Warning!

If you have NO SENSE OF HUMOUR, leave now to avoid a coronary thrombosis!

If you don't know what a coronary thrombosis is, and don't care either, leave anyway: there are many more words with MORE THAN ONE SYLLABLE in this book!

FAQ

Why did you choose to call your book "Why Women are Stupid", when that's only one of many themes in it?

I couldn't resist the temptation to annoy the dull-witted. One sure fire indicator of dull-wittedness is to base all your decisions on a first, emotional reaction - without finding it necessary to examine the proposition further, and in so doing, risk having to think a bit.

Is the book a story?

No, it consists of 30 essays, each one independent of the rest, although of course my themes do recur. Within each essay there are usually a number of stories that illustrate the points I'm making. Some of the essays are fluffier than others, and don't really have a point.

Aren't you afraid that women everywhere will hate you and accuse you of just trying to score cheap points with men?

I'm perfectly aware that this might happen, but I don't give a damn. And I'm sure they'll accuse me of far worse than that! And far sillier.

My point is that if you are a woman, and not living in Africa, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, China - or anywhere else where women are still second-class citizens at the very best, then it's time to stop whingeing about how "wrong" men are about everything, and how all your problems are somehow their fault.

Yes, of course women have been discriminated against just for not having penises since the dawn of time - but in the West most of that has changed now. Stop crying over the past, and instead use everything you can to maintain the changes, and to take advantage of them.

Do you really think men need you to fight their battles for them?

That is a truly bizarre idea! And at the same time a typically codependent female way of looking at things.

I don't give a shit what men may expect from me either. Actually, unlike women, I don't think they expect anything. If they are happy that a woman is finally voicing this kind of opinion, fine - but I didn't write it so that men en masse would think how wonderful I was.

If you don't write for a male audience, then who do you write for?

I write for anyone who has a brain, or an inquiring mind, if you prefer. I particularly hope that women will read what I write, and start to admit that yes, there is a lot we do to ourselves that frankly, if a man were to do it, we'd instantly write him off as an idiot or a spineless fool.

So you think that all differences in style between the genders should be eradicated? Specifically those that are considered "feminine"?

If you think that cowardice is a feminine trait, then yes, that is one that has to go. And dependence on another human being to entertain you, make your decisions for you, and smooth your way in life? Yup - that one too.

What about intellectual laziness? "Silly me, I've never been any good at math." A pathetic excuse. (She probably stopped trying as soon as the subject got difficult.)

What about crucifying another person's reputation just because it's such fun? With the excuse that "all women gossip"?

I could go on and on, but instead, you may as well read the book. Countless examples are to be found of this sort of thing - taken from my own experience.

And you've never indulged in "typical" behaviour of this kind yourself?

Duh! Of course I have! I cringe to think about how I've acted in the past. I have the same tendencies to credulousness, laziness, cowardice and nastiness as every other woman I've ever met.

But why pick on women? Men have the same faults, and - many members of both sexes would agree - worse ones than those you list!

A man will have to write that book then. I pick on women precisely because I am one. It's only fair. Also, I hate being made to look like an idiot just because I belong to the gender that encourages so many idiocies under the guise of being "feminine" or "lovable".

Besides, the genders don't have exactly the same faults - men tend to specialize in cruelty, violence and brutality, whereas women tend to specialize in credulousness and passivity.

If we're made that way because of our sex hormones and all that, nothing can be done, can it?

Something most certainly can be done - but it's not as simple as political activism, because what each person has to do is look honestly at herself or himself.

So I'm writing for people who are both intelligent and capable of honesty. The others are a lost cause, and I don't waste time worrying about their opinions.