Books & Covers

At a fun little party over the weekend a friend teased a 10-year old girl, saying "books SHOULD be judged by covers, that's the rule." She, in wise 5th grade fashion, argued back and gave some good examples of terrible books she has purchased or borrowed based on attractive covers.

I thought about her today as I was trying to figure out why two current events are really under my skin:

1) The omnipresent adoration of Susan Boyle.

The girl's got pipes. No doubt about it.

But so do a lot of people on these reality talent shows.* Why are we so "inspired" by Boyle in particular? I watched the youtube clip where they pan to the audience before she sings. She's says she's 47. She undulates a bit to be silly. People grimace at the sight of her. Then she sings and they are magically transformed...."ahhhh! tears! cherubs! angels!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk)

Her popularity seems to be a function of the unexpectedness of her talent. But why was it unexpected? The very nature of these shows is that you can find talent anywhere. Anywhere, I suppose except in the single, dowdy fortysomething crowd. She is older, she is not traditionally pretty, she's overweight. But how do any of those characteristics affect someone's singing?

It's very cool that this person's life long dream is coming true. But as for taking inspiration from it? The whole thing had the opposite effect on me and reminded me of how moronic our culture often really is.

2) And speaking of morons.....it's Miss USA** time!

Miss California was asked about whether or not gay marriage should be allowed and she replied that she thinks it's just great that in America we can choose between same sex marriage and this interesting thing she's calling "opposite" marriage. (seemingly oblivious that the entire point of the question is that such a choice DOES NOT exist) But that for her, she thinks, marriage is between a man and a woman. (insert controversy here)

And of course it's all very funny because pretty girls are supposed to be stupid. Miss South Carolina and the maps for the Iraqs and what-not. Good times.

If you're traditionally beautiful, we will expect and take pleasure in your inarticulateness. If you're older and a little homely, you can't possibly have any sort of talent and if you do we will be SHOCKED! When is the last time you've seen this stereotype applied to men?

What does this say to our girls?

Is it really and truly still OK to judge books by covers?

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* I loathe reality talent shows and this could account for the extra crispy crankiness of this rant.
** I loathe/despise/hate X 25 beauty pageants, which accounts for even more of the extra crispy crankiness of this rant.