*******The Default Male********
Sunday March 8th marks International Women's Day. This day is a global celebration of women's social, economic, cultural, political and personal achievements of all women.
A perfect day if you will to call to action women's equality in a male dominated world.
On that subject I was recently recommended a book by a female friend called "Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men" by Caroline Criado Perez.
I downloaded it to my Amazon Audible library, as listening to books is my preferred method in my busy fast moving life. Unfortunatley I do not have the luxury to sit and read books very often.
And although I am only at the start of listening to this audible book, it has already been quite the eye-opener...
The Default Male
One such revelation of the data bias uncovered that I have learnt relates to emoji's.
We are all familiar with emojis in our current world of smart phones and internet usage, some using them, while others balking at their use.
It appears that emoji's are the worlds fastest growing language in modern times used by 90% of the world's online population.
This language originated in Japan in the 1980s and women are it's heaviest users (78%). And yet, until recently the world of emoji's was curiously male.
In 2016 Unicode changed this and abandoned their previously neutral gender stance they decided explicitly gender all emoji's which related to people.
So instead of "runner" which had been universally represented as "male runner" Unicode issued code for explicit "male runner" and explicit "female runner".
Male and female options now exist for all professions and athletes. A small but significant victory for women!
Why do Women need handbags - while Men's clothes have deep pockets?
I am thoroughly enjoying this informative "listen" and the evidence displayed and presented regarding the gender data gap.
The preface to this book states in reference to the gender data gap that "it is not generally malicious or even deliberate, but the opposite. It is simply the product of a way of thinking that has been around for millennia and is therefore a kind of "not thinking" a "double not thinking", men go without saying and women don't get said at all. Because when we say "human" on the whole we mean man"
Is it a coincidence or is it more a cause and a consequence of the type of "unthinking" that perceives humanity as almost exclusively male?
An Equal World is an Enabled World
Wishing you all a very Satisfying Saturday and to all the WA ladies I hope you all have a Super Sunday and a Happy International Women's Day! ~ Jules
Recent Comments
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I’d love to read that book Jules. Thanks for recommending.
Not sure where you’re from or what the statistics are for your part of the world but in Australia we have a massive issue with domestic violence with more than one woman per week killed by their partner or ex partner. It is truly horrifying and I wish that more people would educate themselves about the signs of inequality in their every day lives. Because letting seemingly small things slide it is what leads to ingrained attitudes and then behaviour. Oh sigh.
Happy International Women’s Day to you too Jules!
I really appreciate your post.
Cheers
Melissa
Thanks Melissa, I'm from Ireland where we like to "sweep our issues" under the carpet and thus statistics are hard to read!!
But, I hear what you are saying...inequality is definitely an ingrained attitude that needs a radical change!
I hope all is well with you, take care, Jules
You would really enjoy the book "Die Toechter Egalias" (The Daughters of Egalias?)
It was written 1977 by the Norwegian writer Gert Brantenberg (a woman) and it is reversing every word from male to female. Not only that but the men are rearing bras and give birth, etc. It is hilarious and amazing how many words we use daily that are totally male oriented.
Of course I read it in Geman (Gerwoman) at the time over there and I don't know if it works as well with the English language.
It's a great read;)
Petra
Thanks for the recommendation Petra, I had a brief look for it, a satire of sorts - Egalia's Daughters: A Satire of the Sexes - I shall have to secure an English version of the copy from Amazon ;-)
Thanks again and keep well! Jules
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Brilliant Jules!! Happy Sunday and International Women’s Day to you too!
Thanks Alex, hope all is good in your world and you are keeping well! Jules
Thanks Jules - all good here x