Computer Gender
A pastor of a church who was previously a sailor, was very aware that
ships are addressed as “she” or “her.’ He often wondered what gender
computers should be addressed. To answer that question, he set up two
groups of computer experts. The first was comprised of women, and the
second of men. Each group was asked to recommend whether computers
should be referred to in the feminine gender or the masculine gender.
They were asked to give 4 reasons for their recommendations.
The group of women reported that the computers should be referred to in
the masculine because:
1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.
2. They have a lot of data, but are still clueless.
3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time
they are the problem.
4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had
waited, a better model will come along.
The men, on the other hand, concluded that computers should be referred
to in the feminine gender because:
1. No one but the creator understands their internal logic.
2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers
is incomprehensible to everyone else.
3. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for
later retrieval.
4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself
spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.
Email: aaronsteinmetz@yahoo.com
