From geek to chic: The changing face of computing

From geek to chic: The changing face of computing

Professors from 10 universities have formed the Students and Technology in Academia, Research, and Service (STARS) Alliance to promote diversity in IT.

http://www.fsu.edu/news/2006/05/11/geek.chic/

 

They have been trying to do this for years with minimum results. I dont think it has anything to do with race/sex/nationality, but simply interest. In the past boys(specificly in the USA white boys) have had the most interest in Technology. Now as technology gets "Cooler" that will change...But here is an interesting thought...


Ok..Im a geek, I admit it. Starwars, ST, Comics, D&D, LoTR, all that stuff. Has anyone else noticed as computers have become more of a staple of our society that "geeky" things have now migrated the mainstream? I mean I have always thought LOTR was cool, but now its hugh....SPiderman, Batman, Superman, SciFi Channel, Battlestar....the list goes on and on...Or maybe im still just a geek...dunno...

 

It's partially interest, but there are large segments of the computer geek world that are fairly unwelcoming to women. It's not really an overt hostility, but women do end up feeling like they are excluded from being in the "in" crowd. This occurs at some universities as well as some "geekier" companies.

I've seen workplaces where this absolutely isn't the case, and many companies have made huge efforts to make their workplaces women friendly, but it isn't as universal as it should be.

 

Very true, but that may go the other way. Alot of the "geekdom" world is simply intimidated by women, but that is a whole other issue. Also, I have noticed a trend in the industry aware from anti social personalities to an emphasis on soft-skills. But ultimatly knowledge is what is importants. And that word, knowledge, raises a issue that I dont want to be flamed for..but here goes..

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Typically, in my humble, experiences, I have seen alot of technical know how sacrificed in the name of diversity, which makes me bonkers. I pesonally think it re-enforces stereotypes when you hire a person who is not qualified and then they fall on their face which reafferms the stereotype. I can think of example after example in my career. Now, that doesnt mean that I have not seen my share of worths "white guys" in the field, but in their case diversity was not one of the deciding factors for promotion and/or hiring and lowering the standards is never a good practice and is essentially sexist/racist. Now "women friendly" is great, BUT as everyone may have noticed women are humans like us men and subject to the same ugly tendencies. Such as taking unfair advantage of programs becuase you are a women, or be subject to different rules because of a diversity. I just think a level playing field is all that is needed, and if people decided to do one thing or another thats great. Technology is one of the few real level playing fields. Can you do it or not? Do you understand this or not?

I dont think everything has to a be a social issue. This is a issue because the high paying jobs of the future are going to be technical, and I think the social scientist of this country see a dominence by a few social/ethnic groups in the long run

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I have also seen people who are socially out of the norm not fit in well to a work enviorment also...a judo instructor comes to mind. So i dont think its a diversity thing as much as its tendency of personality. If you are not compatabile with certain types of people, than technology probobaly wont be for you either.