The Satire Problem, Cont'd. Ben Atherton-Zeman, writing in the MetroWest Daily News, writes a humor column about what would happpen if the state of Massachusetts banned the letter "r." (Get it? It's a joke about Boston accents.)

Yes, you're right—it's not very funny.

I mention it only as continuing proof of how the women-in-science controversy continues to make Larry Summers an object of satire, even after his commitment to spend $50 million to address the issue.

Atherton-Zeman writes this: "We're losing both "R"s in Hahvahd," Summers complained during a recent interview. "What will we do with all those sweatshirts with the old spelling on them?" He was later heard to say, "Women in particular will have a hard time with the new spelling -- I think spelling's just a little harder for them."

Someone at the Kennedy School, or maybe the business school, really ought to do a case study
on how this incident has played out in the media and how one particular gaffe has had such a profound effect upon an individual's public image.  ¶ 9:46 AM