This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on August 19, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.
The Gender Genie is a potentially cute little application that examines a block of text, and uses an algorithm to attempt to determine the sex of the author. According to the authors of the algorithm, it’s supposed to be correct roughly 80% of the time.
To give it a test, I copied the text of my ‘Oh, go ahead and point, it’s okay‘ post, hit ‘submit’…
…and discovered that I’m female.
Hrm.
I never knew.
Well, maybe you’re only 80% female if they’re only right 80% of the time? Or would that be 20%?
I’m so bad at math….
I think the algorithm is flawed and I don’t think your sample is big enough. (don’t go there)
This is yet another example of your scientific community telling us what they know. But then again the knew the earth was flat, they knew man would never fly, and they knew man would never leave the planet.
I support the scientific effort but don’t put too much stock in it because in 10 or 20 years it will all be obsolete anyway.