When people talk about systemic sexism, this is what they are talking about. The sexism is so ingrained into culture that people don't even think about what they are saying. They just say an objectively sexist thing because it's "normal".
Hi! Founder here. As a woman entrepreneur, building a hard tech company,I’m pretty familiar with sexism, overt and systemic. My only living grandparent is my grandma and I always use her as a point of reference If I’ve built something easy to use.
Exactly!! If we were to ask 100 random grandmas if they are offended by the 'systemic sexism' i doubt they will be offended. Using your grandma as a reference point is a more specialised version of 'hallway testing', although im now probably offending construction workers and narrow passages everywhere.
The world probably is not ending in nuclear war but it ends with all this nonsenses.
For heaven's sake, we got the best job in the world, building and fiddle with computers, math, algorithms and problem solving! And yet some will rather stand on ceremony with this idiocy about we are offended grandmas ! How about you go build something instead of complaining or policing ppl about the correct way to use the word grandma in a sentence !! Are you 5 years old ? Yelling to the teacher that Johnny said a bad word ????
Good for you, keep doing what you're doing and don't listen to these people, people like them just like to stir shit up.
Relatedly, have you asked and observed your grandma using it? Might be interesting, I'd definitely read a blog post about her usability of the product as a sort of UX test.
I was the original commenter, and I can assure you my goal wasn't to stir shit up.
I simply don't like that "Grandmother" is the go-to example of someone who will fumble to understand a new concept. I know there's no active malice when people use the expression (who doesn't love their grandma, after all?), but it's a stereotype that makes older women essentially the butt of a joke.
So would you have been ok if the OP said "it's so easy to use even a toddler can use it ?"
Sure sexism is valiant cause to fight but at some point it's becoming a complete joke and no one takes you seriously anymore ! Grandma's example do apply here.
If you take a 100 random grandmas, 100 random middle aged people and a 100 toddlers and give them a basic cognitive test (not IQ) just basic stuff like
processing speed, problem-solving and tech skills.
You'd be GUARANTEE to see difference between the groups and to pretend difference doesn't exist is just plain stupid and ignorant of the real world.
If grandmas over the world suddenly want to apply to be airline pilots, would you support it ? Would you feel safe ? Would prefer your child fly with a toddler, middle-aged or grandma pilot ?
