Prepare yourself for a fit of rage

[squeaver]

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

this is the result.

Oh My Goodness.

This is what happens when you let a load of image/fashion-conscious airheaded artistic types onto stereotyping science. I run into the same type every time I try and get a paper published, and the editing folk at the other end have no concept of why I re-correct half their changes because they.are.just.not.scientifically.right.

Augh. I never was the target audience for this sort of thing. I knew I was going to be a scientist of some flavour when I was just 7, because I just had to know why/how the world worked. I am still proud to be a physicist, even if it is occasionally bl**dy hard work.

They need to let science speak for itself. The beauty of the structure of atoms. The colours of chemical reactions. Fireworks. (Strontium red anyone?) The amazing creative process that is life. Stars. Trees.

Not this trash...

That's the most depressing thing I've ever seen

I now feel that the last 20 years of my wonderfully rewarding life as a professional scientist has been found wanting because I shop at Clarkes...sob....

It's the most truly awful thing I have watches for a long time.

OP are you really, really sure its for real?

Here's some useful links for discerning MNers :) which are things that girls ought to know and be encouraged by.

pregnant scientist challenges

The Royal Society
For this one, see the 2007 winner, 'Mothers in Science: 64 ways to have it all'.

(I know one of the mums featured and she really does do a brilliant job.)

I chose science and maths for A Level (a) because they were the most interesting things on offer at school (b) I was shit hot at them and (c) because I wouldn't have to write essays. I chose maths at university because (a) it's totally fabulous as a subject and (b) I was shit hot at it.

Lipstick and twirly whirly things and nail varnish didn't come into it. I admit that I did like wearing a labcoat for my chemistry practicals but that's the only time that dress sense and science have overlapped for me.

You have got to be shitting me! That can't be for real, can it?

Can anyone else hear that rumbling noise?

I think it's Marie Curie spinning her way to fucking Australia.

Dd is 8. She just watched this and said "is this a fashion thing?" "that was weird" but is now saying "science, it's a girl thing".

It's the way the women walk up to the man as if to present themselves. I think it's meant to be as if they are invading, but that's not how it's shot. There is a language of film, with certain shots meaning certain things, and this is definitely showing the male as eyeing up the women. I'm sure they're meant to be taking over his lab but that part isn't clear.

imgs.xkcd.com/comics/marie_curie.png

Nuff said

That is so bad, all you can do is point and laugh, surely. It's restored some of my faith in Youtube comments though. I bet somebody at that ad agency is having a really bad day

That had to be a joke.

SOmeone tell me its a joke.

Someone.

please

Sorry but the only phrase that comes to mind is 'Fuck a Duck!'.

Not very happy with that ad. It would definately have turned me off science for life.

Boulevard, I see what you're saying, but I HATE this idea that everything has to be made acceptable to girls. That girls can only like things if it's made girly.

To me, it's just a massive step backwards.

Gawd the European Commission are twonks.

I slightly feel like crying at the thought that this is aimed at my DD.
I love science, love molecules, atoms, charges, the table of the elements etc
Didnt do science at 3rd level because I(my parents) thought there were no jobs there. But am still fascinated and love guiding my kids that way.

But guiding my DD towards a career thats defined by the male gaze? That the only value in science is cosmetic advances? WTAF? Did I enter a time warp back to the 50's?
I am getting angrier the more I think about it.

They have form for this. Wasn't there a hugely racist advert not long ago too?

Very good summation of what we're all thinking on the New Statesman site here

I've watched again, and managed to convince myself that, given it's a teaser they're going for the shock publicity and will launch the campaign proper with a something like, 'that was shit wasn't it - here's really why girls should be interested in science...'

Tell me that's it, please?

No, wem, apparently after the EU twonk in charge (a woman) saw it she wanted to "go back in time and study science again".

Oh ffs. Where can we complain????

It looked like a trailer for Britains Next Top Model.

ANGRY!

As a bloke I can safely say that it's got me very interested in science. So much so that I had to watch the video several times despite the risk of hairy palms!

Epic, epic fail!

Would this be the right form to email in on?

Ew Judgey those girls are all about 15!!!