🚀 go-pugleaf

amorton@ee.mu.OZ.AU (Anthony Morton) wrote:
>

> I just found myself a copy of 'Nattering on the Net', the new book by
> prominent Aussie feminist academic Dale Spender. 
\ 
> "There is no female who has worked on a networked system who has not been
> subjected to harassment, flaming, or other intimidatory tactics."

I think the type of activity on the net determines to a large extent
the amount of harrassment. I have never been harrassed following
postings to newsgroups or discussion lists ... where I present as a 
female. In contrast, I am frequently sexually harrassed if I assume a 
female "nick" while MUDing, MOOing or chatting. I, like many other 
females tend to use a male or gender-neutral identity when pursuing 
these activities as I do not enjoy, indeed find it insulting, to be
"hit on" solely on the basis of having a female name. Male friends who
have used female "nicks" often comment with surprise on the amount and
grossness of comments directed to them as "female" chatters. 

I found Spender's book to have a heavy "women as victim" bias, 
ignoring the benefits to women available through the net.
 
Lynne Roberts.