The Finkbeiner Test

As an analogy to the Bechdel test for films, the Finkebeiner test has been suggested for stories about women in science. I find this an excellent idea. In short, in order to pass the  Finkbeiner test, the story cannot mention any of the following:

• The fact that she’s a woman
• Her husband’s job
• Her child care arrangements
• How she nurtures her underlings
• How she was taken aback by the competitiveness in her field
• How she’s such a role model for other women
• How she’s the “first woman to…”

An alternative would of course be to expect all these point to be included in a story about any scientist or professional, male or female. Wouldn’t you like to know how all the Nobel laureates organized their child care?