What is Digg?349 Comments
- othersomethings, on 10/12/2007, -5/+215I honestly haven't put as much thought into the matter as this woman has, but I have noticed a few random (and not so random) things.
1. [obvious] Women on Digg are few.
2. Women on Digg deny feminine stereotypes but embrace the tech/sex stereotypes. (For instance, I recall a comment a while back on a "what your woman really wants as a gift" type of story, where a woman posted saying the list was bull and she'd rather have an xbox or something like that. The following comments were from males, and in turn objectified her/hit on her, and I'm not sure but I think she responded positively to those comments.)
3. Women on Digg while appreciating other female diggers, actually DON'T CARE. The primary wish isn't more female diggers or a more female friendly environment, but rather a more intelligent environment. Videos and 14 year olds are cool and all, but when digg feels like myspace I feel like I'm wasting my time. - rolosworld, on 10/12/2007, -17/+208dugg because looks well written... I hope someone read it all
- jobenly, on 10/12/2007, -20/+175If there are no women on Digg, who is digging up all the puppy and kitten videos?
- alceria, on 10/12/2007, -3/+123othersomethings wrote:
>>3. Women on Digg while appreciating other female diggers, actually DON'T CARE. The primary wish isn't more female diggers or a more female friendly environment, but rather a more intelligent environment. Videos and 14 year olds are cool and all, but when digg feels like myspace I feel like I'm wasting my time.
Exactly. I'm a geek girl, and that puts me in the minority not only on digg, but in the real world. In the past few years, I've only met two people remotely as into tech stuff as me, and both were guys. There are less girls on digg because there are less geek girls in the world, period. But I think "othersomethings" hit it on the head - the girls on digg don't really care too much about bringing in more female users - because we don't want to see digg turning into some girly site with articles that we really aren't interested in. We are more interested in seeing interesting articles, and it's the dumbing down of digg by non-tech people and kids that turn me off of it, not the lack of female-friendly articles.
I have to admit, I only skimmed this article, but the points I did read didn't really ring true for me. Perhaps they do for most of the female population, but the things the author pointed out as creating a "hostile environment" on digg for women just amuse me when I come across them here. I don't expect to come to a community where women make up, what maybe 5% of the user base, and NOT see sexist comments or women being objectified. Most of the time it's done, it seems to be done in good humor, and the truly hateful people get dugg down or told off. Besides, when you consider that the "hostile" comments are probably coming from a 15 year old that doesn't even know what a vagina looks like, it's hard to take it seriously. And hello, this is the internet, people say mean things, grow a thicker skin or get an aol account.
And there are actually quite a few guys on here that seem to appreciate the female users and don't automatically assume we must have leprosy or weigh 400lbs. - orientis, on 10/12/2007, -52/+155There is a lot of modern feminism for which to apologise.
- Tawni, on 10/12/2007, -3/+101I am a geek girl regularly on Digg because I can find all the geek news I look for here. It's intelligent even though I find myself having to weed through the teenagers more and more to find the good articles.
- aussia, on 10/12/2007, -12/+102"apologise: british variant of apologize"
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=apologise - kbillar, on 10/12/2007, -7/+89how do you know who is male and female on digg? why do you assume that there are a lack of females on? most comments I read I find to be gender neutral, most profile names are gender neutral. granted there is a lot of childish annoying people on, but why assume they are all men? I have known a lot of immature women. I'm a girl...does my comment sound feminine?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+85She thinks she's a minority on Digg? I'm a non-pot smoking, Christian, Conservative, Minority who still uses Microsoft Explorer. I'm screwed!
- reddevil3, on 10/12/2007, -6/+81Diggers are racist and sexist? I didn't notice...
/sarcasm. - TenebrousX, on 10/12/2007, -1/+68Because they look in the comments, see what a bunch of ***** we are, and never come back
- 46reasons, on 10/12/2007, -3/+67What hostile environment is she talking about? I usually just read the articles and ignore you ***** :)
- punchingjudy, on 10/12/2007, -7/+68Nail. Head. Etc.
