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Re: Page not found

#61

Post by dhimes »

ddeck wrote: post #21
JoeAcchino wrote: post #4

The guy pictured in the photo is Richard Branson, aka the boss at Virgin. Just search his name on Google Images to get the humor. http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson

For those unaware, Richard Branson (Virgin founder) made a bet with with Tony Fernandez (AirAsia founder) in 2010 regarding whose formula one team would finish ahead that season. The terms were such that the loser had to serve as a flight attendant on the winner's airline. The photo is of Branson fulfilling the terms of the bet. http://news.yahoo.com/richard-branson-swaps-suit-skirt-honor...

Thank you. I was wondering what the fuck the big deal was. The top comment at this time is someone apparently replying to another comment (but didn't actually 'reply' to another comment- just wrote his/her own comment).

Apparently some people are taking offense or something? I'll just leave this here: for whatever reason, the Brits (and Richard Branson is one) think dressing up as a woman is funny (in a harmless way) in and of itself and they have thought that ever since I've watched Benny Hill and Monty Python TV shows (ie, since the 1970s anyway). No big deal here.

Re: Page not found

#62

Post by timje1 »

JoeAltmaier wrote: post #56
andrelaszlo wrote: post #52

Some ideas of why it could be found offensive: 1. Misogyny. Why? Flight attendants are women. Rich CEO's are men. A CEO that loses a bet and has to work as a flight attendant, also has to wear a skirt, stockings and lipstick. To clarify: It's a stereotype, and stereotypes can be found offensive. Imagine if he had painted his face black instead. 2. Transphobia. Why? Men dressing up as women are supposed to be silly. H…

Its cool to be sensitive to the feelings of others. But its not actually required, not even in a civilized society. When writing "straight white men feel that we have the interpretative prerogative..." keep in mind that every free-thinking person actually does have that right. If others disagree, fine. Acting as the PC Police doesn't make you a better person; it makes you silly and anti-intellectual.

As a community with a vastly skewed gender divide (both HN and tech in general), I think it's our responsibility to try to be sensitive (even over-sensitive) to the needs of those that are underrepresented. I'm just talking about the male / female divide - I've no idea what the level of representation of the LBGT+ community is on HN, but it's probably not very high.

Re: Page not found

#63

Post by harvestmoon »

ukandy wrote: post #20
JoeAcchino wrote: post #4

The guy pictured in the photo is Richard Branson, aka the boss at Virgin. Just search his name on Google Images to get the humor. http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Branson

If you don't know Branson check out his autobiography 'Losing My Virginity'. Worth a read.

I found the part where he was in part responsible for several people's death offputting.

Re: Page not found

#64

Post by timje1 »

nness wrote: post #44
timje1 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a big difference between wearing drag for theatre, personal empowerment, kicks / w/e, and being forced to dress like a woman as a punishment or forfeit.

Is it punishment? He's not under any kind of duress.

Perhaps punishment was too strong. But it was a forfeit on a bet, and the implication of having to dress up as one of the female cabin crew as a forfeit is distasteful at best, however innocent the intention.

Re: Page not found

#65

Post by ksrm »

spuz wrote: post #45
timje1 wrote: post #30

This bet was attacked by feminists (rightly? or too sensitive?) : the idea of it being a humiliating punishment for a respectable businessman having to dress up like a woman and serve other men. So it was my understanding that Virgin backed away from this bet and tried to downplay it. I'm a bit surprised by this picture cropping up on the website. Am I being hypersensitive? No-one else seems to have picked up on this…

I think you should say "some feminists". The great 99% of the rest of us really don't see the problem with it.

"Don't speak for everyone! That's my job!"

Re: Page not found

#66

Post by Shivetya »

timje1 wrote: post #62
JoeAltmaier wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Its cool to be sensitive to the feelings of others. But its not actually required, not even in a civilized society. When writing "straight white men feel that we have the interpretative prerogative..." keep in mind that every free-thinking person actually does have that right. If others disagree, fine. Acting as the PC Police doesn't make you a better person; it makes you silly and anti-intellectual.

