John Marcotte

Secret identity of a father raising two super-heroic young girls

Computers That Consume Our Media Develop Sexist Views of Women

Women don’t play sports and belong in the kitchen, according to sophisticated learning machines.

In a study that has a number of disturbing implications, researchers found that computers become sexist when exposed to too much of our media. University of Virginia computer science professor Vicente Ordóñez noticed a pattern in how the image-recognition software he had developed interpreted photos. “It would see a picture of a kitchen and more often than not associate it with women, not men,” he told Wired.

That made Ordóñez wonder if researchers were injecting their own biases into the computer’s thought processes. So he found some collaborators and decided to test industry standard the photosets provided by Microsoft and Facebook to “train” image-recognition software.

They found that both data sets reinforced gender stereotypes in their depiction of activities such as cooking and sports. Pictures of shopping and washing were correlated to women, for example, while coaching and shooting were linked to men.

More worrying, image-recognition software trained with these datasets did not just reflect those biases — they magnified them. If a photo set associated women with cleaning, software trained with that photo set created an even stronger link between women and cleaning.

For instance, the research paper shows a photo of a man at a stove that image-recognition software consistently labelled as “woman.”

As these types of intelligent machine-learning programs are getting ready to explode in number and in importance. If we can’t get a handle on how to combat this problem, they could magnify the worst stereotypes society has about race and gender.

This is already happening. In 2015, Google’s automated photo service embarrassingly tagged black people as “gorillas.”

As learning computers become more sophisticated, this problem could have dramatic real-world consequences. Mark Yatskar, a a researcher at the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, imagines a personal assistant robot in the future that is trying to guess what a human is doing in the kitchen. It might give a man a beer while offering to help a woman clean.

Last year, researchers from Boston University and Microsoft demonstrated that software that learned from text provided by Google News had acquired sexist biases as well. When asked  complete the statement “Man is to computer programmer as woman is to X,” it replied, “homemaker.”

Eric Horvitz, director of Microsoft Research, notes that the materials we give to children often reflect an idealized world — where men and women are equally likely to be firefighters or homemakers. He suggests that a similar approach might be necessary for learning machines. “It’s a really important question–when should we change reality to make our systems perform in an aspirational way?” he asked..

Other experts worry that providing a distorted version of reality to computers will hamper their effectiveness because the data no longer reflects the real world. Aylin Caliskan, a researcher at Princeton, says it’s important for the computer to know that there are more male construction workers in the world so that it can analyze data more effectively. She recommends identifying and correcting bias afterwards rather than providing “bad data” to the machines at the outset.. “We risk losing essential information,” she says. “The datasets need to reflect the real statistics in the world.”

There may not be a clear-cut answer, but it is clear that the issue needs to be addressed before these types of learning systems become even more prevalent.

One final thought. If these stereotypes are present in media that is suppose to be curated against racial and gender biases and computers pick up on them and amplify them — what do you suppose is happening to our most important “learning machines” — the brains of our children — when they are constantly exposed to the unfiltered text and imagery that makes up much of modern society?

P!nk Gives Heartfelt Speech about her Daughter, Androgyny and Loving Yourself at VMAs

“We don’t change … we help other people to change so they can see more kinds of beauty.”

After entering the theater standing on the hood of a flying car, singing a medley of her greatest hits, P!nk took the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards to accept the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, a lifetime achievement recognizing her contributions to “music and film.”

But rather than talking about her impressive list of accomplishments in the realm of music videos, P!nk took the opportunity to tell a story about her daughter Willow, age 6, who recently told the singer she was the ugliest girl she knew because she looked “like a boy with long hair.”

“I know I don’t have a lot of time, but if I may tell you a quick story. Recently, I was driving my daughter to school and she said to me, out of the blue, ‘Mama?’ I said, ‘Yes, baby?’ She said, ‘I’m the ugliest girl I know.’ And I said, ‘Huh?’ And she was like, ‘Yeah, I look like a boy with long hair.’ And my brain went to, ‘Oh my god, you’re six. Why? Where is this coming from? Who said this? Can I kick a 6-year-old’s ass, like what?’