- PiratePanties, on 10/12/2007, -5/+53I stopeed checking Digg regularly when I stopped being able to have any sort of intelligent discussion with anyone. I could say even the most neutrel thing and it would get Dugg down - didn't matter what it was about. I am pretty sure that the problem lies in that there are fewer and fewer intelligent commenters left. Some stick around and try to make something of the discussion, but slowly defect as the realize that it is futile to try and get a word in here.
The place has been overun with trolls, homophobes, and haters of all religion or political views of anyone who doesn't agree with them. There are so many times that you just get Dugg down for having an "unpopular" opinion, no matter how well-worded it may be. I also learned a long time ago that here is not a place you want to advertise that you are a women - I have NEVER had that problem on an website before. For example, there was an article about geeky women, and the commentary that followed was just painful to read. I posted a comment about being a geek girl and how they are out there, yadda yadda yadda - just a very upbeat comment. What followed was ridicule and insults. It got implied that I was fat or ugly, and was told in no uncertain terms that I needed to provide pics so that THEY could be the judge. The thread went on for awhile and spiraled downward even farthur until I decided I was done with the virtual pissing contest. My husband got insulted as well when he wrote a happy comment - he was told that it was annoying for him to be happy.
I really do enjoy intelligent conversation. I love talking with others that have views different from my own. I am also normally a very democratic and civil person. But since I'm so fed up with this site, I'll say this: Digg's problem is NOT the balance of genders (I don't CARE about you're gender), it's being overtaken by morons and the rest of us are having to defect to find intelligent conversation elsewhere. This is not going to change unless people change (or learn respect and how to control themselves) or Digg fixes the voting/comment system/site in general. - eleven, on 10/12/2007, -2/+49Sort of like how you don't actually read the article before you post a comment?
- rlbond86, on 10/25/2007, -8/+50There aren't any women on Digg because most users are 14 year-old boys.
- penguinshome, on 10/12/2007, -11/+52I'm a female and I resent you misogynistic pigs.
- punchingjudy, on 10/12/2007, -3/+38There are more female internet users in the US than there are male users.
http://www.huliq.com/20144/women-outnumber-men-on-the-internet-in-united-states - MicheleFloyd, on 10/12/2007, -2/+33I can speak for why I don't comment much on digg, but I am not the spokeswoman for women everywhere. Firstly, I usually read the site every day. What I noticed as soon as I joined is that the comments section is overly competitive. People are too concerned with whether they're being dugg up or dugg down, to the point where I find myself skimming past dozens of posts and growing weary of it. By nature, I believe, most women aren't competitive, but prefer rather to communicate. This site does not seem to be about communicating and engaging in worthwhile dialogue. I still come back to read the headlines but the comments section is usually given a pass.
- kiwii84, on 10/12/2007, -2/+33there are plenty of women on digg, we just don't call attention to ourselves.
- sharon222, on 10/12/2007, -2/+33As a 16 year old female, I must say:
The other day in one of my classes, someone asked if I was a feminist. I said no, because of the many associations that come with the word. The girl who asked me said, "Good, women have been less than men in society for a while and we're doing just fine. I don't care if I grow up to be a house wife."
After hearing this comment, I decided I'm probably a feminist
othersomethings and alceria got it right. I don't want a bigger female presence on digg. I'm a geek- and most of my peers realize that. But alot of why I, and therefore I would guess other females, visit digg daily, digg stories and comments, and watch diggnation, is to escape the female world. Don't get me wrong- girls are great. They can just be really catty/cruel/gossipy. I'm not like that, and in return for a calmer and intelligent environment, I put up with a few sexist comments here and there. In fact, I don't really care about most of these comments. The only thing that bothered me was when Alex said one of the girls on diggnation, who had sent in her picture, was ugly. Not because she is female, but because she was probably watching. I love that this is a male-dominated field. It will make it easier for me to find a job! (after all, companies have quotas on gender). - lansuggs, on 10/12/2007, -31/+61Show us your boobies!!
