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Original poster

Prepare yourself for a fit of rage

261 replies

squeaver · 22/06/2012 11:33

The EU has spent actual money on a campaign designed to interest girls in science.

this is the result.

OP posts:
IShallWearMidnight · 22/06/2012 21:47

DD1 (18) maths geek watched it and said "up till the very last bit I thought it was a makeup advert, you know mixing make up and science which wouldn't be that bad. But for trying to get girls into science, how on earth did anyone think tat would work?"

DD2 (14) keen on science, target market watched and just laughed "big fail there then" she said. But then got cross when she realised the EU had funded it and not some "random advert maker person"

She wanted to know exactly whose money paid for it, and what they now would t be doing as they've "wasted thousands of pounds that they could have do e something useful with".

pickledsiblings · 22/06/2012 21:45

It seems that the video is down folks - sorry to have missed it. Didn't like the way the website referred to it as a 'teaser' instead of a taster/trailer.

OlympicFlame · 22/06/2012 21:26

I'm actually rather annoyed with my DH (also a Physicist) who thinks that the advert 'isn't that bad really'.

SardineQueen · 22/06/2012 21:21

Do it Olympic.

Just do it. It's hideous.

OlympicFlame · 22/06/2012 21:09

I'm a Physicist and a member of the Institute of Physics and a member of the Women in Physics group. Just wait until I show some of my colleagues this!!! Angry

In fact I may have to put it on my Facebook immediately!

Meglet · 22/06/2012 20:59

Dear Lord Angry.

It's like a Just Seventeen photo shoot .

Never mind science, there needs to be more women in advertising to stop shite like that being produced ever again.

OlympicFlame · 22/06/2012 20:54

For the love of God!!! Angry

ziptoes · 22/06/2012 20:52

Excellent. DH has been accusing me of overreacting all evening. Has finally watched it and is raging!

I think the thing about this video is that it's soooo bad that it finally brings home to some people how stupid the "calm down dear" school of thought actually is.

ziptoes · 22/06/2012 20:43

Check out the "Dream jobs" webpage. There are no jobs!!! Inspiring stuff.

science-girl-thing.eu/jobs

Do any mumsnet geeks with current vacancies in their labs/research teams fancy bombarding them with job ads?

SardineQueen · 22/06/2012 20:28

NOTE sweatshirts and jeans

Not 6 inch heels and a miniskirt

Although I am sure you will find female scientists around the world who like to wear heels and short skirts, and male scientists who turn out in immaculate suitage, this is certainly not the norm and a bizarre image to use in an ad.

SardineQueen · 22/06/2012 20:26

Amanda: before

"A scientist is in the Guiness Book of World Records. I see a scientist winning on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"

after:

"anyone can be a scientist. I saw people walking around in sweatshirts and jeans. Who knows? Maybe I can be a scientist."

That's the stuff Smile

SardineQueen · 22/06/2012 20:25

exexpat that link is super I hope you don't mind if I relink the children's pictures:

this is what they should be doing

TheSpokenNerd · 22/06/2012 20:17

Then they'll switch to "We think we've done a good job because we polled 8 12 year olds who all njoyed it."

grimbletart · 22/06/2012 20:12

He's using the "only a bit of fun" defence because there is no other defence.

It's just the "feminists have no sense of humour" crap in different words.

They will soon move on to the "well, it got everyone noticing us, so it's achieved its object" defence crap followed by the "there is no such thing as bad publicity" defence crap. Grin

kickassangel · 22/06/2012 19:33

Yes, it is so much fun to be subjected to sexist stereotyping, then told to get a gsoh. So novel, as well. Never had that happen before ...

FairPhyllis · 22/06/2012 19:22

I want to curl up and cry. Or is that die?

messyisthenewtidy · 22/06/2012 18:38

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!! Words fail me...

exexpat · 22/06/2012 18:11

This is what a real scientist looks like.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 22/06/2012 17:53

Oh my.

The press spokesman said that? Shock Angry

My dh has just seen it and said "even I'm offended at that"

NormaStanleyFletcher · 22/06/2012 17:47

Fucking hell.

That video is appalling

exexpat · 22/06/2012 17:37

As someone said on twitter, the concept seems to be based on this . Just what girls need.

Original poster
squeaver · 22/06/2012 17:33

Yes it really is the "it was only a bit of fun" defence...

OP posts:
YoulllaughAboutItOneDay · 22/06/2012 17:29

If the main campaign turns out to be stereotype busting - e.g. women only interested in soft science like make up - I might just forgive them. But the sad thing is that he doesn't understand what is wrong with 'grabbing attention' for a serious campaign by basing it around make up and women's sexiness.

Aboutlastnight · 22/06/2012 17:28

"Women know you place!"

He's the press spokesman?

they seriously need to rethink their media strategy

Original poster
squeaver · 22/06/2012 17:26

This is the latest response from the press spokesman on Twitter:

Lots of comments on #sciencegirlthing vid. 45 seconds of fun for launch to grab attention. Not central to main campaign.

Silly us, for having a sense of humour failure. Honestly, women.

You can direct your comments to him at @ECSpokesscience

OP posts:
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