Nobel laureate forced out of studies after making joke about women

[Nerva]

The things he said were obviously jokes, and they are the type of jokes that have some truth to them.

Women obviously have a lot of power in today's society.

Obviously. Obviously when he said that he really believed what he said, it was part of a deeper Kaufmenn-esque performance piece.

His social and professional ostracism is just society's little joke in return!

Hahahaha... comedy.

 

[Silvanus]

Seriously, does anyone find it hilarious that the knee jerk reactions that are being had to anything even vaguely sexist is curiously enough re-enforcing the sexist stereotype of women being all, ovverly-emotional, thin-skinned and over-reactive.

Well, if so, that's on the stereotyper, not the stereotyped.

I have no issue with criticising the guy, but with the amplifying effect of Twitter (for which nobody can really be blamed, I suppose) and with the guy's employer for demanding he step down. A recipe for something going (far) further than it should have.

 

[Nerva]

Seriously, does anyone find it hilarious that the knee jerk reactions that are being had to anything even vaguely sexist is curiously enough re-enforcing the sexist stereotype of women being all, ovverly-emotional, thin-skinned and over-reactive.

Well, if so, that's on the stereotyper, not the stereotyped.

I have no issue with criticising the guy, but with the amplifying effect of Twitter (for which nobody can really be blamed, I suppose) and with the guy's employer for demanding he step down. A recipe for something going (far) further than it should have.

...Or maybe this guy is a real world-class scumbag, but he would never have been busted under normal circumstances, except for the Twitter-storm.

Given the information you have, the conclusion you're drawing is probably a matter of preference, not reality.

 

[Superbeast]

So, on the topic of "Was it a joke or not" I'll accept I probably should have put "Joke" as a quote.

However, to explain it a bit more fully, Sir Tim Hunt has given the impression that the comment was intended to be an ironic dig at his own experiences in the field, particularly in regards to his wife.

Now, I'm not a critic of comedy, however, I can see how one would mention briefly and in a jovial manner the circumstances. Especially in light of the fact he was at a conference for women, and thus clearly was not there to mock women.

Sir Hunt has also given the impression that he stands by what he said and meant it fully, too, and that he is only sorry he got caught saying this shit in public:

He told the BBC he "did mean" the remarks but was "really sorry"...adding it was "a very stupid thing to do in the presence of all those journalists"..."I just meant to be honest, actually."...He went on to say he stood by some of the remarks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33077107

Also, you say it was a "brief mention", but people who were at the talk disagree:

"The Korean female scientists who hosted us looked aghast and he just ploughed on for about five to seven minutes."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33077107

As a Noble Laureate you are essentially a scientific ambassador to the wider world, as a professor you are a representative of your university, and whilst speaking in a professional capacity such as at an industry conference you are expected to be professional. All are reasons that the University has a right to fire him for inappropriate comments - comments such as his can be argued to harm the perception of science and deter bright minds who would otherwise be interested in following scientific careers.

 

[Secondhand Revenant]

Hahahahahahahahah. Holy shit the responses to this thread are fucking ridiculous. "Muh freedom of speech." It doesn't matter what your views on "freedom of speech" or "SJWs" are. He wasn't making a joke to coworkers or some shit like that. The man was making a public speech as a guest at a luncheon and insulted his entire audience while officially representing his employer. Ya know, kinda like all those journalists that wrote those stupid "gamers are dead" articles, except worse because it's in a goddamn professional and educational environment. And no, it wasn't even a joke. He just claimed that it was once a shitstorm started brewing to try and alleviate it. The man getting fired is just standard business handling of such an issue. The people complaining about him getting fired clearly have no understanding of professionalism or business and workplace standards.

Like, holy shit. Choose your fucking battles better. Both sides. Instead of claiming that every instance of "SJW political correctness" or every instance of "misogyny" is the end of the fucking world, maybe take a little fucking context into consideration and stop being such a blind extremist?

Heh, that's a good point. The context he chose to say it in would make it particularly unprofessional.

