Sunday 26 May 2019

Bias against some dogs but not others


So Gail, let's get this straight, you leave me at home earlier this evening to go with your friends Yvonne and Kirsty to a talk at the University by feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez. You say sorry Bertie you aren't invited, dogs will not be allowed in the lecture hall.

That's correct Bertie.

And then you come home and tell me that Ms Criado-Perez walked on stage with a wee Jack Russell-ish type dog who sat quietly on her lap throughout her talk.

That's correct Bertie.

Well leaving aside the basic unfairness of the situation, I have to say I quite like the sound of this lady. I assume she gave an excellent talk about her new book 'Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men' (which I believe you have not read, by the way).

Well Bertie, up to a point. Although Kirsty, Yvonne and myself did come away thinking the talk was probably targeted at women (and men) at least thirty years younger than ourselves, and we found it rather lacking in substance at times. 

So I assume that none of you bought her book, even though had you done so you would then have enjoyed the opportunity to get it signed by the author and to give the wee dog an ear scratch and ask its name.

That's correct Bertie. But Google has informed me the pup's name is Poppy.

Hmm, I wonder if Poppy has been allowed to 'christen' the fine statue of suffragist Millicent Fawcett, which her owner successfully campaigned to have erected in Parliament Square in London? I guess you are going to tell me you don't know.

That's correct Bertie.

Now Gail, my sensitive nose detects that you might have had a glass of wine or three with Yvonne and Kirsty after the talk? No need to answer that one...

Good night.


8 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    Bertie lad, your investigative journalism skills won out on this one!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
    (who thinks Poppy may have mini-Foxy and some Papillon genes!)

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  2. Bertie your nose knows what it nose knows.
    No argument. !
    Poppy might have been a distraction she used in hopes that the audience might not notice the lack of substance.
    Hugs to you and Gail

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  3. We can't believe you weren't allowed to join Gail at the lecture. Maybe you and Poppy would have become friends but now we will never know.

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  4. Bertie, we love your 'doughnut' dog 'thinking' pose at the end. There was lots to mull over after that conversation. Especially, being left behind...again.

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  5. It is not fair that one dog could go and you couldn't ....

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  6. That sound like it was a very interesting evening for your human, but it would have been so much better if you could have come along too, right??

    Kiki

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  7. Les sigh....humans sometimes just don't make sense, do they Bertie??
    xoxo,
    Rosy, Jakey & Arty

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  8. Oh Bertie, I agree with the LLB gang ~ peeps make no sense what so evers!!! I thinks maybe you needs to stow away next time. I means, she went to the pub without YOU too! sigh.
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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