Ladies, The Problem Of Gatekeepers Is Not Solved By Whining That There Are Gatekeepers
Feminism has become specialsnowflake-ism, with women demanding cushy landings in the workplace.
Ashe Schow writes at the WashEx that Elissa Shevisky, who helped launch the current uproar over sexism in tech, is now sorry and says her initial essay was "deeply flawed":
In 2013, Elissa Shevinsky wrote an article titled "That's it, I'm finished defending sexism in tech." The article was based on her concerns that a major tech expo would open with a presentation with an app called "Titstare," which, as the name implied, allowed users to take photos of themselves staring at women's breasts....She concluded her article by writing that one of the solutions to the problem was to get more women in tech.
Her article received 40,000 views and was shared around the web, helping to spark a debate about the lack of women in the tech industry, a debate with the notable accomplishment of making a grown man -- a comet scientist -- cry on live TV because the shirt he was wearing offended some.
...Shevinsky now thinks there is a more positive solution to the issue of sexism in tech.
"I think the more important meaning is to actively choose a path that's yours -- for women to create their own companies and their own infrastructures, to actively seek out people and create places that are a fit for them," Shevinsky said. "Women are martyring themselves trying to change the existing culture, and it's miserable for everyone."
When asked what she would say to those who would accuse her of telling women to go elsewhere, Shevinsky explained that she wanted a free-market approach to reforming the tech industry.
..."So let's go build companies that don't require gatekeepers to say 'yes,'" Shevinsky said.
I don't do well in the corporate environment. I did okay, back when I worked in a corporation, but I do better in a more entrepreneurial system: Solution? Leave corporate America and go entrepreneurial. Which I did.
It just seemed more sensible than trying to bend corporate America to my will.
I'm a female in tech. I work well in a corporate environment. Love fixing little things and adding new chunks onto huge projects. Like the camaraderie and the company picnics. Been here for some number of decades now, in many companies.
It is only recently that I feel singled out. I was put up for a Women In Technology conference. I scratched my head on that one. I want to go to a Tech conference - why would I limit myself to only talking to a portion of techies about non-techie stuff? I'd prefer to talk to other techies about neat technology. It was really disconcerting to me to be singled out - like somebody looked up and said, hey - you're a woman - you qualify!
I am a little sad that PC is knocking on the door of my long-hair, sandal-wearing/barefoot tech world.
flbeachmom at June 5, 2015 6:29 AM
Don't flbeachmom. We are here to SAVE YOU even if you don't know you need saving.
(Maybe the feminists are just frustrated Christians and only want to save womyn.)
Bob in Texas at June 5, 2015 6:58 AM
It is amazing how she just now figured out trying to forced everyone else to do what you want is both exhausting and not worth the effort. It really highlights the authoritarian heart of modern feminism.
Ben at June 5, 2015 11:21 AM
I attended a career development workshop with a focus on career path. It started with you need to have a detailed 5 year plan (less detailed passed that) and then execute it. As the discussion went on 3 of the 5 plus the moderator recounted major career events that were not in there plan and they were never able to execute their plans. One sound like he did execute his plan and the other I got nothing from. I saw no common theme other than most had someone help them in a position you not expect them to get.
The point I took away from it -- which I don't think was the intended one -- is that career progression is largely about luck and someone taking a risk on you.
I Guess in the article it is a career path of creating your own company which one would have more control over... though even that has lot of external variables for success.
The Former Banker at June 6, 2015 9:01 AM
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