Landing a space probe on a comet hurtling through space should be remembered as a historic achievement that humanity can be proud of.
However, something much more disappointing is somewhat distracting from the Rosetta and Philae missions here on Earth.
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While the work of Rosetta Project scientist Matt Taylor is admirable, he made a rather unfortunate fashion decision by wearing a bowling shirt covered with scantily clad cartoon women during the European Space Agency's live stream of the Philae landing on Wednesday.
This is a field in which where women are far from the majority, so one would think the British scientist would be a more hyperaware of how this would look in the (very) public eye. Rose Eveleth, a tech writer for The Atlantic, was quick to notice Taylor's shirt on Twitter.
No no women are toooootally welcome in our community, just ask the dude in this shirt. https://t.co/r88QRzsqAm pic.twitter.com/XmhHKrNaq5— Rose Eveleth (@roseveleth) November 12, 2014
Astrophysicist Katie Mack also tweeted about it, noting that if Taylor had "cared" about women in STEM, he certainly wouldn't have sported the shirt.
I don't care what scientists wear. But a shirt featuring women in lingerie isn't appropriate for a broadcast if you care about women in STEM— Katie Mack (@AstroKatie) November 12, 2014
In many fields, women are often judged by physical appearance over performance, while men receive kudos for a job well done, despite their dress code. Taylor has a reputation for wearing bright Hawaiian shirts and showing off his tattoos.
Thanks @mggtTaylor. We'll be watching you & @riskindan tonight in anticipation of #CometLanding on @dailyplanetshow! pic.twitter.com/NyzzFZzqTA— Shelley Ayres (@shelleyayres) November 11, 2014
While some may view Taylor's shirt choice as negligence, others see it as an example of the same casual sexism that female scientists encounter on a daily basis.
"Rosetta is the sexiest mission that's ever been," Taylor said in an interview during the ESA live stream on Wednesday. "She is sexy. I never said she was easy."
Men and women have offered their opinions with the hashtags #ShirtGate and #ShirtSTorm.
On the bright side, it seems the Internet is more eager to remember the monumental space victory than some dude's shirt.
I look forward to reasoned arguments as to why I can't be a serious scientist in a space dress but Matt Taylor's shirt is ok... #shirtgate— Rachael (@rhaegal) November 13, 2014
We land on a comet, and some twit just HAS to go spoil it. Wake up, ESA HR department; reprimand & apology in order. #shirtgate #shirtstorm— Matthew Smith (@smiffy) November 12, 2014
Pretty exciting science going down. Pretty typical science struggles, too. #shirtgate— realscientists (@realscientists) November 12, 2014
#WeCanLandOnACometButWeCant have ONE day where some asshat doesn't wear his Vixen Women Van Mural bowling shirt on the TV feed #shirtstorm— Arlene C. Harris (@Arlnee) November 13, 2014
Let's maybe not ruin a spectacular achievement by making science even more unfriendly to anyone not white, straight, and male. #Shirtstorm— John Borghi (@JohnBorghi) November 13, 2014
UPDATE: Nov. 14, 2014, 9:54 a.m. ET: According to Motherboard, Matt Taylor has apologized for the shirt during a Rosetta mission live stream on Friday morning. Taylor said, "The shirt I wore this week...I made a big mistake and I’ve offended many people and I’m very sorry about this."