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Watched #TheQueensGambit & it reminded me of all the smart girl fiction I consumed growing up: heroines like Anne of Green Gables, Lizzie Bennett, Nancy Drew, etc.
Obviously, Beth Harmon's story in #TheQueensGambit has a veil of dysfunction. But also, not really. She's competent, glamorous, & graceful while also being brilliant. She's the manic pixie dream who just needs to trust herself enough to not rely on drugs & alcohol.
When I was young, I loved these stories. Lean into your intelligence & quirkiness & the world will receive you w/ open arms. And the Gilbert Blythes & Mr. Darcys of the world will be there waiting to join you.
The true story of female neurodiversity & intelligence is very different, in my observation. It's an exchange, not an addition. You exchange certain competencies for others.
Don't get me wrong. I love, love, love stories that champion smart women. I just think they could be more realistic about the social tradeoffs. No one gets all the gifts.
Ironically if you watch stories of male neurodiversity & genius, they tend to show the tradeoff more often. They have zero hesitation portraying the hapless, socially awkward, absent-minded professor trope.
Still, I did appreciate the aspirational quality of #TheQueensGambit particularly at resolution when Beth is surrounded & supported by network of friends. This is the only way it works.
The trouble for the smart, quirky woman like Beth, however, is that culturally, we tend to expect *women* to be the glue that holds community together. What happens when she's atypical? When she's the one who needs the support system?
All that to say, I think differently about this genre since becoming an adult. And I'm grateful for folks like @n_d_anderson whose competencies support me in very basic ways.
Whatever our strengths & weaknesses, may we find the people & communities that help us flourish in our God-given gifts. May we do the same for others.
