A female astrophysicist who blasted a rude man on Twitter has sparked a new discussion about gender bias in tech.
Amber Roberts, an astrophysicist and programme director, went viral after sharing a run-in with an sexist stranger at the airport.
On Twitter, she said:
“*I take out both of my laptops at airport security* Random guy: *scoffs* “What do you need 2 laptops for?” Me: “Well one is for my astrophysics work and one is for my artificial intelligence work.” #priceless #WomenInSTEM #womenintech #ai #GirlBoss”
*I take out both of my laptops at airport security* Random guy: *scoffs* “What do you need 2 laptops for?” Me: “Well one is for my astrophysics work and one is for my artificial intelligence work.” #priceless #WomenInSTEM #womenintech #ai #GirlBoss
— Amber Roberts (@AstronomerAmber) November 19, 2018
Unsurprisingly, her post has been retweeted thosands of times, and it wasn’t long before it reached Reddit, where it ignited a debate on misogyny in STEM industries.
Following up her original tweet with a new thread about sexism in science and techology, Roberts said: “I am now trending on r/Iamverysmart.
“If anyone is curious as to why women might feel unwelcome in tech, check it out. To be clear about the guy asking about my laptops he was talking down to me using a patronizing voice, he also asked twice believing I owed him an explanation.”
(For those not in the know, r/Iamverysmart is a forum dedicated to ripping apart people “trying to too hard to be smart,” because a woman showcasing her intelligence is apparently a bad thing).
I am now trending on r/Iamverysmart. If anyone is curious as to why women might feel unwelcome in tech, check it out. To be clear about the guy asking about my laptops he was talking down to me using a patronizing voice, he also asked twice believing I owed him an explanation.
— Amber Roberts (@AstronomerAmber) November 20, 2018
What saddens me about the subreddit is that no one is commenting on the fact that the guy didn’t deserve an answer, but are focusing on why I don’t need two laptops. Also that there is no way “this girl” could be considered an expert in both fields. #genderbias
— Amber Roberts (@AstronomerAmber) November 20, 2018
This isn’t the first, nor will it be the last time something like this happens to me. The reason I am sharing this experience is because these are important things to keep in mind when we are trying to solve the problem of getting more women involved in tech. #womenintech
— Amber Roberts (@AstronomerAmber) November 20, 2018
As usual, Twitter had plenty of opinions on the matter, both positive and negative
Woman on Twitter: “A man scoffed at me”
Half the men on twitter: *scoffing* I bet he didn’t.The irony, it burns.
— Christine Seaforth Finch (@CSeaforthFinch) November 21, 2018
Anything you want to find, you will find. People standing in a line, especially in airport security aren’t exactly the happiest. To assume the worst only shows your bias. You are looking for a reason to feel empowered. So, that’s what you got. YOU feel empowered.
— John Benson (@Johnnyb2356) November 21, 2018
There’s a billion reasons why you might want to keep those in separate machines, like history (you started with one and needed a second one), different specs, needing one to compute while you work on the other, contractual/grant obligations.. This dude is an ignorant, period.
— Ivan Perez (@IvanPerezKeera) November 21, 2018
Really grasping at oppression straws these days
— Zach Staats (@zstaats) November 21, 2018
I’m a man. I frequently carry two laptops through airport security. No one has ever asked me why, let alone talked down to me or badgered me many times for an explanation.
But, yeah, I’m sure there’s not a gender bias happening here.
— Sam Brougher (@Azuaron) November 22, 2018
And of course, some men HAD to argue her decision to carry two laptops instead of one
I’m not denying you do both. Plenty if very smart ladies in this world who delve into more than one field. I’m a Philosopher and Historian not anywhere near as smart as STEM folks. I too would wonder why 2 laptops, it has 0 to do with man or woman just why do they need that?
— JustMe (@LucksLastMatch) November 21, 2018
ITS NOT ABOUT BEING A GIRL ITS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO DO BOTH ON THE SAME LAPTOP
— lefi (@Levi_Van_Dartel) November 22, 2018
Wait wait wait….AI & astrophysics cannot be done on one computer? Even if there is a telescope attached to the computer, you could just ignore it while doing AI work?
Or are you afraid that the AI may discover the astrophysics work and get depressed with an existential crisis?— Systematic Sheep (@systematicsheep) November 22, 2018
But mostly people were inspired by Robert’s obvious brains and epic clapback skills
Sorry about man behaving badly. I am amazingly in awe of your accomplishments. Just smile and don’t let anyone make you feel “less than”. You know how hard you have worked.
— Andy (@Andy51160) November 21, 2018
Oh you go girl I love your Answer. #GoGirl
— Jill Twiss (@twister2254) November 22, 2018
As a society, we should promote women who are proud of their work, not chastise them when they vocalize it. Girls growing up need more role models in STEM, not more pushback.
— James Fargnoli (@jamesfargnoli) November 21, 2018
Thank you for blowing the lid off the glass ceiling.
— PatMahony (@PatMahonyDOTcom) November 21, 2018
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