Comments on: Why I’m Blogging http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/ life, life in science, miscellaneous thoughts Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:15:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: Holly Capote http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-104 Tue, 01 Aug 2006 17:48:20 +0100 http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-104 Anonymity in blogging is a buffer and frees one's fingers to present problematic notions, but as a professional writer, when an anonymous blogger attacks my positions, I consider them cowards. Anonymity in blogging is a buffer and frees one’s fingers to present problematic notions, but as a professional writer, when an anonymous blogger attacks my positions, I consider them cowards.

]]> by: xeroxpoet http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-100 Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:32:40 +0100 http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-100 Hey, Dr. Shellie! It was fun talking with you at BlogHer at our impromptu "feminist BOF." I wish you much luck and success with your job search, and if you ever have an occasion to visit a certain college, come find me! Best, xeroxpoet Hey, Dr. Shellie!

It was fun talking with you at BlogHer at our impromptu “feminist BOF.” I wish you much luck and success with your job search, and if you ever have an occasion to visit a certain college, come find me!

Best,
xeroxpoet

]]> by: Kristin http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-99 Mon, 31 Jul 2006 16:15:22 +0100 http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-99 It seems impressive to me that the older guys are even asking about women's issues in the science profession. But I guess that's because my experience dates from a decade ago when it was stiff upper lip for the women, no questioning the culture allowed. Anyway, I didn't stay in physics long enough to do anything to bring about any change from within. But I think that you should feel encouraged to speak honestly about the very real issues that women face having to do with fertility and supportive atmosphere. The fact is, even these old guys have wives and daughters. The needs of professional women may have been invisible to the scientific top brass a generation ago, but they want their daughters to have the opportunity to live as full and satisfying a life as possible. I remember reading around the time that Princeton was celebrating 20 years of coeducation back in 1989 that many alumni who initially opposed the move suddenly realized that they had daughters who just might possibly want to attend Princeton themselves someday. So just because someone has white hair doesn't mean that he's not going to be sympathetic to your concerns. And just because someone is of your generation doesn't mean they'll "get it" either. Male postdocs should also be speaking up about family issues, too. Last time I checked it takes two to make a baby. It seems impressive to me that the older guys are even asking about women’s issues in the science profession. But I guess that’s because my experience dates from a decade ago when it was stiff upper lip for the women, no questioning the culture allowed.

Anyway, I didn’t stay in physics long enough to do anything to bring about any change from within. But I think that you should feel encouraged to speak honestly about the very real issues that women face having to do with fertility and supportive atmosphere.

The fact is, even these old guys have wives and daughters. The needs of professional women may have been invisible to the scientific top brass a generation ago, but they want their daughters to have the opportunity to live as full and satisfying a life as possible. I remember reading around the time that Princeton was celebrating 20 years of coeducation back in 1989 that many alumni who initially opposed the move suddenly realized that they had daughters who just might possibly want to attend Princeton themselves someday. So just because someone has white hair doesn’t mean that he’s not going to be sympathetic to your concerns. And just because someone is of your generation doesn’t mean they’ll “get it” either.

Male postdocs should also be speaking up about family issues, too. Last time I checked it takes two to make a baby.

]]> by: skookumchick http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-98 Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:58:46 +0100 http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-98 Thanks for the comment on my blog, Dr. Shellie, and the associated post on why you blog. I'm looking forward to seeing what you post as "socially useful." I also agree with the bit about using the blog to work out what you want to say and to whom, although I'm not ready to talk about race with anyone yet (a subject of several recent posts). I also find the lure of instant publication to be addictive, and keeping my blog focused on my topic to be a challenge. But including a list of CSA food and photos of vacations and such seems to represent my life more authentically... I guess it's good to keep a balance. Thanks for the comment on my blog, Dr. Shellie, and the associated post on why you blog. I’m looking forward to seeing what you post as “socially useful.” I also agree with the bit about using the blog to work out what you want to say and to whom, although I’m not ready to talk about race with anyone yet (a subject of several recent posts). I also find the lure of instant publication to be addictive, and keeping my blog focused on my topic to be a challenge. But including a list of CSA food and photos of vacations and such seems to represent my life more authentically… I guess it’s good to keep a balance.

]]> by: Melanie Swan http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-96 Mon, 31 Jul 2006 05:16:42 +0100 http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-96 That was an interesting issue that came up at BlogHer; how public one is willing to be. We think it is so risky to voice our real views but sometimes once they are out there, we find a lot of others think the same and maybe anonymity wasn’t required. What change-the-world responsibility do we have to get our views out there publicly? Your point is interesting, when you work it out anonymously, you later use it publicly. Maybe just getting it out and looking at it first is important. That was an interesting issue that came up at BlogHer; how public one is willing to be. We think it is so risky to voice our real views but sometimes once they are out there, we find a lot of others think the same and maybe anonymity wasn’t required. What change-the-world responsibility do we have to get our views out there publicly? Your point is interesting, when you work it out anonymously, you later use it publicly. Maybe just getting it out and looking at it first is important.

]]> by: femaleCSGradStudent http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-95 Mon, 31 Jul 2006 04:35:50 +0100 http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2006/07/31/why-im-blogging/#comment-95 Perhaps turn it back to the generic? "I'd prefer not to get into my own personal stories, but I will say that many of my female colleagues have faced similar issues." Kind a weak, I know, but I would have a hard time telling my own personal stories to this type of audience. Perhaps turn it back to the generic? “I’d prefer not to get into my own personal stories, but I will say that many of my female colleagues have faced similar issues.” Kind a weak, I know, but I would have a hard time telling my own personal stories to this type of audience.

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