• by George Simpson , Featured Contributor, March 11, 2011

A study just out in "Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking" (check your nightstand, I think it is just under the copy of the new Newsweek and the unread copies of Wired, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Inc. and the Summer 2011 White Flower Farm catalogue) says that apparently, women who judge their own self-worth more on appearance tend to post more pictures of themselves on Facebook. The study's results suggest women do this to get attention.

In the annals of astounding glimpses into the obvious, this ranks right up there. But there's more. University of Buffalo researcher Michael A. Stefanone, who -- gosh -- has a Ph.D., opines to CNET: "It is disappointing to me that in the year 2011 so many young women continue to assert their self-worth via their physical appearance -- in this case, by posting photos of themselves on Facebook as a form of advertisement."

Now this is something only an academic guy would say. Because if he was a regular guy, he'd get laughed out of the sports bar and probably brained by a beer can or two. While we can't discount the possibility of posturing for a new female acquaintance, who if she had half a brain wouldn't fall for such claptrap or date a guy with a Ph.D. in the first place, beings of the male persuasion would in all likelihood join in a giant chorus of "Thank You" to women who think they are good-looking and try to prove it with pictures. That "in the year 2011 so many young women continue to assert their self-worth via their physical appearance" simply affirms the old feminist saying that "I would rather be pretty than smart -- since men see so much better than they think."

What do you expect from a site with "Facebook" on the front door? Especially one that was originally founded to grade the looks of women at Harvard (although I am reliably told that the best-looking women in academia are at the University of Oklahoma). Until someone invents Breastbook, this is the best we can do.

Life cannot be so serious at the University of Buffalo (although given its tendency to collect lake-effect snow 340 days out of the year, perhaps it is) that they can't celebrate the superficiality of human nature. Who doesn't want to think they are kinda cute -- and who doesn't want others to agree, with their attention? I know when I see a woman at a cocktail party (or anywhere else, for that matter) with a revealingly low-cut dress, I assume it is my obligation to admire what she has chosen to put on display -- although my wife tells me this is inverted logic. "But," says I furtively, "if she doesn't want people to stare at her bosoms, why does she hang them out there? I am only trying to be nice."

I say if you want to populate your Facebook albums with hundreds of pictures of yourself looking cute, you go, girl. If you get lots of comments about being "hot," load up more. If suddenly you get scores of requests to friend perfect strangers (oddly, all men), keep adding to the gallery. Men spend days at the gym trying to turn heads; if you can do it with a smile and a come-hither look in a snapshot, more power to you. Ain't no one says you can't be pretty and smart. 'Cept maybe that guy in Buffalo.