Discussion
  • Read More
    Kenny and the LlamasStassa Edwards
    4/25/15 11:54am

    Egalitarian coding is important. We men have dominated communicative handkerchiefs for far too long. Welcome, sisters!

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      The GaysianKenny and the Llamas
      4/25/15 12:08pm

      For those who do not know the Handkerchief Code. Here it is.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      TheLastHalfDonutKenny and the Llamas
      4/25/15 12:15pm

      At some point it just becomes a rainbow skirt, doesn’t it? I’m a demure lady who’s worn my hankies on occasion, just to shock the the lads who thought they knew me. lol

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    EldritchStassa Edwards
    4/25/15 12:08pm

    I don’t think it’s teaching girls to code that is the answer (though it is incredibly noble and laudable!). It’s giving girls and women the support when they get to the tech sector to survive and flourish, to give them support in high school and college where being into tech and science is thought of as uncool. Teaching a girl to code is one thing, helping a girl to survive the gauntlet of systematic misogynistic bullshit when they get a job in IT is a whole other story.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      MisfitToyEldritch
      4/25/15 12:16pm

      Supermodels saying that coding is cool helps with with uncool factor, at least.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      pandorazboxEldritch
      4/25/15 12:19pm

      I agree with your point that teaching girls to code is not the answer (though it is obviously necessary). In and of itself, it can’t address the structural/systemic issue you mention. I teach general ed courses at a technical college and our IT guru is a woman. We discuss misogyny in IT frequently and there’s an assumption by her male-counterparts that women are inherently different (inferior) from men. I would be afraid that one of the unintentional consequences of Kode with Karlie is that encourages the idea that women are different (i.e., we kode rather than code). There could also be (and I know it’s not fair) an association with the Kardashians because of the K. I’m going to show my friend this article to see what she has to say. It’s such an important conversation.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    astrobabeStassa Edwards
    4/25/15 2:25pm

    Hopefully this group not only teaches code, but how to think critically about the user experience and need. One can certainly learn to write code for a single, but making it useable for others besides the coder is a different and complex issue. I mean, seriously, why is it that it’s still hard to find an un-pink period tracker that isn’t all about telling you when the optimal times is to get pregnant? It’s because because don’t assess it as a need.

    (and I say this as someone who regularly codes to get a specific thing done, because science, rather than app etc devel).

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      story645astrobabe
      4/26/15 11:12am

      While I agree with your bigger point a lot, clue is a good non-pink tracker that is good about letting you track your period for its own sake or fertility sake.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      astrobabestory645
      4/26/15 11:47am

      I have Clue and I have issues though with them pushing an account with them (it’s asked a few times and I say naughty things to my phone) and that it still overemphasizes your “fertile window”. Also this month I got a bit argh that it lacks an option for spotting, just period.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    kitteneyeStassa Edwards
    4/25/15 11:46am

    I’ve met Karlie and was super impressed with her. She was well spoken, extremely intelligent, and seemed like a genuinely nice person. (As someone who has met a bunch of models through a previous job and also just mutual circles of friends, I can tell you that this is not the norm.) This is a really awesome idea, especially given how many young girls look up to her.

    She’s also, small quibble, but she’s no longer contracted to Victoria’s Secret.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      AlisonHendryxkitteneye
      4/25/15 2:28pm

      are you taylor swift?

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      Que Bellakitteneye
      4/25/15 4:24pm

      Good to know!

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    CirceStassa Edwards
    4/25/15 12:41pm

    If people think this is actually pioneering for women I do not know what era you are living in. Women who love tech don’t care about this lady/old model/whatever. Haters gonna hate for good reason.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      hypatia351Circe
      4/25/15 1:13pm

      I don’t see anyone saying it’s pioneering. This isn’t aimed at women who love tech, it’s aimed at getting more young women and girls interested in tech and programming.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      story645Circe
      4/26/15 11:18am

      Women who love tech don’t care about this lady/old model/whatever.

