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So the salient point to me seem to be: Girls are put off by how computer culture styles itself in nerdy ways. Ok, i can kind of get that. On the other hand, i

So the salient point to me seem to be: Girls are put off by how computer culture styles itself in nerdy ways. Ok, i can kind of get that. On the other hand, i don't like it much because she seems to be saying "hiding positive expressions about things you like could be helpful". I'm all for increasing diversity, but that should happen by bringing in more things and widening horizons. If that means "Sex and the City", then yes, please. The article does also kind of lose its red thread when she compares offputting styling with outright attacks against her. Maybe she's trying to be less contentious by not outright calling them out as bullshit that should get people shitcanned by HR. But really, that's what should be said about that, not comparisons with star wars posters. All that said, i like the bit she mentions at the end, about introducing computing earlier. If done emphatically it can have a real chance of leveling the playing field.

gaius 11y ago
i don't like it much because she seems to be saying "hiding positive expressions about things you like could be helpful" Quite. The person who happens to like sci-fi isn't motivated by excluding anyone; they like it because they like it and will share their enthusiasm with anyone. Has that person intentionally done something wrong? And if not why should they be censured for it? That is the elephant in the corner of the room here. There is no conspiracy to keep women out of tech, never has been, and demonizing decent people for innocent things, doesn't ultimately help anyone.
- Rusky 11y ago
  It's not so much the fault of any individuals, as it is just a difficult situation overall. Ideally there would be both sci-fi enthusiasts as well as enthusiasts of other topics, so that more people can find common interests.
- mcguire 11y ago
  "The person who happens to like sci-fi isn't motivated by excluding anyone; they like it because they like it and will share their enthusiasm with anyone." You sure about that? I know quite a few people who are seemingly only interested in science fiction and gaming it its various forms and aggressively disinterested in anything else. Maybe you know some, too: people who use terms like "sports ball" and whatever the current incarnation of "mundane" (as a noun) or "muggle" is. Believe me, it's no more appealing than hanging with a group of, say, serious football fans (for the appropriate value of "football"). I don't feel the need to demonize anyone, but decent people doing what they feel are innocent things can successfully masquerade as a conspiracy for as long as you care to watch.
  - meowface 11y ago
    I think you'll only find that in personality types that most of society probably isn't too fond of. That's not a gender thing, that's just a pretentious, insular, obnoxious personality. And frankly, I don't think that's very common in professional settings. A basic rule of polite conduct is respecting other people's interests and beliefs. That said, I myself do sometimes say "sports ball" because I think it's a humorous way to address a topic I know absolutely nothing about.

gaius 11y ago

i don't like it much because she seems to be saying "hiding positive expressions about things you like could be helpful" Quite. The person who happens to like sci-fi isn't motivated by excluding anyone; they like it because they like it and will share their enthusiasm with anyone. Has that person intentionally done something wrong? And if not why should they be censured for it? That is the elephant in the corner of the room here. There is no conspiracy to keep women out of tech, never has been, and demonizing decent people for innocent things, doesn't ultimately help anyone.

Rusky 11y ago
It's not so much the fault of any individuals, as it is just a difficult situation overall. Ideally there would be both sci-fi enthusiasts as well as enthusiasts of other topics, so that more people can find common interests.
mcguire 11y ago
"The person who happens to like sci-fi isn't motivated by excluding anyone; they like it because they like it and will share their enthusiasm with anyone." You sure about that? I know quite a few people who are seemingly only interested in science fiction and gaming it its various forms and aggressively disinterested in anything else. Maybe you know some, too: people who use terms like "sports ball" and whatever the current incarnation of "mundane" (as a noun) or "muggle" is. Believe me, it's no more appealing than hanging with a group of, say, serious football fans (for the appropriate value of "football"). I don't feel the need to demonize anyone, but decent people doing what they feel are innocent things can successfully masquerade as a conspiracy for as long as you care to watch.
- meowface 11y ago
  I think you'll only find that in personality types that most of society probably isn't too fond of. That's not a gender thing, that's just a pretentious, insular, obnoxious personality. And frankly, I don't think that's very common in professional settings. A basic rule of polite conduct is respecting other people's interests and beliefs. That said, I myself do sometimes say "sports ball" because I think it's a humorous way to address a topic I know absolutely nothing about.