Or, alternatively, it suggest that being a women doesn't fit the stereotype of a game developer, and therefore is an interesting trait in itself.
I wouldn't think the stereotype of a game developer includes skin or hair color, or sexual orientation. Other professions does though, so, say, an article like "inspiring heterosexual opera singers" could be valid for expanding the view of what an opera singer can be.
It's just reinforcing the stereotype though! It's not helping! :)
Look what we're discussing on this comment page... Top comment is discussing the fact she is a woman. We have completely ignored what she has achieved, and are instead focusing on the fact she's a woman. That must be terribly disheartening, and IMHO really doesn't help people feel welcome.
It's not a stereotype when the data backs it up. The fact is that programming is dominated by men. In fact this story wouldn't have been a story, definitely not on the top page of hacker news, if it was just about another man that is a technical lead. I think the point of stories like these are to attempt to inspire the women who are already in our industry and I definitely see no issues with that. It's sad that some think we can't discuss the fact that she is a woman and that she probably had to overcome more than just being a great programmer to get to her position. No doubt her technical skill is amazing, but for her to rise to the top in a male dominated field is equally amazing!
What do you think she had to overcome to get her position? You're suggesting people in the industry make it hard for women? She didn't suggest she's been discriminated against, so why assume she has?
You're right, I shouldn't assume that she had to overcome any additional obstacles just because she is a woman. But let me say that it wouldn't surprise me if she did. I also didn't mean to suggest that it would have been any type of overt discrimination.
I find it disheartening. I found that snippet interesting because she used the question to downplay gender. She also downplayed it earlier when her husband was brought up.
I guess I need to write better. :(
Got it, I don't like it when people push for minorities to be equal for equalities sake, but I reason if there are too few of some group then it becomes self fulfilling and the group stays small keeping out some who would otherwise do very well as Doctors, mathematicians, scientists, so it's reasonable to encourage them, but only on the right grounds. In this case not because she's a woman, but because she's intelligent and creative. :)
(obviously conjecture)
I wouldn't think the stereotype of a game developer includes skin or hair color, or sexual orientation. Other professions does though, so, say, an article like "inspiring heterosexual opera singers" could be valid for expanding the view of what an opera singer can be.