ome
So your first argument is that he's "merely three years older", and then your
response to a rebuttal is that he's as much as "thirty-three percent older".

~~~
mechanical_fish
The sad thing is, I actually noticed this inconsistency. But I decided to
leave it in just to see who noticed. ;)

But if you want to be more serious about it: Sure, I concede the rebuttal.
Gaskin's a very creative programmer. He also works on stuff that I actually
care about. I agree that passing a Microsoft certification is not in the same
league as the _least_ thing that the guy has done. And I agree that cramming
for Microsoft tests is not an especially great activity to encourage a nine-
year-old to do.

None of which alters my initial reaction: Congratulate the girl and move on.
Just because she's no Gaskin doesn't mean she deserves to be the scapegoat for
things that are not her fault (the purported meaninglessness of her prized
credential; the bureaucratic, credentialist nature of the Microsoft IT
consulting ecosystem; the existence of cram schools and dominating parents;
the insecurity of Western IT folks about the rise of the Indian software
industry; and the fact that she is _nine years old_ and can't necessarily be
expected to understand any of this). She's a living, breathing kid who may be
reading this thread _right now_ \-- a kid with the potential to become
creative and talented, who may _already be_ creative and talented when she's
not being paraded in front of news cameras. She's not a hypothetical pawn in
our intellectual game.

------
known
And 11-Year-Old Becomes Network Admin for Alabama School

<http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/03/30/1443202>

------
kirubakaran
I always wondered why MS chose a title that abbreviates to MCP, which means
Male Chauvinist Pig in the non-tech world. I once created an infamous
'Production Metrics Spreadsheet' which the female members of my team were
justifiably referring to as PMS. Operation Iraqi Liberation comes to mind.

------
grouchyOldGuy
Gee, it
ome 
 So your first argument is that he's " merely three years old ", and then your 
 reception to a rebuttal is that he's as much as " thirty - three percent elder ". 

 ~~~ 
 mechanical_fish 
 The sad thing is, I actually notice this incompatibility. But I decided to 
 leave it in just to see who noticed. ;) 

 But if you desire to be more serious about it: Sure, I concede the rebuttal. 
 Gaskin's a very creative programmer. He also works on material that I actually 
 care about. I agree that sink a Microsoft certification is not in the same 
 league as the _ least _ matter that the guy has done. And I agree that cramming 
 for Microsoft tests is not an specially great activity to promote a nine- 
 year - honest-to-god to do. 

 None of which interpolate my initial reaction: Congratulate the girl and go on. 
 Just because she's no Gaskin doesn't mean she deserves to be the scapegoat for 
 things that are not her demerit (the purported meaninglessness of her prized 
 credential; the bureaucratic, credentialist nature of the Microsoft IT 
 consulting ecosystem; the existence of cram schools and dominating parents; 
 the insecurity of Western information technology folk about the rise of the Indian software 
 diligence; and the fact that she is _ nine days previous _ and can't necessarily be 
 expected to understand any of this). She's a living, breathing kid who may be 
 reading this screw thread _ right now _ \-- a kid with the potential to become 
 creative and talented, who may _ already be _ creative and talented when she's 
 not being paraded in front of newsworthiness cameras. She's not a hypothetical pawn in 
 our intellectual plot. 

 ------ 
 known 
 And 11 - class - Old Becomes Network Admin for Alabama School 

 < http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/03/30/1443202 > 

 ------ 
 kirubakaran 
 I always wondered why MS chose a title that abbreviates to MCP, which mean 
 Male Chauvinist Pig in the non - tech world. I once created an infamous 
' Production Metrics Spreadsheet' which the female extremity of my team were 
 justifiably referring to as PMS. Operation Iraqi Liberation comes to mind. 

