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“I couldn’t believe it,” recalls Peggy Udden, an executive secretary at MIT. “Not only because she was so young, but a girl.” Hah, this comes across as incredi

by JamilD 10y ago

“I couldn’t believe it,” recalls Peggy Udden, an executive secretary at MIT. “Not only because she was so young, but a girl.” Hah, this comes across as incredibly patronizing. Seriously though, whenever someone in a position of authority makes a prediction of "the next Uber", "the next Einstein", or "the next Silicon Valley", I am instantly extremely skeptical.

afghanPower 10y ago
It's probably not meant in a negative way; just badly worded. Even in Norway where girls have an easier way into physics and math studies, there is a significant majority of males in those classes.
- corin_ 10y ago
  Agreed that it was probably accidental rather than sexist, but from someone in that position it was extremely poor judgement to use those words.
hacker_9 10y ago
And so you should be because these things aren't predictable in the slightest. No one thought Stephen Hawking would change the world's view on black holes, until he actually did. Same goes with all the other famous scientists. In fact the odds are positively stacked against her; it's more likely she won't achieve anything again we ever hear about.
zaroth 10y ago
It might help to note that specific quote was in the following context; Pasterski first attracted the attention of the scientific and academic community after single-handedly building her own single-engine airplane in 2008, at age 14, and documenting the process on YouTube. [1] At age 16, she piloted the aircraft herself over Lake Michigan, becoming the youngest person ever to fly their own plane. Then comes the quote. If this quote was referencing 23-year old Sabrina I agree it would be patronizing. In reference to a 14 year old building an airplane and then flying it, I'd say it's pretty spot on. Seriously, watch the video. [1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blVmHo_8bmA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blVmHo_8bmA
- r00t- 10y ago
  She's not a genius, she's rich. I'm sure a lot of people could build amazing things but don't have the money or family support to do so.
  - anothercomment 10y ago
    Same with the "did nuclear fusion in their bedroom" crowd. Although both (planes and fusion) demonstrate a certain level of capability. But the steps to take are already known, doing it takes initiative, ability to understand the steps and the money to pay for it.

by JamilD 10y ago

afghanPower 10y ago

It's probably not meant in a negative way; just badly worded. Even in Norway where girls have an easier way into physics and math studies, there is a significant majority of males in those classes.

corin_ 10y ago
Agreed that it was probably accidental rather than sexist, but from someone in that position it was extremely poor judgement to use those words.

hacker_9 10y ago

And so you should be because these things aren't predictable in the slightest. No one thought Stephen Hawking would change the world's view on black holes, until he actually did. Same goes with all the other famous scientists. In fact the odds are positively stacked against her; it's more likely she won't achieve anything again we ever hear about.

zaroth 10y ago

It might help to note that specific quote was in the following context; Pasterski first attracted the attention of the scientific and academic community after single-handedly building her own single-engine airplane in 2008, at age 14, and documenting the process on YouTube. [1] At age 16, she piloted the aircraft herself over Lake Michigan, becoming the youngest person ever to fly their own plane. Then comes the quote. If this quote was referencing 23-year old Sabrina I agree it would be patronizing. In reference to a 14 year old building an airplane and then flying it, I'd say it's pretty spot on. Seriously, watch the video. [1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blVmHo_8bmA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blVmHo_8bmA

r00t- 10y ago
She's not a genius, she's rich. I'm sure a lot of people could build amazing things but don't have the money or family support to do so.
- anothercomment 10y ago
  Same with the "did nuclear fusion in their bedroom" crowd. Although both (planes and fusion) demonstrate a certain level of capability. But the steps to take are already known, doing it takes initiative, ability to understand the steps and the money to pay for it.