And the bit about the game journalist thing seems particularly relevant. He said something that was definitely insulting to his audience, particularly given the insistence on it being honest.

 

[Silvanus]

...Or maybe this guy is a real world-class scumbag, but he would never have been busted under normal circumstances, except for the Twitter-storm.

Well, maybe, but that's pure speculation on your part. A disciplinary procedure which relies on Twitter-storms to function doesn't seem a rational assumption.

 

[Secondhand Revenant]

Seems like there's a fundamental difference in values here. Everyone acknowledges that it's fine (perhaps even fun) to talk like this in the company of friends, but whereas some would actively discourage that kind of behavior in public forums, I think that it's a damn shame that we can't appreciate such mild and clearly hyperbolic ribbing as this. It suggests a severe lack of sense of humor.

What gives you the impression we'd all find it fine with friends? Unless it was sarcasm I'd think significantly less of someone for saying that kind of shit and thinking there was some kind of truth in it. It kind of matters why it's supposed to be funny. If it's supposed to be funny because you think the sexist ideas are true well...

 

[Nerva]

Holy ass that's a huge tl;dr I shat out there. #NoRegerts

...Or maybe this guy is a real world-class scumbag, but he would never have been busted under normal circumstances, except for the Twitter-storm.

Wow. I didn't know that being a scumbag became a crime in England. Or even something determinable. Did I miss the news?

Is he going to jail? No?

Is treating scum like scum a crime?

 

[Nerva]

...Or maybe this guy is a real world-class scumbag, but he would never have been busted under normal circumstances, except for the Twitter-storm.

Well, maybe, but that's pure speculation on your part. A disciplinary procedure which relies on Twitter-storms to function doesn't seem a rational assumption.

I will express my feelings on the subject of someone being damned by their own mouth thusly:

First, in the immortal words of Dennis Hopper, "A single tear rolls down my cheek."

But really, no one man can capture the desolation of spirit that I think we all feel when considering this poor good man, who's only mistake was to be a horrid human being in public.

Or can a man? Or a Doctor?

Spoiler

Nailed it.

 

[Nerva]

If it's supposed to be funny because you think the sexist ideas are true well...

I wonder if I will destroy your world if I say that for a lot of people "How they feel about things" and "How they think things should be" are two VERY different categories?

For a self-avowed fascist, I'd have to assume you fall into that category? I mean, it's unlikely that what you represent would be tolerated in any genuinely fascist regime, so I assume your feelings are at some deep odds with the reality of rooting for your own extinction?

 

[Secondhand Revenant]

If it's supposed to be funny because you think the sexist ideas are true well...

I wonder if I will destroy your world if I say that for a lot of people "How they feel about things" and "How they think things should be" are two VERY different categories?

And that is relevant how?

Sexism certainly *could* involve how people think things should be. Thing is, it doesn't need to involve that to be sexism. How one thinks things are could just as easily qualify for sexism. For example, someone who feels women are inferior but should be treated the same is still a sexist. You'd shatter more worlds with more relevant replies perhaps.

 

[visiblenoise]

Seems like there's a fundamental difference in values here. Everyone acknowledges that it's fine (perhaps even fun) to talk like this in the company of friends, but whereas some would actively discourage that kind of behavior in public forums, I think that it's a damn shame that we can't appreciate such mild and clearly hyperbolic ribbing as this. It suggests a severe lack of sense of humor.

What gives you the impression we'd all find it fine with friends? Unless it was sarcasm I'd think significantly less of someone for saying that kind of shit and thinking there was some kind of truth in it. It kind of matters why it's supposed to be funny. If it's supposed to be funny because you think the sexist ideas are true well...

Of course it's sarcasm. Do you really think the the problem this guy claims to have is applicable to all girls, as he says?

It's supposed to be funny (I'd say it's more cheeky than funny) because the sexist idea may have a whiff of truth in it and this is being mocked.

I'll accept that not everyone cares for this type of behavior with friends, but I don't accept that any of this needs to be taken seriously.