But I didn’t say anything. Instead I went home and I made a Powerpoint presentation for her. And in that presentation were androgynous rockstars and artists that live their truth, are probably made fun of every day of their life, and carry on, wave their flag and inspire the rest of us. And these are artists like Michael Jackson and David Bowie and Freddie Mercury and Annie Lennox and Prince and Janis Joplin and George Michael, Elton John, so many artists — her eyes glazed over. But then I said, ‘You know, I really want to know why you feel this way about yourself.’ And she said, ‘Well I look like a boy,’ and I said, ‘Well what do you think I look like?’ And she said, ‘Well you’re beautiful.’ And I was like, ‘Well, thanks. But when people make fun of me, that’s what they use. They say I look like a boy or I’m too masculine or I have too many opinions, my body is too strong.’

And I said to her, ‘Do you see me growing my hair?’ She said, ‘No, mama.’ I said, ‘Do you see me changing my body?’ ‘No, mama.’ ‘Do you see me changing the way I present myself to the world?’ ‘No, mama.’ ‘Do you see me selling out arenas all over the world?’ ‘Yes, Mama.’ ‘OK! So, baby girl. We don’t change. We take the gravel and the shell and we make a pearl. And we help other people to change so they can see more kinds of beauty.’

And to all the artists here, I’m so inspired by all of you. Thank you for being your true selves and for lighting the way for us. I’m so inspired by you guys. There’s so much rad shit happening in music. And keep doing it. Keep shining for the rest of us to see.

And you, my darling girl, are beautiful, and I love you. Thank you, MTV. This is a really special night. Thank you, Ellen. I couldn’t love you more. Thank you guys. Goodnight.”

P!nk has always been one of our favorite performers — for her incredibly catchy songs, her kick-ass attitude and her powerful social commentary about the harmful pressure society put on women and girls to conform and the power of  rejecting that pressure to just be yourself.

Ed Skrein Leaves ‘Hellboy’ Reboot, Solves Hollywood’s Whitewashing Problem with a Single Tweet

British actor Ed Skrein (Deadpool, Ajax) made waves on social media this past Tuesday, by announcing he was dropping out of Neil Marshall’s Hellboy reboot after learning the character he was slated to play, Major Ben Daimio, was of Asian descent in the original comics.

Skrein’s move has put Hellboy‘s producers in a tight spot. While he didn’t mention the word “whitewashing,” it’s hard to imagine they will be able to cast anyone but an Asia actor as Daimio now — a fact alluded to by the producers who released a statement later the same day.

Ed came to us and felt very strongly about this.  We fully support his unselfish decision. It was not our intent to be insensitive to issues of authenticity and ethnicity, and we will look to recast the part with an actor more consistent with the character in the source material.

That’s great, but it is worth noting that they only made this decision after casting the lily-white Skrein, and then after Skrein publicly shamed them for doing so.

Comic-book movies have gotten it wrong more than they have gotten it right over the past decade, consistently casting white actors to play Asian characters. And some big name actors have gone along with the trend, including Tilda Swinton, playing the Tibetan Ancient One in Dr. Strange, Ben Kingsley playing the Chinese Mandarin in Iron Man 3 and Scarlett Johansson playing the Japanese Major Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell.

Ben Daimio

There was a public backlash in each of those cases, but the filmmakers and actors involved had rationales and excuses every time, and with the possible exception of Ghost in the Shell, the controversy didn’t appear to affect the bottom line.

But with a single post, Skrein changed the calculus on whitewashing characters in the future. Instead of asking them to defend or explain their casting, the question every actor handed such a role in will be asked is now: “Why didn’t you just quit?”

Skrein is hardly a household name. Passing up the opportunity to pad his resume with a surefire hit must have been difficult for him. His next job is not guaranteed and there was a possibility that he would be branded as “difficult,” making work harder to come by in the future.

What excuse does someone like Johannson, one of the highest-paid actors in the world, have?

Full Text of the Statements from Ed Skrein and the Producers of Hellboy

Ed Skrein

Last week it was announced that I would be playing Major Ben Daimio in the upcoming HELLBOY reboot. I accepted the role unaware that the character in the original comics was of mixed Asian heritage. There has been intense conversation and understandable upset since that announcement, and I must do what I feel is right.

It is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people, and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voices in the Arts. I feel it is important to honour and respect that. Therefore I have decided to step down so the role can be cast appropriately.

