\n \nAnd the Younger Pawn, who is at the same school, has been coming across the same thing. Scientists supposedly look like nerds, with glasses, poor dress sense and pens sticking out of various \nNone<\/a> of this is news<\/a>, naturally. But what struck me is that the stereotype is already embedded in the minds of children before they are 12 years old: before high school. What’s more, the Pawns go to a school where about 90% of the children are from Asian immigrant families. Having read Alom Shaha’s wonderful essay<\/a>, I was somewhat surprised. It is a cross-cultural stereotype. <\/p>\n \nAnd I want to know where it comes from. <\/p>\n \nBecause I’m not convinced, really, that the representation of scientists in entertainment is all bad. I think that news bulletins tend to find the most stereotypical scientists, but don’t these kids watch CSI, or the X-Files (_probably not, Richard\u2014Ed_), or even Jimmy Neutron or Dexter’s Laboratory? Are we born<\/em> with this perception?<\/p>\n \nEnquiring minds want to know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" To the best of my knowledge, I’ve never before been called ‘cool’. Lots of other things, yes: ‘mad’, ‘arrogant’, ‘crazy but in a nice sort of way’, ‘illegally sexy’, ‘public nuisance’ and ‘dangerous air cargo’ among other things; but not … Continue reading ![\"lock](\"http:\/\/blogs.usyd.edu.au\/labrats\/nature\/handsomechap.jpg\")
\nNot looking like a scientist, earlier today<\/em><\/p>\norifices<\/del> pockets.<\/p>\n