tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post197362130113192237..comments2024-03-14T04:53:49.513-05:00Comments on FemaleScienceProfessor: Get A (Different) RoomFemale Science Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288567883197987690noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-45279084524839332112012-12-12T14:59:07.670-06:002012-12-12T14:59:07.670-06:00I gave a talk at BYU recently -- lots of young wom...I gave a talk at BYU recently -- lots of young women with babies etc. In my "public lecture" there was a couple smooching right in the middle of the room, though evidently the young woman was listening and indeed asked the best question at the end . So I say -- let's have more of it during lectures!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-69411686534134793402011-12-03T13:35:31.828-06:002011-12-03T13:35:31.828-06:00Worse is when they do this at grad school intervie...Worse is when they do this at grad school interviews. Sitting on your bf's lap during your interview with the dean?!! It happened. How clueless are these people?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-55687734739035386452011-11-15T22:09:02.191-06:002011-11-15T22:09:02.191-06:00I have a student in the back row that picks his no...I have a student in the back row that picks his nose and eats it in class. What would you do? At the beginning of the year I would just, when I saw him, say "STOP", and now he thinks he is sneaking them. I kind of teach to the other side of the room. I mean, in class? You cannot go 75 minutes? It is totally gross. I would love to have cuddle-bunnies.just sayinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01325255534600442865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-3920148952069907472011-11-14T14:51:32.343-06:002011-11-14T14:51:32.343-06:00Other - they need to have some respect, and appare...Other - they need to have some respect, and apparently nowhere along the line has anyone told them this type of behavior in inappropriate. Then again, maybe they just didn't listen. I would hope I would have the wherewithal to walk by, make eye contact, and politely say, "Not the place," and walk away from them to a row closer to the front so I didn't have to look at them. Maybe it would do them a favor. After all, it's not a movie theater.Katy Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07430827879856588981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-11593827781098663112011-11-10T21:44:24.335-06:002011-11-10T21:44:24.335-06:00It must be so difficult to go through life as a no...It must be so difficult to go through life as a non-puritan and see no difference between topless women at a European lake and a conference session at a professional meeting. OrmMaybe you go to different conferences than I do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-72339299625389567592011-11-10T06:48:48.919-06:002011-11-10T06:48:48.919-06:00Public displays of affection are Ok in most countr...Public displays of affection are Ok in most countries. Only a few puritan countries have a heart attack when something like this happens in public. <br /><br />Grow up! Also be warned: when you go to Europe you might even see topless women in the beach and nude sunbathers near a lake. I definitely recommend you refrain from doing D in this last case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-70680475348581692922011-11-08T19:31:19.218-06:002011-11-08T19:31:19.218-06:00I would apply a mixture of B and C.
I had an expe...I would apply a mixture of B and C.<br /><br />I had an experience at a conference during the past year that has made me much more kindly inclined toward people who send email/use the internet during talks. While I was at a conference, a natural disaster occurred back home that forced my town to be evacuated and had the potential to leave me without a house (or lab) to return to. Those of us who were at the conference found ourselves frequently checking email, looking for news updates, going to Facebook, watching streaming news conferences (that, at least, in the hallway outside the lecture rooms), etc. Things turned out fine for me, but the experience has made me aware that not everyone using their computer during a talk is necessarily aimlessly looking for more stimulation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-2858496919430753282011-11-08T16:13:29.390-06:002011-11-08T16:13:29.390-06:00I don't care if two people are holding hands o...I don't care if two people are holding hands or whatever during a talk, but active snuggling -- these two were sharing a seat, sniffing each other, and catching the attention of everyone sitting around them -- is not appropriate. <br /><br />I am not at all bothered by people checking email or doing other computer/phone things during a talk as long as they are sitting in the back and not being loud about it (some keyboards/keypads are quieter than others).Female Science Professorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288567883197987690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-63767657283952531382011-11-08T15:14:44.651-06:002011-11-08T15:14:44.651-06:00I don't mind people doing such things if they ...I don't mind people doing such things if they remain still and quiet. When they start moving or making noise it becomes distracting and disrespectful, just as it would be disrespectful to do other enjoyable but distracting activities like jazzercise or thumb wrestling during a conference talk.