Dear god, what is Michael Buerk ON?

[Gog]

Newsreader Michael Buerk has said "almost all the big jobs in broadcasting are held by women" who "decide what we see and hear".

The former Nine O'Clock News presenter told the Radio Times: "Life is lived in accordance with women's rules" and men are now merely "sperm donors".

Buerk added that the "shift in the balance of power between the sexes" had gone too far.

"The result is men are becoming more like women," he said.

He cited Tim Henman and David Beckham as examples.



Buerk added that it was time for society to admit there was a problem.

"Look at the changes in the workplace. There is no manufacturing industry any more; there are no mines; few vital jobs require physical strength," he added.

"What we have now are lots of jobs that require people skills and multi-tasking - which women are a lot better at."

While Buerk admitted a lot of the changes were for the better, he questioned whether things had gone too far.

"Products are made for women, cars are made for women - because they control what is being bought," he said.

"Some people might argue that this is a case of the pendulum swinging over the woman's side for a change, and eventually it will find a happy medium."

He added he felt men were being given a lesser role in society ....

"All they are is sperm donors, and most women aren't going to want an unemployable sperm donor loafing around and making the house look untidy."

Full text here


So. Sour grapes? Is there a decent point somewhere in there, albeit masked in layers of one middle-aged man's personal discontent? Discuss!

[jenniferblaufrau]

"The result is men are becoming more like women," he said.

Many say that women are becoming more like men the last 30 years. High power careers, emphasis on competition, and other trends toward the "typically masculine". Anyone could as easily argue the same thing from the other side.

[Laurence]

Originally Posted by rinkydink

He cited Tim Henman and David Beckham as examples.

Erm, don't quite get that one nor the whole of his argument. 98% of senior managers in the top 100 companies in the UK are male. Fact.

[Ratbreath]

.

[Laurence]

Btw - the programme airs next Tuesday (23rd August) 7.15pm on Channel 5 so we can see just how fucked up he is.

[Gog]

Originally Posted by jenniferblaufrau

"The result is men are becoming more like women," he said.

Many say that women are becoming more like men the last 30 years. High power careers, emphasis on competition, and other trends toward the "typically masculine". Anyone could as easily argue the same thing from the other side.

I just take issue with the whole idea of 'typically masculine' or 'traditionally feminine' traits, because while one can POSSIBLY say that women are statistically more likely to be better at one thing; example - multitasking - it has no bearing on the individual's skills or abilities. I wish to be judged my my own skills and abilities, not have them assumed (no doubt wrongly) on the basis of my gender. Yet people get away the whole time with making grand sweeping statements about gender which if applied to say, racial groups or class, would cause the most almighty uproar.

[Gog]

Originally Posted by Laurence

Erm, don't quite get that one nor the whole of his argument. 98% of senior managers in the top 100 companies in the UK are male. Fact.

I know. I think he's seen a few women achieve top positions in the British media, and this has challenged his worldview enough to inspire this outburst.

I don't know how he makes Henman and Beckham - two top sporting figures - out to be feminised. OK, Beckham is a bit of a fashionista, but that's not actually a biologically gendered trait.

[jenniferblaufrau]

Originally Posted by rinkydink

I just take issue with the whole idea of 'typically masculine' or 'traditionally feminine' traits, because while one can POSSIBLY say that women are statistically more likely to be better at one thing; example - multitasking - it has no bearing on the individual's skills or abilities.

Absolutely. The guy is clearly very threatened that women are out of the house and living and working right along next to the boys, doing very well at it.

[Laurence]

Originally Posted by rinkydink

"All they are is sperm donors, and most women aren't going to want an unemployable sperm donor loafing around and making the house look untidy."

The vast majority of men I know don't feel like that - hmmm, don't just say what you see in the mirror Michael.

And David Beckham has made millions out of his effeminate/appealing to women side - maybe. But if so what does he want - that women not be allowed to spend money. What a vile creep.

[DangerJohn]

So the fact that Henman and Beckham are couple of big girls blouses is all the proof we need?

[Bogdi]

Originally Posted by rinkydink

Newsreader Michael Buerk has said "almost all the big jobs in broadcasting are held by women" who "decide what we see and hear".

does he mean the newscasters?

[Ratbreath]

^^Ya. Interesting sense of perspective he has.

[Bogdi]

Originally Posted by rinkydink

Yet people get away the whole time with making grand sweeping statements about gender which if applied to say, racial groups or class, would cause the most almighty uproar.

gender related sweeping statements seem to be supported by "statistics".

[Laurence]

Originally Posted by rinkydink

Buerk added that it was time for society to admit there was a problem.

"Look at the changes in the workplace. There is no manufacturing industry any more; there are no mines; few vital jobs require physical strength," he added.

!

Sorry to keep quoting this but it's statements like that the smilie was invented.
So it's a "problem" that we don't live in a society where we have to work from 5am-8pm or whatever down dirty dangerous mines.

Anyway, he's a bloody newsreader- it's not as if he's doing a Conan the Barbarian profession is he.

[beauty of speed]

Sounds like he got denied sex because he has a small penis.