I understand the point that you are trying to make (that is, that the judging was done by both men and women so it could not be sexist). Intuitively, that would seem correct.

Ah. That is EXTRA shitty that it was more like “American Idol” than an actual, fairly judged competition: “Which kid seem the most like a scientist?”

Yes I know, boys were allowed to enter when the whole project is just for girls-but the outrage here isn’t focused on that. It is focused on the boy being CHOSEN as the winner.

I don’t understand why that’s not regularly done. This is a well known phenomenon.

That doesn’t mean anything at all. Women are conditioned to judge women in the same manner. The book Female Chauvinist Pigs was a great read on the subject.

The judging wasn’t gender blind. According to EDF, the people judging the competition knew the first names and the ages of the participants.

I know women can win on their merits. But some girls won't even try to compete with boys. So what can we do about that? I thought having girls only arenas was a good start...

*IF* the judging of the competition was done blind (that is, the judges did not see the competitors or the competitor’s name in relation to the project being judged, and did not know the gender of the competitors) - then I think this is fine. On an even playing field, women can win on the merits - NO PROBLEM. They…

Damn, your Parks and Rec reference is even better.