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Matthieu Miossec

Doctoral Student - Genetic Medecine (Congenital Heart Disease),

TEDCRED 100+
TED TranslatorAssociate

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Would you call yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

Is there something about feminism you don't agree with?
Is the problem you perceive with the people in the movement or the idea behind feminism?
What are the most important priorities for feminism today, what are the least?
What would feminism be like if you had your way?
Is there something you'd like to propose instead that is altogether not feminism?

Topics: Gender Gap Gender equality equality feminism gender neutrality human nature social construct
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    E G 10+

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    Sep 2 2012: Well, first thing I've done after I read your question was to check what feminism means . I found out and I can say I'm not a feminist . In my opinion a powerful person succeeds regardless of sex , it is in their nature to succeed --- that's why I'm not for defending the women's equal rights , if they can't they can't , this is it .
    But if a woman is enough powerful to be my boss (it's just an example) , I'd be very glad to work with her .

    Why this need to defend the women's equal rights ? Isn't it because they are weaker (not all of them) ?
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      Matthieu Miossec 100+

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      TED TranslatorAssociate
      Sep 2 2012: Well E G, if they're not going places, is it truly because they're weaker or could it be a perception problem or disabling laws? 60 years ago, a black president in the US would have been pure fantansy, is that because black people were much weaker 60 years ago?
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        E G 10+

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        Sep 2 2012: I didn't exactly say the women are weaker than the men , I asked a question there .

        So , what are you suggesting : that the women are not treated equally only because of some perception problem ? Then I have nothing against treating women equally with the others people thus solving the perception problem , but if they are weaker they are weaker and don't deserve equal treatment .

        By the way , why this perception problem ? Isn't it because of something real ? and think at the history of black people too .
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Sep 2 2012: Good point Matthieu.

      Also....E G....
      What if a person is not particularly "powerful" but is equally skilled at certain jobs? What if a person is skilled in a certain way, and not assertive enough to be able to demonstrate that? Do you think it is helpful to try to defend that person's rights?

      BTW E G....we are similar in that we keep a dictionary close by for TED conversations!!! :>)
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        E G 10+

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        Sep 2 2012: If a person is skilled then that person is powerful , if that person can't demonstrate his skills then let's say that person is a bit less powerful . Meritocracy is the word . If the person worth then he has rights .
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Sep 3 2012: Eduard, (E G)
          If it is only the most talented and skilled who are always chosen, how do other people get a chance to prove themselves?
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        E G 10+

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        Sep 4 2012: Following their nature .
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      Anne Thull

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      Sep 3 2012: hi EG -
      This goes back to the 60's and 1970's ...when women we're not being paid equally - and many girls i went to school with became new Engineer employees, and received 1/2 the pay scale of a new male Engineer emloyee.... not fair
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        E G 10+

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        Sep 3 2012: I guess that wasn't fair , why are you telling me this ? I am for fairness but not more than the person worth .
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          Matthieu Miossec 100+

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          TED TranslatorAssociate
          Sep 3 2012: We're all for that Eduard, but don't you think you're assuming a perfect world? Do you think there are no discrimination factors in employment, advertising and legislation that come into play?

          The past informs the future. Anne Thul is illustrating the lack of fairness that existed in the 60s and 70s. Wouldn't it be a mistake to assume it's gone now?
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        E G 10+

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        Sep 4 2012: Of course there are discrimination factors in employment .... but what's the point of these regarding what we're talking about --- valuing the people according to their merits , according to what they are ? To value the people in that way doesn't require us to live in a perfect world, so no , I'm not assuming anything. If it doesn't happen now , or didn't happen in the past , let's try to make it happen in the future .

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