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Here is the modern version of the riddle: if you are to analyze your e-mail responses (e.g., tone, wording), do you notice any gender bias? I was intrigued wit

by onuralp 10y ago

Here is the modern version of the riddle: if you are to analyze your e-mail responses (e.g., tone, wording), do you notice any gender bias? I was intrigued with the story[0] where the colleagues of opposite gender swapped their names when signing their client e-mails, and the responses they received were heavily gender biased. While this may be anecdotal, I would not be surprised if this is more prevalent than (hopefully) appreciated. [0] https://twitter.com/i/moments/839950218099576832 https://twitter.com/i/moments/839950218099576832

gdix 10y ago
I think the TLDR of the original article can be summed by "there is bias even in the interpretation of bias-measuring studies". The fact that people read this story and conclude "well the only variable at play here is gender, therefore: sexism". 1. This is anecdote. One event. 2. The story-teller is introducing his own bias. 3. The reader has certain preconceptions about gender and bias. While this is an interesting anecdote, a skeptic should take this whole situation with a grain of salt.
gnicholas 10y ago
Thanks for the link — very interesting. I had an opposite experience when my wife and I had some issues with the airbnb we were renting for several months. We used my wife's account since the trip was for her business travel. But I managed all the communication electronically, including when some issues arose. I was also the person who talked with the host in-person when she showed up to fix some of the issues (broken heating, no smoke detectors). As she was leaving, she said: "your wife is much more polite than you". I asked how she would know, and she referenced the online communication. She was surprised to learn that it was in fact me that she had been corresponding with. I do not minimize the impact of gender on workplace experience, which is certainly more important than my housing-related anecdote. But it would be interesting to see what the differences are in various types of interactions, and where different genders are treated better or worse.

by onuralp 10y ago

gdix 10y ago

I think the TLDR of the original article can be summed by "there is bias even in the interpretation of bias-measuring studies". The fact that people read this story and conclude "well the only variable at play here is gender, therefore: sexism". 1. This is anecdote. One event. 2. The story-teller is introducing his own bias. 3. The reader has certain preconceptions about gender and bias. While this is an interesting anecdote, a skeptic should take this whole situation with a grain of salt.

gnicholas 10y ago

Thanks for the link — very interesting. I had an opposite experience when my wife and I had some issues with the airbnb we were renting for several months. We used my wife's account since the trip was for her business travel. But I managed all the communication electronically, including when some issues arose. I was also the person who talked with the host in-person when she showed up to fix some of the issues (broken heating, no smoke detectors). As she was leaving, she said: "your wife is much more polite than you". I asked how she would know, and she referenced the online communication. She was surprised to learn that it was in fact me that she had been corresponding with. I do not minimize the impact of gender on workplace experience, which is certainly more important than my housing-related anecdote. But it would be interesting to see what the differences are in various types of interactions, and where different genders are treated better or worse.