“THIS ISN’T ‘TANGY’ I KNOW WHAT TANGY IS THIS IS SWEET I SUSPECT WHAT’S GOING ON IS THAT YOU’RE FEELING INADEQUATE ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE AND YOU CAN’T SAY SWEET. SWWEEEEEEET.”

The fact of the matter is, much as Violet Blue would consider herself to be a “woman working in technology”, those of us who actually hold jobs that deal with technology would never consider her one of us. I work with plenty of women, as well, and discussions today at lunch on this very subject indicated at least four of the women I work with don’t think there’s any textual evidence that Blue knows anything more about “technology” than any number of other ranting bloggers.

More concisely, what I’m saying is this: if you want to discuss the difficulties women encounter in the field of technology, go for it. It needs to be discussed. However, including Violet Blue in the list of women suffering from sexism in the field is absurd; quite simply, she isn’t *in* this field. She’s a person with a blog. And, at that, a blog that has almost nothing to do with technology at all. Unless you count “rambling every four months or so about teledildonics” as being a “tech job”. I don’t. I don’t imagine many other people do, either.

So, how, exactly, is it inaccurate to describe Ms. Blue as “that porn girl”? Is such a phrase sloppy, linguistically? Perhaps. It is, however, not untrue.

Then again, I suspect what’s going on here, as well as on Blue’s “blog”, is that you’re playing semantic rhetoric games to channel some internally perceived sense of cultural injustice. Have fun with that.

As for Leo LaPorte, are you sure the main basis for his saying Violet Blue shouldn’t be on the list is because she’s a female, i.e. on the basis of gender? I will confess I haven’t gone through the comments but if it’s because of her material, he’s entitled to his opinion. Violet Blue could be a guy and he could have said the same thing, albeit “that porn guy”.

I hope that wasn’t too muddled.

I think women in tech are making big strides. Look at CNet, the public face of CNet at least, it seems like a majority o’ the pod-casts/TV shows(?) are being hosted by women.

But, I think Leo may have been confused over which Violet Blue. If Molly Wood’s porn name-twin was 3rd search result down on Google I’m sure that allot of people who don’t know her might be confused.

Also, the conversation started as a way of Dvorak to make of these lists. “Top 35 Celebrity Dogs…” “Top 10 Internet Icons…” I’m sure no insult was meant.

However, even if insult was meant… so what? Violet Blue shouldn’t act like it was the end of the universe. Two late-aged men call you “that porn girl.” It isn’t a stab at women… it’s a stab at sex-writers.

But, I think Leo may have been confused over which Violet Blue. If Molly Wood’s porn name-twin was 3rd search result down on Google I’m sure that alot of people who don’t know her might be confused.

Also, the conversation started as a way of Dvorak to make of these lists. “Top 35 Celebrity Dogs…” “Top 10 Internet Icons…” I’m sure no insult was ment.

Howver, evene if insult was ment… so what? Violet Blue shouldn’t act like it was the end of the universe. Two late-aged men call you “that porn girl.” It isn’t a stab at women… it’s a stab at sex-writers.

That said, I think you should post some of this porn and let your readers decide for themselves.

Yes Veronica, I have no doubt about that. But if you want to get some credibility in such a male dominated field then why the heck would you give yourself a porn name. If youre going to name yourself “Elvis Thrust” then don’t expect people to just assume you’re the worlds greatest botanist.

Sexism goes both ways. Don’t forget that.

Leo is at fault either way you look at it. He was either sexist and insensitive, or totally irresponsible for his lack of research as a tech journalist/blogger/host. It would be the same as commenting on our Molly and citing credits of the porn star who shares her name because you were too lazy to learn which is which.

I for one am so excited anytime I meet a female who is interested in technology. I have said many times that I think there should be more. This week alone I met a girl who likes video games, and another who is attending a software development university! She made me aware of what a minority women are in this field. She is one of 5 women in a class of 400. (the women’s restroom must be very clean!)

Every morning your site is one of 14 that loads in my tabs. The only other tech related are Ambermac.com, Engadget, Pogue’s posts, TUAW, and BOL lounge. I think that’s a testament to how relevant women are in tech.

BTW, ever since you posted the Buzz report video, Safari crashes when I get to your tab.

Kick them straight in the nuts. Tell them to stop bothering with virginity and try getting laid >:D

On a serious note, you could probably kick up hell over any moron who would dare to try that.

I really dont know what to say.

so i’m just gonna say it again.. OUCH !

Chill out, V. You ROCK !

Exactly. They didn’t know, they didn’t bother to really learn about who she is and what she’s about and they dismissed her because of their stereotypical, initial judgement. And though it may not reflect their opinions about women in tech, to me it reflects their opinions about women in general which of course includes women in tech. How is this sort of shooting from the hip suddenly acceptable when it comes to women, to women who talk openly about “taboo” topics? People wouldn’t expect this if it were about a Black male blogger. Folks (I hope) wouldn’t angrily say “that rapper.”

“I run a web comapny and my business partner of 8 years is female and many of the people I’ve worked with, and had working for us, have been female. I am in the UK so I don’t know if that makes a difference but I know several female sys admins and have never had a problem working with any of them. As far as I know none of the males I’ve worked with have had any problem working working with or for women in tech oriented businesses.”

I’m glad that the women you’ve worked with in the tech industry haven’t encountered sexism and that you yourself don’t have a problem working with women. But I would be a little careful in thinking that how it is over there is how it is for other folks. I work for an organization in a specific field that has people of color, women, and women of color in positions of upper-management and leadership. However, I know for a fact that this is unfortunately not the case in many, many other similar organizations. I’m not a woman and i’m not a woman in the tech industry. You’re not a woman but you are in the tech industry. At this point, when it comes to sexism against women by men in the tech industry, i’m going to believe a woman in the tech industry.

“As for people who said the following to you, “should just stop bothering with technology, and maybe try porn for a living?” They aren’t worth giving the time of day.”

I’m going to disagree with you on this because I think this is just telling Veronica to “ignore it” which puts the entire unfair burden on her and refuses to place blame on the ones who are saying it in the first place. The guys who say this kind of stuff aren’t going to stop from the silent treatment. They stop when you and call them out on it.