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It is hard and subjective to assess if the moderator behavior was just indiscriminately rude or sexism by mansplaining. That's why I don't expect the comments h
by soneca 9y ago
It is hard and subjective to assess if the moderator behavior was just indiscriminately rude or sexism by mansplaining. That's why I don't expect the comments here to be as interesting and enlightening as for other common topics at HN.
But I would like to just point out what, I believe, it's a strong signaling that it was sexism: the whole audience reaction to when the woman shouted: "Let her speak please". There is a genuine, spontaneous and loud ovation. Contrast that with the fact that through the rest of the video, the moderator doesn't act the same way to other panelists; and it makes clear to me that the whole audience was considering the moderator's behavior inappropriate and motivated by her being a woman. So, for subjective assessments, there is some wisdom of the crowd worth considering (especially as this was not a 'feminist' crowd or even a female-biased crowd, on the contrary, I believe).
Now, to give the moderator some credit, after some awkward moment where he does not know how to keep it cool, he does take the hint and shut up.
EDIT: I would like to give some more credit to the moderator. At the video moment that lorenzhs pointed out below (https://youtu.be/Er7qPv8jsZo?t=1h1m55s https://youtu.be/Er7qPv8jsZo?t=1h1m55s), the moderator explicitly state that Veronika Hubeny was not given a chance to speak about her knowledge. This, I believe, is an indicator that the moderator is not a bad person and his sexism is not conscious or originated by strong believe that women are not as capable in the field as men. I still believe he is patronizing and is being sexist, but in a way that he can get the feedback and change his behavior, as he is not a sexist. He was being sexist, he is not one. My point is: he seems to be a nice person, not a villain, that is influenced by a sexist environment. And changing that environment should be our goal, not pointing fingers. As Marilee Talkington did, politely and publicly.
EDIT 2: After reading Hubeny's comment I'm more in doubt if it was sexism. Actually, I'm more inclined to believe it was not sexism. As I said, it is a subjective call, and her opinion matters most than others as she is the subject and used to being surrounded by men in her profession. Her comment is very kind and smart also in itself, worth reading.
- wayn3 9y agopotential alternative explanation: the moderator was somehow socially aware (such people exist) and felt, or seemed to feel, that the interviewee was anxious, and felt that doing the talking for her made her more comfortable. or we can just assume it was sexism. because everything is always sexism at all times when theres a woman involved. but then obviously its still sexism because assuming someone is afraid of attention must have been because shes a woman and any true sexist would assume that women, being women, wouldnt ever want to be in the spotlight, so sexism either way.
- lorenzhs 9y agoThe video in no way supports your hypothesis: https://youtu.be/Er7qPv8jsZo?t=1h1m55s https://youtu.be/Er7qPv8jsZo?t=1h1m55s
- losteverything 9y agoThis nonFB user thanks u for the link Two first impressions 2. what is the deal with audiences thinking they can shout??? Where are the manners? 1. the moderator either was thrilled he was with a superstar and overtalked to show her his knowledge, to elevate to her level - or he was a total disrespectful jerk.
- gamache 9y ago> the moderator was somehow socially aware (such people exist) and felt, or seemed to feel, that the interviewee was anxious, and felt that doing the talking for her made her more comfortable. Oh! OK, so not sexism, just paternalism. But only for the female panelist.
- pbhjpbhj 9y agoIt's only paternalism if his motivation is based on the person's sex, surely. How can you tell that motivation? Why not political bias, nepotism (friend-of-a-friend, say), pity, ...?
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- kofejnik 9y agoas Notch said, mansplaining is a sexist term designed to silence men via gender shaming. So your comment is a lot more sexist than the moderator in question, who was simply exercising equal-opportunity-rudeness to everyone.
- zakk 9y ago> mansplaining Please avoid using derogative terms, suggesting that a whole category (men in this case) have a certain behaviour. That's sexism, too.
- vocatus_gate 9y agoOr, as it was already called, "being condescending." I don't get why EVERYTHING is shoehorned into being some gender-related thing these days.
- braveo 9y agoBecause that's how the younger generation of feminists was taught to look at the world. It's why most of the time I find myself gravitating to many of the older, more balanced, feminists. Mansplaining is the classic problem looking for a solution.
- vocatus_gate 9y agoDid you mean "solution looking for a problem"? I didn't understand what you said.
- braveo 9y agoyes, that's what I meant, I was in a hurry this morning.
- snowwrestler 9y agoI'm a man and I think this term is fine. You don't speak for all men.
- zakk 9y agoOf course I don't. Still it's sad to see that you are OK with sexist behaviour.
- boost_ 9y ago>mansplaining please keep tumblr tier made up words away from HN, its ridiculous.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- exodust 9y ago> I believe, it's a strong signaling that it was sexism No idea where you get that from, if not the wave of social media outrage. There's no evidence of sexism here at all. The audience applauded because of the injustice taking place at that moment which the moderator was unaware of. He was being rude by not letting her speak at that point. Everyone saw and applauded when balance was restored. Nothing to do with sexism, it was just a clumsy moderator moment that could have happened to anyone. He could have handled it better by saying "let me talk for a moment about your theories, if I may, and then I'll hand over to you". That would have been acceptable, but he didn't do that, and she felt unable to speak. Audience was with her, and applauded. At 27:05 he asks her a question and does not interrupt, so it's not like there are no examples of him being polite and treating her with the same respect as other members.