The main question to ask is: do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks? For developers, when google opens up their platform, having the gender by default will make it easier to make a better interface and use pronouns correctly. On the other hand, i dont know many apps that distinguish gravely between men and women. The name of a person and their photo is usually enough to infer sex anyway. So, they're just making it easier for a developer to have the sex of the user. Another useful variable would be language.
I actually think the friends' list maybe should be private, but gender should be public by default. I think Mr. Munroe's concerns are completely unjustified. It's kind of horrifying too, it paints things as being really bad for women in america; I doubt it's really that bad. I find the whole "attracts more attention" argument rather weak. After all, when you introduce yourself in the real world, its apparent from either the looks or voice whether you're male or female.
"After all, when you introduce yourself in the real world, its apparent from either the looks or voice whether you're male or female."
Apparently, it's really not. I get called 'sir' all the time, and I'm a tall skinny chick with long hair. One memorable week, it happened four times. On another memorable occasion, I was wearing a bright pink coat.
"it paints things as being really bad for women in america; I doubt it's really that bad."
Let me tell you my experiences as a woman in America.
Online, we get to deal with turds like these: fatuglyorslutty.com. You know what else? 50-year-old men private messaging you pictures of their penises. It's happened three times. o_O
Maybe it's the anonymity, as one poster suggested, and clearly face to face interaction isn't that bad? I had a classmate tell me that I only got into college because of my gender. Never mind that my GPA nearly two points (out of four) higher than theirs.
Ever been flashed trying to work a drive thru? I have.
"having the gender by default will make it easier to make a better interface"
If your developers are worth their paychecks, they can probably figure out to handle 'decline to answer' and 'other' as the same case.
I actually think the friends' list maybe should be private, but gender should be public by default. I think Mr. Munroe's concerns are completely unjustified. It's kind of horrifying too, it paints things as being really bad for women in america; I doubt it's really that bad. I find the whole "attracts more attention" argument rather weak. After all, when you introduce yourself in the real world, its apparent from either the looks or voice whether you're male or female.