[torrent-of-ions]

>As a woman in tech, this kind of comparison almost always makes me want to disengage.

And that's why there are not many women in tech. Stop taking things personally. I don't care if you're a woman. Is that a good thing or bad thing? I'm not sure any more. Is it not OK to use people to make analogies?

[dang]

We detached this subthread from https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14979215 and marked it off-topic.

[mondoshawan]

I'd like to clarify something here: I'm not taking this personally. I mentioned that it's off-putting and makes me not want to be in the field, and I'm part of one of the groups that we're all so concerned with getting more of in tech lately. If you care, you'll listen. If not, well, so be it. I don't care.

Normally I'd keep my mouth shut about this kind of thing, but I spoke up because I've finally run headlong into this kind of crap in the workplace, despite my 20 years of experience in the field, and I don't want to deal with it anymore. It's unprofessional and unwelcome. I've been shouted down, talked over, laughed at, yelled at, and fought with, demoralized, and stepped on. And I'm used to dealing with the usual technical fracas with intelligent folks in IT, and can go toe-to-toe with others on technical issues without taking it personally.

Up until recently, I've been lucky enough to avoid all of the crap by working with people that actually respect me for my talent. Now that I've moved out east and experienced it first hand, I don't want to experience it again. So I'm speaking up and asking you and others to stop it, and telling you it's one of the reasons my particular subgroup is being driven out.

Take it or leave it.

[torrent-of-ions]

What are you even talking about? I've also been shouted down, talked over and the rest. What does that have to do with the analogy for which you felt the need to express disapproval and play your "woman in tech" card?

You have a strong air of superiority. You seem to think that because you are a woman that you are more important than me. I'm sure this is because you are a part of the group that "we're all so concerned with".

Well, guess what? I am not concerned about getting more of any group of people in tech. I want people in tech who want to be in tech. Simple as that. I support lowering the barriers to entry even lower than they are right now. Free software and Raspberry Pis are great. They are cheaper than Barbie dolls now. We're doing really well.

What I don't support is trying to force a particular group of people to do something that most of them don't want to do. As a woman in tech yourself you must surely see that it is possible and that there are no extra barriers to any other woman who wants to pursue the same path. Or do you think that you are special and all those other, weaker women need more help to do what they want?

[dang]

The personal attack you crossed into here is completely unacceptable on HN. I've banned this account.

All: introducing personal abuse into what is already a divisive and inflammatory topic will get you banned here, so please just don't do it.

[mondoshawan]

Sorry, if that's what you took from my reply, I apologize. That is not at all what I intended.

[dang]

You have nothing to apologize for.

I'm sorry you ran into this on Hacker News. As a moderator of this place who spends much of his life trying to contain the poison, I can't tell you how ashamed I feel to see that here.