Hi everyone,
My name is Karen Petersen and I have never done anything with Wikipedia. If you are looking for all reasons contributing to the gender gap, perhaps I have one.
I have often thought of exploring opportunities to write/edit for the organization, but insecurity got the best of me: Who did I think I was to be part of this bigger-than-life movement? And as an English major who formerly worked in TV news and freelanced on occasion, would I even qualify? It seemed very intimidating.
So I saw the article and signed up to be part of the discussion; I had no idea what I was in for! It seems as if there is some whole underground Wiki-world. If it wasn't intimidating before, it certainly is now. And that is not even taking the crazy mascot into account.
There it is, my simple - almost too simple - reason for at least part of the problem (to those who see the gender gap as a problem).
Best, Karen
Fight or flight is the normal response to threat. Neither gets much work done. (After Wilfred Bion)
Fred