tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post8381990307768074555..comments2022-03-26T07:56:49.515-04:00Comments on Janus Professor, My Travels in a Two-Body Life: To Report or Not to Report Offensive CommentsJanus Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339961758398856767noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-87869059157523586012012-10-06T17:45:57.518-04:002012-10-06T17:45:57.518-04:00I ask who to report to, because it's refreshin...I ask who to report to, because it's refreshing to hear people take these things seriously.<br /><br />My impression, in my department at least, is to not make a fuss and ignore it, that there's no changing the culture. Which is very tiring...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-91281883837479036362012-10-06T17:41:19.334-04:002012-10-06T17:41:19.334-04:00In re: the "anonymous" posts:
It is very...In re: the "anonymous" posts:<br />It is very easy to dismiss racism, sexism, ableism, etc, when one doesn't recognize his or her own privilege. <br /><br />About reporting it, especially if someone else already said to report it, my wonder is, who do you report it to? HR?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-35385967356411020042012-10-04T18:40:30.603-04:002012-10-04T18:40:30.603-04:00Frankly I am surprised that you were offended. Th...Frankly I am surprised that you were offended. This was a statement of a well known phenomena. As a teacher I receive IEPs that make the statement that students have trouble hearing in the higher register for various hearing loss related reasons and we are asked to provide lecture notes for students who have trouble intrepreting our tones. Generally the student can hear the noise but can not intrepret the words as well from me as s/he can the booming voiced guy next door. I would NEVER think to take offense at someone who is trying to be a good conversation partner but is having trouble intrepreting my words and I feel bad that you insulted him. He has as much right to report you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-77770394302322699392012-10-04T13:49:12.829-04:002012-10-04T13:49:12.829-04:00I would recommend not to report this comment. It&#...I would recommend not to report this comment. It's not a 100% clear case of sexism, it might just have been meant as a light-hearted comment from his side. Maybe his hearing problems are a huge problem for him and his way of dealing with it is to make (lame...) jokes about it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-77793719500685291692012-10-04T10:13:58.473-04:002012-10-04T10:13:58.473-04:00Maybe there is some offensiveness that came across...Maybe there is some offensiveness that came across in his tone that didn't come across in you post, but ... it sure doesn't sound offensive. It is true that higher-pitched sounds become harder to hear with age-related hearing loss, and this happens more to men. He might well have taken offense at your lack of sensitivity to his disability.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-41221267811508285942012-10-03T19:55:32.357-04:002012-10-03T19:55:32.357-04:00This post doesn't make any sense to me. The w...This post doesn't make any sense to me. The way you describe it, it seems as though he was having trouble hearing you and made a lighthearted comment about it. It also seems like you're on constant lookout for reasons to be offended. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-3388379067276126542012-10-03T17:37:11.249-04:002012-10-03T17:37:11.249-04:00Anonymous:
Yes the statement in the Merck Manual ...Anonymous:<br /><br />Yes the statement in the Merck Manual is offensive. It should have just stated how hearing is lost, and not attached (not always true) a sterotype about women's and children's voices. Not all women's voices are "high" pitched. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-3776318320380979122012-10-03T15:21:04.742-04:002012-10-03T15:21:04.742-04:00I get that it's frustrating to hear that someo...I get that it's frustrating to hear that someone isn't hearing you. I don't think it rises to gender bias or discrimination because the poor guy told you he has a hearing problem, not that you were saying something he didn't find worthwhile. I'd turn it around and think of it compassionately, unless the guy is an ass in other ways. If it's one data point, he's just hard of hearing, and higher voices really are harder to discern as we age. Diane Schmitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04251197186550275538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-52875991566331253482012-10-03T15:19:26.528-04:002012-10-03T15:19:26.528-04:00First of all, that study was in the news a while b...First of all, that study was in the news a while back -- of course, I took it as advice (when speaking with an older man, keep my voice lower than normal) AND thought "what the hell difference does it make, even if they can hear us, they don't listen to us... ".<br /><br />I would tend not to report it -- from the context it could easily be interpreted as meaning "I want to listen to what you have to say, but my ears are failing me"... <br /><br />And, in the comfort of my own computer and not being in the position of being shocked, I came up with a few good responses...<br /><br />"Oh, the way I understand the study, hearing is the second thing to go..."<br /><br />OR... "that explains the existence sexism entirely, thank you"<br /><br />OR... "that was the worst pick-up line, EVER... no wonder you aren't married."<br /><br />OR "excuse me, what did you just say, my feminist ears don't register sexist bullshit"...Pattynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089222247758430095.post-35177962113884526902012-10-03T15:13:07.555-04:002012-10-03T15:13:07.555-04:00Perhaps this colleague of yours was sensitive to h...Perhaps this colleague of yours was sensitive to his aging process. <br /><br />According to the Merck Manual: <br /><br />"Understanding what women and children say may be more difficult than understanding what men say because most women and children have higher-pitched voices. Gradually, hearing lower pitches also becomes more difficult" (http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/older_peoples_health_issues/the_aging_body/changes_in_the_body_with_aging.html).<br /><br />Is this statement by the Merck Manual offensive as well?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com