<br /><br />In such cases I would not hesitate to ask them to do their business elsewhere, especially if there was a gap in between talks in which I could talk to them without disturbing the session.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-73097710990670058102011-11-08T13:11:28.941-06:002011-11-08T13:11:28.941-06:00Give the kids a break. As mentioned, emailing/IMin...Give the kids a break. As mentioned, emailing/IMing, etc. can be just as disruptive to the other attendees. And from the speaker's point of view, the sleepers are more disquieting than the lovers. For those who want to choose D for this situation, I hope you're going around and poking the sleepers as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-72349847508130444512011-11-08T12:30:48.124-06:002011-11-08T12:30:48.124-06:00I had this same experience at a conference recentl...I had this same experience at a conference recently and had trouble resisting the urge to do C and tried to just do B. What was more annoying is that the woman in question was a young hot shot professor who gave a talk in the conference later in the week. I felt horrible for feeling this way, but she is very pretty and has some distracting mannerisms during her talks (giggling/laughing often, wearing short skirts, etc.) that make it a little hard for me to take her seriously anyway, and this made it even more difficult. Adding to my annoyance (about her lack of professionalism and my own judgmental tendencies) was the fact that her boyfriend, who was not in our field, when not making out with her in the halls or in the meeting rooms, was typing away noisily on his computer. I understand that a conference can be a great place to meet up with an old flame, but if you're not going to listen to the talks, why be in the room? There were lovely cafe tables just outside where he could have typed to his heart's content.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-17973327283912815512011-11-08T11:22:47.608-06:002011-11-08T11:22:47.608-06:00e) Make a cell phone video and post it on YouTube...e) Make a cell phone video and post it on YouTube.Alexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-88211285019061706952011-11-08T11:16:28.883-06:002011-11-08T11:16:28.883-06:00I would have done B but I wonder if the most corre...I would have done B but I wonder if the most correct thing would be D. Obviously these two didn't think their behavior was inappropriate yet here were a whole bunch of possible employers secretly condemning them behind their back. As the "older statesmen" who think it is important for everyone to get good mentoring, wouldn't it have been better to pull these two aside at some point and tell them about the general effect of their inappropriate behavior.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-74897916046468472232011-11-08T11:14:13.189-06:002011-11-08T11:14:13.189-06:00Definitely A. I am more disturbed by sleepers, ya...Definitely A. I am more disturbed by sleepers, yawners and facebookers. It's amazing that in the 21st century people find cuddling icky!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-74367237744211614922011-11-08T11:08:04.843-06:002011-11-08T11:08:04.843-06:00I would probably go for B, but I wanted to discuss...I would probably go for B, but I wanted to discuss a recurring theme in these comments: e-mail checking. I don't at all see a problem with checking email, editing a manuscript, or reading another paper entirely on your computer during a conference session. Many talks (as recently covered by FSP) have obviously not been practiced or well thought out. Why am I supposed to find the courtesy to sit quietly and patiently when they couldn't find the same courtesy when putting together their talk, which, I might add, I am paying to see at a very expensive conference. I realize they also pay to give the talk, but their motivation should be the opportunity to showcase their cool new science so that I might go out and read their paper and either cite it in my own or point it out to my colleagues who will.<br /><br />All of this is based in the assumption that anyone can put together a good talk. I believe this to be completely true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-82554667237462589112011-11-08T10:55:53.802-06:002011-11-08T10:55:53.802-06:00A/B. As others have said, what's important is ...A/B. As others have said, what's important is whether they were quiet and still mostly listening. I find email checking in the front row far, far worse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-80937208329086938122011-11-08T10:34:03.732-06:002011-11-08T10:34:03.732-06:00A. They're not professors, right - and not mar...A. They're not professors, right - and not married to other people we know, right - so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-25075010479126739432011-11-08T08:50:09.482-06:002011-11-08T08:50:09.482-06:00Depends. How much snuggling are we talking about? ...Depends. How much snuggling are we talking about? Just an arm around a shoulder? A serious back rub? A foot massage? Details are relevant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-86765987270690348192011-11-08T08:46:28.353-06:002011-11-08T08:46:28.353-06:00Ick is the response I would go for. Not the one I ...Ick is the response I would go for. Not the one I would to do, public humiliation as a previous comment mentioned. I have a battery powered water pistol for demonstrating projectile motion in my high school physics class. I hit any corner of the room from my blackboard.