Message #203

From: web2k2bew <jbaile2@rochester.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [MC4D] Saying hello
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 14:32:43 -0000

— In 4D_Cubing@yahoogroups.com, "Guy Padfield" <guy@g…> wrote:

> I have been bugged by a different question since I joined the group.
Why is
> it that of 45 3^4 solvers, only one (I think - there are unfamiliar
names
> for me in the list) is female and all the rest are male?

At grave risk, I will hazard a hint toward my answer to your question.
Generally, in Western Culture, (add as many qualifiers as necessary
to restrict this millieu) boys are raised with a significantly higher
tolerance for ambiguity than girls. This results in their being more
willing to insert themselves in situations in which there is no
prescribed method for finding a solution. The psychic rewards for
being sucessful in these situations results in an attitude which
welcomes the circumstances.

How are boys raised with this tolerance? An example–a son exhibits
aggressive, competitive behavior. He is told my his mother: "Nice
boys don’t do that." He is told by his father: "Way to go, Tiger!"
Generally, girls are counseled toward the same behavior by both their
mother and their father. Faced with conflicting directions, the boy
develops a tolerance for being told to do things and not do things at
the same time. Hence, a tolerance for ambiguity.