Books, brains, and breasts

It’s the happy news flash of the year for all those Harvardites who are great on tests, but bad at “scoring.” \nNow they can do both.\nMeet Harvard Senior Matthew Di Pasquale, the mastermind behind “Diamond,” a magazine planned for this spring which would be the second nude publication to hit the Harvard community. His inspiration? \n“I love women,” he said.\nWe love women too, Matt. Which is why we ask: Why have just one nudie mag floating around the nation’s No. 1 institution of higher learning when there can be two?\nThe success of the previously released “H-Bomb” at Harvard speaks volumes about the acceptability of such controversial literature amid more conventional areas of study. Opposition is certainly present within the community, and it’s addressed through campus venues such as the student-run newspaper, The Crimson. But the fact remains that there’s enough demand and willingness to participate in these don’t-tell-your-mother extracurriculars not only to support one magazine, but to bring about a successful competitor. \nIn fact, we’re venturing so far as to say that publications like “Diamond” and “H-Bomb” are actually better on a campus like Harvard’s than any other higher-education establishment. There are tons of great schools out there, but the stigma of the name “Harvard” tags the campus life as more scholastic, serious and ... well, sexless.\nThis claim is substantiated by Di Pasquale’s reasoning behind putting a second sexy Harvard rag into the public arena. He said the students are in touch with their sexuality, not sexually repressed – and “Diamond” would provide yet another outlet for this venerated aspect of “the college experience.” \nAnd it looks like for many, there can never be too much of a good thing. Undergraduate campus sex blogger Lena Chen gave the magazine a nod. “I think that any increase in dialogue about sex on campus is certainly positive because Harvard is kind of Puritanical,” she remarked.\nBut the real issue that’s snagged everyone’s interest: The candidates for posing in this Harvard-based literature, marketed to Harvard-dwelling computer science majors (et al) – are Harvard-going honeys. Somehow knowing that these little ladies knocked out their SATs and could ramble on about the modern-day implications of Rousseau’s “The Social Contract” for an hour makes for a fresh, clean spin on the institution of dirty magazines. (At least we’re past the testosterone-laden, monosyllabic grunting of “Me like boobs.”)\nSo, are you a cutie with a bootie and a knack for matrix algebra? Good with acid-base titrations and still know how to shake it? Then girls, put down those notebooks, hit up your friendly, neighborhood Victoria’s Secret, and get on down with your bad selves. Because the only thing better than a Harvard nudie magazine ... is a second Harvard nudie magazine. \nInterested participants should show a profound knowledge of high-minded ideals, eloquent social commentary and the Pussycat Dolls.