4 ms·

Really well written article. I'm not a female, but I resonate with a lot of her points, especially: They can say something so simple as "Oh don't you know that

Really well written article. I'm not a female, but I resonate with a lot of her points, especially: They can say something so simple as "Oh don't you know that command?" but in an inadvertently condescending voice that makes you feel like you're the only person who doesn't know it. As someone just testing out the CS waters, that type of experience in every class can be very daunting. In general, computer science tends to be a major where people go into college with a lot of prior-knowledge and I have seen this discourage many people from majoring in it.

yummyfajitas 16y ago
It's hardly the only such major. Art and music schools require you to have a lot of prior knowledge - your portfolio is part of your application.
- ernestipark 16y ago
  True, but you're not required or even expected to have prior knowledge of computer science before undergrad.
- marquis 16y ago
  Many schools allow you to apply based on other factors. New enrollments at music schools (not the top ones, but still some very good ones) allow you to take a starter course the summer before school starts so you can learn to read music. Music has changed so much in the 20th century that a prerequisite in music theory isn't going to hinder you if you show the ability to apply your analytical skills. Having been through music classes myself I noted I was initially wary of those who hadn't been trained musicians since the age of 7, but quickly realised that it really didn't matter and some of my peers really excelled at music having picked it up even as an adult. Doesn't apply to performance/dance schools though, obviously - you can't get a degree in piano performance if you're just starting at 18, unless you're a rare genius.
mbubb 16y ago
I agree on the "really well written part" - she is a good writer.
Naomi 16y ago
My question is: what is it about the naivete of the uninformed/the queries of the inexperienced, which incite such revulsion in the mind of a programmer? Aside from the fact that obviously no one wants to waste time filling someone in on the basics, or do their work for them? Something about being an outsider is, sometimes, inherently looked down upon in this field, it seems. These aren't isolated incidents, is it some sort of reflex? Could it be an assumption of stupidity, because how could any cognizant human be unable to think in that way?
- mattdeboard 16y ago
  That's a lot of syllables to ask, "Why are there so many assholes in this field?" The answer is low self-esteem and/or poor social skills.
  - gaius 16y ago
    These are the kids the girls overlooked in school for the jocks... No wonder they're inexperienced.
    - rorymarinich 16y ago
      Ah! But did the girls overlook them because they naturally preferred jocks? Or did they overlook them because even when they were younger they lacked a certain social ability that other kids had? My youthful experience was that nerds tended to be just as sexually active as jocks. They just tended to be active in different ways.
      - gaius 16y ago
        A little of both I guess. Note that I am not saying girls "deserve" it at college for what they did (or rather didn't) do at school. But y'know, as frustrated as she is, that kid had probably explained the ls command a hundred times to people. Both blaming the other for their inexperience.
        16y ago

yummyfajitas 16y ago

It's hardly the only such major. Art and music schools require you to have a lot of prior knowledge - your portfolio is part of your application.

ernestipark 16y ago
True, but you're not required or even expected to have prior knowledge of computer science before undergrad.
marquis 16y ago
Many schools allow you to apply based on other factors. New enrollments at music schools (not the top ones, but still some very good ones) allow you to take a starter course the summer before school starts so you can learn to read music. Music has changed so much in the 20th century that a prerequisite in music theory isn't going to hinder you if you show the ability to apply your analytical skills. Having been through music classes myself I noted I was initially wary of those who hadn't been trained musicians since the age of 7, but quickly realised that it really didn't matter and some of my peers really excelled at music having picked it up even as an adult. Doesn't apply to performance/dance schools though, obviously - you can't get a degree in piano performance if you're just starting at 18, unless you're a rare genius.

mbubb 16y ago

I agree on the "really well written part" - she is a good writer.

Naomi 16y ago

My question is: what is it about the naivete of the uninformed/the queries of the inexperienced, which incite such revulsion in the mind of a programmer? Aside from the fact that obviously no one wants to waste time filling someone in on the basics, or do their work for them? Something about being an outsider is, sometimes, inherently looked down upon in this field, it seems. These aren't isolated incidents, is it some sort of reflex? Could it be an assumption of stupidity, because how could any cognizant human be unable to think in that way?

mattdeboard 16y ago
That's a lot of syllables to ask, "Why are there so many assholes in this field?" The answer is low self-esteem and/or poor social skills.
- gaius 16y ago
  These are the kids the girls overlooked in school for the jocks... No wonder they're inexperienced.
  - rorymarinich 16y ago
    Ah! But did the girls overlook them because they naturally preferred jocks? Or did they overlook them because even when they were younger they lacked a certain social ability that other kids had? My youthful experience was that nerds tended to be just as sexually active as jocks. They just tended to be active in different ways.
    - gaius 16y ago
      A little of both I guess. Note that I am not saying girls "deserve" it at college for what they did (or rather didn't) do at school. But y'know, as frustrated as she is, that kid had probably explained the ls command a hundred times to people. Both blaming the other for their inexperience.
      - 16y ago