Comments on: Music Prizes: Separating the girls from the boys http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2008/03/07/music-prizes-separating-the-girls-from-the-boys/ SinĂ©ad Gleeson's blog Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:06:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Darren http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2008/03/07/music-prizes-separating-the-girls-from-the-boys/#comment-134889 Darren Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:52:33 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2008/03/07/music-prizes-separating-the-girls-from-the-boys/#comment-134889 Sinead, I agree that no poll of this nature will ever be perfect and my beef isn't with Jim for whom I have a lot of respect. The fact is the commissioning editor should have insisted on some balance. If anything the poll has helped to highlight the fundamental failings of music reportage in The Ticket. Fresh perspectives and an editorial overhaul are badly needed or else the magazine will become irrelevant. It has been treading water for too long. Sinead, I agree that no poll of this nature will ever be perfect and my beef isn’t with Jim for whom I have a lot of respect. The fact is the commissioning editor should have insisted on some balance.

If anything the poll has helped to highlight the fundamental failings of music reportage in The Ticket. Fresh perspectives and an editorial overhaul are badly needed or else the magazine will become irrelevant. It has been treading water for too long.

]]> By: Declan Burke http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2008/03/07/music-prizes-separating-the-girls-from-the-boys/#comment-134844 Declan Burke Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:27:49 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2008/03/07/music-prizes-separating-the-girls-from-the-boys/#comment-134844 The reason there's a gender divide in the Olympic Games (say) is because most women simply aren't as fast / strong / big as most men. Having gender divisions in areas where the differences between men and women aren't an issue (i.e., where it's the brain that's required) just reinforces the fallacy that women can't compete on a level playing field. The Orange Prize is a backward step, even if it's a pretty useful marketing tool given that more women than men read fiction. Although, if a 'male only' literary prize was established, more men might take their reading cues from it ... if they weren't put off by the howls of 'sexist pigs', etc. The reason there’s a gender divide in the Olympic Games (say) is because most women simply aren’t as fast / strong / big as most men. Having gender divisions in areas where the differences between men and women aren’t an issue (i.e., where it’s the brain that’s required) just reinforces the fallacy that women can’t compete on a level playing field. The Orange Prize is a backward step, even if it’s a pretty useful marketing tool given that more women than men read fiction. Although, if a ‘male only’ literary prize was established, more men might take their reading cues from it … if they weren’t put off by the howls of ’sexist pigs’, etc.

]]> By: Sinead http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2008/03/07/music-prizes-separating-the-girls-from-the-boys/#comment-134842 Sinead Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:20:21 +0000 http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2008/03/07/music-prizes-separating-the-girls-from-the-boys/#comment-134842 Leigh, from the murky world of advertising to films and music videos, sex sells. Unfortunately having those kind of categories is a help to no one, and it's all the more tacky coming from music awards that have always tried to hitch their wagon to credibility. Darren, to be fair to Jim, he pointed out that - as with any list - there will be biases informed by those putting such a list together. Good point on the award not being ideal, but striving to perhaps highlight inequality. Jo, a lot of women have highlighted fantastic female artists and some of the best albums of 2007 (http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2007/12/27/best-albums-of-2007/) were made by women. Half of my top 10 albums were by female acts. I think the point of Anthea's article was to shine a light on another area which can be perceived to be exclusive to women. Leigh, from the murky world of advertising to films and music videos, sex sells. Unfortunately having those kind of categories is a help to no one, and it’s all the more tacky coming from music awards that have always tried to hitch their wagon to credibility.

Darren, to be fair to Jim, he pointed out that - as with any list - there will be biases informed by those putting such a list together.
Good point on the award not being ideal, but striving to perhaps highlight inequality.

Jo, a lot of women have highlighted fantastic female artists and some of the best albums of 2007 (http://www.sineadgleeson.com/blog/2007/12/27/best-albums-of-2007/) were made by women. Half of my top 10 albums were by female acts. I think the point of Anthea’s article was to shine a light on another area which can be perceived to be exclusive to women.

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