From: David Masover <ninja@...>
Date: 2008-08-25T13:40:39+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby and Gender (Was: A Mascot...)

On Sunday 24 August 2008 00:07:41 Gregory Brown wrote:

> If the answer to this question is No, you're implying that Ruby is no
> worse than the overarching 'male-dominated field', and therefore this
> issue is irrelevant.

Actually, no, I'm arguing that it seems silly to attack this issue in Ruby 
specifically, if it's an issue with the larger field.

Unless you're implying that some community (as a community) needs to step up 
and get it right, as an example to everyone else?

> If the answer to this question is Yes, you're implying that Ruby is
> especially bad in an already miserably unbalanced field.  In that
> case, are you prepared to be part of the solution to that problem?

Depends what that entails. I'm not about to go door to door or anything, but 
if I'm doing anything offensive, let me know.

If I'm not part of the solution, I want to at least make sure I'm not part of 
the problem.

> But seriously, in a male-dominated field, waiting for females to speak
> up is about the same as claiming that if your grandma boycotts
> Walmart, they'll eventually shut down.

Given that there are females on this list, I'd think the probability is a bit 
higher, especially given such an open invitation to discuss the matter.

If it wasn't clear already, that is an invitation.
I want to know what you think.