As a community with a vastly skewed gender divide (both HN and tech in general), I think it's our responsibility to try to be sensitive (even over-sensitive) to the needs of those that are underrepresented. I'm just talking about the male / female divide - I've no idea what the level of representation of the LBGT+ community is on HN, but it's probably not very high.

apparently it is only straight white men who must follow this rule. The overly sensitive crowd doesn't usually bat an eye when a member of one of the protected groups slights another, unless of course differences in levels of protection are significant.

As in, get over it. People will find ways to take offense at anything. Most people realize where their effort is better used.

Re: Page not found

#67

Post by kamjam »

dhimes wrote: post #61
ddeck wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For those unaware, Richard Branson (Virgin founder) made a bet with with Tony Fernandez (AirAsia founder) in 2010 regarding whose formula one team would finish ahead that season. The terms were such that the loser had to serve as a flight attendant on the winner's airline. The photo is of Branson fulfilling the terms of the bet. http://news.yahoo.com/richard-branson-swaps-suit-skirt-honor...

Thank you. I was wondering what the fuck the big deal was. The top comment at this time is someone apparently replying to another comment (but didn't actually 'reply' to another comment- just wrote his/her own comment). Apparently some people are taking offense or something? I'll just leave this here: for whatever reason, the Brits (and Richard Branson is one) think dressing up as a woman is funny (in a harmless way)…

Honestly don't know what that guys deal is. It's political correctness gone mad to the point that people can't have a bit of harmless fun without offending someone or other. Sometimes there is no malice whatsoever intended, in this case I knew what the context was (I'm a huge Formula 1 fan) and so thought it was very funny. You see this kind of thing all the time in UK when people go on there bachelor parties and you'll see entire groups of drunk adult men dressed as women. Everyone laughs. Everyone has fun.

Like you say, no big deal here.

Re: Page not found

#68

Post by edgarallenbro »

timje1 wrote: post #62
JoeAltmaier wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Its cool to be sensitive to the feelings of others. But its not actually required, not even in a civilized society. When writing "straight white men feel that we have the interpretative prerogative..." keep in mind that every free-thinking person actually does have that right. If others disagree, fine. Acting as the PC Police doesn't make you a better person; it makes you silly and anti-intellectual.

As a community with a vastly skewed gender divide (both HN and tech in general), I think it's our responsibility to try to be sensitive (even over-sensitive) to the needs of those that are underrepresented. I'm just talking about the male / female divide - I've no idea what the level of representation of the LBGT+ community is on HN, but it's probably not very high.

As a trans person with several other trans and lesbian/gay friends, I can assure you everyone here is being insanely oversensitive.

It's as if everyone here understands that they're supposed to be supportive of the LGBT community, but don't actually know anyone in it themselves and so completely misfire with their attempts at being PC

Re: Page not found

#69

Post by peterwwillis »

timje1 wrote: post #30

This bet was attacked by feminists (rightly? or too sensitive?) : the idea of it being a humiliating punishment for a respectable businessman having to dress up like a woman and serve other men. So it was my understanding that Virgin backed away from this bet and tried to downplay it. I'm a bit surprised by this picture cropping up on the website. Am I being hypersensitive? No-one else seems to have picked up on this…

The only reason anyone gets pissed off at stunts like this is they feel like somebody isn't taking them seriously. But the whole point of the stunt IS TO NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. The real joke is that anyone using this as an example of sexism, transphobia or offensive behavior is making their own cause seem trivial.

Give me a picture that involves sex, gender, skin color, religion, country, or any other thing that can make a person feel offended, and I will find you someone more than willing to yell about it without knowing any context whatsoever.

Re: Page not found

#70

Post by oijaf888 »

harvestmoon wrote: post #63
ukandy wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you don't know Branson check out his autobiography 'Losing My Virginity'. Worth a read.

I found the part where he was in part responsible for several people's death offputting.

Can you expand on this? I was unable to find anything about this anywhere else.
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