- longcat99, on 10/12/2007, -6/+36sorry, im gonna have to agree with hazardc
im a "woman" (well, 18 year old girl, whatever) and im
basically addicted to digg haha but i never post stories
and rarely comment. i bet there are tons of women on
here but just... hiding. - drag0ns1ayer, on 10/25/2007, -9/+38Just one question, folks:
Suppose it were YOUR daughter trying to decide whether or not to join Digg.
What advice would you give her? - eleven, on 10/12/2007, -1/+29What do you look like?
- shanimal, on 10/12/2007, -10/+37Feminism has failed: Not because men objectify women, but because women objectify themselves, and MAKE themselves a sexual object. Hello, nobody is making you wear those short, tight shorts or that low-cut tank top. Women who don't think they're empowering themselves by acting like a stripper in a Ludacris video simply don't put themselves in the situation where they are looked at as such. Speaking of Ludacris videos and strippers, some girls would die for the opportunity to show off their hot asses to the world- more power to 'em, just not for me.
- Susan, on 10/12/2007, -5/+30Interesting article. Thanks for posting it, the author obviously did some excellent research.
There are women on Digg. We just read articles, Digg them occasionally, but rarely post comments. Probably because of the douchebaggery like that seen in some of the posts above. - raithetarkon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+25Digg is incredibly sexist. Overtly woman hating comments usually get buried, but generally patronizing comments towards women get dugg up. This is fairly evident in alot of the posts above.
Good article. I'm probobly one of the few men who actually read the thing. - Ahnteis, on 10/12/2007, -4/+28>>If there are no women on Digg, who is digging up all the puppy and kitten videos?
I'm sorry. I visit cuteoverload and icanhascheezburger frequently too. - Mirag3, on 10/12/2007, -0/+22Fat guys in body fitting suits.
- elenadragon, on 10/12/2007, -1/+22There are probably more women on here than you think. They just don't advertise it. Why should we go around saying we're female when it doesn't matter most of the time?
- KenshinKitten, on 10/12/2007, -5/+26Yay women on digg ftw!!
- Jennifurret, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23I'm 19 and female, and I participate pretty frequently. Well, whenever I have something to add to the conversation. Digg is, however, incredibly sexist and homophobic. I do consider myself a feminist, and some of the hateful and stereotypical comments I read here make my blood boil. I'm too outspoken to let this stop me from posting, but I can see how it would scare some women away. The constant stereotypes ("Stop commenting and make me a sandwich!"), the over sexualization of women ("Show me your boobies!"), and the general rude behavior ("If you're female here you're probably fat and ugly") is enough to keep any civilized woman away.
I don't want girly or womanly topics to flower here on digg - I'm a geeky tomboy, and I want to keep the subject matter here the same. I just would like the community to be a little bit more civilized. Most of the guys making these comments wouldn't have the balls to say these things to a woman's face. I'd probably look like I was going to pummel him before he was done with his sentence. - CogitatorX, on 10/12/2007, -1/+22"I think It's because digg is a site to learn, and better yourself mentally"
Wow. Please don't breed. - sail191912, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19"3. Women on Digg while appreciating other female diggers, actually DON'T CARE. The primary wish isn't more female diggers or a more female friendly environment, but rather a more intelligent environment. Videos and 14 year olds are cool and all, but when digg feels like myspace I feel like I'm wasting my time. "
The reason I'm on digg is usually to read the comments section. I know some comments are a bit inflammatory, but generally, the comments section is pretty funny (The comments filter is my friend). Diggers are also on the blunt side which makes the debates more interesting. When I feel like talking about 'girly' stuff, like pedicures or shoe shopping, I just go to a female-dominated message board. - 5N00PY, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19Why are there so few women on Digg? In a nutshell, it's because there are so few men on Digg.
