her looks they don't reach her She does not know I'm in love with her Later on it's no better She wants to take a walk so I let her I watch her go and then I go and get her I have to spell it out for her La-la-la I'm in love with a four-eyed girl There’s a song, Four-Eyed Girl, by one of my favorite artists, Rhett Miller, that is an ode of sorts to left-minded women.

Two of us in a double-feature
I’m a rock and roller she’s a science teacher
I send her looks they don’t reach her
She does not know I’m in love with her
Later on it’s no better
She wants to take a walk so I let her
I watch her go and then I go and get her
I have to spell it out for her
La-la-la I’m in love with a four-eyed girl

]]> By: Nico http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-960 Nico Fri, 09 May 2008 15:10:48 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-960 Kiki, I heard you on the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe, and I thought the way you talk, your ideas, your passion for science and your intelligence were incredibly attractive. On top of that, your voice is soft, and very pleasant to hear. I made my way over here, and BAM, you're also gorgeous. It's ok for you to be gorgeous. And it's ok for you to be (much) smarter than the average babe. Keep up the good work :) Kiki, I heard you on the Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe, and I thought the way you talk, your ideas, your passion for science and your intelligence were incredibly attractive.
On top of that, your voice is soft, and very pleasant to hear.
I made my way over here, and BAM, you’re also gorgeous.

It’s ok for you to be gorgeous. And it’s ok for you to be (much) smarter than the average babe.

Keep up the good work :)

]]> By: Trish http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-955 Trish Wed, 07 May 2008 21:33:07 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-955 I thought you would be interested in these: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25764851@N06/2460738368/in/set-72157604854282143/ She got first place and not only did all of the kids love her project, the adults and judges did as well. Two even wrote on her report that they learned stuff they didn't know (silly scientists!) As you can see from the pictures, each drink was hooked up to a small lightbulb and a battery (To cut down on the possibility of electricution!) which was all her idea. It was a total hit! Thank you again. A million times!!! Our new saying around the house is "Beauty and Brains"...thank you for being such a wonderful role model for her. I thought you would be interested in these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25764851@N06/2460738368/in/set-72157604854282143/

She got first place and not only did all of the kids love her project, the adults and judges did as well. Two even wrote on her report that they learned stuff they didn’t know (silly scientists!)

As you can see from the pictures, each drink was hooked up to a small lightbulb and a battery (To cut down on the possibility of electricution!) which was all her idea. It was a total hit! Thank you again. A million times!!! Our new saying around the house is “Beauty and Brains”…thank you for being such a wonderful role model for her.

]]> By: az http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-939 az Sat, 03 May 2008 00:07:41 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-939 What the heck does 'too pretty' mean anyway? I'd love to do make fun of this from a plethora of philosophical paradigms - they'll all lead to the same place - it's okay to be who you are... and be good at science or whatever else you do. Conformity is Way over-rated... 'been there, done that. But I will wax philosophical on this one observation - how times have changed! In the present world, you're a non-conformist if you are good-looking and smart. Wow! Not too long ago, this was the ideal to aim for. What's there left to say? We start from a twisted premise and where are we left to go with it? Kiki, please don't feel that this needs to be defended in any way. What the heck does ‘too pretty’ mean anyway? I’d love to do make fun of this from a plethora of philosophical paradigms - they’ll all lead to the same place - it’s okay to be who you are… and be good at science or whatever else you do. Conformity is Way over-rated… ‘been there, done that.

But I will wax philosophical on this one observation - how times have changed! In the present world, you’re a non-conformist if you are good-looking and smart. Wow!

Not too long ago, this was the ideal to aim for.

What’s there left to say? We start from a twisted premise and where are we left to go with it? Kiki, please don’t feel that this needs to be defended in any way.

]]> By: Mark http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-926 Mark Thu, 01 May 2008 11:13:45 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-926 Hey again Dr Kiki, Yes, thank you so much for doing your part to break this awful stereotype. In that show Big Bang, they have the typical genius nerds with no social skills and the hot chick who is nearly brain dead; BUT with you we get the genius nerd who is the hot chick. Brilliant Hey again Dr Kiki,
Yes, thank you so much for doing your part to break this awful stereotype. In that show Big Bang, they have the typical genius nerds with no social skills and the hot chick who is nearly brain dead; BUT with you we get the genius nerd who is the hot chick. Brilliant

