Re: [dinosaur] Prehistoric Road Trip,Tiny Teeth, Fearsome Beasts

[aviva <aviva@gmx.us>]

On 7/18/20 6:28 PM, Thomas Richard Holtz wrote:
> Oh, grow up.
>
> Having talked with Emily Graslie before, during, and after the filming
> of this, there was indeed a conscious choice of representation in this
> show. And the idea was that after fifty years of paleo-documentaries on
> TV, maybe having ONE that doesn't heavily feature white men from big
> institutions is okay. Just one.



That is not about growing up, that is about teaching racist and sexism
is OK.  It is NOT OK.  In fact, as a hospital adminstrater in a major
metro hospital, that would be cause for dismissal.

But lets talk about "growing up".  If your are going to produce
something, it should be of quality.  That is number one.  Secondly, what
was done was immoral.  Sexism is immoral.  And you did a terrible job of
misrepresenting women.

And while we are on this topic, I find it funny, as I work in a
community that is impoverished and black, that you believe that running
out a poorly done documentary that is obviously sexist in its intent,
with lots of white women, is in any way addressing a major social ill.
It is not.  Sit your tuchas on Sutter Avenue and Riverdale Avenue for a
few days and deal with the truly downtrodden, and open your eyes.  A
documentary about white female paleontologist is not addressing
anything.  Try dumping a few million dollars into a STEM student
development at Thomas Jefferson for Boy and Girls High School, while
fending off drug gangs, and gun violence, now that would be something.
I know, it is not as easy to do as running about like a chicken and
doing self satisfying videos on PBS, but it would actually be
meaningful.  Give up 5 years of field work and teach at Jeff?   There
are always positions open.

I'm sorry, this documentary was a abominable and its goal is an
embarrassment.

And previous documentaries have not pulled in scientist because they
were white and male.  They chose them because they were leaders in the
field, just like  Mary Higby Schweitzer, and Jenny Clark, who have
gotten considerable air time.  grown ups chose people because they are
the top of there field and make good presentations, and not because of
there gender.  This "documentary" is just sexist, and that is its only
contribution.

Saying this, I have now pretty much expressed my views on the topic, and
I have little else to add.  Nor do I think adding anything else would be
constructive.  You can argue further about it, if you want, among
yourselves.  If I read anything truly novel, I might add a thought.  My
experience in these matters make me believe that such an event is
unlikely and that everything that will be said as a follow up to this
will be predictable, and much of it in support of sexism and in defense
white female privilege.  Most of it will be emotionalism and illogical.

Aviva