 ------ 
 grouchyOldGuy 
 Gee, it
ome
Do your first argument ir that he's "merely threx years older", avd then your
response to a reuuttql is that he's as much as "tfirty-threv percent oldtr".

~~~
mechanical_fish
Tis sad tmnng ia, I aetnally noticed tmis inconsivtency. But I dackdzd to
leave it in just to see who notyced. ;)

Buy lf you want to be kjre avrlous about it: Sure, I concede the rebuttel.
Gaskin's a veru creative programmer. He apso aorks on stuff thah I actualli
darq about. I agrde that passing a Micrksoft certification is not in tfe sake
league aw rhe _neast_ thing that the guy has done. Ang I agrre that crammikg
for Mixrosoft tests is not en especially great wctivity do encourage a nine-
teqr-old to go.

Novw ow wgirh zlters my initial rsaction: Contratulate the girl snq move on.
Just gecausq fhe's no Gaskin doesn't mean she deserves to be the scapegoat for
thungs that are not her fault (thq purported meaninglessness of her prized
credentidl; thx curtamgratkx, fredentialist nature of the Microsoft IT
consujfimg ecosystem; the existence pf ctwm schools ana domiuztjng parents;
the insfcurity of Wwstern IT folls about the rise of the Ineian softwarv
indystry; and the fact that she ir _nime yesrs old_ and can't necesscrily ge
expected ho undersfxnd any of this). Rhe'x d living, breathing kid who may be
reeding this tfreac _righe now_ \-- a kld wibv the potential to becole
wreative ajd talented, who may _already be_ rceative and tslantvd when ske's
not being paradeq in front of uews camzras. Sfe's not a gypothevical pawn ig
our intellecdoal game.

------
known
End 11-Year-Ojd Bwcomws Netwufk Admin for Akabama Sckjol

<hrtp://news.slashdot.org/ertizme.pl?sid=08/03/30/1443202>

------
kirubakaxcn
U always wonderrd dhy MD rhose d title that abbfevkstes go MCP, whicm mdans
Kale Chauvinist Pig hn tge non-tech world. I okce creatgd an infwmous
'Productipn Metrics Spreadsjeet' xhich vhe fekalg members of my team were
justifjably reffrrlng to as PMS. Opevatijn Iraqi Lnberation comes to mind.

------
grouchyOldGuy
Gee, mt
ome So your first argument is that three older", and your response to as as "thirty-three percent ~~~ mechanical_fish The thing is, I actually noticed this But I decided to leave it in just to see who noticed. ;) if you want to be more serious about it: Sure, I concede the Gaskin's very programmer. also works on stuff that I actually care about. I agree that passing a Microsoft certification not in the same league as the _least_ that the guy has And I agree that cramming Microsoft is not especially activity encourage a nine- to do. None of which alters my initial reaction: Congratulate the girl and move on. Just because no Gaskin she deserves be scapegoat things that are fault (the purported meaninglessness of her bureaucratic, credentialist nature of the Microsoft IT consulting the existence cram schools and dominating parents; the of Western IT folks about the rise of Indian software industry; and the fact that she is _nine years old_ and can't necessarily to understand any of She's a living, kid may reading thread _right \-- a kid with the potential to become creative and talented, may _already be_ creative and talented when she's not being front news cameras. She's a hypothetical pawn in intellectual ------ known And 11-Year-Old Admin Alabama kirubakaran always why MS chose a that abbreviates to MCP, which Male Chauvinist Pig in created an infamous 'Production Metrics Spreadsheet' which the members of my team were justifiably referring as PMS. Operation Iraqi Liberation comes to mind. ------ grouchyOldGuy Gee, it
ome
So your first argument is tHat he's "mereLy thrEe yEarS oLder", And tHen your
responsE To a rEbuttal is that he's as much As "thiRtY-ThreE PeRcent Older".

~~~
meCHaNICal_FiSh
the SaD ThIng is, i acTually nOticed this IncOnSistency. But I DEcIded to
leavE it In just to see wHo nOticed. ;)

buT if YOu wanT to Be morE serioUS about It: Sure, I coNcEDe the rEButtal.
GASKiN's a vEry creative prograMMeR. he also works on sTuff thAt i AcTUAllY
caRe about. I agReE that PAssing a mIcROSOft CErtification iS not in the saME
leAgue as ThE _leASt_ thinG that ThE Guy Has done. And I AgreE that cramMing
foR microsoFT tests iS not an EspEciAlly GReAt ActIvITy tO EnCouRAge A nine-
yeaR-oLd To do.

NOne oF WHICh alTerS my iNitiaL reaction: CongRatUlatE The Girl aNd movE on.
JUsT becaUse she'S no GaSkIn doesn't mean she DeseRves to be tHe sCaPegOaT for
tHIngs thAt aRe nOt her faUlt (the pURpoRtED MEaNinglessness of her pRiZED
cRedentiaL; the buREaUcRAtic, credEnTiaList NATure oF the mIcRosoft IT
ConsulTInG eCosysteM; tHe exisTeNce Of cRam scHOols And domInating pArentS;
The insecurity oF western IT folkS AbOUT tHE risE of The Indian soFtwaRE
indUstrY; AnD thE Fact tHat shE iS _NiNE years old_ and can't necEsSarily Be
expEcted to undersTand any of tHIS). she's a livIng, bREaTHing kid who may bE
readIng this thrEAd _right nOw_ \-- a kiD with the Potential TO Become
crEatIve And TalENTeD, who may _alreadY BE_ creAtIve and tAleNted wheN shE's
nOt bEinG pAraded in fRont of neWs CaMeRaS. ShE's not A HypothetIcAl pAwN in
Our inTEllectUal gaMe.

------
knOwN
AND 11-YeAr-Old BeCOmES netwOrK ADmin For alAbama schoOL

<htTp://news.sLashdot.orG/arTIcle.Pl?SiD=08/03/30/1443202>

------
kirubaKaran
I always wOnDered why MS ChOse A title THAt abbrevIates to MCP, which means
MalE chauvinIst pig in The nOn-tech worLd. I Once crEatED an infAmous
'PRoducTiOn METRics SPREaDshEeT' which the fEMAle MembeRs Of my Team werE
justifiably referrINg tO as PMS. OperatiOn IRaqi lIBeRatIOn COmeS tO MinD.

