Post by Rudy on May 13, 2005 21:20:36 GMT -5
No, it is not what you think.
An English teacher was explaining to his students
the concept of gender association in the English language.
He noted how hurricanes at one time were given only female
names, and how ships and planes were usually referred to
as "she."
One of the students raised her hand and asked,
"What gender is a computer, Sir?"
The teacher wasn't certain. So he divided the class
into two groups: males in one, females in the other,
and asked them to decide if a computer should be
masculine or feminine. Both groups were asked to
give four reasons for their recommendations.
The group of women concluded that computers should
be referred to as 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 your 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 little longer, you could have had a better model.
The men, on the other hand, decided that computers
should definitely be referred to as feminine because:
1. No one but their 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.
An English teacher was explaining to his students
the concept of gender association in the English language.
He noted how hurricanes at one time were given only female
names, and how ships and planes were usually referred to
as "she."
One of the students raised her hand and asked,
"What gender is a computer, Sir?"
The teacher wasn't certain. So he divided the class
into two groups: males in one, females in the other,
and asked them to decide if a computer should be
masculine or feminine. Both groups were asked to
give four reasons for their recommendations.
The group of women concluded that computers should
be referred to as 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 your 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 little longer, you could have had a better model.
The men, on the other hand, decided that computers
should definitely be referred to as feminine because:
1. No one but their 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.
