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A BRITISH NOBEL Prize winner has had to make a grovelling apology after being called out on sexist remarks he made at a conference.
Sir Tim Hunt, who won his Nobel prize for physiology / medicine in 2001, told the World Conference of Science Journalists conference in South Korea that only three things can happen when it comes to women and laboratory work:
“Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab. You fall in love with them, they fall in love with you and when you criticise them, they cry.”
When the comments were not well received at the conference Hunt admitted that he has a reputation for being a “chauvinistic pig”.
Unfortunately for Hunt his remarks were subsequently tweeted from the conference (which was packed full of both senior female scientists and scientific journalists) by people such as Connie St Louis, the director of Science Journalism at City University London.
Connie St Louis / TwitterNobel scientist Tim Hunt FRS @royalsociety says at Korean women lunch “I’m a chauvinist and keep ‘girls’ single lab pic.twitter.com/Z9NhykaTPv
— Connie St Louis (@connie_stlouis) June 8, 2015
Speaking to BBC Radio 4′s Today programme this morning Hunt spoke in very contrite terms about what were meant to be “lighthearted comments” at worst.
“It was a lunch for women scientists and I was asked to say a few words, I thought it ironic that I came after three women speakers to be honest,” he said.
I thought it was a bit odd that they asked a man.
But I am really sorry that I said what I said. It was meant in a lighthearted fashion, but it was foolish of me to speak like that in front of so many journalists, and I can confirm that my comments were accurately reported.
In science it is terribly important to be able to criticise someone’s ideas but not them – if they burst into tears it just holds back from getting at the truth, and that’s what science is about really – truth.
I am really, really sorry that I caused any offence, that’s just awful. I just meant to be honest actually.
Hmmm. You might be digging a slightly bigger hole for yourself there Tim.
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I think if he is making people cry he may need to tackle his approach to constructive criticism rather than blame the person he has reduced to tears.
Definitely agree with this. It is the way you say it.
Or thinking it’s because they’re in love with him…
….well, if that’s a grovelling apology – I’d hate to see his sarcastic side.
A “chauvinist pig” and he brags about it and is proud of himself.
A loathsome person.
lack of intelligence in so called intelligent people is worrying some times
So, he’s saying he keeps having the problem of female colleagues falling in love with him and disrupting the work environment?
*looks at photo*
Now, that doesn’t ACTUALLY happen, does it, Tim?
Men shouldn’t be allowed in laboratories as they are too easily distracted.
He is correct in part. Look how sensitive they got over his comment. Imagine taking someone aside & explaining their work isn’t up to par. Snot bubbles everywhere.
Damn boy?
You must be a goalie cos you’re such a keeper.
I’d love to work for you.
We are all just grown up children. Men taking criticism from women brings its own problems. Neither sex has the monopoly on soft egos.
Just because someone is a Nobel Laureate doesn’t mean he or she isn’t a fool.
Some apology….
He should have learned from James Watson who was made a persona non grata for speaking his mind and forced to sell his nobel prize.
After all, the last thing science is about is speaking your mind and open and free enquiry or even making jokes.
Watson was free to say the things he did. Unfortunately for him, as well as being racist, his ideas have largely been debunked. He wasn’t forced to sell his nobel prize, he chose to.
Kind of shocked that anyone would try and defend the clearly racist comments that James Watson made. Are you honestly defending the following statement? He said he hopes everyone is equal, but “people who have to deal with black employees find this not true.”
Also, you say that ‘After all, the last thing science is about is speaking your mind’ and while you’re clearly being sarcastic, you are absolutely correct. Science is about facts, not opinions.
Catherine, if you’ve seen Plantations past comments on this site you would know that he would be happy to defend those statements.
Ah I see. I haven’t seen them, but thanks for the heads up, Ron :)
What a Hunt!
His head could probably use some studying in a lab for saying that
Obviously he doesn’t like women; wonder why?
Maybe it’s the tedious ignorance expressed as boring rhetorical questions.
He is apologising / snivelling / crying now- the Nobel Prize clearly went to his big head-
Probably has a touch of Aspergers himself; must be the reason.
Or else he’s just an idiot. But at least he’s sorry there were reporters there.
Wow Theresa, that’s a quite an amazing leap.
I’d say “grow up”, but I wouldn’t want you to waste your few remaining years on an apparently futile exercise.
@Cathal. ‘My few remaining years’. Don’t ever forget some jump that queue!
Just lacks social skills.
It is sad when a bloated housewife appointed only because of affirmative action is allowed to twist the words of a Nobel Laureate in such a manner.
Hunt by name…
have your say