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Article by Alpha-Girl
Lisa Fary's earliest influences are Princess Leia, Rainbow Bright, Astronaut Barbie, and her 6th grade teacher, Ms. Palmer. She's angry that it's 2011 and she still doesn't have a hovercraft, but will accept a jetpack as consolation. That jetpack had better be pink with a rhinestone monogram. 4 Comments
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I need to hunt down her study to really see how this was done, but it sounds like her conclusions are based on a lot of talk and not a lot of science. I agree, Tony Stark is an incredibly well-rounded character with daddy issues, woman issues, etc. Christian Bale's Batman has been great too, as was Ed Norton's Hulk. I don't know what movies she's actually talking about!
Rosalind
Girls Are Geeks
I've poked around looking at other reporting on the study – some of them have further quotes from the Dr., but in all of them, the only hero she names by name is Iron Man, who she says is cool because he shows off his money and exploits women. I'm not sure if this is her summation or something she heard numerous times from kids. And I thought it was the armor that made him awesome.
When not in superhero costume, these men, like Ironman, exploit women, flaunt bling and convey their manhood with high-powered guns.
There seems to be a comprehension error on the Doctor's part here. She talks about these things as if Stark is rolling around like In Like Flint or something, when in reality those activities that Stark participates in are cast in a negative light (especially in the second film). At first all seems good, but when Stark can't stop partying or drinking he loses respect and people close to him–like Pepper and Rhodey.
You're right on in being being confused as to the ideal. Basically, you can't be aggressive, but you can't be passive because if you are aggressive you are a meat head and violent and if you are somewhat passive, you are feminine. You can't be too muscular because again you will be a meat head, but if you are too skinny you are a nerd. If you are really dumb, than you are stupid, but if you are too smart you are a nerd(it is insane that people see a problem with being too smart). You must be sensitive to the needs of others, but not sensitive in terms of inner emotions(because then you are a wimp). You have to drink beer because well, I don't know I can't answer that one. Basically you need to be mediocre I guess.
It's pretty sticky. I'm sure there's a similar list of things like this for women.