4 ms·

How patronizing: "He goes to school dances (but not clubs) and has never had a girlfriend. Asked if his new science stardom might help land one, he replies: I h

How patronizing: "He goes to school dances (but not clubs) and has never had a girlfriend. Asked if his new science stardom might help land one, he replies: I haven't thought about that." When will society ask the new starlets and Oscar winners how often they help out in the community or go to the library/museum/gallery when there isn't a gala on, or if they have ever written an academic paper which contributes anything to society?

endtime 17y ago
Well...I think globeandmail's audience is probably more general and therefore more interested in character stuff more than academic papers. If someone gets interviewed on G4 they get asked what video games they play, whether or not they are known as gamers, and he's not asked that here either. Also, it seems Eric needs to work on communication/social skills: “Dude, you won a space station contest!” one girl said. “That's huge!” “Space colony,” Mr. Yam corrected. By Thursday, the news had sunk in. “It's great,” he said. “Finally some recognition.” Sounds like a smart guy though.
- scott_s 17y ago
  He might have made those comments in a socially appropriate way - by joking. It sounded to me like the author already decided "antisocial nerd" and fished for ways to make him fit. And if he is an antisocial nerd with poor social skills, I don't see any reason to point it out in the article - it's certainly not going to help him. Saying he's never had a girlfriend isn't just patronizing, it's embarassing. Why even mention it?
  - endtime 17y ago
    Well, other than being slightly embarassing (if he even cares) to a bunch of people he will never meet, it could also get the attention of a nice nerdy girl looking for a 16 year old who designs space colonies.
anamax 17y ago
> When will society ask the new starlets and Oscar winners how often they help out in the community Society doesn't ask (much), but these folks often do such things, and not necessarily for publicity reasons. But, it is fair to ask whether their efforts actually do any good. (They talk about "bringing attention" to problems but they're usually bringing attention to proposed solutions, which are often a disaster.)
pj 17y ago
Danica McKeller (Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years (great show)) wrote a math book for girls. She's a hot movie star that's doing something. Read more: http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/07/14/winnie-cooper-hottest-math-geek-ever/ http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/07/14/winnie-cooper-hottest-math...

endtime 17y ago

Well...I think globeandmail's audience is probably more general and therefore more interested in character stuff more than academic papers. If someone gets interviewed on G4 they get asked what video games they play, whether or not they are known as gamers, and he's not asked that here either. Also, it seems Eric needs to work on communication/social skills: “Dude, you won a space station contest!” one girl said. “That's huge!” “Space colony,” Mr. Yam corrected. By Thursday, the news had sunk in. “It's great,” he said. “Finally some recognition.” Sounds like a smart guy though.

scott_s 17y ago
He might have made those comments in a socially appropriate way - by joking. It sounded to me like the author already decided "antisocial nerd" and fished for ways to make him fit. And if he is an antisocial nerd with poor social skills, I don't see any reason to point it out in the article - it's certainly not going to help him. Saying he's never had a girlfriend isn't just patronizing, it's embarassing. Why even mention it?
- endtime 17y ago
  Well, other than being slightly embarassing (if he even cares) to a bunch of people he will never meet, it could also get the attention of a nice nerdy girl looking for a 16 year old who designs space colonies.

anamax 17y ago

> When will society ask the new starlets and Oscar winners how often they help out in the community Society doesn't ask (much), but these folks often do such things, and not necessarily for publicity reasons. But, it is fair to ask whether their efforts actually do any good. (They talk about "bringing attention" to problems but they're usually bringing attention to proposed solutions, which are often a disaster.)

pj 17y ago

Danica McKeller (Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years (great show)) wrote a math book for girls. She's a hot movie star that's doing something. Read more: http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/07/14/winnie-cooper-hottest-math-geek-ever/ http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/07/14/winnie-cooper-hottest-math...