]]> By: Trish http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-925 Trish Thu, 01 May 2008 03:37:06 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-925 Sheesh, If I would have known my comment would make your front page I would have proof read it better! I showed your blog to my daughter (Caitlin) and she turned bright red and couldn't stop smiling..a rarity! She couldn't wait for me to show her dad, grandma and teacher and called her best friend. I loved seeing how excited she could get from the validation that you spoke of. Tomorrow is the science fair (you get a very nice write-up on her acknowledgments page, btw) and I will be taking pictures to email. Also, yesterday I asked her what she wanted for her birthday later this month. She said a hamster and a LAB COAT! I guess she wants to start a fashion trend in 4th grade science lab! Sheesh, If I would have known my comment would make your front page I would have proof read it better! I showed your blog to my daughter (Caitlin) and she turned bright red and couldn’t stop smiling..a rarity! She couldn’t wait for me to show her dad, grandma and teacher and called her best friend. I loved seeing how excited she could get from the validation that you spoke of.
Tomorrow is the science fair (you get a very nice write-up on her acknowledgments page, btw) and I will be taking pictures to email.
Also, yesterday I asked her what she wanted for her birthday later this month. She said a hamster and a LAB COAT!
I guess she wants to start a fashion trend in 4th grade science lab!

]]> By: Jeff McCord http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-916 Jeff McCord Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:52:07 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-916 Bravo to this awesome Mother and to Dr. K for showing us this post. As a son, my Mother is smart and beautiful and even though I'm a boy commenting about a "girl/woman" topic, it's a fight that both sexes fight. There's nothing wrong with being smart and having fashion. There's nothing wrong with being smart and wanting to look MOXIE. Being smart is what makes a person, in my opinion, go far in this life as we all know, looks fade... but having MOXIE (fashion sense w/ intelligence) is something that will never go away! Bravo! I praise you women!!! Jeff McCord www.jeffmccord.org Bravo to this awesome Mother and to Dr. K for showing us this post. As a son, my Mother is smart and beautiful and even though I’m a boy commenting about a “girl/woman” topic, it’s a fight that both sexes fight. There’s nothing wrong with being smart and having fashion. There’s nothing wrong with being smart and wanting to look MOXIE.

Being smart is what makes a person, in my opinion, go far in this life as we all know, looks fade… but having MOXIE (fashion sense w/ intelligence) is something that will never go away!

Bravo! I praise you women!!!
Jeff McCord
www.jeffmccord.org

]]> By: Joan http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-908 Joan Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:34:35 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-908 You hit the nail on the head here. I saw that original tweet and as a woman, it made me pretty angry. That particular person took a few seconds to look at one picture, used less than 140 letters to insult your character and reveal himself to be a jerk, then needed hundreds of words to explain why he wasn't really being an unmindful jerk, he just had a "different perspective!" He didn't apologize, either. I have to say, I think you took it better than I would have. If only you'd been around when I was a kid, maybe I'd have studied natural science! When I was a young girl, I didn't have actual science/tech role models to look up to. Heck, I didn't even have fictional ones. When I started college, I began watching TechTV and The Screen Savers. To see intelligent women like Jessica Corbin, Sarah Lane, Megan Morrone actively and unapologetically displaying their intelligence was a breath of fresh air. I was sad to see them go, but I'm excited to see them back with new media. Keep up the good work! You hit the nail on the head here. I saw that original tweet and as a woman, it made me pretty angry. That particular person took a few seconds to look at one picture, used less than 140 letters to insult your character and reveal himself to be a jerk, then needed hundreds of words to explain why he wasn’t really being an unmindful jerk, he just had a “different perspective!” He didn’t apologize, either. I have to say, I think you took it better than I would have.

If only you’d been around when I was a kid, maybe I’d have studied natural science! When I was a young girl, I didn’t have actual science/tech role models to look up to. Heck, I didn’t even have fictional ones. When I started college, I began watching TechTV and The Screen Savers. To see intelligent women like Jessica Corbin, Sarah Lane, Megan Morrone actively and unapologetically displaying their intelligence was a breath of fresh air. I was sad to see them go, but I’m excited to see them back with new media.

Keep up the good work!

]]> By: Chris http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-907 Chris Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:25:03 +0000 http://www.kirstensanford.com/2008/04/28/the-reason-why/#comment-907 I am the proud father of a 3.5 year old girl, and I have to admit, I dread the "brain-drain" trend of teenage girls. I saw it happen to three sisters and I simply can't have it happen to my daughter. But what to do? This post sheds some wonderful light on the issue. We need more women who are both girly and brainy. I feel that this sort of thing would make far more impact than me huffing and puffing about how brains are sexy... I am the proud father of a 3.5 year old girl, and I have to admit, I dread the “brain-drain” trend of teenage girls. I saw it happen to three sisters and I simply can’t have it happen to my daughter. But what to do? This post sheds some wonderful light on the issue. We need more women who are both girly and brainy. I feel that this sort of thing would make far more impact than me huffing and puffing about how brains are sexy…

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