I attended a couple of weeks ago a seminar given by Juliet Webster (+info) at the Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3) and she mentioned that she had recently read that a study had found out that women are clueless about technology (read the complete article published by The Telegraph here). It is not new, neither it is surprising… but I still find it embarrassing.

The authors of that “study”, TechGuys, have found out that 7 in 10 women would ask for technical advice (related to computers) to a man rather than a woman… doesn’t make any sense to me at all. Moreover, look what has Tim Fairs (TechGuys) said: “We are an equal opportunities employer, and always on the lookout for female TechGuys as we know that some of our customers may feel more comfortable letting a woman into their home, but it’s rare that we ever receive an application from a woman.” Can you believe this?

I have already written posts about this issue, that is to say, about the generalised stereotype by which women should stay at home taking care of their children while men are working and earning money. Please, if you own a publication such as PCWorld try to stop the perpetuation of such stereotypes instead of reinforcing them. We are adults and we know that statistics say what we want them to say. The problem here is who wrote the questionnaire.  A man?

What happens if the girl is not so skinny?

What happens if used with a man?

What happens when you get to the butt?

Does it also work on the front?

Does it only work with iPhones? Smartphones?

Just some questions that came to my mind… obviously it is a trick, and apparently free (didn’t try to download it, just in case) but it is disturbing that the ad only uses women. Disturbing, not surprising.

I just got an email from Gillette… I was about to delete it but the subject (¿Lijas o ligas?) made me doubt. I finally opened it and watch the commercial embedded…

I thought that a three-day beard was somehow “sexy”, at least, fashionable but apparently I was wrong. Wait a minute, how can I be wrong? A lot of Hollywood actors have that look and many many women would die for a kiss! Something doesn’t work here…

To watch the commercial press here and you will understand what am I talking about. I must confess though that some of the ideas in this ad are ingenious and made me laugh. The scene at the front yard with the grass is simply hilarious.

For further info http://ayudaalhombrelija.com/

I saw that commercial last week and thought it was something else.  I guess you remember that old ad in which a women tried to hang a picture on the wall but made a hundred holes and none of them was useful…  I simply thought that this time it was a second part or something similar. So I went to YouTube, looked for it and watched it again… but it is not what it seems!

I think that this commercial is really interesting because it starts with a stereotype (look at the way she holds the driller when she realizes it is the wrong bag) but the story evolves in a surprising way.

Well done!

This post is about prejudices but it is also a wake up call. Susan Boyle, is a 47 year old unemployed woman who lives in a small village in Britain. She is not beautiful and the first time you see her a lot of prejudices come to your mind. She is a contestant at Britain’s got talent (remember America’s got talent?¿!), one of this shows that help some singers and dancers to get an opportunity but also laugh at a lot of people who rather than being gifted are ridiculous.

When I first saw that video, all these prejudices arose… well… this is a wake up call and the song she chose couldn’t be better “I dreamed a dream”.

Watch and enjoy!

No comments on this video, just watch it and enjoy it (if you can…)

However, if you have further info about the authors, please leave a comment with it!

The Bank of England has surprised the world by sending to their female employees a dress code. I have read several blogs and journals and the more I read the more surprised I get…

“Look professional, not fashionable; be careful with perfume; always wear a heel of some sort — maximum 2 inches; always wear some sort of makeup — even if it’s just lipstick.” Shoes and skirt must be the same color. No-no’s include ankle chains — “professional, but not the one you want to be associated with;” white high heels; overstuffed handbags; an overload of rings, and double-pierced ears…” (from nymag.com)

Too bad to be true…

Apparently women cause less car accidents than men, but does that mean that we drive better?

In my opinion each person is unique and this includes the way we drive, so can we really make such distinction? So many jokes come to my mind now that I am writing about women and cars but… statistics from insurance companies seem to prove that women are less involved in car accidents. Does that include motorcycles? The thing is that I was looking for an insurance for a motorbike and I found this (see pic).

I am not surprised taking into consideration all the data mentioned above but… is this fair? Only men 25 years old and up can insure their motorbike with Fenix Directo while women of 18 years old can ask for it!!

Las Vegas is also known as Sin City because visitors have a wide range of activities: gambling, sex, night clubs, express weddings…

I have been in Vegas four times since I arrived L.A. in January and I LOVE IT mainly because it is so unique.

As you can imagine the city changes once the sun sets although the spirit remains the same. I wanted to share with you some pictures, the first were taken on the street (is this the future of advertising?), the traffic sign is from the Hooters Casino and the bitch kit is from Palms Casino (yes… the Playboy hotel is also there…)

I could share some other pics with you but these are more interesting… if you just want the typical views of the Strip, go and Google

This blog is not closed, my adventure is not over yet… although it may seem so!

I am very busy lately and I haven’t had time to blog (no excuses, I know…) but I wanted you to know that I will keep on posting very soon. Currently I am still living in L.A. but when I come back to Barcelona, “Negras tormentas” will be active again.

Meanwhile I give you a link that you may find interesting. Mari Carmen (Tecnodivas) interviewed me and other girls a few months ago, and finally you can see the results. Hope you enjoy it!!

Reportaje: “Tecnología sin género: un café con cuatro chicas geek” –> read it!