[perokreco]

See, both their joke and the statement: "maybe we could take this joke at face value (ha ha, we're all sex deprived computer nerds who would do anything to interact with women for a second)" assumes women are not programmers and thus makes them feel less welcome. That is the main reason why it is bad.

[cgoddard]

Exactly. It marginalizes women in the profession. It also supports sexual objectification as being okay in a workplace / professional environment.

[orblivion]

And I guess what I'm saying is, if there weren't the disrespectful atmosphere to begin with, I think women could let it slide, with the understanding that this joke is based on the fact that "women are not programmers" is enough of an approximation of the truth that you can base a joke off of it. (again, not that it's that great a joke)