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From: fine@nmtvax.UUCP (Andrew J Fine)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: Titles, Singles, and CS
Message-ID: <951@nmtvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 27-Feb-86 01:43:47 EST
Article-I.D.: nmtvax.951
Posted: Thu Feb 27 01:43:47 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Mar-86 23:35:20 EST
Reply-To: fine@nmtvax.UUCP (Andrew J Fine)
Organization: New Mexico Tech, Socorro
Lines: 56

Some people have been wondering about the recent discussion of titles within
the computer science industry. The original discussion degenerated to this
topic from a broader one, namely the social acceptability of single people
who work as programmers, programmer-analysts, and software engineers.

The basic premise, and one which I must sadly agree with, is that while
the CS bandwagon is promising in terms of exciting work, intellectual exercise,
pay ranging from fair to good, and promotions; that society in both the
business and the relationships world have made this occupation a ghetto for
"nerds", "dweebs", and "wimps". The perception is that the field either
makes one out of you, or that you generally are one and that the field is the
only work outlet available for you. (Note: I meant "you" in the generic sense
of "us nerds". I have a tee-shirt saying "Computer Nerd and Proud of It!", 
would anyone like a copy? You need pay only cost of manufacture.)

Nerds seem to be socially perceived as dull, interesting, unlovable, eccentric
personalities who are distinctly unglamorous to the extent of bearing a social
disease.  Nerds are considered to be unmasculine (unfeminine), unassertive, and
weak-willed.  Nerds therefore hold low rank in the business world since fields
like public relations, communications, business administration, law,and working
with people in general are considered superior to working with ideas and 
things; ie., they are considered to lack the social skills needed to run a
firm.

Therefore most nerds of both sexes are discriminated against when it comes to
selection for intimate relationships. Males are constantly rejected by upwardly
-mobile females. I won't go further about saying how female nerds are treated,
but I believe Cheryl can lecture you all at great length about it, except to 
say that such treatment is tragically exploitive.

And since CS people are considered nerds, it is no wonder whatever that we
have to resort to fancy titles and otherwise disguise our occupation in order
to get anywhere in non-job related endeavors.

In my opinion, I feel that the above rejection is what net.singles was trying
to discuss in indirect terms. But I believe in calling a spade a spade and not
a multi-purpose-generic-digging-instrument.

Let's face it, net.singles is a refuge for socially rejected people. It is a
low-risk environment for discussion and commisseration.  THIS IS A GOOD THING!
It means people need no longer go insane by feeling constantly alone all the 
time. People get strokes reading reactions and flames from other people in this
group. Lest some people take offense, I don't speak of most people, just many.

If we can use this newsgroup as a forum to increase our solidarity, so much
the better, since our solidarity will act as a force to evolve our white-male,
wealth-dominated, socially oppressive society into something more conducive
to life as human beings instead of as commodities. If we can reduce the 
loneliness by the existence of this newsgroup, we have done ourselves a 
mitzvah.

I seek not flames, but an honest attempt for us all to reconcile our 
differences. Why don't we try?


Andrew Jonathan Fine