      ‘eh, that’s a weird generalization...

      Like I got into coding ‘cause I wanted to hack my fashion design games and a bit more than 15 years later I’m working on a PhD in CS and I teach baby engineers how to code. I have many many qualms with the current trend of pushing code as a magic bullet of sorts, but *meh* this outreach (and like hypatia said it’s not really aimed at girls who already like tech) may be effective.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    geotekk-athomeStassa Edwards
    4/25/15 12:48pm

    Something that would have helped immensely in getting me into engineering sooner: better math curriculum! In N Americas our school aged children should have similar math curriculum to those in Germany and Japan, but we don’t value children’s education here like they do. I was recently thinking about how to make a toddler’s toy that teaches very basic if/and/or logic because I really think we could have so many more women in STEM if we reached out to kids in their truly developmental years. I guess what I’m saying here is our math curriculum is kind of a joke and isn’t doing any kid any favours, especially not those who don’t have money for private school/tutoring or access to extra help after hours. End complaint.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      Setzer777geotekk-athome
      4/25/15 1:09pm

      The thing that always surprises me is how much more money we pour into education, without the results to show for it.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      goddessoftransitorySetzer777
      4/25/15 1:17pm

      I have to admit, I agree with Elizabeth Wurtzel in More Now Again when she ponders exactly what “well educated” means. She was focusing on literature, but points out that, when you hear about parents trying to ban books, wonder what these people want their kids to read. We pour tons of money into our educational system but we don’t focus any of it.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    ColonialSaabStassa Edwards
    4/25/15 6:57pm

    This is all for the good. I, for one, think that the US should really rethink its school teaching policies. And blaming tenure and unions is not going to get you anywhere. If you (as citizens and parents) are not willing to ask what you wish to obtain from the school system and then put forth the effort needed to build it up, then, well, things will limp along as they are now.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      arachnarColonialSaab
      4/26/15 1:52pm

      I wonder how much we’d benefit students by introducing a system like in Germany and other countries where there are gymnasium schools, vocational track schools and schools for intermediate students. My issue with school was the negative and hostile social atmosphere many students fostered with gossip and bullying because they were bad students and didn’t belong there.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    Stormy WeatherStassa Edwards
    4/25/15 11:40am

    This is wonderful! I wish I would have started coding at an earlier age, so anything that shows young woman that they can do it AND be good at it has my support

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      dontcallmemimiStormy Weather
      4/25/15 11:57am

      I'm teaching myself Python and R right now (early 30s) and it's awesome but I feel the same. Coding should be offered as an elective language course in schools as early as possible.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      Stormy Weatherdontcallmemimi
      4/25/15 12:09pm

      I’m learning Python now too! Check out the group PyLadies, they may have a chapter near you that can help. There’s a ton of groups that are focused on getting more woman to code and I really like being around women that are as clueless as I am

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    Setzer777Stassa Edwards
    4/25/15 12:50pm

    I think we’ve just about reached the point where everyone should be taught the fundamental concepts of computers and programming. Almost anyone in a position of authority is going to be making decisions surrounding computers, websites, or databases. Having those choices made my people with zero conception of how code works can be hugely counterproductive.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      Potatoe666Setzer777
      4/25/15 2:17pm

      Totally agree. It’s like knowing how to write - and if it’s not true entirely yet I think it will be latest in a couple of decades. And really, the basics of coding, for loops, while loops, structures etc. are not difficult to learn - not for anyone

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    IronMaidenForm now with electrolytesStassa Edwards
    4/25/15 2:05pm

    I’m an Old and I was taught coding in high school in the early 80s ... this isn’t done anymore? Why the hell not? I went to a crappy public school, not a private one or even a well-funded suburban public school. Computers aren’t going away and knowing the basics of how they work is sort of useful.

    This is great, though. Coding was invented by a woman (Ada Lovelace) and it’s not really that hard but it is fun. Getting more girls to find this out first hand would be fantastic.

    Reply
    <