So difficult. Have you ever persuaded them of anything else, and if so you how did you it, i.e. what works on them? My parents are deeply geeky, so giving them essays to read seems to be working. Whether it’s more effective coming from family or stranger prob depends on the relationship – sounds like your dad has issues with taking you…[Read more]

I think AS had an article on dealing with offensive language from people you know a while ago. And this guide from Amanda Marcotte is more about mythbusting than just dealing with sexist slurs, but you might find it interesting and helpful nonetheless: http://pandagon.net/index.php/site/comments/is_it_worth_it_to_argue_down_right_wing_myths

I’ve also noticed that a good way to call people out is to use humor. For example, say that you hear somebody say that it’s weird for a boy to like to play with dolls. You could say something like “Wow, I didn’t know that genitalia had an effect on toy preference!” (obviously, genitalia does not determine gender, but people who make these…[Read more]

I sympathize with you so, so much on this. The same thing has happened to me with people I’m close to and I haven’t really had a lot of luck changing people’s opinions on things. With one family member, I finally just said “These things you say hurt me. Seriously. You’re my aunt; why don’t you care that you’re hurting me?” It didn’t change…[Read more]

You probably saw this if you looked at the feministe link, but this is really helpful: http://www.illdoctrine.com/2008/07/how_to_tell_people_they_sound.html
Another thing I think you need to figure out is if you’re dealing with the virulent, down-to-their-bones kind of hate or the privilege-denying-cluelessness. If it’s the former, there’s kind…[Read more]

If you have another system I’d switch over on one to Linux, just that way if you’re stuck or whatever you have something else you can use in a pinch. Not that I know very much about computers and/or coding.

My last “project” (not as self-imposed as yours I suppose) was to learn all I possibly could for a neuroscience competition for high…[Read more]

I agree with Jamie: only switch one machine to Linux. But don’t worry, Linux is not as scary as it seems. some drivers give annoying issues at first, but everything is reconcilable. Which distro are you thinking about installing?

My summer project is to narrow down my list of summer project ideas so I can actually pick something to work on. But…[Read more]