Comments on: Ladies Who Lunch

By: fústar

fústar — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:45:44 +0000

Excellent post Sabrina. A very neat defence of the meet up, even though no such defence should be necessary. As many others have suggested, this is a pathetically big deal over absolutely nothing.

It reminds me somewhat of the familiar moan heard from those unhappy about (for example) Gay pride parades. You know the one: “Well, why can’t we have a STRAIGHT pride parade?!” This is usually followed by a stream of reactionary garbage about double standards, political correctness gone mad, blah blah fucking blah.

Though the whole of the above post hits nails on heads more concisely (and articulately) than I could manage, the following quote is (on its own) more than sufficient to shut disgruntled voices up:

“…there is zero need for a men-only event because men, in their sheer numbers, tend to dominate most tech and blogging events in Ireland.”

End of story (or it should be).

By: Anton Mannering

Anton Mannering — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:32:48 +0000

Actually Sabrina I think the female numbers at TechLudd are likely to be more like 10 or 12 in the end which is fabulous I think. Perhaps some of the female bloggers have entrepeneurial ideas too. Great to have more female perspectives anyway. You guys think differently you know. Guy Kawasaki recommend asking a woman about your ideas in his book “the art of the start” because of this different way of looking at the world, you guys don’t have the “kill” gene apparently.
Oh how I beg to differ Guy… :P

By: nouns

nouns — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:02:15 +0000

Internet … serious business.

Applause to all involved. Profiles raised and all that. Another opportunity for Sabrina to pimp Techludd ;-)

To really make a point, a men-only event could be held simultaneously right next door. By my reckoning, that’d be a sake-drinking / wasabi eating competition in the stockroom of the Asia Market. In your face, tea party!

Finally, storm in a teacup, kthxbai

By: Deborah

Deborah — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:37:11 +0000

Some people are so touchy! ;-)

By: gimmeaminute

gimmeaminute — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:57:50 +0000

I was miffed when I first heard of this event, and considered posting on it, but on reflection decided that it would be a pointless and hypocritical path to take. I believe that my undoubted gender privilege precludes me from my being able to moan about a meeting like this with any kind of authority.

However, to say that a ‘women only’ event is inclusive is nonsensical. See that ‘only’? That means ‘exclusively’, that does.

And as for the getting to know people before the event, great idea. I’m doing that too, but with people, not just men or women.

By: Sabrina Dent

Sabrina Dent — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:41:16 +0000

Maz, I totally agree with your line of thought. Most likely the other half is staying home to babysit, so I am really looking forward to getting to know a few of the people I read most before the event.

I actually am not at all shy about turning up at things but I thought it was a great idea for other people who are more hesitant than I am when Ina suggested it, for just the reasons you said.

By: Maz

Maz — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:36:04 +0000

Sabrina, I think the meet up is a brillian idea. Last year, I only knew one other blogger so i made my boyfriend come to the awards with me, that was the only reason I went. If there had been something like this on first, there would have been no need for that.

The other thing is that the bloggers who live in Dublin seemed to know each other already and if you were coming up from the rest of the country it could seem like a clique that you weren’t in. (it wasn’t like that at all, but if could SEEM like that if you were new to the blogging scene)