newyorker.com: Crystal, a twenty-two-year-old woman who has lent money to her ex-boyfriend for a truck, appears on “Oprah,” accompanied by Dr. Emma Bernstein, who has written a book entitled “When Smart Women Give Dumb Men Money for Trucks.” Oprah asks the studio audience how many of them have given money to men for trucks. Three-quarters of the audience raise their hands. Oprah throws up her arms and shakes her head in disbelief. Dr. Bernstein smiles sadly. After the station break, Dr. Bernstein turns and asks Crystal why she feels the need to be with a man who needs money for a truck. Oprah wonders, “Why not be with a man who needs money for a BMW?” Crystal sees the error of her ways and starts to cry. [ read more ]