November 09, 2006
Physics is Phun! We all "know" that there is no higher form of life than a female physicist. Now we have conclusive proof.
Would I have gotten in trouble for putting this in the "Toys" category?
She looks strangely uncomfortable in that photo...
Ok, I'll bite.
Lisa Randall is actually a pretty big deal as a researcher (as far as string theory goes), and the "OMG! She is so HAWT!" attitude, even toward a hotshot research physicist, creates a shitty situation in the workplace and in public lectures where a woman's work is a mere distraction from her sexual attractiveness, and ultimately, makes physics a less attractive creative outlet for women. There is a reason there is a lower percentage of female physicists in the USA than in any Western nation in the world.
No, you're right, women are always deterred from professions where you find very attractive females. That's why no one wants to be a models, fashion designers, magazine editors, etc.
The problem is not guys being attracted to attractive women with brains. The problem is much more nuanced than that and it includes many factors from gender stereotypes to the pressures of parenthood during tenure track.
No serious science student that I know considers a female scientist's career as a distraction from her looks. You might argue that examples of attractive women in high positions show that it's a "normal" profession, as opposed to the stereotypical science nerd shut-in woman/man. We need science to seem normal in this country. It's the stereotype that scientists are asocial super nerds that helps deter people from this field and it's why our homegrown science base has been melting away for the past couple of decades.
Bah, y'all sound more psychologically-minded than me...
In response to your posts, it's unfortunate that we live in a time where a frank expression of admiration leads to this kind of discussion. We do tend to objectify others, but then again that's part of human nature. I'm as comfortable with that aspect of myself as the aspect of myself that pointed out her credentials to a friend without displaying her picture.
She's an impressive human being. and HAWT!
Anytime I see an attractive female in a position where they are doing well (be it an academic position, CEO of a company, Indy car racer or an athlete) someone mentions how attractive they are. You never hear that in the same degree when the standout is a man. I guess that is the case because men seem to be in a public commentator position more frequently and have bigger sex drives or something.
Putting aside the debate over whether commenting on the attractiveness of a successful woman should or shouldn't be the case, let's look at the effects: it brings a lot of attention to the female, sometimes it brings in more money, it garners interest in the area the attractive female is excelling in, and probably in some instances men AND women will dismiss her because they will believe that she got where she is by being attractive. The last item is really the only drawback, and I'm of the opinion that if you are good, you are good, and eventually everyone will accept that fact - your longevity in the field will see to that.
I bet if you asked Lisa Randall how she feels about being called hawt, she'd probably be happy that something, even though irrelevant, made you read yet another freakin' article about string theory.
Theoretical physics has been sexy in the past, but not so much in recent times... I propose that this JT number serve as Dr. Randall's theme song.
Anyone care to submit some alternate lyrics?
I just want to know why Newsweek/MSNBC thought that the picture that would best illustrate that she's a smart woman is one of her looking like a mannequin.
Oooooo.....McD, who's that piece of man meat you just posted there? He can explore my topology any day.
Seriously, though, I have no idea who that is.
kinda looks like a dick to me!
Ah. Early Feynman? Is this picture from the Manhattan project era? I've only seen pictures of him from later on in his life. Plus, I suck at faces.
If you want a single anecdotal example of the unavoidable attractiveness commentary on the other hand, I present the case of João Magueijo whom I saw profiled in SEED Magazine back in 2003 or 2004. As I recall, that spread was mostly made up of pictures of him looking pensively like he was in a catalog. Apparently he is "ridiculously handsome", he "...looks like a Gap ad", and is "a dead ringer for Joey on Friends, only better because he's not a moron." Not to mention that thanks to his research (disproving that c is a constant) he's part of "the Sex Pistols of physics."
I've always heard that chicks dig the bad boys.
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Someone will have to help me with a physics-nerd superlative. In fact, y'all should have a competition.
Something like "She's so attractive, I now understand what a naked singularity is."
Clearly I'm a nerd. Just not a physics nerd.
posted by TheWestIsTheBest at 07:08PM CST on November 09