 

[Nerva]

Seems like there's a fundamental difference in values here. Everyone acknowledges that it's fine (perhaps even fun) to talk like this in the company of friends, but whereas some would actively discourage that kind of behavior in public forums, I think that it's a damn shame that we can't appreciate such mild and clearly hyperbolic ribbing as this. It suggests a severe lack of sense of humor.

What gives you the impression we'd all find it fine with friends? Unless it was sarcasm I'd think significantly less of someone for saying that kind of shit and thinking there was some kind of truth in it. It kind of matters why it's supposed to be funny. If it's supposed to be funny because you think the sexist ideas are true well...

Of course it's sarcasm. Do you really think the the problem this guy claims to have is applicable to all girls, as he says?

It's supposed to be funny (I'd say it's more cheeky than funny) because the sexist idea may have a whiff of truth in it and this is being mocked.

I'll accept that not everyone cares for this type of behavior with friends, but I don't accept that any of this needs to be taken seriously.

ProTip: Women don't like to be called girls, anymore than men like to be called boys. I think you may just be someone with views that most of us find objectionable, but have a bunch of friends with the same views? Your choice of of course, but lets not pretend that's the norm, or right.

 

[CaitSeith]

*sigh*
Go here [http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bring-back-tim-hunt] and here [http://www.change.org/p/university-college-london-ucl-reinstate-tim-hunt] and do something for that person.

 

[visiblenoise]

Seems like there's a fundamental difference in values here. Everyone acknowledges that it's fine (perhaps even fun) to talk like this in the company of friends, but whereas some would actively discourage that kind of behavior in public forums, I think that it's a damn shame that we can't appreciate such mild and clearly hyperbolic ribbing as this. It suggests a severe lack of sense of humor.

What gives you the impression we'd all find it fine with friends? Unless it was sarcasm I'd think significantly less of someone for saying that kind of shit and thinking there was some kind of truth in it. It kind of matters why it's supposed to be funny. If it's supposed to be funny because you think the sexist ideas are true well...

Of course it's sarcasm. Do you really think the the problem this guy claims to have is applicable to all girls, as he says?

It's supposed to be funny (I'd say it's more cheeky than funny) because the sexist idea may have a whiff of truth in it and this is being mocked.

I'll accept that not everyone cares for this type of behavior with friends, but I don't accept that any of this needs to be taken seriously.

ProTip: Women don't like to be called girls, anymore than men like to be called boys. I think you may just be someone with views that most of us find objectionable, but have a bunch of friends with the same views? Your choice of of course, but lets not pretend that's the norm, or right.

There are no views involved here, unless you're referring to the view that things are taken seriously too often.

Also, it was the guy who said "girls," I just didn't think it warranted being quoted...

 

[Nerva]

Seems like there's a fundamental difference in values here. Everyone acknowledges that it's fine (perhaps even fun) to talk like this in the company of friends, but whereas some would actively discourage that kind of behavior in public forums, I think that it's a damn shame that we can't appreciate such mild and clearly hyperbolic ribbing as this. It suggests a severe lack of sense of humor.

What gives you the impression we'd all find it fine with friends? Unless it was sarcasm I'd think significantly less of someone for saying that kind of shit and thinking there was some kind of truth in it. It kind of matters why it's supposed to be funny. If it's supposed to be funny because you think the sexist ideas are true well...

Of course it's sarcasm. Do you really think the the problem this guy claims to have is applicable to all girls, as he says?

It's supposed to be funny (I'd say it's more cheeky than funny) because the sexist idea may have a whiff of truth in it and this is being mocked.

I'll accept that not everyone cares for this type of behavior with friends, but I don't accept that any of this needs to be taken seriously.

ProTip: Women don't like to be called girls, anymore than men like to be called boys. I think you may just be someone with views that most of us find objectionable, but have a bunch of friends with the same views? Your choice of of course, but lets not pretend that's the norm, or right.

There are no views involved here, unless you're referring to the view that things are taken seriously too often.

Also, it was the guy who said "girls," I just didn't think it warranted being quoted...

Suuuuure. Do you also have some beachfront property in Arizona for me?