Does IT need a new image?

[Volbet]

So, I was reading through the thread Kids can't use computers...And this is why it should worry you posted by @andrews013. In the blog post that the thread was about, the blog author wrote the following:

 

She handed me her MacBook silently and the look on her face said it all. Fix mu computer geek, and hurry up about it. I've been mistaken for a technician enough times to recognise the expression

 

This made me think of an article written by the danish politician, Trine Bramsen. She was, untill today,  the IT and digtal infrastructure expert (I'ts not a position that is easy to translate) for the Socialdemocratic Party in Denmark. The article was written on August 2nd 2013 and is titled Shout out to IT nerds: Drop the tennis socks and talk so we can understand you!. (Org. title: Opråb til IT nørder: Smid tennissokkerne - og tal, så vi kan forstå det!). The article is about how IT professionals need to reinvent their stereotypical image for the betterment of society. She says:

But as a woman I must wonder: The future of Denmark is sitting behind their monitors wearing tennis socks and is thereby doing everything possible to avoid any female female contact. It baffles me. (line 19-21)

 

Is it on purpose that computermen makes themself as unattractive as possible? Is it something you learn in the education? (line 22-23)

 

Her argument is that the IT community needs to up themselfs and change their image, so that they can spread their genes and thereby make sure that the next generation is better suited for a life centered around computers. 

There is no doubt about the knowledge resources that sits in the blue LED glow. And there shall be no doubt that I want many more with the same knowledge about the IT field. But a image shift among IT nerds is needed if this mission is to be completed. And not least we shall make sure that the good genes of the IT nerds reproduces. (Line 12-16) 

 

I thought this would make an interestng debat. Do the IT community need a new image? Must the IT community remake their image, not only for them self, but for the betterment of society?. 

 

(All of the quots from Trine Bremsen has been translated from Danish to English. I assumed that the wast majority of you don't know how to read Danish. If any that knows how to read Danish want to correct me or feels like I miss represented Trine Bremsen, feel free to speak up).

[Liam-McShane]

As far as i'm aware none of us "nerds" have any trouble picking up partners.

[TechTheWorld]

As far as i'm aware none of us "nerds" have any trouble picking up partners.

I agree. Sometimes its the exact opposite.

[TechTheWorld]

Here is what our new image should be:

[Samdb]

As far as i'm aware none of us "nerds" have any trouble picking up partners.

 

Speak for yourself.

[Volbet]

Here is what our new image should be:

I prefer this

[LAwLz]

What's wrong with tennis socks? Why should we change our habits because some whine woman tells us to? It's not that computer nerds try to make themselves ugly, or avoid women. It's that they simply don't care since they got better things to do.
If anything, I dislike this trend where everyone pretends to be a nerd and goes "lol I just read a book xD such a nerd" or "xD got a new iPhone such a nerd lol". They aren't even nerds, they are just mindless sheep who think it's cool to be nerds and geeks all of a sudden. That's one of the reasons why I dislike The Big Bang Theory (for a good explanation of why I hate TBBT read this post).

I think Maddox has a good rule of thumb to determine if you're a nerd or not.

Well someone forgot to give the "nerds-are-sexy" memo to my friends, because most of them are nerds and none of them are getting laid. Here's a quick rule of thumb: if you don't have to make an effort to get laid, you're not a nerd. Yes, that means the more attractive you are, the less right you have to call yourself a nerd.

It pisses me off to no end when I hear things like "smart is the new sexy" because it's not. If I start talking about some even fairly basic like how an airplane wing works (tips: It's not because of the shape) or how a Faraday cage works then 99.9% of all hot women (or woman in general actually) will lose interest in you and leave. If you instead flexed your muscles, showed that you had lots of money and generally was attractive, then they would stay.

So yeah, fuck this new "so geeky" and "such a nerd xD" culture. It makes me want to vomit.



 

[grayperview]

I prefer this

You might prefer that.....but the reality is...........not that there is anything wrong with this ;)

[Ssoele]

Speak for yourself.

 

Trouble finding a girl Sam? We can't all be as awesome as me, can we.

 

 

OT: I don't think we as nerds should change ourselves, why should WE change just for others to like us? Do they want us to be more like then? Getting drunk each weekend, trying to score one night stands? Talk only about sports and celebrities in public, because that's what they understand? If it's that, then NO PLEASE!

[bchampion96]

As far as i'm aware none of us "nerds" have any trouble picking up partners.

 

I definitely haven't. Neither have my friends.

[_ASSASSIN_]

What's wrong with tennis socks? Why should we change our habits because some whine woman tells us to? It's not that computer nerds try to make themselves ugly, or avoid women. It's that they simply don't care since they got better things to do.

If anything, I dislike this trend where everyone pretends to be a nerd and goes "lol I just read a book xD such a nerd" or "xD got a new iPhone such a nerd lol". They aren't even nerds, they are just mindless sheep who think it's cool to be nerds and geeks all of a sudden. That's one of the reasons why I dislike The Big Bang Theory (for a good explanation of why I hate TBBT read this post).

I think Maddox has a good rule of thumb to determine if you're a nerd or not.

It pisses me off to no end when I hear things like "smart is the new sexy" because it's not. If I start talking about some even fairly basic like how an airplane wing works (tips: It's not because of the shape) or how a Faraday cage works then 99.9% of all hot women (or woman in general actually) will lose interest in you and leave. If you instead flexed your muscles, showed that you had lots of money and generally was attractive, then they would stay.

So yeah, fuck this new "so geeky" and "such a nerd xD" culture. It makes me want to vomit

it's hilarious seeing your posts, your profile pictures is so ridiculously cute and calm while you blow off steam saying something serious haha :P

[Joshua]

I couldn't care less about the image of whatever category I fall into. In term of finding a partner, It hasn't acted as a deterrent as of yet, and people are aware of my interests. We should actively do anything to change how people think of us, we should just carry on and let everyone else think whatever the fuck they want. 

[bluepoodleguy]

What's the point in changing our image? If you're part of the IT staff it's your job to keep the system running and the required social skills are mainly the ability to communicate clearly. Secondly the productive IT mindset is the tendency to think abstractly and work independently with not much office chit chat and socialising.

The geek personality makes the best technical type. Also isn't interacting with someone as a woman sexist? According to the current feminist agenda I should treat you as a co-worker or customer or whatever instead of a woman. My 2 cents worth.