Not rocket science

[Gob]

Writing the obituary of a renowned female rocket scientist shouldn't have been, well, rocket science.



But it proved too much for the New York Times, which began its article about Yvonne Brill, a pioneer of rocket propulsion, with a tribute to her cooking skills.

"She made a mean beef stroganoff, followed her husband from job to job and took eight years off from work to raise three children. 'The world's best mom,' her son Matthew said," the obituary began.

Within hours the article had provoked a storm on Twitter, where users complained that no male scientist would ever be discussed in terms of his spouse or his cooking.

"Toasting a late rocket scientist for her kitchen skills makes my head lean into my desk," wrote one user.

Margaret Sullivan, the New York Times's public editor, said she agreed with the criticism and the article was later discreetly changed, substituting the stroganoff reference for "a brilliant rocket scientist".

Unusually, the paper appeared not to make any public note that the article had been changed as it usually does with corrections or amendments.

Mrs Brill, who died aged 88, developed a thruster widely used for positioning satellites in orbit above the earth.

She stepped back from full-time work in the 1950s to raise her three children but then returned in 1966 and her greatest achievements came in the later part of her career.

Mrs Brill worked briefly for NASA in the early 1980s and in 2011 was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President Barack Obama during a ceremony at the White House.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/new-york-ti ... z2PHYrjaCM

[Lord Jim]

Within hours the article had provoked a storm on Twitter, where users complained that no male scientist would ever be discussed in terms of his spouse or his cooking.

They might be, if that's what their child chose to talk about in a quote...Which is what this was...a quote from one of her children...

How dare her son choose to recall a fond personal memory about his mother rather than talking only of her professional accomplishments! The sexist pig!

Some people need to lighten up....

[Econoline]

Writing the obituary of a renowned female rocket scientist shouldn't have been, well, rocket science.

But it proved too much for the New York Times, which began its article about Yvonne Brill, a pioneer of rocket propulsion, with a tribute to her cooking skills.

"She made a mean beef stroganoff, followed her husband from job to job and took eight years off from work to raise three children. 'The world's best mom,' her son Matthew said," the obituary began.

I'm sure no one is saying that this information shouldn't have been included at all, but it should not have been in the first sentence. "Don't bury the lead."--Journalism 101; it's not Rocket Science 101.

[Lord Jim]

Somehow I doubt that the headline for the obit read:

Yvonne Brill, Renowned Stroganoff Maker Dies

It it did, I think there'd be a much better point here....

[alice]

If the first line of my obituary included ''The world's best mom" then I will have achieved a very fine thing. This woman's children obviously valued her domestic accomplishments more than whatever her day job was, and they must have loved her very much to remember her with such a grand statement. And the fact that other people choose to put her scientific achievements ahead of this is their own choice. But i think it was very touching of the newspaper to open with a line that celebrated the loving and human aspects that her children thought most important, before making the readers aware also of her skills as a rocket scientist.
What a shame we're so defensive and belittling about the 'simple' achievements - which are often the ones that really are the most important to the family.

[MajGenl.Meade]

...and Obama's now in trouble for making a light-hearted remark (after lauding her achievements) that the lady Attorney General for Wherever is "by far the best looking A-G" in the USA. Poor man can't get a break!

I guess it isn't true.

Meade

[Lord Jim]

Great post Alice..

[oldr_n_wsr]

If the first line of my obituary included ''The world's best mom" then I will have achieved a very fine thing.

Having known you for more than a few years, I believe you have earned that title and that your children agree with me 10000%. Knowing your history and life, you have earned a place in the MOM's Hall of Fame and so have your kids in the Childrens Hall of Fame. You are a rock alice.

[dgs49]

Makes me think of all the obits of people who have achieved many significant things in life, only to have it pointed out that they did something noteworthy in sports while in high school. Jesus, who gives a shit?

[alice]

Thank you Lord Jim. Occasionally I manage to make a little bit of sense!!!
... and oldr-n-wsr - that meant a lot to me. Thank you. (Although I sometimes think they turned out so well despite me, not because of me!! )

[oldr_n_wsr]

Thank you Lord Jim. Occasionally I manage to make a little bit of sense!!!
... and oldr-n-wsr - that meant a lot to me. Thank you. (Although I sometimes think they turned out so well despite me, not because of me!! )

And you are humble.