IBM slammed over #HackAHairdryer campaign [UPDATED]
Several Twitter users criticized the company, saying it’s using sexist stereotypes to encourage women to pursue science and math careers.
A report by the Center for Women in Business reveals that females occupy only one-quarter of U.S. science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) positions. IBM seeks to raise this number with a campaign encouraging women to alter the mechanics of a hairdryer to create something new.
Twitter users have criticized IBM’s effort, saying the company used a sexist stereotype to correct gender imbalance in STEM fields. Several women working in STEM fields responded with snark:
@IBM shame I don’t use a hairdryer. I guess that’s the end of my career in STEM. Brb quitting my astrophysics PhD. #HackAHairDryer
— Jessica V (@ThatAstroKitten) December 7, 2015
I leave hairdryer fixing to the men, I’m too busy making nanotech and treating cancer. https://t.co/fX7tDPsJXr
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