From the website of Ben Ford, President of the Linux Users Group, Washington State University, on how to attract more women into their organization and ultimately into the field of computer science — by auctioning themselves off for “sorority girls” to “have their way with them”:
No. The problem is that you’re an idiot*. You know what might make women more interested in being around guys in the Linux Users Group? If the members understand women as intelligent equals with more to contribute than makeovers.
Is the idea that if the male dating pool in the computer science department is more attractive, more women will want to switch to that field? Is telling the world that they think sorority girls are so terribly inept that they can’t “fix their computers” or do “their stats homework” somehow going to make women come en masse to computer science mixers? (Ben offers this for examples of what the self-proclaimed nerds can do for “sorority girls.”)
No. The most likely scenario is that computer science majors at Washington State need a few classes in women’s studies.
And for the record, my brilliant math and computer science degree-holding husband couldn’t help me with my stats past day two of classes my first term. Logistically regress that, guys.
*”Yes, this is incredibly stereotypical and insensitive of me. But it’s funny. Don’t be offended.” How’dya like them apples?
Allen | 27-Sep-07 at 4:57 am | Permalink
Some of us probably could use a little help in the social graces, etc. Not all of us are as cool and suave as your (frat 😉 boy.
But that doesn’t invalidate your other points.
Perhaps Jane Austen should be required reading for all college males. But then, it would likely just be wasted on them.
Stay cool…
Chris S. | 29-Sep-07 at 4:27 pm | Permalink
Those guys don’t need women’s studies classes. They need to grow some pelotas and confidence. A master’s degree in women’s studies can’t provide that.