[ILUG] [OT] noncomputing nonscience in secondary.

[John P. Looney (Kate)]

On Mon, Jun 19, 2000 at 12:18:31PM +0100, kevin lyda mentioned:
> >  Could any women on the list comment on this (take me out over being
> > simple, etc) ?
> 
> while you never mention it, it seems an easy assumption that you're
> implying that two x chromosomes yield a lack of hack appreciation,
> while an x/y combo yields an insatiable desire to hack.

 Oh no, just a different ratio. Just means you need a better/different
teaching style to get more women techs. Name-changing won't work.

> in the room
> behind me i can point out a virtual zoo of marketting weasels to
> counteract that description (though they do gawk incomprehensibly
> at new car engines out front on occasion) on the male side.  and
> after purchasing a wet/dry electric shaver that recharges with no
> metal contacts i had to refuse a female coworker's request to take
> it apart to see how it worked.

 I can see her point. I've a toothbrush that works on similar principals.
I tryed to take it apart, but it's glued shut.

 However, try to explain why I needed two kits of lego mindstorms to my
girlfriend (an oracle developer), and she'll look at you with disbelief! 

> while i'm sure there's a genetic component to our behaviours, at best it
> provides a range of abilities.  i might have the genetic stuff to be a
> farmer and do all the physical work involved (and i have the relatives
> to prove it) but years of sitting on my ass in front of a keyboard have
> heightened my chances of a massive coronary while moving bales of hay.

 Well, part of what I said was based on a documentary I saw about a number
of families that were determined to treat their children the same, no
matter the gender. They went so far as to keep them away from other
children until they had to go to school. But even at three years of age,
it was noticed that boys tended to the short term enjoyment win,
destruction, running around being the center of attention, while girls
were quieter, formed cliques, and played "constructively". It does carry
on till later life.

Kate

-- 
The words of the unwary are apt to cause needless pain and bloody violence.
                                                        - Zen Master Greg