In a world built by men, for men, “Reference Man” represents the standard body which things like CPR dummies, seatbelts, and PPE are created for. What could go wrong? Amy Hoggart investigates.
This piece was produced by Todd Bieber with Annie Kopp and edited by Andrew Mendelson.
Amy Hoggart keeps me sane. But also angry. But also sane.
Reply5’9″ and 155# isn’t a man. It’s a jockey.
ReplySo.. not the next Marvel franchise, then…
Replyhello there friend!
Replyyou got a thumbs up because this is actually why there weren’t space suits available to do what they wanted to do. they just didn’t think they needed two smalls at once, so there was one small on the station.
ReplyMaybe we should make sure people can survive without a job so they can quit if they see these failings in their workplace
ReplyReference man privilege.
ReplyAmy 😍
ReplyYup true. Just add a bit more fuel to this story. In the 1970s the director J L Godard refused to use Kodak while filming somewhere (can’t quite remember which country) in the continent of Africa because the film itself was racist….Kodak film was keyed to a white woman’s skin tone average, and so shot all “black brown” etc skin tones as the same or not very well. The Apartheid South African police had to later have specially modified film to record their own majority…
ReplyReference man is not only a danger to Caucasian women, but also non Caucasian everyone else. Because the standard person is assumed to be on average the size and shape of the average Caucasian male, many non-Caucasian males are also in danger, as we are on average smaller, and/or slimmer than a Caucasian.
ReplyI highly recommend Invisible Women, a fantastic, eye-opening book. Loved this segment.
ReplyNot one place I have ever lived had a kitchen that did not give me a backache, counters are too tall! Also most furniture is built for someone about 6′-6’2″.
ReplyI like this video. I’m sharingi it with my school’s PHE dept.!
ReplyUsing averraged out white male body values for anyone does not sound very scientific at all.
ReplyCome now we can do better.
The number of unseen biases built into society at the base level never cease to astound me
ReplySadly the men who manage the world would rather destroy it than share it
ReplyWow…Dr Fatima Cody Stanford has more letters behind her name than in it, even with a relatively long name!
Reply(18:26 letters in name vs honorific titles)
I had never thought of this before now but now I realize it’s absolutely true. And it’s typical. I’m not surprised at all by it. Men “rule” the world…no wait…it’s the hand that rocks the cradle. Truly. 😁😁😁
ReplyPretty sure asserting women have specific physiological characteristics makes you a TERF worthy of J.K. Rowling.
ReplyOf course you’re also factually correct.
While I do not detract from the seriousness of the materials represented here I also see this video as a very good teaching tool for those among us who do not see privilege, systemic bias (racism, male chauvinism), and the need for diversity in voices at any given table to create the best solutions. The good news of Amy Hoggart surviving the chocolate incident. That bright spot will get me through today. Thanks for a great lesson.
ReplyWomen are left out of medical studies because periods are too difficult.
ReplySo we just need a reference person? Or persons…
ReplyIt’s a huge problem but it is caused by both men and women
ReplyI watched this clip and was dumbfounded, probably, being male, shorter, heavier and older than reference man never thought about it. Showed the clip to my wife and SHE hadn’t thought about it. Certainly an awakening for both of us. Thank you.
ReplyLet’s not forget that crash test dummies can cost upwards of $500K. Not saying it’s an excuse, but it can definitely be a deterrent, even for companies with a multi-billion dollar AGR. GM claims to be using 200+ dummies of all shapes and sizes now, so…
Replycpr thing makes sence and is horrifying at the same time on many levels, personal and otherwise.
ReplyWow, reference eye opener man
ReplyYes
ReplyHey women ! isn’t “reference-man” handsome, rich and intelligent in your wildest expectations ? 😄
ReplyI like the ending most! tRump, the egoistic man with the reference man behind him.
ReplyWow I needed this coin concept!!! Thank you brave ones!
ReplyThank you for the video, I’ve read about it, heard on podcasts but the visuals definitely help. This needs to change not just in terms of physical characteristics but often medicine dosage and clinical trials have limited group, often mostly “reference men” too.
Replyreference guy is small
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