Why being a female founder sucks... and rocks

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That reminds me of an interesting article I read that may explain this: http://www.psy.fsu.edu/~baumeistertice/goodaboutmen.htm

It basically argues that historical "male expendability" has geared men towards a predisposition for higher risk endeavors.

"If someone wants to fund me as a diversity candidate, I will take that shit all the way to the bank."

Ha ha ha ha. Right on.

On the topic of heels and tech events, here's a really cool lightning talk by Pamela Fox about whether feminine can be geeky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIhPYefRndc

And.. they're girls. A smile and you'd give and pardon her anything. (I'm not saying that in a sexist way or to act like they've got it easy, I hope. It's just.. you know when they look at you, ask you to fix whatever bugs they have with that smile? A nerd(boy) could smile as much as he wants, he'd better google and RTFM before asking to fix that bug.)

That has certainly been a facet of my experience in 15 years spent working in or adjacent to development departments. Although I think it has less to do with being attractive, or a woman, as being _cultured_ the way women have conventionally been.

We're taught to be polite, warm, and deferential, and to thank someone effusively when they do something for us. I've seen men work the same angle, though.

Do we really need an "old girls network" to complement the old boys network? I tend to respect the people who have the courage to do what they love, and who therefore do it with excellence. Tara sounds like someone I'd respect. Welcome to the old hacker's club ... Here's to meritocracy.

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