Trans-view of gender bias

[astra_nomer]

This news is a tad old by now, but there's a very interesting article in last week's issue of Nature (requires subscription to read full text) written by Ben Barres, a scientist who used be known as Barbara Barres, about how sexism in the scientific community keeps women from succeeding. He cites a number of studies documenting gender bias in addition to his own anecdotes. A particularly choice one:

Shortly after I changed sex, a faculty member was heard to say, "Ben Barres gave a great seminar today, but then his work is much better than his sister's."

The NY Times had an interview with him. (thanks to fredrickegerman for the tip.)

Comments

[arcanology.livejournal.com]

Well, of course, maleness improves character and ability by 15% automatically. Scientific fact.

However a new study indicates that you can get the same improvements merely by carrying a hot dog in your pocket. A kosher hot dog, if you're jewish.

[astra-nomer.livejournal.com]

Eww. Given the options, I'll stick to working 15% harder.

[firstfrost.livejournal.com]

Does it have to be a front pants pocket, or will any pocket do? How about carrying it in your purse?

[astra-nomer.livejournal.com]

One also wonders if any sausage will do, or strictly hot dogs. What if you're vegetarian? Will a tofu dog do?

[arcanology.livejournal.com]

Any pants pocket turns out to be okay, including those doofy pockets on cargo pants. Purses, however, don't work. And tofu dogs are right out, those just make you appear to be 15% more effective but it's all fake and you'll be found out eventually.

[ilai]

There are so many directions this conversation could take that seem just plain wrong... :-)