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Enron Mail |
Hi, Tebby:
Ann forwarded this to me. I think you'll like it--and agree with part of it! Love, Sandy <FW: FW: Are computers masculine or feminine? < < < <An English teacher was explaining to his students the concept of <gender < < < <association in the English language. He noted how hurricanes at one < < time < < < <were given only female names, and how ships and planes were usually < < < <referred to as "she." One of the students raised her hand and asked, < < < "What < < < <gender is a computer?" < < < < < < < <The teacher wasn't certain. So he divided the class into two groups: < < < males < < < <in one, females in the other, and asked them to decide if a computer < < < should < < < <be masculine or feminine. Both groups were asked to give four reasons < < for < < < <their recommendations. < < < < < < < <The group of women concluded that computers should be referred to as < < < <masculine because: < < < <1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on. < < < <2. They have a lot of data but are still clueless. < < < <3. They are supposed to help you solve your problems, but half the < < time, < < < <they ARE the problem. < < < <4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that, if you had waited <a < < < <little longer, you could have had a better model. < < < < < < < <The men, on the other hand, decided that computers should definitely <be < < < <referred to as feminine because: < < < <1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic. < < < <2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers <is < < < <incomprehensible to everyone else. < < < <3. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for <later < < < <retrieval. < < < <4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself <spending < < < half < < < <your paycheck on accessories for it.
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