Smart AND sassy.
Earlier this week Nobel Prize winner Sir Tim Hunt made some comments that were equal parts creepy and alarmingly sexist.
Hunt is a scientist, who received the prestigious award in 2001 for medicine. But apparently, Sir Hunt is not too keen on sharing his Bunsen Burners, especially if the person he has to share them with is a woman.
According to BBC, Hunt 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.”
Oh us silly women, so sensitive, so emotional. So likely to fall in love with old sexist men. He’s really got us pegged.
The Guardian reports Hunt was advocating for laboratory segregation, in order to limit the “distractions” caused by male/female interaction.
BBC reports Hunt has since seen the error of his ways, and apologised for any offence he may have caused, and has resigned from his post at University College, London.
But not before female scientists all over the world responded to his comment with intelligence, wit and sass that could cut through glass.
You can hear Hunt’s apology in full below:
The Twitter hashtag #distractinglysexy was started, and female scientist from all over the world began posting photos of just how ‘distractingly sexy’ they can be.
Here are few of said excellent responses:
Luckilyy for Sir Tim Hunt, women have an excellent sense of humour and don’t waste their time getting bent out of shape about the views of old men.
Well done, female scientists of the internet, for your creativity and your class.
Have a flick through our gallery of #DistractinglySexy scientists below…
#DistractinglySexy
For more excellent females being excellent, have a look at these:
Miss Piggy has won an award for being a kick arse feminist. About time really.
Kathy Griffin quits fashion police because she is a feminist.
Roxane Gay is a ‘bad feminist’ and she wants you to stop treating men like precious snowflakes.
Emma Watson spent an hour answering the world’s questions about gender inequality.
Top Comments
Well that was a good chuckle!
When I read the headline I thought with dread it was going to be yet another one of those online protests where women show their breasts or are dressed in some glamorous outfits to make a point. I'm glad to see I was wrong and the responses I've seen so far are spot on, funny as and hit the mark perfectly. Kudos to all involved.
(Though there is something intrinsically alluring about petri dishes - you might have to edit that one out coz' it was a bit too distracting).