<br /><br />Physics: messing up students since Archimedes.Allennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-88379281169176819332011-11-08T08:36:42.733-06:002011-11-08T08:36:42.733-06:00Blech. C followed by B. Not canoodling in professi...Blech. C followed by B. Not canoodling in professional situations is basic manners, which should be able to be followed by any grown-up. And if you're not a grown-up, why are you at a conference? <br /><br />Sure, young love is great, but so is courtesy and professionalism. It's possible to be in love, and at a conference together, without exhibiting this behaviour.Aletheahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17056863610469196748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-28930123536800103122011-11-08T08:15:02.878-06:002011-11-08T08:15:02.878-06:00Probably a mix of B and C. Although others have a ...Probably a mix of B and C. Although others have a VERY good point, in that somehow people think it is inappropriate to be affectionate but dismiss use of internet for non-related activities?<br /><br />I know people have historically done other things during lectures (sleep, crosswords, read publications, grade, etc.), but none of those activities involved a lit screen or typing, which are very distracting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-43851965810366930502011-11-08T06:34:12.977-06:002011-11-08T06:34:12.977-06:00Kind of off-topic, but...
I agree with gasstation...Kind of off-topic, but...<br /><br />I agree with gasstationwithoutpumps -- what is it with all the "old" people at conferences who think it is acceptable behavior to sit in the audience at a talk and read email / otherwise work / read the news (or even worse, write email, which also creates typing noise)? Would they find this acceptable if their students were doing it in their lectures? If they are going to read email, why not leave the meeting room and do it quietly in the hall, where they will not disturb the rest of the audience or be disrespectful to the speaker?<br /><br />Snuggling ... also not appropriate. Maybe session chairs should start off sessions with an etiquette announcement: please turn off your laptops and cell phones, leave you seats in their upright and locked positions, and refrain from public displays of affection.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-19126445660967552932011-11-08T06:30:41.396-06:002011-11-08T06:30:41.396-06:00Wow, a lot of Puritans uppa heah, unless the image...Wow, a lot of Puritans uppa heah, unless the image in their heads is a lot more "making out" than it is "snuggling". Particularly egregious is the comment about putting them on a personal blacklist. <br /><br />Y'know what? If people show affection in public, it's not going to make the building fall down, or unravel Science, or take away your diploma. Consider getting over yourselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-24937871784445939992011-11-08T03:20:50.122-06:002011-11-08T03:20:50.122-06:00I think both snuggling and reading email/surfing t...I think both snuggling and reading email/surfing the news etc etc in conferences is rude and should be discouraged at all costs. Actually, if the snugglers were still listening, I'd be less offended by them than the email-readers to be honest. We all know that there are some lectures that are less interesting than others, but letting your mind wander quietly and thinking about something is just as productive (or more so) and less disruptive to others than reading your email.<br /><br />I'd have done B with a slight smile to myself and raised eyebrows if I caught anyone else's glance.<br /><br />I once taught an undergraduate class in which I needed to show some demonstrations of refraction and rainbow formation. For this it was necessary to darken the lecture theater. Half way through I realised that two of the students sat in the middle of the lecture theater were actually kissing rather noisily. My solution? Stop talking, turn the lights on suddenly with no warning and let the rest of the class decide their fate...Science Professor Mumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-60948937371199508582011-11-08T03:06:04.919-06:002011-11-08T03:06:04.919-06:00Mostly B for me, with a side of A. I'm a twent...Mostly B for me, with a side of A. I'm a twentysomething academic in love with another academic who happens to live about 3000 miles away, so I appreciate the fact that conferences are a great place to actually get to spend time with your loved one.<br /><br />On the other hand, when you're in the meeting room, you're at work. Canoodling beyond the occasional surreptitious hand-holding or knee-touching is inappropriate for work---leave the touchy-feely stuff until dinner and drinks. Or at least the hallway.Anienoreply@blogger.com