[bpchaps]

Yeah, I don't really understand this, either.

Most of the sales folks (just look at her resume..) I've worked with 'look' like a non-technical person. They absolutely look like they're trying to sell me something - whether it's through mannerisms, appearance, attitude or way of speaking. I'm going to ask them if they're technical if they're giving non-technical vibes as they try to sell me a complicated piece of software. Why wouldn't I? Why does it suddenly become sexist if she's a woman?

One of the most impressively technically proficient sysadmins I've ever worked with was an extremely attractive, high-energy woman. She's often not taken seriously because she's a woman. How does she prove her gender isn't a factor? She does good fucking work and never, EVER, brings her gender into it because it's not relevant. That's how gender equality gets solved, dammit.

I understand that she's basically being treated as a piece of meat at these places.. But the focus of her article is that she's not being treated seriously as a technical person at a tech conference, despite NOT being a technical person! Fluff and more fluff.

[KirinDave]

It is literally impossible not to bring your gender with you to work. The best you can do is lie about it, conceal it, or downplay it heavily.

What's more, it's a tragedy to even imply this is what we should do. Our unique life experiences are what we're all supposed to draw on in the startup world to make great products. Yet mysteriously women are supposed to pack most of it in because it's controversial when a man is an ass to them.

We reach "gender equality" when it is not a disadvantage to have any gender. Not by pretending gender doesn't exist and forcing everyone to homogenize.

[glhaynes]

How does she prove her gender isn't a factor? She does good fucking work and never, EVER, brings her gender into it because it's not relevant. That's how gender equality gets solved, dammit.

Gender equality would be solved if more women were doing good work while being silent about gender inequality? I … don't buy it.

Gender equality gets solved by making gender inequality unacceptable. Men are the primary imposers of inequality; it's our responsibility to fix it.

[bpchaps]

Sorry, should've been clear. It's one of the MANY ways to make it less acceptable to be shits towards others based on gender.

Also, It's "our" responsibility to fix it? Can we let "them" help out with fixing this, too? :)

[stone-monkey]

I find your viewpoint a bit strange. You acknowledge the problems your coworker faces, but instead of thinking of how to fix what is obviously a systemic problem, your solution is basically, "suck it up."

[bpchaps]

And I think your immediate reaction to my comment is also strange, but also knee-jerky and shallow. :).

You're implying that I'm suggesting she's being weak by "sucking it up". That's not the case at all. Being strong and sucking it up are two WAY different things. By doing the former, she's able to get the stupidity of sexism out of the way. By doing so along with advice when asked, she's also personally helped many other women in her workplaces become more confident. That sort of thing spreads, and I've seen the effects she's had on others first hand. It's incredibly cool to see.

How do you stop a bully? You don't give them the satisfaction that they hurt you.