- scotticus, on 10/12/2007, -7/+25Because women are generally more social and are out doing *****, while the rest of us losers are here typing at each other about ***** because we have nothing better to do.
- superbonbon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+18love the Google ads accompanying this page:
MEET HOT DRUNK WOMEN
BIG BEAUTIFUL WOMEN
WOMEN ONLY DRUG REHAB - Robotsu, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19I have a parallel question that I think will be fairly illuminating:
Why are there so few women at Star Trek conventions? - shanak, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17...and most men are terrified by an intelligent woman. Stereotypes go both ways.
I really learned a lot from "Show your support for topless women! " - Neiby, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18Yes, you are screwed, in many different and spectacular ways. :)
- GMorgan, on 10/12/2007, -9/+25The biggest problem with Digg is people making humongous posts that make JS cry in agony.
- thebellmaster1x, on 10/12/2007, -14/+30@johnhummel
Note that he said MODERN feminism. Feminism was great, as were the movements for the rights of African-Americans and migrant workers. However, all of those three have happened, and it's really time to move on. Neo-feminism is a waste of protests; save for certain personal discriminations, women are now effectively equal to men, and there is no reason to continue fighting for women's rights. - gethane, on 10/12/2007, -0/+15Yes, exactly. My dh kept nagging me to sign up, and so I finally did. And yes I'm a geek and have worked in the field.
But the misogyny is so tiresome to read. At the age of 38 I'm really tired of reading it. I'd rather go someplace that treated women like, you know, PEOPLE, rather than walking boobsticks that are all fortune hunting cheating sluts. - scotticus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+18You know, you can be intelligent AND social. Quite frankly, the time I spend on digg (which is way too much) is a waste of time. On your deathbed, you won't be thinking about digg posts.
There's nothing wrong with going out and having fun (wink, wink... that's where the girls are). You don't need to puke to have a good time. - orientis, on 10/12/2007, -3/+17Yes I was referring to modern feminism, not the necessary social improvements that occurred in the middle of last century. Equality still has a way to go before it's total - in more respects than gender - but modern feminism has become a hate-fest for university (college) students and doesn't exactly apply any more.
A lot of modern feminism is the female equivalent of misogynism. - saska, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14Superbonbon, I dugg you up for saying that women are competitive -- because we are. But speaking for myself, I hang out with men because men are competitive on the surface, in a way you can expect and get your brain around. Women are competitive about the most random things and I find it exhausting. Men will kick my ass, or accept an ass-kicking, in a video game and then we can have a drink and talk about other *****. Men don't bring that ass-kicking up four months later as the reason why they just blew off lunch with me.
- knde, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14As a female - Digg, Mental Floss, Salon and Slate are daily staples for me. Occasionally I'll foray into HowStuffWorks and OhGizmo!
Commenting on Digg is such a monumental waste of time (IMO), there are entirely too many rude/ignorant/immature/take-your-pick users, for there to hardly ever be any decent exchanges. BUT occasionally I will drop a line or two. However on Slate's website, in the Fray, people actually seem to make an effort to maintain some decency and thus I prefer to post on there.
It's not as though I'm a prude or the sort. I just have a golden rule of if I won't say it to your face; I won't say it online either. - shanak, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13One of the things I dislike about digg in particular and community websites in general, is the lack of civility. People get rewarded through attention, participation points (depending on the way the site opperates), or flame wars for making stupid comments.
I'm not saying that everything needs to be sugar coated, but I know a lot of women are put off by the idea of being insulted if they participate. - CogitatorX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15yeah, women love Mouth Boxers like you and the sheer machismo of your Dorito stained, pudgy fingers battling the evil "libruls" for freedom on teh tubes.
Why is it anyone buys into the myth that doughboy right wingers are anything other than fancy lads with big mouths? -
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