Oh BBC home page picture editor could you be more annoying?

[Trou]

This story is about normal-bodied middle aged presenter investigating swimming as a health activity. So why have an image of a super thin model in a too-small cozzy as the click-through image on the home page?
Also
Imagine the disappointment of those who do like a young ladle-ogle when they find the reality is Hugh Fearnley-Wittingstall in a pair of swimming trunks.

Do you not see that the point is that there isn't a picture of Hugh F-W, but a model in a swimsuit? I doubt that if it was an article about a young, slim woman swimming they would have a picture of a middle aged man instead?

This sums it up.

Chess with pigeons again.

Personally, I get rather bored with looking at pictures of pretty young women in swimsuits and prefer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in his trunks.

There is a nice one in the article, and he looks nice and cold.

Isn't it amazing how the human interest at looking at attractive people so often = young woman.

Male het gaze is so ubiquitous as to be not even noticed.

I've had men at work, and bizarrely het women on here, argue that the female body is objectively nicest to look at.

My usual answer is, what even for gay men?

Yeah it's bollocks.

If this woman is one in the article, named and with story. That's awesome.

Is she? Already covered.. no.

I'd rather look at Hugh in pants and woman with carrot any day of the week.

I'd rather look at Hugh in pants and woman with carrot any day of the week.

I'm sure there's many pictures of attractive men in shorts they could have used. Don't though, do they?

I've had men at work, and bizarrely het women on here, argue that the female body is objectively nicest to look at

I don't know what you find so bizarre about that. I suppose you (general you) can argue till the cows come home that everything we find "objectively" beautiful is just a social construct and there is no valid reason why we find kittens prettier than the naked mole rat (cat haters and those who are only interested in "inner beauty aside)

I personally think there are far more women in the world who range from pretty to beautiful to stunning than there are men.

I'm heterosexual and objectively I find most men physically unattractive apart from the very few I'm attracted to. On the other hand, every workplace, social gathering etc. will have women (whom I'm not in the least bit interested in sexually) I think are good looking.

Do you not see that the point is that there isn't a picture of Hugh F-W, but a model in a swimsuit? I doubt that if it was an article about a young, slim woman swimming they would have a picture of a middle aged man instead

Not sure who the "you" is who doesn't get that point. I get that point. The other point is, whether you like it or not, the click through rate from a picture of an average middle aged man will be lower.

I personally think there are far more women in the world who range from pretty to beautiful to stunning than there are men.

And I disagree. Taste, in people, food and similar, is entirely subjective. Unless it's socialised, which I would argue this is!

Maybe it would have been better to have an image of water only....

MrsTerryPratchett

I personally think there are far more women in the world who range from pretty to beautiful to stunning than there are men

And I disagree. Taste, in people, food and similar, is entirely subjective. Unless it's socialised, which I would argue this is!

Your personal take on it is different from mine. I'm entitled to my personal view and my personal view is there are far more women who are good looking than men.

my personal view is there are far more women who are good looking than men.

Helped by the fact that women become invisible when old or ugly so they don't register.

@Kantastic “ Does anyone know why Mumsnet doesn't have an "ignore poster" option? It would improve the experience so much and nearly every other forum has it”

Sorry to @ you. I started a thread about this in site stuff in case you want to add your voice.

Looking at the indentation at the top of her thigh, it seems to me that she's been wearing a different style of costume for quite a while before this photo was taken. Poor woman looks very uncomfortable in her skimpy costume, so yes I agree op. This is just another objectification of women's bodies. Article about swimming, let's find some random female in a too small costume and that'll do.

Does anyone know why Mumsnet doesn't have an "ignore poster" option? It would improve the experience so much and nearly every other forum has it.

I would love to have an ignore poster option. We could call it the Bunbury Button.

And I would favourite your post if I could.

Funny note - I actually proofread this before hitting post. Autocorrect had turned ‘ignore’ to ‘ignorant’. I did consider not amending it.

Kantastic “Does anyone know why Mumsnet doesn't have an "ignore poster" option? It would improve the experience so much and nearly every other forum has it”

Sorry to @ you. I started a thread about this in site stuff in case you want to add your voice.

I was going to echo Kantastic, then saw your post Autumn. I'll go find your thread - thanks.

DesireesChild

You said *The other point is, whether you like it or not, the click through rate from a picture of an average middle aged man will be lower.

Why do you think the click through rate will be higher for an attractive woman?

Really think about it.

(Hint - Lots of PPs have already given sound reasons for this that are to do with sexism, women as commodities, decoration for the male gaze, etc.)

I am the woman! Not the one in the bikini — don’t know her — but the one in the other photo! There were plenty of great outdoor swimmer poster girls there on the day.
Outdoor swimming is the best thing for confidence — it includes women (and men) of all shapes and sizes and no shits are given about how we look.

Fair dues, phlossie...small world! Sounds a hoot! Enjoy!

DesireesChild

You saidThe other point is, whether you like it or not, the click through rate from a picture of an average middle aged man will be lower*

Why do you think the click through rate will be higher for an attractive woman?

Really think about it

(Hint - Lots of PPs have already given sound reasons for this that are to do with sexism, women as commodities, decoration for the male gaze, etc.)

Oh I love a bit of feministplaining. Did you miss the part where I said I got thar point?

Although I think you are wrong about "the male gaze" apart from the posters on here I think most people would prefer a picture of that women than HFW.

my personal view is there are far more women who are good looking than men.

Helped by the fact that women become invisible when old or ugly so they don't register

Your comment makes no sense in the context of what I said. Think about it.

Another vote for HFW here (or anyone who was actually in the bloody article).

I have to agree with @DesireesChild, I think most people find an attractive woman more pleasing on the eye. Advertisers know this and remember this is an advert for an article. It’s not about sex or sexuality. Women’s features in general are softer, smaller and there’s obviously the maternal factor.

I do find this obsession by certain feminists over what a woman should or shouldn’t look like / should or shouldn’t wear to be a bit boring.

Are women objectified: yes.
Does this have anything to do with looks, age, dress: No
Is it to do with male entitlement and privilege: yes
How is this changed: tough question, but parents need to teach their sons that women are equal and their bodies should be respected no matter what they look like or how they’re dressed
Regardless of this will humans always find beauty more compelling: yes, it’s primal

Yes as someone who is a prime candidate for outdoor swimming, a real person trying it out is much more likely to persuade me than a picture of a model, that wouldn't capture my attention at all. But then maybe the BBC don't give a shit about middle aged women.

If they’d chosen one of the swimmers it would have been the best looking in the bikini. The “poster girl” as a previous poster put it. She’d be the click bait, she just happened to be there.

Maybe, Everard? I'd say it's a given. Look how they treat their own staff.

I think most people find an attractive woman more pleasing on the eye. Advertisers know this and remember this is an advert for an article

1, the BBC is supposed to be above advertising tricksyness - not being funded by advertising and all and 2, it seems sadly incurious to try and shut down examination of WHY women are used as bait on Feminist discussion board, including why some people think aesthetics are more important than truth when it comes to news.

I personally liked the picture of a line of swimmers, in hats, laughing, best.