Ladybug Podcast Book Club discussion

What did you think about these examples of data bias? Were you shocked to read about how something as menial as snow blowing proved to be sexist?

I'm only in the first chapter (the intro was lengthy) but I'm already fascinated by the examples being provided. Things I never would've really thought about before. I'm excited to dig more into the book!

I only read the opening chapter and I have to say... wow.

As a white male, I was in the dark about most of these biases, which is why the intro felt a bit overwhelming. I went for a big walk a day after reading that intro to let it simmer a bit. The best way I can explain my experience with this first part of the book is to compare it with an actual darkened room.

Imagine sitting in a darkened room (literally being "In the dark" about these biases).
Then suddenly someone turns on a light (reading this book and becoming aware of the biases).
Because of the brightness, you immediately close your eyes, you recoil because the difference in brightness is too large. (feeling provoked because deeply embedded feelings and views on the world are questioned. Which are normal reactions, according to some neurological research)
So, now you can either:
- stay there with your eyes closed (ignoring all of it and just keep the status quo)
- softly try to open your eyes to a new view on the world (try to improve yourself, learn more and become more aware of biases).

I have already had great conversations about this book with my wife (also reading it at the moment as part of this book club). We discussed the "if it's not explicitly female, it's male"-bias, reflecting on some mascots in the tech industry (Java's Duke and Duchess are excellent examples).

I do feel like it's best to leave some times between chapters to give myself some time to reflect on them.

Curious what the rest of the book will bring.

I finally finished the book. Started strong and by the end of it I was just glad it was over. I can't wait to discuss this on the podcast episode because I have opinions. A lot of them.

I’ve just started to read/listen to the book. It mind-blowing the amount of bias there is in so many different aspects of our life. Some of the expects she highlights were already know to me: uniforms and recruiting for example.