Representation of ethnic diversity is important, especially to me as I have a mixed heritage family. It is our responsibility to make moral decisions in difficult times and to give voice to inclusivity. It is my hope that one day these discussions will become less necessary and that we can help make equal representation in the Arts a reality.

I am sad to leave Hellboy but if this decision brings us closer to that day, it is worth it. I hope it makes a difference.

With love and hope,

Ed Skrein

Larry Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Lionsgate & Millennium

Ed came to us and felt very strongly about this.  We fully support his unselfish decision.  It was not our intent to be insensitive to issues of authenticity and ethnicity, and we will look to recast the part with an actor more consistent with the character in the source material.

James Cameron Says ‘Wonder Woman’ Is a ‘Step Backwards’ for Women in Hollywood

Complains about objectification. Wonder Woman Director Patty Jenkins Responds.

James Cameron was asked about strong female characters and the recent success of Wonder Woman in an interview by The Guardian on Thursday. In a move that surprises only people who have never heard a story about James Cameron, the Terminator director came across as incredibly arrogant and self-congratulatory

All of the self-congratulatory back-patting Hollywood’s been doing over Wonder Woman has been so misguided. She’s an objectified icon, and it’s just male Hollywood doing the same old thing! I’m not saying I didn’t like the movie but, to me, it’s a step backwards. Sarah Connor was not a beauty icon. She was strong, she was troubled, she was a terrible mother, and she earned the respect of the audience through pure grit. And to me, [the benefit of characters like Sarah] is so obvious. I mean, half the audience is female!

So he thought Wonder Woman was a “step back” but he got it right with Sarah Connor. OK, the interviewer asked the obvious question.: Why does Hollywood have such a problem creating strong female characters? Cameron was as perplexed as anyone.

I don’t – I don’t know. There are many women in power in Hollywood and they do get to guide and shape what films get made. I think – no, I can’t account for it. Because how many times do I have to demonstrate the same thing over again? I feel like I’m shouting in a wind tunnel!

Poor James Cameron. The rest of the world just doesn’t get it. How many times does he have to show us? I almost feel bad for the guy. Wonder Woman Director Patty Jenkins on the other hand, was not as impressed.

There are two things to note here. The first is: I actually think it is worthwhile to discuss the idea of unrealistic beauty standards set by some female action heroes. Just because we love Wonder Woman is no reason to not look at some of the problematic aspects of how women are portrayed in general.

The second is that Sarah Connor is a phenomenal female action hero. Easily on my Top 5 list. Another one of my Top 5? Ellen Ripley. Largely because of her work in the Cameron-directed Aliens. James Cameron is legitimately great at writing and directing female action heroes.

He just also happens to be a giant egotistical jackass.

(Video) Raising Heroic Girls – San Diego Comic-Con 2017 Panel

Heroic Girls hosted “Raising Heroic Girls” — it’s first-ever panel — at San Diego Comic-Con this year. The panel was a look at how heroic comics, movies, and toys can inspire girls to be more confident and successful by combatting harmful gender norms that can hold them back.

John Marcotte, founder of Heroic Girls., moderated the panel — but the bulk of the knowledge and experiences was provided by the women of the panel, including:

  • Alaina Huffman (Supernatural, Smallville),
  • Anya Marcotte (Heroic Girls)
  • Audrey Kearns (Geek Girl Authority),
  • Cassandra Pelham (senior editor at Graphix and Scholastic Press),
  • Dr. Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy), and
  • Jenna Busch (Stan Lee’s World of Heroes, Legion of Leia)

(Janina’s son Hunter also contributed some valuable insight. but I didn’t think he would appreciate being called one of “the women of the panel” — just for accuracy’s sake.)

Thanks to Steve and Michele Blanchard, who shot the footage used above, and thanks to Ken Blanchard, who cleaned up the audio on that video and removed a horrible echo that was making it impossible to hear the speakers.

 

Wonder Woman (2017)

‘Wonder Woman’ Just Passed ‘Spider-Man’ to Become the Highest-Grossing Superhero Origin Movie of All-Time

According to website Box-Office Mojo, Wonder-Woman broke another record, becoming the highest-grossing superhero origin movie ever. With a projected cumulative box-office of $404,008,376, the Amazon princess slipped by the former champion, 2002’s Spider-Man, which ended its run with a cumulative total of $403,706,375.

