Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Los Angeloser]

Some of the others say it's sexist...No, really?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/15/samsung-galaxy-s4-launch-analysts
"And finally, there's some real anger directed not at the handset itself, but at the way that Samsung introduced it. Molly Wood, at CNet, was outraged by the "tone deaf and shockingly sexist" proceedings: "I don't get offended very often. But Samsung's long parade of '50s-era female stereotypes, in the midst of an entirely other long parade of bad stereotypes, just put me over the edge. Oh, they announced a phone? You'd barely know it."

"Part of the target of her ire - given that, in her view, all the participants seemed like stereotypes, including the "tow-headed kid" who trotted on stage - was that at a time when Yahoo is run by a woman and Facebook's second most senior person is also female, the women on stage were, well, ultra-stereotypical:
..."

And,
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2013/03/live-samsungs-grand-galaxy-s-iv-event/63125/

From the link above we get a more direct point to the sexist part...
"Samsung Puts Women in Their Place During Galaxy S IV Launch"
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2013/03/samsung-puts-women-their-place-during-galaxy-s-iv-launch/63129/

[Konglishman]

I want to see the pictures of the models. We must have something visual to reference before we can properly evaluate these lady writers' complaints.

[optik404]

Haven't seen the show but by the description doesn't seem sexist. At least the women looked like your average female. Not some thin model.

[Los Angeloser]

[sethzor]

That's just stupid. People need to relax and stop looking for sexism / racism / homophobia / whatever everywhere.

[Davidbcnu]

I traded the apple ipad 4 cdma version I was given for xmas at my driving job in North Dakota for the galaxy note II. The new galaxy IV is nice but...hold out for the line of phablets that will follow.

I believe Samsung is unstoppable and will continue to hold Apple computer/phone users to the sect that they have always been in>> graphic designers or the small % of die hard fans.

[optik404]

[3DR]

[3DR]

[crescent]

Meh. It was over-the-top, corny, and satirical in my eyes. Not sexist. Meant to catch attention and compete with Apple. Kreist they had a full orchestra performing. It was like a broadway play, and seeing as the event was in New York, that was probably the intention.

When I googled 'Galaxy S4 launch', I didn't get any links about sexism. The big tech writers on the first page of the search result, or 'the anaysts' as you say, were actually raving about the presentation. For example, this was the most negative of quotes on the first page of google, which I agree with :

[nicwr2002]

How is it any more offensive than commercial in America for cleaning products? They almost always show a women in the house wearing a pastel colored shirt and capri pants doing the work.

[Los Angeloser]

[crescent]

LOL! Now you're saying that Google went out of its way to demote sexist search results regarding the S4 launch? Right, because I'm sure Google would like it's users to buy the S4 specifically over it's own Nexus line of phones.
This is what happens when people write about things they are not informed about. Now I'm left wondering if you actually watched the entire launch or you're just believing some sell-out journalist wailing in her PCness.

I didn't 'miss' the CNet piece, I stated is was not a result on Google. And by that, I meant that 'the analysts' are not as worked up over this as you said they were. That journalist for CNet admitted her long career in sports journalism. Gee, I wonder why she tends to spot sexism so easily? Maybe having to bottle it up for so long has something to do with it?
She clearly doesn't get the fact that the 'bad writing and acting and cliches' were INTENTIONAL!!!

Here's a rundown of the skits that the CNET writer claimed was sexism "ten times in a row".

Intro: a boy in an old Chauffer driven Rolls Royce gets driven to Radio City and the video pauses as the doorman lets the boy inside. 'The announcer says "We're ready for the show" in an obvious broadway tone.
He continues to say "Out of makeup, head-dress, and feathers" you wouldn't recognize any of us". The boy also says "Did you forget your script?" (Hmmm... what are we setting up here?)
Well, that's clear, when the MC says "All this unique innovation deserves a unique launch. This presentation is going to be different than what you're all used to because we're in Radio City Music Hall"
1st skit: the announcer, in clear over-the-top broadway tone describes a father not able to take photos of his daughter's ballet performance. Cliche or Sexist?
2nd skit: a father videoing his boy's tap-dance. Sexist?
3rd skit: 2 guys backpacking, meet male locals and can't communicate in the local language while asking for directions to normal tourist sites . Cliche or sexist?
4th skit: the backpacker mentions that the phone 'won't judge' a 5-legged cat. Sexist?
5th skit: another backpacker romances a Brazillian woman who is dressed in an outdated skirt, and then ponders sending her his photos of their time together. Cliche or sexist?
6th skit: two backpacking friends meet up and share photos. The family comments on the photos. Sexist?
7th skit: a male New Yorker actor talks about how his phone communicates with his car. Cliche or Sexist?
8th skit: a woman actor in obvious retro attire and opera gloves demonstrates through an obvious outdated broadway-style monologue tone how the touchscreen works with gloves. Sexist?
9th skit: same woman with over-the-top intonation talks about phone features Sexist?
10th skit: a boy asks for money from his father in a phone call. Sexist?
11th skit: Women in Miami continuing with the theme of outdated attire and hairstyles and over-the-top tone, talk about one woman's wedding. They are planning her wedding party, using the phone to share music. They explain all the features of how to play music on the phone Sexist?
(Hint: How is it that it's sexist to show women who know extensive info about technology and how to operate it?)
12th skit: One woman's fiance (hint: who the MC says plays golf only for the presentation), talks over the phone with the women who are together to demonstrate dual video calling. Then the fianc� shows him photos of the hotel she chose for their honeymoon. Sexist?
13th skit: The same women explain they can use touchless gestures with the phone if their nails are wet, or if they have sticky figures, or sunscreen on them. One of the woman watches a video and gets distracted by a hunky male? The joke continues as she continues to be distracted. Cliche or sexist?
Last skit: One of the women from the previous group with same over-the top broadway tone shows how the phone calculates calories, sleep patterns, blood pressure levels, and other health aspects. Sexist?

Yes, clearly it was a constant display of sexism, 10 times in a row. *eye roll*.

By the way, the guys commenting here on the 'sexism' slant do live in Korea. I'm pretty sure we know sexism when we see it. It's all around us in many forms. To any reasonable person without a chip on their shoulder, that launch cannot be mistaken as a literal representation of any views on women, but rather an obvious over-the-top parody of a broadway show. The MC even announced they had invited real broadway performers to perform. C'mon, it was at Radio City! Why else do you think they wore 50's costumes and hairstyles and chucked out cheesy, cliche lines?
What's clear about this, is that quite a few Amuricuns need to untwist their undies.

[Swampfox10mm]

I've had about enough of the PC/Feminist crap.

Was reminded of just how much as I watched this news report about Kourtney Kardashian, or whatever her name is, crying because her man told her she was too fat. Then the news chick -- reporter -- or whatever you call them these days, launched into a tirade about how she should end it with him because he said that and "no husband should ever tell his wife that."

Yes, women of the USA, many of you are freaking FAT. Compared to the rest of the world, massively so. So are many men in the USA -- and I'll give you a clue... denial will just get you fatter.

[Los Angeloser]