Where are the Women?

It's amazing! It took a formal study to point out what many of us woman already know.

Where Are the Women Executives in Silicon Valley? - NYTimes.com

I work in the high technology industry and I agree. In general there are few woman, they are not part of the male club, and they struggle to maintain their positions or to get promotions. Sometimes, as leadership changes in a company, the woman are systematically retired or shifted out of leadership positions. Woman can be more than 50% of a customer base but they are as the study indicates, "fewer than one in 28 of the highest paid tech executives."

The problem starts way down in the pipeline of high school and college. Woman are not encouraged to follow an engineering or technical path. If woman do move forward they meet continual barriers at every corner. A male that takes a strong position making decisions is recognized as a leader. A woman is called too emotional. There are countless other examples.

It will take more than an interesting study. Thanks for highlighting the issue. Let's admit the problem is real, a subtle form of harassment and discrimination. Maybe when we do that change will happen.

Talk about a product before it’s time!

In 1964 AT&T demonstrated a video phone, called the Picturephone, at the New York World’s Fair. We oohed and ahed over this potential new gadget in our homes. I never knew anyone that had one, I am not even sure they were actually sold. Somehow the thought of being caught in your PJs while answering the phone just never took off.

Fast forward 47 years. Video conversations with computers, cell phones, and now even via a TV set are everywhere. What is different? Costs coming down are obvious. But visualization is essential now. We experience our lives through pictures, video and instant access.

Today I am reading about how Comcast is going to test Skype calls through their cable TV systems. The video call now comes right to the center of the living room. The family can even talk and watch TV at the same time. This will certainly bring families and loved one closer together. Even those not living in the same location. Now more connected than ever. As a Granny what a treat to see my grandson smile at me, even from miles away.

We stopped worrying about being caught looking our worst, sharing ourselves in appropriate or inappropriate situations and started to enjoy the enhanced connections.

thegrannygeek@gmail.com