Gender Presumptive

[Beorhtnoth]

On a message board, such as this, there is insufficient information to “gender” the person behind any interaction. Any picture constructed is wholly subjective, as even expressed data cannot be verified.

I habitually envisage people I communicate with online as female, until provided evidence indicating the contrary, such as specific personal references. However, I am allegedly in the minority.

I would be interested to know if other people “pre-gender”, and if you do, what is your default and why do you think that is?

[Jude]

Okay - just out of curiosity, what do you think I am?

(to answer your question, I usually guess people's gender by their username. I suppose it's not a 100% foolproof method, but it's close enough)

[Beorhtnoth]

Okay - just out of curiosity, what do you think I am?

(to answer your question, I usually guess people's gender by their username. I suppose it's not a 100% foolproof method, but it's close enough)

Actually, Jude, you were kind of the progenitor of this topic!

I automatically thought of you as female, until I considered your avatar name, Jude, which is male.

But!

Jude is a male name I mentally consider female. By that I mean "Jude" provokes an automatic response of "female"; I have to consciously correct myself.

I understand what you mean by usernames, but I'm thinking those times where it isn't obvious (although even then, people lie!).

[Voronwë the Faithful]

For many years, many posters across several different message boards thought I was female.

I always considered it a compliment.

[Beorhtnoth]

For many years, many posters across several different message boards thought I was female.

I always considered it a compliment.

A compliment? #everydaysexism

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I have absolutely no idea what you are trying to say.

[Beorhtnoth]

I have absolutely no idea what you are trying to say.

Okay. I'll drop the (failing) attempt at humour.

I found it interesting you considered being thought of as female rather than male a compliment. This indicates a belief being female is superior to being male. Such a belief is, I suggest, sexist.

I was attempting to, succinctly, convey the "twisted evil" of making such an argument, irrespective of the argument's veracity.

I was poking fun at you and me at the same time.

Sorry.

B

[Voronwë the Faithful]

You and I have very different ideas about what 'sexism' means.

[Beorhtnoth]

You and I have very different ideas about what 'sexism' means.

Probably. I try to dispense with loaded definitions. Sexism to me is the elevation of one sex in favour of the other, by (for example) presenting one as superior to the other. Whichever is elevated is immaterial.

What does "sexism" mean to you?

ETA

I don't like how sex and gender have become interchangeable terms. To avoid confusion, I generally stick to "sex", but I was unsure how strict the filters are here, so decided on "gender".

Any confusion engendered is, consequently, my responsibility.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

There is no possible way that I am going to engage with you on this subject.

[Beorhtnoth]

There is no possible way that I am going to engage with you on this subject.

Having observed your unwarranted hostility, I have no desire for your engagement.

[Alatar]

I have to say that got very nasty very quickly for no discernible reason.