Comments on: What can boys and girls aspire to in science?

By: khan

khan — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:29:26 +0000

I was born in 1950; I remember all that crap.

By: Propter Doc

Propter Doc — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:23:26 +0000

Yeah, it’s been TOTALLY the reason for getting a PhD – being able to explain questions about telephones to random kiddies in the street.

Over all it is the subtle cue of putting women in a position to assist male professionals that is the most interesting. Nurse vs doctor, technician vs full practitioner.

Really interesting!

By: Mankel

Mankel — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:29:12 +0000

Well, of course, I don’t need to see the video to know that you condone AND support such arcane views. The fact that you have to deny it on your note is nothing more than a proof of that.

Mankel

PS: forgive me, but I think I am doing you a favor just not allowing you to relax and keeping you fresh with the kind of criticism that you have been receiving lately.

PSS: I am a fragile person, I am not sure I would be able to cope with that, at least without losing my temper. Congratulations.

By: Duae Quartunciae

Duae Quartunciae — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:27:20 +0000

I have noticed recently that you are sometimes described as writing in a style that can easily be misunderstood. It seems to me that there are a couple of readers who don’t always take enough care in their reading. This is a two way street, of course… and I feel a couple of readers out there should bear that more carefully in mind, especially if they are going to go public with unsafe inferences! I sometimes need to read your posts twice, but that’s fine. I don’t mind and it’s worth it.

I am glad to see your addendum supplied for any readers who might otherwise misunderstood your intent. Most folks won’t need it; but if anyone does it may help avoid more angst and crossed wires.

Interesting video. Thanks.

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:42:07 +0000

Betul: Right, and the girl character is very fond of thinking everybody else is silly.

Jeremy: Well, I admit that my wife hooked me with her science nerdiness.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:33:22 +0000

Girls with good science knowledge often hook me 😛

By: Betul

Betul — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:15:20 +0000

What strikes me is the specific gender-characteristics. While both men in the video are down to earth and rationale, women are lost and naive. Mom (who almost looks like a Stepford wife) has no idea that she needs science, and the girl just wants to find a husband. It’s the brother’s and the husband’s role to awaken the ladies. “How about a nurse? a lab technician? You can do these and have a family” says the father.

I am sure this video aimed improvement in science, and they did not even pay attention the sub-messages they are promoting – which is the cursory that creates the problem.