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As a society we have an attribution problem. People who look like me get it easy. Join me to explore how we can push back on the default stories & myths of who is providing value in our community. To watch with closed captions, view the livestream recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2qelRkp1CY&t=19250s
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The closing keynote titled "The Mrs Triggs Problem" delivered by Andy Croll at Euruko 2022 explores the historical contribution of women in technology and the challenges of underrepresentation within the industry. Croll begins with engaging anecdotes and humor, setting the stage for a deeper discussion about attribution problems in society and the stories we tell about value in tech. The main themes and key points discussed include: - **Historical Context of Computing**: Croll highlights the underappreciated contributions of women in the early computing industry, such as Steve Shirley and Grace Hopper. - **Steve Shirley's Journey**: Shirley, a child refugee, overcame societal barriers to establish a successful software company that significantly employed women professionals in the 60s, demonstrating an unorthodox approach in a male-dominated field. - **Male-Dominated Narrative**: Croll discusses the ways in which female contributions, specifically during the era of ENIAC, have been sidelined in historical narratives and academic discussions. The ENIAC programming team, known as the "Bettys," played a crucial role in developing computer programming, yet their work was overshadowed by male figures. - **Grace Hopper's Innovations**: Hopper's achievements, including creating the first compiler and her influence on the development of the COBOL programming language, are emphasized, showcasing her advancements against significant gender biases. - **The Broader Implication**: The talk culminates in showcasing how knowledge, credit, and success in technology have often been granted based on gender and other societal factors, illustrated with the stories of lesser-known figures like Jocelyn Bell and Margaret Hamilton. Croll concludes with a call to recognize and celebrate the historical impact that women have had in shaping the computing world while also encouraging a critical examination of the narratives that dominate the discourse in technology. This session emphasizes the need to push back against default stories, thereby valuing contributions that have long been overlooked, fostering a more equitable future in tech education and industry.
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