Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Proposal to Add Gender Designators

Huntn said:
In a subtle way if alters how I respond to people.
Click to expand...

While I did initially write that I wouldn't object to this so long as it was optional, and I maintain that sentiment, the above point is the one reason why I wouldn't want to see this implemented.

Responding differently based on one's sex is, in my opinion, unfair, regardless of whether or not the response contained roughly the same content.

And for the record, I very well may also respond differently if I knew the sex of the person I was responding to, whether subconsiously or not.

Just my opinion on this matter...
 
Make it optional. Then anyone who complains is either:

a) A control freak who dislikes others having choice.

or

b) Someone involved in Macrumors, who's trying to avoid additional work.

:p
 
NathanMuir said:
This appears to be the most over looked portion of the OP.
Click to expand...

No it is not overlooked. I am just having a near impossible time figuring out why it would be useful in any significant way on a tech forum

I mean we could also add what one's sexuality is by the logic being presented and say that it being optional makes it ok. Like that, I fail to see how adding gender is even remotely relevant
 
dukebound85 said:
No it is not overlooked. I am just having a near impossible time figuring out why it would be useful in any significant way on a tech forum

I mean we could also add what one's sexuality is by the logic being presented and say that it being optional makes it ok. Like that, I fail to see how adding gender is even remotely relevant
Click to expand...

Why is having a Signature significant? Why is having Albums significant? Why is...? ;)
 
NathanMuir said:
Why is having a Signature significant? Why is having Albums significant? Why is...? ;)
Click to expand...

I see your point but how is that an argument for having more pointless things?

As Tilpots pointed out, the below can reflect one's gender no?
Tilpots said:
Sex labeling is unnecessary. If you really want people to know you're a boy or a girl, add it to your sig. That option already exists.
Click to expand...
 
NathanMuir said:
Why is having a Signature significant? Why is having Albums significant? Why is...? ;)
Click to expand...
You already asked that. I answered that earlier. There is nothing about a technical forum that is enhanced by knowing a poster's gender.
 
dukebound85 said:
why does it matter what one's gender is?

I feel this would result in the girls getting a ton of pms from dudes

I say the system is fine as it is. This is not facebook
Click to expand...


Agreed. Please, God, no gender id system. I can only imagine the comments.

Actually, this could get interesting. I'm all for it! :p
 
dejo said:
You could use the singular they.
Click to expand...

I really have a hard time using this. :( I run a small proofreading business, and as far as I and the publications my authors submit to are concerned, this is just plain wrong.

I'm fine with the gender neutrality here. If members want to make their genders known, they'll find a way to do so. I wouldn't however have a problem with a gender icon option however, as long as it's something the member can turn on or off him/herself.
 
annk said:
I really have a hard time using this. :( I run a small proofreading business, and as far as I and the publications my authors submit to are concerned, this is just plain wrong.

I'm fine with the gender neutrality here. If members want to make their genders known, they'll find a way to do so. I wouldn't however have a problem with a gender icon option however, as long as it's something the member can turn on or off him/herself.
Click to expand...
You would think this would be a no-brainer.

I also would not call the forums here 100% "technical" when "Perry. Winning" and other such non-tech subjects show up in new posts all of the time.



Michael
 
We already have an obnoxious post rating system, what is the problem with adding an optional gender icon?
 
Gender? Ha!

I would like to add a "height" field. As someone of normal height (5' 6") I would like to identify posts by those of abnormal height (over, say, 5' 6"). That way I could exclude the mindless drivel spewed by the overtall resource-gobblers who have been preferred their entire lives, coasting along without effort and receiving the fruits of the hard work of us normals.
 
I used to prefer gender neutrality on the internet. Now I've re-considered. Optionally showing gender does add to the social aspects of online life. MR is not a purely technical forum, though many people do use it like one, and are welcome to do so.

MR has a social side, and optionally showing the gender of one's online identity can be a valid part of it. I do request that an optional description / icon is not limited to just M/F, but also includes some other options for these who prefer not to be fitted into little binary boxes.
 
Personally, I think a gender ID is unnecessary. Would a response from a male carry more or less validity than from a female? Tech stuff is genderless, or should be.

Also, the conversations are supposed to be appropriate for everyone because they are electronically published.

If someone wants gender ID, add it to the avatar or personal file.
 
I suspect this would cause more issues than it solves. Also unless it's built into the forum software we'd have to add a "hack" just for this...
 
Alaerian said:
I see no reason why gender matters on this forum at all. This isn't match.com. Present the same thing to everyone, regardless of their genitalia.
Click to expand...

Gender isn't a function of genitalia, it's a grammatical category. Sex, on the other hand, is a function of genitalia. So, for example, Chaz Bono's sex is female, but he elects a gender of male. In our society today it's considered good manners to address someone using the gender they identify with.

Many profile names make it obvious, but I don't see anything wrong with an option to identify your gender on your profile so you don't have the he/she confusion when people are having a conversation.
 
Put either one of these in your sig if it's important.

♂ ♀

Or spend $25 on becoming a contributor where you can choose your title. No forum hacks necessary. Opt-in, rather than opt-out.

You're welcome.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back