Today I'm neither Angry nor Happy about....

[Bijou Bob]

Ah, "PC gone mad". The usual resort of the apologist for casual racism and sexist. What he said was NOT Ok. Interviewed in the Guardian, his wife had her head in her hands as he went through what he had . Was what he said sexist? Yes, undoubtedly. Is he a sexist? I'm unsure, but making such a joke seems to indicate that his attitude towards his female colleagues is not to regard them as equals.

[Montreal Wanderer]

I'm not sure making a sexist remark necessarily makes one a sexist. If this were so the remarks in the FIFA women's world cup thread would condemn several here. !

That's probably because we keep it in context Monty. Nobody is really insulting anyone else. it's just humour and I don't hear anyone complaining?

Oh, I agree and wasn't complaining. I was merely giving evidence that saying something sexist does not necessarily make one a sexist and that Hunt should have been given a break by the academic world.

[TANGODANCER]

All this is going to cause havoc down the Labour Club when they do "Who the fxck is Alice?"

[Prufrock]

Ah, "PC gone mad". The usual resort of the apologist for casual racism and sexist. What he said was NOT Ok. Interviewed in the Guardian, his wife had her head in her hands as he went through what he had . Was what he said sexist? Yes, undoubtedly. Is he a sexist? I'm unsure, but making such a joke seems to indicate that his attitude towards his female colleagues is not to regard them as equals.

Let's be clear, this is what he said: "“Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab. You fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticise them, they cry.”

It's a shit joke, and I've seen anyone on here argue anything other than he shouldn't have said it. I think he was right to apologise, and having done so, this should have been on about page 7 of the UCL annual newsletter and the last anyone heard about it. It shouldn't be the end of someone's career.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Ah, "PC gone mad". The usual resort of the apologist for casual racism and sexist. What he said was NOT Ok. Interviewed in the Guardian, his wife had her head in her hands as he went through what he had . Was what he said sexist? Yes, undoubtedly. Is he a sexist? I'm unsure, but making such a joke seems to indicate that his attitude towards his female colleagues is not to regard them as equals.

I said (in parentheses): "PC gone mad if you like". Evidently you didn't like, but I resent your suggestion I am an apologist for casual racism and sexism. This innuendo aside, I never said the remark was okay. I said he should not have been cast out of academe and that he should have been given an opportunity to apologize. I said what happened was an overreaction and I still believe this. He is a Nobel laureate who made a stupid joke, not a vile person who should be shunned.

[Bijou Bob]

The question is whether it was indeed a joke, or indicative of his feelings towards female scientists. There is significant anecdotal evidence to suggest that sexism and misogyny are rife in the scientific community, hence the huge reaction to the story.

[TANGODANCER]

Every time I read anything on the subject of equality, I always wonder just how it is defined between two entirely different species, ie, male/female. Of completely different biological composition, how can total equality be achieved without accepting that whilst Yin and Yang can be show equal in geometrical examples, they are actually as different as chalk and cheese, therefore can never be quite the same? In truth, there's an awful lot of bollox being spouted about, well...an awful lot of bollox. Way I see it.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

The huge reaction has more to do with social media culture than anything to do with the scientific community. In the scientific world you don't jump to conclusions from one bit of data or evidence. What he said was ill judged and wrong, but I'm unaware that he has any sort of form for this sort of thing (I used to work in scientific publishing next door to UCL and had dealings with him). It's just another self righteous Twatter witch hunt as far as I can see.

[Worthy4England]

I'm really bemused by all of this - why are they not at home looking after the house?

[Gary the Enfield]

I'm really bemused by all of this - why are they not at home looking after the house?

'Cos scientists don't know how to turn a Hoover on?

[Worthy4England]

I'm really bemused by all of this - why are they not at home looking after the house?

'Cos scientists don't know how to turn a Hoover on?

They're female - it should come naturally - "I love you, Hoover" would work fine.

[Bruce Rioja]

Every time I read anything on the subject of equality, I always wonder just how it is defined between two entirely different species, ie, male/female. Of completely different biological composition, how can total equality be achieved without accepting that whilst Yin and Yang can be show equal in geometrical examples, they are actually as different as chalk and cheese, therefore can never be quite the same? In truth, there's an awful lot of bollox being spouted about, well...an awful lot of bollox. Way I see it.

He says, spouting bollocks.

[bobo the clown]

Anyway, at least Michelle Obama managed to take in a visit to a typical British school today. Typically British if that includes one with, it appears, not one white kid in it.

I wonder if she noticed.

[Prufrock]

Is there a "typical British" school?!

I don't understand your point, are you suggesting they manipulated the photos?

Or is it some schools don't have many white kids shocker?

[Prufrock]

Every time I read anything on the subject of equality, I always wonder just how it is defined between two entirely different species, ie, male/female. Of completely different biological composition, how can total equality be achieved without accepting that whilst Yin and Yang can be show equal in geometrical examples, they are actually as different as chalk and cheese, therefore can never be quite the same? In truth, there's an awful lot of bollox being spouted about, well...an awful lot of bollox. Way I see it.

Never in the field of human writing have so many words said so little.

[bobo the clown]

Is there a "typical British" school?!

I don't understand your point, are you suggesting they manipulated the photos?

Or is it some schools don't have many white kids shocker?

Nooo, silly. I suspect all the manipulation was done at the time the school was chosen.

[TANGODANCER]

Every time I read anything on the subject of equality, I always wonder just how it is defined between two entirely different species, ie, male/female. Of completely different biological composition, how can total equality be achieved without accepting that whilst Yin and Yang can be show equal in geometrical examples, they are actually as different as chalk and cheese, therefore can never be quite the same? In truth, there's an awful lot of bollox being spouted about, well...an awful lot of bollox. Way I see it.

Never in the field of human writing have so many words said so little.

No doubt you can use twice as many to say even less.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

There is significant anecdotal evidence... in the scientific community...

[jaffka]

Every time I read anything on the subject of equality, I always wonder just how it is defined between two entirely different species, ie, male/female. Of completely different biological composition, how can total equality be achieved without accepting that whilst Yin and Yang can be show equal in geometrical examples, they are actually as different as chalk and cheese, therefore can never be quite the same? In truth, there's an awful lot of bollox being spouted about, well...an awful lot of bollox. Way I see it.

Never in the field of human writing have so many words said so little.

No doubt you can use twice as many to say even less.

[clapton is god]

600.000 RBS accounts not credited with payments overnight. Natwest managed to debit £2000 of payments I had going out overnight though!