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Ask HN: Is brogrammer a sexist term?

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Re: Ask HN: Is brogrammer a sexist term?

#71

Post by davedx »

mdasen wrote: post #34

Rather than focusing on whether it's sexist or not, I would start by saying that it is unwise. I think that we (as a society) want young people to see all avenues as open to them regardless of gender. I highly doubt that the company doesn't want to hire women or has any sexist intention. However, it is unwise for us (as individuals and an industry) to use terms like "brogrammer" because it subtly suggests gender. One…

It's the second wave of the Ruby on Rails "rockstar development" thing that more or less died a death a few years back. Very sad.

Re: Ask HN: Is brogrammer a sexist term?

#74

Post by ia »

mdasen wrote: post #34

Rather than focusing on whether it's sexist or not, I would start by saying that it is unwise. I think that we (as a society) want young people to see all avenues as open to them regardless of gender. I highly doubt that the company doesn't want to hire women or has any sexist intention. However, it is unwise for us (as individuals and an industry) to use terms like "brogrammer" because it subtly suggests gender. One…

i don't disagree with your points. however, each company has a particular culture. in a startup, a new hire that isn't a cultural fit can be devastating. the kind of neutered, sterile job ads that don't ruffle any feathers will not draw the kind of applicants that most startups are seeking.

edit: obviously, the above point excludes job posts that break laws.

Re: Ask HN: Is brogrammer a sexist term?

#75

Post by yaix »

jgrahamc wrote: post #33
arctangent wrote: post #16

I think you might be missing the reference to a recent (funny) video about "brogramming": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi_AAqi0RZM

Perhaps, but when I Googled "brogrammer" I quickly came across an @brogrammer Twitter feed where the latest tweet reads: "Just tried to jerk it to #siri. She couldn't get me off. #turing_test_fail or dyke?" https://twitter.com/#!/brogramming/status/129638489905053697

#turing_test_fail was actually kinda funny.

I think people take themselves way too serious sometimes. Relax, there is really more important things in the world than getting upset about "brogrammers" or guys making silly jokes about Siri.

Re: Ask HN: Is brogrammer a sexist term?

#76

Post by sitkack »

davedx wrote: post #71
mdasen wrote: post #34

Rather than focusing on whether it's sexist or not, I would start by saying that it is unwise. I think that we (as a society) want young people to see all avenues as open to them regardless of gender. I highly doubt that the company doesn't want to hire women or has any sexist intention. However, it is unwise for us (as individuals and an industry) to use terms like "brogrammer" because it subtly suggests gender. One…

It's the second wave of the Ruby on Rails "rockstar development" thing that more or less died a death a few years back. Very sad.

But if the company is full of Raging Brogrammers, it is good to call it out from the beginning. Same problem as over hiring programmers (getting compiler hackers when you are working on a CRUD app).

Re: Ask HN: Is brogrammer a sexist term?

#77

Post by mattmanser »

ia wrote: post #69

maybe they are going for cultural fit, first and foremost. if you were offended by this job advert, it's likely you wouldn't be a good fit. why hide company culture by writing a stiff and sterile ad? i'm not saying what they did was good or bad, unless they are actually breaking laws in the post--then it's bad. other than that, if you don't like the way they phrased things, don't apply.

The reason there's a law against it is because bigots that still exist keep women from attaining equality and that's bad, not the other way around. It is in itself bad. You have a strange moral compass to me.

I know it's fun to be laddish when you're at college and uni, but cultural fit can often be a polite way of saying 'Hey, I'm a bigot, women are stupid and I'm not employing them above the level of secretary!'.

I'm sure cultural fit was used because some racist thought someone with a different coloured skin wouldn't fit in the office.

I don't like the way they phrased it because it was very easy to read that advert as advertising specifically for male programmers only. In other words, they're in danger of coming across as bigots.

And by association, so are we.

So I said something as it made me uncomfortable.

Re: Ask HN: Is brogrammer a sexist term?

#80

Post by genieyclo »

mdda wrote: post #53
genieyclo wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Other commenters are close, but I think it's referring more to the bro from lax culture. Lots of chilling, popping natties with fellow brahs/bros and other stuff you can read up on http://mylifeisbro.com edit: hdctambien's comment is on-point with the urbandic link. I believe a similar synonym with less euphemistic connotations is douchebag in certain circles, but not amongst brahs. also see http://www.youtube.com/wa…

Essential reference material : http://bros.failblog.org/

Funny, but that's more mocking than really portraying bros accurately.

This is probably more helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqg01Nk3SYI

and this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4uDPZGYWmE

and this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm4KlxG1SEg&feature=relat...

bonus round: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJh-13maChY

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