Feminism in skepticism?
Richard Dawkins Gets into a Comments War with Feminists from Apostasy.no
Players: Famed evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins; Rebecca Watson, female activist.
The man in the elevator didn't physically touch her, didn't attempt to bar her way out of the elevator, didn't even use foul language at her. He spoke some words to her. Just words. She no doubt replied with words. That was that. Words. Only words, and apparently quite polite words at that....Rebecca's feeling that the man's proposition was 'creepy' was her own interpretation of his behavior, presumably not his. She was probably offended to about the same extent as I am offended if a man gets into an elevator with me chewing gum. But he does me no physical damage and I simply grin and bear it until either I or he gets out of the elevator. It would be different if he physically attacked me.
Elevator incident
In June 2011, Watson described an experience at a skeptical conference, concerning an approach by a man in an elevator, who invited her to his room for coffee and a conversation late at night.[29] In a video blog, among other things, she stated that incident made her feel sexualized and uncomfortable and advised, "Guys, don't do that".[30] Her statement sparked a controversy among the skeptic community.[31] Her critics said she was over-reacting to a trivial incident, most notably Richard Dawkins, who wrote a satirical letter to an imaginary Muslim woman, sarcastically contrasting her plight to Rebecca's complaint.[32] This in turn caused him to be greatly criticized by those supporting her on the issue, including several famous figures in the community.[33][34] Watson announced that she would not buy or endorse Dawkins's books and lectures in the future.[33]
The Mail & Guardian summarized the incident as "a fairly useful debate about feminism, sexism and appropriate sexual boundaries between men and women [that] descended into all out troll warfare and an attendant witch-hunt to persecute sexists in the atheist community."[35]
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/07/always_name_names.php#co...
Posted by: Richard Dawkins 
| July 2, 2011 11:11 AM
Dear Muslima
Stop whining, will you. Yes, yes, I know you had your genitals mutilated with a razor blade, and . . . yawn . . . don't tell me yet again, I know you aren't allowed to drive a car, and you can't leave the house without a male relative, and your husband is allowed to beat you, and you'll be stoned to death if you commit adultery. But stop whining, will you. Think of the suffering your poor American sisters have to put up with.
Only this week I heard of one, she calls herself Skep"chick", and do you know what happened to her? A man in a hotel elevator invited her back to his room for coffee. I am not exaggerating. He really did. He invited her back to his room for coffee. Of course she said no, and of course he didn't lay a finger on her, but even so . . .
And you, Muslima, think you have misogyny to complain about! For goodness sake grow up, or at least grow a thicker skin.
Richard
Women who don’t amuse Penn Jillette are cunts
February 6, 2012 at 12:03 pm 
JenLindy West is a freelance writer who often writes for Slog, so I’ve grown to love her writing since I’ve moved to Seattle. She has a piece at MSNBC poking fun at the apocalyptic Super Bowl ads from last night. And this is what Penn Jillette thinks of her article:
“What a remarkably stupid cunt. Why did I read this? Strained comedy that does exactly what she’s busting. Horrible. How about not watching? This is just someone trying to hate people and be superior and having to work really hard at it. She does the same fucking joke 4 times and pats herself on the back for it. I’ve never seen any of these ads, and never will, but what a fucking talentless cunt.”
Yep. According to Penn Jillette, if a woman makes a joke he doesn’t find funny, she’s a stupid talentless cunt.
SUMMARIZED:
Comment
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Comment by Richard Phister on February 28, 2012 at 8:06pm -
June 2011 (rollseyes)
You left out the part where Watson very unprofessionally blindsided and trashed another woman in front of an entire conference crowd.
And don't forget the completely insane management of the comments section over @ skepchick.
I think r/atheism may have the right attitude regarding the situation: "Rebecca who?" or "notthisshitagainfacepalm.jpg" followed by a downboat.
If cunts are gonna get all cunty over the use of the word cunt, than cunt is doing exactly what cunt is supposed to be doing. Otherwise, cunt wouldn't be cunt.
Also, cocks.
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Comment by Karl Mamer on February 28, 2012 at 10:35am -
There has been a bit of a feminist = woo meme in skepticism at the same time many women who identify themselves as feminists are joining the ranks of skepticism. They're trying to integrate their more confrontational, political style into a movement that's more about logic and debate. No surprise there's a clash. It's a bit like when at my high school they promoted a bunch of teachers from the elementary system into the high school ranks. They tried to bring their elementary school teaching style into the "too cool for school" high school environment. And there was a clash.
I think right now feminists in skepticism are reacting to the criticism as a condemnation of the whole movement. "I self identify as a feminist and a skeptic but it seems like I'm being told I can't be both. To the barricades!" And skeptics are over reacting and pushing back. "You're trying to stifle debate!"
But things will get sorted out.
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