Well, I'm trying to make a point here, and in order for it to work, I have to use something we writers call "suspension of disbelief." Reason and logic tend to get in the way of that sort of thing!

There is a difference in being smart and making other people feel inferior...not talking about you Lex. Just my experience. I have met some men I know are very intelligent, and I consider myself to be of average intelligence. But after a while, the man starts correcting my every sentence or what have you. THAT is where the problem comes in. I'm not saying I want someone who is of the same intelligence as myself or less, I just don't want to be made to feel stupid every time we talk.

so I guess that would make this a science fiction conversation then....LOL....I get it though

Oh my bad. I so got into answering your comments I forgot to answer the beginning OP ..

YES. I have to have an intelligent man. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from college for a reason.

I also got divorced for a reason. He could not keep up with me in stimulating convo.

My philosphy is to need a man who can challenge and satisfy me both in bed and in banter. Now THAT'S sexy

Some women want to create man in their own image. Someone who was taught like they were to be a socialite and to look good in public. Someone they can take home to mother and be proud of. Watch this, mom, I have taught him to roll over and play dead. He is such a good dog. I am still trying to house break him. And mom says well that may time, dear. It took me a while to house break your dad but it was worth the effort because we have been married all these years. Does he go to work everyday? Oh, yes, mom. Can I keep him, mom? I don't know. do you think he will look good with your furniture? Has he had all his shots? Have you made a dog house for him, yet? Surely you don't want to keep him the house. Does he chase cats when you are not around? Have you had him neutered, yet? Will he make you look good in public? How have your girlfriends reacted to him? I tell you what. If you and him can along I will have the remote control device installed for him so you can know where he is at all times and it will allow you to control him better. Deal? Oh, thank you, mom. I know you would understand.

So, here's the problem -- once I get comfortable in the relationship (or as close to "comfortable" as I can let myself get, at this point), there's always this sudden change where she wants me to TURN MY BRAIN OFF AND BECOME A CARDBOARD CUTOUT OF WARD CLEAVER IN A BUSINESS SUIT.

I'm going to help you translate this. "Turn my brain off and become a cardboard cutout of Ward Cleaver in a business suit" means "They realize you make little money writing and you should get a job"

The problem is you aren't attracted to smart women. You have so much self esteem tied up in your "intelligence" that if there was the possibility that someone around you was smarter than you it would destroy your self worth. In the words of Bo Diddly "Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself."

I'm going to go out on a limb here because, well, what the hell difference can it possibly make at this point?

(That's a rhetorical question, by the way. You don't have to answer that one. It won't be on the final.)

OK, here's the scenario. I read lots of women's profiles. I have to. That's where I get the material for OGP. And most of them say "I want to meet a guy who's intelligent" or something along those lines.

And most of the women I've been involved with have commented on my intellect, some of them almost non-stop. "Oh, you're the smartest person I've ever met!" they say with a tinge of admiration (or is that jealousy, or premeditated murder?) in their voices. Well, I don't know. Considering most of them have grown up in environments where a llama wearing a red hat would be considered a genius, I don't know how much stock to put in these assessments, but I guess they're still better than being married or having to eat broccoli.

I mean, OK, I'm pretty smart, as these things go, and if that makes me sound like an Arrogant Narcissistic Conceited jerk, well, I'm OK with that. I don't believe in false modesty, and I'm not entirely convinced that true modesty is such a great idea, either.

So, here's the problem -- once I get comfortable in the relationship (or as close to "comfortable" as I can let myself get, at this point), there's always this sudden change where she wants me to TURN MY BRAIN OFF AND BECOME A CARDBOARD CUTOUT OF WARD CLEAVER IN A BUSINESS SUIT.

In other words, she wants me to become the very opposite of the person she was originally attracted to in the first place.

What's wrong with this picture?

(Rhetorical again. Not on final.)

Now, maybe there is a woman out there who really does want an intelligent guy.

And maybe all of the profiles that say "Looks don't matter, it's what's on the inside that counts" are being totally honest, too....

And maybe Martians will visit us tonight and give us all Snickers bars.

I also know that anytime I post anything that calls people's behaviors into question, 500 of them will immediately say "I'm not like that!" -- which is a nice, knee-jerk, reflexive response.

I'm calling BS here.

THAT will be on the final.

I think you've discerned the essence of this thread!

Hmmmmmm ...

Mine definitely does ... ;-)

This olde adage bodes significantly here: Foreplay for a woman happens between her ears ...

Definitely true for this woman typing ... Lifetime subscription, please!