While speaking at the World Conference of Science Journalists in Seoul, South Korea, biochemist Tim Hunt said that scientists should work in gender-separated labs. Uh-huh.
His “argument” began as they always do:
“Let me tell you about my trouble with girls.”
Oh boy. DO TELL.
“Three things happen when they are in the lab…You fall in love with them, they fall in love with you and when you criticize them, they cry.”
Hunt, a Nobel laureate, has already resigned from his position at the University College London, and apologized for his comments, saying, “I’m very sorry that what I thought were light hearted ironic remarks were taken so seriously, and I’m very sorry if people took offense. I certainly did not mean to demean women, but rather be honest about my own shortcomings.”
It was too little, too late (not to mention too dumb), and women on Twitter have responded to Hunt’s forced confession with the #DistractinglySexy hashtag. It’s great.
Thankfully, worker bees are all female, otherwise… #distractinglysexy #timhunt pic.twitter.com/22tjbahYRf
— Emily Remnant (@EmsyRemsy) June 10, 2015
Does this lab coat make me look #distractinglysexy? #TimHunt If it doesn't please don't criticize me. I would cry. pic.twitter.com/Z7s3LxWuwZ
— Dr. Christian Kershaw (@CKershawPhD) June 10, 2015
In my boat work gear and covered in mud I definitely feel #distractinglysexy #TimHunt pic.twitter.com/WxnRij2V3Q
— Dr Rachel 'worm girl' Hale (@SeafloorScience) June 11, 2015
I was always #DistractinglySexy in my boiler suit covered with seabird poo during my PhD in field ecology… #TimHunt pic.twitter.com/fTM2TE38EP
— Dr Viola Ross-Smith (@Viola_RS) June 10, 2015
https://twitter.com/lu_debeauchamp/status/608980986534182912
https://twitter.com/lornarichardson/status/608962173864390656
Best part of being a marine ecologist? No one can tell you're crying underH2O. Though wetsuits are #distractinglysexy pic.twitter.com/tX5cFmeFgm
— Angee Doerr (@andoerr) June 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/gkygirlengineer/status/609002732163346432
https://twitter.com/ameliacervera/status/608999424585527296
Nothing like a sample tube full of cheetah poop to make you #distractinglysexy pic.twitter.com/tdBTLRos4p
— Prof Sarah Durant (@SarahMDurant) June 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/BeccaPritchy/status/608984359425703936
I had 3 marriage proposals after this talk. Shame I cried too much to accept #distractinglysexy #captioncompetition pic.twitter.com/Bv8yYmKhMK
— Dr Sammie Buzzard ❄️ (@TreacherousBuzz) June 11, 2015
No mascara running, no lovers – but it's only 12.30 #distractinglysexy #TimHunt pic.twitter.com/bMViDqyayb
— Hilary J Anderson (@HilaryAnderson8) June 11, 2015