While Wonder Woman is already in first place, it isn’t quite done making money and should build on its lead over the next few weeks as it slowly moves out of theaters.

The record does come with some caveats. The totals are not adjusted for inflation, and many sequels to superhero movies have made more. But they have never adjusted for inflation and sequels always make more — that’s why they are counted separately. By the only metric that anyone in Hollywood cares about, Wonder Woman is the champion.

source: Box Office Mojo

Boys Stand with Girls Against Sexist Dress Code

When more than 20 girls were sent home on the first day of school for violating an outdated dress code, the boys stood with them — shoulder to shoulder.

When girls returned to San Benito High School in Hollister, Calif., on August 14th, they received a bit of a rude shock. According to one student, more than 20 girls were sent home on the first day for wearing off-the-shoulder tops.

While the style was technically against the school dress code, students claim it had been allowed fin the past.

“The dress code policy hasn’t been an issue the past two years I have been here,” one anonymous student told Yahoo. “Off-the-shoulder is a very big trend in the fashion industry right now,” she adds. “It’s not harming anyone physically….I think it is ridiculous how we have to fight against [the administration] to wear a shirt that is not harming anyone.”

The next day, the girls rallied and decided to protest the outdated and sexist dress code by wearing off-the-shoulder tops again And this time, they were joined by the boys.

https://twitter.com/andrei_418/status/897498010145267712

Two senior boys named Aydrian and Brody wore off-the-shoulder shirts on Monday. On Tuesday, senior Andrei Vladimirov joined them. All were sent home, along with more than 40 girls. And just listen to what Andrei told The Huffington Post:

“I felt bold and subversive, as I actually, physically oppressed something that I saw as wrong,” Vladimirov said, adding, “But this story isn’t about me, it is about those who are actually affected by dress codes.”

“What I find problematic about this [keep kids safe] response is that if someone did try to assault a woman, the responsibility should lie solely on the attacker, not the victim,” he continued. “A woman never ‘asks’ to be objectified, assaulted or raped ― and such thinking is what creates harmful consequences. Women deserve to be treated with respect ― and to be treated with respect is to be given the freedom to express one’s self, and hold agency as an individual.”

“The notion that women should clothe themselves because it is ‘distracting to men’ undermines both the agency and volition of women ― which has long been suppressed ― and the maturity of men, and reinforces the idea that all men are only concerned with sex,” he concluded.

Wow.

Another male student pointed out the apparent hypocrisy that the girls have been allowed to wear off-the-shoulder tops in official yearbook photos in years past.

https://twitter.com/helloitsmikey_/status/897289311522914304

Perhaps the best part of these minor acts of civil disobedience is the response of the school’s administration. Rather than digging in their heels and cracking down on infractions, they are using this as a learning opportunity.

“The students have been really good — really respectful and cooperative in terms of talking to us,” Principal Adrian Ramirez told Yahoo. “I’ve had 20 to 25 students who have come in to meet with me in small groups or individually and it’s been a good process in getting their insights in regards to some of the issues.”

Ramirez met with the Associated Student Body group on August 17 to announce that he will assemble a committee of students “to start a conversation regarding dress code. I already have several students who are interested in being a part of it. The goal is to make sure they are heard and can express their opinions and concerns.”

While we don’t yet know the resolution, we  must commend the girls, their male allies and the administration are handling the issue.

Woman Has Best Reaction to the End of Rogue One of All Time

I remember when I was a kid, and we went to see The Empire Strikes Back. When Darth Vader uttered the famous line, “No. I am your father” — the entire theater erupted in pandemonium and shock

That doesn’t happen anymore. The Internet killed the spoiler.Trailers routinely ruin key moments in the film in order to put butts in seats. And fans obsessively uncover secrets and share them — often before the film was even released.

But what if that wasn’t the case? What if you went into Rogue One blind, having no idea that its ending dovetailed directly into the beginning of A New Hope? Thanks to one anonymous teen and the genius who thought to film her, we finally know how someone would react..

How she avoided the spoilers until the film hit the home market, we will never know. But the look on her face is the purest expression of fan joy and wonder that I have ever seen.

I envy her.