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RubyConf 2018 - Unraveling the Masculinization of Technology by Audrey Eschright Have you ever wondered where the perception that technology is a masculine pursuit comes from? Or why we have to explain that, "no really, women are interested in computers too"? At the beginning of the modern technological era, to be a computer was to be an actual literal woman—someone trained in math and computations. Decades later, women are underrepresented in most technical pursuits, with an increasingly “leaky” pipeline leaving fewer and fewer throughout our career progression. Learn about the gendered history of computing and explore how we can write a new narrative of participation.
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In her talk titled "Unraveling the Masculinization of Technology" at RubyConf 2018, Audrey Eschright explores the relationship between gender and technology, highlighting the historical context that contributed to the perception of technology as a masculine pursuit. The discussion delves into the gendered history of computing and offers insights on how to foster a more inclusive environment in the tech industry. ### Key Points: - **Historical Background**: Eschright emphasizes that the computing field was initially built by women in the 1940s and 1950s, who played crucial roles in programming and computation. This contribution waned in the 1970s and 80s when the industry adopted a more masculine identity. - **Gendered Perception of Tech**: The narrative surrounding technology has shifted, leading to job advertisements, conference speaker rosters, and company cultures that paint programming as a male-oriented activity, thus reinforcing stereotypes that make it harder for women to enter the field and succeed. - **Impact of Masculinization**: The masculine identity associated with programming benefits men disproportionately, enabling them to secure better job opportunities, higher salaries, and faster promotions. This also affects investment patterns in the tech industry, as those in decision-making roles often resemble the prevailing masculine ideal. - **Examples of Shifts in Gender Draft**: The talk mentions historical figures like the original women programmers of the ENIAC and contrasts their contributions with the later narrative that featured male icons like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, showcasing how these shifts shaped societal perspectives on who can be a programmer. - **Cultural Imprints in Recruiting**: The prevalent attributes tied to successful programmers in modern culture highlight characteristics such as risk-taking and puzzle-solving, which do not encompass the broader competencies that have been historically associated with computing and programming. - **Call for Change**: Eschright advocates for rewriting the narrative around participation in technology to encourage more equitable involvement by different genders, urging the community to recognize and honor the diversity that has historically existed in computing. ### Conclusion: The talk concludes with a crucial takeaway: understanding the historical context of gender in computing is essential for crafting a more inclusive future in technology. By recognizing the contributions of women and challenging the masculine paradigms that currently dominate, the industry can work towards equitable representation and participation.
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