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Barbie Computer Engineer

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21–30 of 36 posts

Re: Barbie Computer Engineer

#21

Very interesting, although I'm not sure what to make of her glasses; are they, like, so geek-chic-coolacious?

Its strange, they need to strike a balance. On one side, they need to use enough stereotypes to ensure that everyone gets the idea they are going for. On the other hand, if they use too many stereotypes they will get angry letters. I'm not sure they have struck the balance correctly, but my guess is that is what they are going for.

So, what exactly is it that is stereotypically computer engineer about this doll?

I've known and know quite a few females that program (and some of them are extremely good) but none would be caught dead in an outfit like that, or would think they are 'computer engineers' because they can hold a netbook in one hand without dropping it.

It's just plain silly to associate this doll with the computer engineer / programming profession.

When trade shows were still in fashion though, you could meet any number of women on the various stands that would come pretty close, but they weren't there for their computer skills.

Just about the only interesting thing about this is that there was some build-up to the release using polls, but surprise, surprise, lets hope they were not as rigged as the customer reviews of items that aren't shipping yet.

Re: Barbie Computer Engineer

#22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Its strange, they need to strike a balance. On one side, they need to use enough stereotypes to ensure that everyone gets the idea they are going for. On the other hand, if they use too many stereotypes they will get angry letters. I'm not sure they have struck the balance correctly, but my guess is that is what they are going for.

So, what exactly is it that is stereotypically computer engineer about this doll? I've known and know quite a few females that program (and some of them are extremely good) but none would be caught dead in an outfit like that, or would think they are 'computer engineers' because they can hold a netbook in one hand without dropping it. It's just plain silly to associate this doll with the computer engineer / programmi…

Sure, anyone in the know wouldn't associate this with computer engineers. Hell, most adults probably wouldn't either.

Kids, however, are far more likely to associate glasses with geeky/interested in geeky stuff. You can't use your position both as an adult and someone in the tech industry and apply it here. It just doesn't fit.

Re: Barbie Computer Engineer

#24
If I ever get a female child that is smitten by the scourge called Barbie (oh please, O [Insert Deity Here], make her a Lego child), I'll at least give her one like these so she can have an Engineer Barbie (oh, the bragging potential, "My Mum is a computer engineer just like Barbie!"). Not that my grandmother's misguided attempts at girlifying me with Pink Mermaid Barbie ever worked, anyway.

Re: Barbie Computer Engineer

#25
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing would do more for women in engineering than having more well known female engineers. Social proof is a strong thing. But until we have more of that, cultural items like Barbie might help to bootstrap the process. I agree that it's a distant second, but it's better than nothing at all.

I agree that it's a distant second, but it's better than nothing at all. I'm not sure. Suppose the situation was reversed and there were few men software engineers. I'm not sure having a super handsome, muscle ripped man wearing designer clothing would have been an inspiration to me.

> I'm not sure having a super handsome, muscle ripped man wearing designer clothing would have been an inspiration to me.

I don't know about you but I wanted to be Action Man as a young child.

Re: Barbie Computer Engineer

#26
post #6

What does "computer engineer" even mean?

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=Computer+Engineer

Wikipedia tells me she could be doing virtually anything involving electronics or computers.

The BBC seems to think it's tech support: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8517097.stm

Re: Barbie Computer Engineer

#27
post #9
post #7

Was this not the product of some sort of poll where people voted for the next barbie? I remember seeing it on HN.

Yes. Remember Eric Sink's post about how geeks (like himself) are over-represented on the internet? He pointed out how he had a higher google rank than Eric Clapton, and the number one hit for "Joel" is a well-known developer in New York rather than Billy Joel - http://www.ericsink.com/articles/Boundaries.html That poll was Dugg, Slashdotted, and Reddited. It was a foregone conclusion - Barbie would be a "computer en…

If only we were not limited to one up-vote; you sir, would be a very karma rich man.

Re: Barbie Computer Engineer

#28
post #8

Wow. It's amazing, she looks just like every women engineer I've ever worked with. Especially the Bluetooth headset. Seriously, does this do anything to advance the position of women in software engineering?

> Wow. It's amazing, she looks just like every women engineer I've ever worked with

What in particular is atypical?

Is it the designer clothes and glamour?

Re: Barbie Computer Engineer

#30
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. Remember Eric Sink's post about how geeks (like himself) are over-represented on the internet? He pointed out how he had a higher google rank than Eric Clapton, and the number one hit for "Joel" is a well-known developer in New York rather than Billy Joel - http://www.ericsink.com/articles/Boundaries.html That poll was Dugg, Slashdotted, and Reddited. It was a foregone conclusion - Barbie would be a "computer en…

If only we were not limited to one up-vote; you sir, would be a very karma rich man.

Go back to reddit, please.
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