This female scientist was continually interrupted by the male moderator at a convention, and the audience revolted
During a panel discussion about the mysteries of the universe and how it operates, female scientist, Veronika Hubeny was constantly interrupted by the male moderator. Much like the workings of the universe, this is another mind-boggling, inexplicable thing: Mansplaining — an infuriating phenomenon in which a man feels the overwhelming need to interrupt a woman in order to explain something she already completely understands. Why it happens? We’re not completely sure. But those in the audience at the World Science Festival during the panel were not having it!
Veronika Hubeny, a theoretical physicist and professor, was interrupted several times by moderator Jim Holt, a science writer for the New Yorker.
During the panel, which was called “Pondering the Imponderables: The Biggest Questions of Cosmology,” Hubeny was asked a question by Holt on the subject of string theory — which happens to be her field of expertise. But while the scientist attempted to give a response, Holt constantly talked over her, preventing her from finishing a thought.
Things continued this way until finally, a woman in the audience yelled what so many people were probably thinking: “Let her speak!”
It was later revealed that the voice belonged to Marilee Talkington, when she shared details of her experience at the convention on Facebook.
So, after thinking about this over night, I've decided to share something that happened at the WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL...
Posted by Marilee Talkington on Sunday, June 4, 2017
“The sexism is beyond blatant,” she wrote. “It is happening on stage and NO ONE, not a single other physicist or panelist is stepping in to say anything about it. And I can hear other audience members around me, both men and women becoming more and more agitated with what is happening.”
Hubeny herself later responded to Talkington’s Facebook post with a little note of optimism.
“If you allow yourself to enjoy the beautiful things that really matter, if you don’t let social or peer pressure dissuade you from pursuing a field which appeals to you, then no pettiness or childishness or boorishness that you encounter can harm you so much,” she wrote. “Please understand that I’m not trying to say that sexism in science is a myth. It is real and we should all aspire to diminish it. But I am trying to say that it need not pose as much of an impediment as you might fear.”
We’re applauding both of these amazing women, one for standing up for what she believes in and the other for being brilliant and so very graceful during this challenging moment.
