Sorry about that - The author of the post was having website issues because of the influx of people, but I thought she had it sorted out by now as it was working for me with no problem. Must be down again...
"Barbie's terrific computer skills have saved the day for both sisters!" - Bwahahahahaha! XD
Thanks for the updated link. I was torn between laughing and raging. Unbelievable that the publisher might think that this crap is going to encourage girls to become software engineers, when apparently all they have to do is ask the boys to help them.
I can't believe anyone looked at this crap and thought "this is empowering for girls". I'd rather Barbie just be allowed to be what she is, because attempting educational messages is doing more harm than good.
Standing somewhere and looking pretty is all I am expecting from Barbie, and I wish she would stick to it and leave the empowering messages to people who actually know what they're doing.
Oh I am SOOOOO FULL OF RAWR! Just, argh, so much - it's like the Barbie that said "math is hard!" - did the company not learn from that?! I did like that the Barbie people got so much grief - I assume - that the Gizmodo link posted:
Update, 11/19 3:09pm: Barbie issued the following apology on its Facebook page:
The Barbie I Can Be A Computer Engineer book was published in 2010. Since that time we have reworked our Barbie books. The portrayal of Barbie in this specific story doesn't reflect the Brand's vision for what Barbie stands for. We believe girls should be empowered to understand that anything is possible and believe they live in a world without limits. We apologize that this book didn't reflect that belief. All Barbie titles moving forward will be written to inspire girls imaginations and portray an empowered Barbie character.
Thanks for this Batgrl: it wasn't there when I visited the original blogger's website.
Mattell/Barbie gets points for the apology and the oath to do better going forward but lose them all because these books are only *4 years old!* So four years ago it was o.k. for computer-engineer Barbie to be a vacuous bimbo who fobs-off her work onto the boys? Please - boys have been bringing their computers (and iPhones and iPads) to me to fix since 1986. Barbie can take that and shove it up Malibu Ken's tailpipe.
Well. I certainly have my knickers in a knot over this. It chaps my hide though when I see children getting the "being stupid is attractive!" message.
Also, I should just mention: I do not have an issue with Barbie dolls in and of themselves. I know a lot of people have valid grievances about the anatomical impossibility of Barbie's measurements, etc. but I've never been bothered by it; I had a Barbie and I promptly cut off all her hair and lost all of her shoes.
Yeah it's the stupid that bugs me too - I grew up with Barbies. It's the whole idea of giving her careers but then limiting her that makes me wild. I mean, she's already been an astronaut but she can only manage lower levels of computer tech?! I think loads of kids know more about computers than the writers of that book. Ugh.
And not even not exactly "manage" those lower levels, yeah? The big strong intelligent men have to help her out.
Also, since when was "we published it four years ago" a valid excuse? I kinda think equality may have been conceived a bit before that...
My head hurts...though that could partially be from banging it against the desk.
I doubt that, however. Seriously...seriously!? *inaudible rage follows*
This is why I quickly put Barbie aside and grew up with American Girl dolls. History, nice dolls with cool outfits, and they actually DID things!
Ahahah. Oh my. Plus, there's the "Glam is my OS" thing. I'd rather have a GladOS. Ye gods.
What can you do but laugh? And participate in STEM diversity programs.
Try this one, it's a Gizmodo reblog of the exact same post: http://gizmodo.com/barbie-f-cks-it-up-again-1660326671
(I'll update the link too so people don't have problems with it.)
Thanks for the updated link. I was torn between laughing and raging. Unbelievable that the publisher might think that this crap is going to encourage girls to become software engineers, when apparently all they have to do is ask the boys to help them.
Update, 11/19 3:09pm: Barbie issued the following apology on its Facebook page:
The Barbie I Can Be A Computer Engineer book was published in 2010. Since that time we have reworked our Barbie books. The portrayal of Barbie in this specific story doesn't reflect the Brand's vision for what Barbie stands for. We believe girls should be empowered to understand that anything is possible and believe they live in a world without limits. We apologize that this book didn't reflect that belief. All Barbie titles moving forward will be written to inspire girls imaginations and portray an empowered Barbie character.
Mattell/Barbie gets points for the apology and the oath to do better going forward but lose them all because these books are only *4 years old!* So four years ago it was o.k. for computer-engineer Barbie to be a vacuous bimbo who fobs-off her work onto the boys? Please - boys have been bringing their computers (and iPhones and iPads) to me to fix since 1986. Barbie can take that and shove it up Malibu Ken's tailpipe.
Well. I certainly have my knickers in a knot over this. It chaps my hide though when I see children getting the "being stupid is attractive!" message.
I just have a problem with teaching stupid.
Also, since when was "we published it four years ago" a valid excuse? I kinda think equality may have been conceived a bit before that...
I doubt that, however. Seriously...seriously!? *inaudible rage follows*
This is why I quickly put Barbie aside and grew up with American Girl dolls. History, nice dolls with cool outfits, and they actually DID things!
What can you do but laugh? And participate in STEM diversity programs.
http://imageserver.moviepilot.com/img_0956-girls-can-t-code-mattel-responds-to-barbie-backlash.jpeg?width=640&height=480