Using sex to train the next generation of sexist techies

Think the tech industry isn't sexist enough already? Now a company called "CodeBabes" wants to teach you marketable internet skills while you watch women strip.



The company uses teaser videos to provide "free" starter lessons, in which women with prominent breast implants read a script and try to act nerd-sexy:



According to Salon:

The site has obviously prompted good deal of outrage. Silicon Valley is riddled with sexism — from a dearth of women engineers, to allegations of harassment at GitHub. CodeBabes has a litany of issues. For starters it turns women’s bodies into a commodified reward, and codifies the structural idea that men should make money in tech and women do it by being sexy. Though they have announced that CodeDudes will be rolling out soon, the objectification of both sexes hardly makes either OK.

No, it doesn't. And the feedback, in terms of both outrage and reactionary support, was as predictable as ever.

The idea behind CodeBabes does not sit well with us. http://t.co/P0IC64YTih
— HuffPostWomen (@HuffPostWomen) April 30, 2014

By a woman who codes: RT @ruhee_ I wrote a quick thing about why CodeBabes and sites like it are really harmful http://t.co/yY7JgKF9Pd
— Allison Sparling (@Allisomething) April 26, 2014

We can't tell if "CodeBabes" is fake. But we hope so. http://t.co/RM8Jb9oOuK pic.twitter.com/rW2BEVQKV7
— Fast Company (@FastCompany) April 25, 2014

Well, that escalated quickly
— CodeBabes (@CodeBabes) April 25, 2014

Obviously those that give @CodeBabes only negative feedback lack a sense of humor.It's just a fun new way to learn😉👓 http://t.co/I6fQB1y3rw
— Veroni©a LaVe®y™ (@VeronicaLavery) April 28, 2014

I find it funny the backlash @CodeBabes is getting. It was fun & I'd do it again! Lighten up, people.
— Cami Li (@CamiLiModel) April 28, 2014

People hate us so much that we've streamed 9.23 TB of lesson videos in 2 days ;)
— CodeBabes (@CodeBabes) April 28, 2014

Of course they did. Because no matter how many naked women get objectified on the internet for free, there is always a buck to be made by adding more.

Ironically, studies show that sexual arousal on does not help learning. In fact, it makes you stupid. But then, we already knew that, didn't we?

You can criticize me for giving CodeBabes further attention if you want, but I'm a believer in sharing information with people so they can decide what they want to do with it.