I have heard and seen some criticism about using sex to sell this concept, or thinking that Nerd Girls suggests that you can’t just be smart, you have to be beautiful, too.  I don’t believe this myself, and when I saw the first video about the Nerd Girls (I think the one under “watch"), I was actually really pumped about the concept! I couldn’t wait for the new site to be launched.  What was your impression? Did you almost stay away because of the way the concept was presented, or did it make you come faster?

I was really pumped too.  One of the problems I see is that young women coming in to the field do not want to have to give up all the girly stuff—the cute shoes and nail polish—just to fit in.  Nerd Girls is offering another view of what technically inclined women might look like.  This is great!

I have convinced several young women (from 16 to 26) to join the nerd girls on Facebook.

I was reading Drudgereport during my lunch break. And you know how you link 3 or 4 sites away from where you started. I read the news article (I think maybe on msnbc?) and checked the credits at the bottom of the news release to find my way to this website. After I read the premise my impression was, “Welp, looks like I just found a new addiction”. I signed up and now you all have to put up with me. LOL

you could argue that buying into the current market standard of beauty is a little shallow.  personally, I think you can be cute and sexy and over 200 lbs, but there’s no one like that pictured on the profiles page.  It’s also noticeably lacking women of color.  there was one on the video, but I’m not sure everyone is watching that.  sorry… just my pro-diversity red flags going off.

but that’s all stuff that’s easy to add, I think the project is definitely going the right direction.  So much of science is about what we DO and professional accomplishments that I feel like we are scaring people off sometimes, they don’t feel like they can be their fun normal selves.  and I’ve definitely felt the pressure to accept the idea that to be a scientist, you have to pretend to be a man… don’t wear skirts, don’t admit that you watch america’s next top model.  i’m all for shattering these ideas about what you “have to do” to be smart.

plus, I just think this site and the messages kinda send that “this doesn’t have to be so freaking serious!” vibe which is awesome.  engineering groups tend to be so professional, you feel like you’ll get kicked out if you use the word “vagina” in a sentence.  you all are girls i’d do tequila shots with.

spacefem - 21 July 2008 09:27 PM

plus, I just think this site and the messages kinda send that “this doesn’t have to be so freaking serious!” vibe which is awesome.  engineering groups tend to be so professional, you feel like you’ll get kicked out if you use the word “vagina” in a sentence.  you all are girls i’d do tequila shots with.

hehe, I love this ;)

I caught the NerdGirls on The Today Show. I barely paid attention, just heard the intro and decided to find the site.  I think what caught me was that it is indeed truly intelligent woman who also like fashion, makeup, and non-technical things as well.  So (like AlterEgo - I am definitely getting addicted.

On the other hand, I have also wanted to work with the female community to encourage them to persue technical degrees. So this falls in line with many ideas I had but did not have the time to organize.  Now there is a organization I can work with to move forward encouraging tomorrow’s female leaders. :)

I was so excited when I read about the Nerd Girls in Newsweek.  I don’t think this movement is based on “selling sex” as some have argued.  The statement they’re making is more like “I’m a nerd, but I like non-nerdy/girly things too!” I can’t wait to see how this website develops and branches into other media (hopefully a tv show—I mean, if Bret Michaels can get one....)

KnockItOff - 21 July 2008 08:46 PM

I was really pumped too.  One of the problems I see is that young women coming in to the field do not want to have to give up all the girly stuff—the cute shoes and nail polish—just to fit in.  Nerd Girls is offering another view of what technically inclined women might look like.  This is great!

This is EXACTLY the mission.  I also agree with the comments about the lack of diversity of the women featured on this site, we will definitely work on that!

I’m really glad you are all supporting this movement, and understand that we are NOT using sex to sell anything.  We are just intelligent women who work for innovative companies and conduct cutting-edge research, but who also embrace the fact that we are still women.

spacefem - 21 July 2008 09:27 PM

plus, I just think this site and the messages kinda send that “this doesn’t have to be so freaking serious!” vibe which is awesome.

Seriously!  Okay, well, some of the things we work on are freaking serious, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t smile and have fun with it!