The Geeky Atheist

Call me naive. Call me what you will. Watch this clip:

I don't see sexism. I just don't see it. I *can see how someone might take it as sexist, but let's dissect what he's saying:

• First example
• • Random girl approaches in a hotel bar and "wants to spend time with you"
• • Be skeptical, she's most likely a prostitute (especially in Vegas)
• Second example:
• • Suppose you're being hit on in a bar.
• • She then says, "You're very interesting, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I'm a Pisces."
• • He says you have two choices
• • • Tell her that astrology is bunk and offend her
• • • Ignore it and move on

The first example clearly is a joke and lies directly in the stereotypical setting for the "confused person doesn't realize he needs to pay" experience. It also is an allusion to an episode in season 2 of Big Bang Theory where this situation happens.

The second example is with what some people take exception. But Bill Prady phrased the situation very specifically. He didn't say, "If any girl approaches you, you can either tell her astrology is bunk or ignore it." He specifically says if a girl happens to tell you more about herself and the first thing she mentions is her sign, you can either ignore it or let her know how you feel about astrology.

It's very similar to any situation where I'm talking with any gendered person, and they bring up religion. Depending on who this person is and how much I want the conversation to continue, I will either change the subject/say something non-committal or tell them I'm an atheist.

Let alone he wasn't being sexist to any of the women attending TAM7, unless you happen to be someone who would introduce yourself as your astrological sign. If you are, you need to seriously get caught up on your reading.

What I really feel is going on here is confirmation bias. I think there's a lot of situations that can be considered "gray area" for any number of topics, including sexism or racism. When something triggers that notion that is similar to what you're expecting, you assume it was what you were expecting. I feel that a lot of the movements often claim injustice when the offense wasn't really there.

I'm not saying that every claim of injustice is unwarranted -- far from it. I realize we still battle with sexism and racism. There is legitimate concern to be had when people are sexist or racist and harm others, whether it's emotionally or physically. But I think that before anyone makes a claim as severe as calling someone sexist, one should consider the arguments skeptically and thoroughly before coming out with the claim.

But perhaps I'm misunderstanding why this is considered sexist. If so, please leave a comment and let me know, because I'm utterly clueless right now.