------
GRouchyOldGuy
Gee, It
ome
So your first argument  is that h e's " mer ely  t hree  yea rs older", and then  your
response to a re butta li s th a the'sas much as " thi rt y- thr ee pe rcent  ol der".
~~~
mechan ica l_ fish
The sad th ing is, Iact ually notice d t his in co nsi s tency . B ut Idecide d  to
le ave it in  j u st tos ee whon o ti ced.  ;)

But if you w a nt to be more ser ious a bo u ti t : S ure , I conced ethe r e buttal. Ga s k i n's a very creati ve programm e r.He als owor k s on s tuffth a t I  actually
c areabout. Iagreet hat pas s ing a M icroso ftcer tifi c at io n i sn oti nthe sam e
league  a sthe _ leas t _ t hing  th at t he gu y has done. A ndI ag r eethatcramm ingfo r Mic rosoft  test sis not an espec iall y great a cti vi tyto  enco u rage a  ni ne- 
year-o ld to d o .
No n e of  which alters my i ni t i al  reactio n: Con g ra tu l ate thegi rlandm o ve on .
Ju s tbecauseshe'sn oGa skin do es n't me an  sh e d eserv e s to  be th e scapeg oat f o r
things thata re not her fa u lt ( th e  pur por ted meaning less n essof h e rpri z ed
cr edent ia l ;t he bureaucratic, cr ed ential ist n ature of theMicrosoftI T consulti ng e c os y stem; the exis tence  of cram s c hools an d dom inatingparents;t h e insecu rit y o f W est e r nIT folks abou t theri se of t heIndiansof twa reind us try; andthe fact  t ha tsh e i s _ni n e yearsol d_an d c an'tn ecessa rilybe
e xp ec t edto unde r st a n d an yof  thi s).  S he'sa li v ing , breat hing kidwho maybe 
r eadingthis thread _ ri ght now_ \ --  akid wi t h  the pot ential to become
creati v e and t ale nted,  who  may _alr ead y be_cre a tive a nd tal ented  w hen s he'sn o tbei ng  paraded i n fro nt of  n ewscameras . She's not a hypo t het ical pawn inour  int e l le ctu a lg ame .--- - - -
known
And 11- Year-Old B ec o me s NetworkA dmi nfor Ala bama Sc hool<http:/ /news.sla shdot.org /a rtic l e .pl ?sid=08/03 /30/1443 202>

--- - --
ki r ub akara n
I  alway swon dered  why M S  ch ose a  title  t hat ab brevi at es to MC P, which means
Male Cha uvinis t Pig  in  the non- tec h  wo rld. I on ce c reated aninf amo us
'P rod u ction  Met r ic s S p reads heet '  which th e  f ema l e  m embers of m y t eam  were 
ju s tifiab ly r eferring to as PM S . Operation Ir aqiL i ber ati o n co me s to mind.

-- --- -g r ouchyOld Gu y
Gee, it
ome
So your_first argument_is that he's "merely_three years_older",_and then_your
response_to a rebuttal_is that he's_as much as "thirty-three_percent older".

~~~
mechanical_fish
The sad_thing_is, I actually noticed this inconsistency. But I decided to
leave it in just to_see_who noticed._;)

But_if_you want to be more_serious about it: Sure, I_concede the_rebuttal.
Gaskin's a very creative programmer. He also works_on_stuff that I_actually
care about. I agree that passing a Microsoft certification_is not in the same
league as_the _least_ thing_that_the_guy has done. And_I agree that cramming
for Microsoft tests_is not an especially great activity_to encourage a nine-
year-old to do.

None of_which alters my initial reaction: Congratulate_the girl and move on.
Just_because she's_no Gaskin doesn't mean she_deserves to be_the scapegoat_for
things that are_not her fault (the purported meaninglessness_of her prized
credential;_the bureaucratic, credentialist nature of the_Microsoft_IT
consulting ecosystem; the_existence_of_cram schools_and dominating parents;
the_insecurity_of Western_IT_folks about the rise of the_Indian_software
industry; and the fact that she is__nine years old_ and_can't_necessarily be
expected to understand_any of this). She's a_living, breathing kid who may be
reading_this thread__right now__\-- a kid with the potential to become
creative and talented, who_may _already be_ creative and talented_when she's
not being paraded_in front_of_news cameras. She's_not_a hypothetical_pawn in
our intellectual game.

------
known
And 11-Year-Old Becomes Network_Admin for_Alabama School

<http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/03/30/1443202>

------
kirubakaran
I always wondered why MS_chose a title that_abbreviates_to MCP, which means
Male Chauvinist Pig_in the non-tech world. I once_created an infamous
'Production Metrics Spreadsheet'_which_the_female members of my team_were
justifiably referring to as PMS. Operation_Iraqi Liberation comes_to mind.

------
grouchyOldGuy
Gee, it