Walking droplets, pilot waves, and word choices
DOI: 10.1063/PT.3.3121
I was recently perusing my copy of the August 2015 issue of Physics Today, looking in particular at the feature articles. To my surprise, I read the following as the opening of “The new wave of pilot-wave theory” by John Bush:
“If particle physics is the dazzling crown prince of science, fluid mechanics is the cantankerous queen mother: While her loyal subjects flatter her as being rich, mature, and insightful, many consider her to be démodé, uninteresting, and difficult. In her youth, she was more attractive.”
“If particle physics is the dazzling crown prince of science, fluid mechanics is the cantankerous queen mother: While her loyal subjects flatter her as being rich, mature, and insightful, many consider her to be démodé, uninteresting, and difficult. In her youth, she was more attractive.”
I trust that Bush was intending to be charismatic and appeal to his male readers. However, I was disappointed that he did not think through the sexist stereotypes that this writing reinforces. Invoking a metaphor that casts women as the “cantankerous queens” of science does not help us to be treated with respect in the workplace.
More about the Authors
Leslie Kerby. (kerblesl@isu.edu) Idaho State University, Pocatello.
