I wrote in my introductory note that the biggest reason for this book will only be revealed after the story has been told. If I revealed it up front, it would give away one of my story’s biggest secrets. And now you know the story of the King Phisher, I’m sure you understand why I kept it a secret.
Hopefully, it’s apparent that I wrote this story to acknowledge the millions of women who have fought and often cried every step of the way to finding acceptance as professional equals in the world of technology.
Sadly, two female IT professionals have shared with me some extent of the abuse they’ve experienced at the hands of men – abuse they received merely because these two precious people possessed the physical body parts that are often regarded as defining a woman.
Even sadder, such abuse still continues for 1 in 3 women in a work context - if you don’t believe me, check out the three links at the end of chapter 16b (“One of the lads”). I imagine that statistic would be significantly worse if it included women using tech in a social setting such as gaming.
For too long, many women working or playing in the tech world have been ridiculed and shamed online and in person because of their gender. And though I focused this story on the abuse women have received during their lifetime, I know there are many other such groups who experience the same.
As someone who has loved technology since I was ten, that makes no sense. I’m a qualified digital design engineer who has designed and built computers from the ground up. I can assure you that technology is based on binary logic. It has nothing to do with the gender, race, sexuality, religion, or other values people identify with as human beings.
Sure, some women are nasty. But so are some men. Likewise, some who identify as non-binary. No one’s value to the world is determined by their gender, colour, sexuality, faith, socio-economic status or creed. The value each of us brings to our world is who we choose to be and how we choose to interact with those around us. As we all know and have likely experienced, anyone can be an angry, selfish, egotistical parasite looking for ways to use, misuse and abuse those they see as weak or different. Likewise, anyone can choose to be a positive influence in their world.
To be honest, the unjustified and senseless abuse many women and other values-based groups encounter in the tech world makes me ashamed of having the same gender as those thin-skinned dipsticks who see the tech world solely as the domain of supposed men… and my heartfelt apologies to dipsticks for lowering your status to the same as those online #$%^&s.
So, to all the non-heterosexual, non-white, non-males out there who have experienced such abuse, keep chasing your dreams. Show the world how awesome you are. Ignore the digital dicks as much as you can.
And if you can’t, you could always build your own 831 and let ‘em have it!
However, maybe the best option is to choose to be the bigger person (I know … not as much fun as giving them a dose of 831). Don’t lose yourself in those bloodsucking sycophants’ darkness. Shine like the amazing star you are.
When they try to cover you with their crass crap, remember that manure makes great fertiliser - if used correctly, it will help you grow.
And if that fails, find Abaddon.
If you want to be inspired about turning dung into dollars while having a few laughs, read the short story, "The Donkey in the Well"