Last one (for now).

(Source: xdress.com)

Legs!

(Source: xdress.com)

So I submitted several writing samples to Gender Guesser, a sort-of-silly online tool that analyzes your writing style to predict your gender. The first result was from a compilation of my Reddit comments. (Notice: “Weak Male, could indicate European.” Uh, what?) The second was from my Tumblr (which, under another recent analysis, predicted my age somewhere between 51 and 65 years. So, according to the various matrices of the Internet, I am a male blogger who is quickly approaching his Golden Years…who frequently posts about German soap operas and how lipstick makes boys like 9x more attractive, omglol.) The third sample comprised of sections of the last 3 formal papers I submitted in college before I received my degree in Writing, Literature and Publishing, all of which were deemed A-level papers.  In other words, they were good enough for professional writers to consider me deserving of a degree in their field. For some reason, Gender Guesser seems to equate professional, formal writing with masculinity.

I am not a man. I am a good writer. Therefore, I am forced to call shenanigans.

I submitted another sample, an excerpt from a recent job application, and it was deemed even more masculine (with a difference of 82.11%). I know it’s just a silly computer algorithm that’s most likely based off of stereotyped keywords, but come on. I am a woman, and I write well. I don’t consider it to be a compliment when someone tells me I have a masculine style of writing, or of speaking, or of shaking hands (all of which I have been told within the last year, and all of which were phrased as clear compliments).  “Better than average” or “more professional than I expected” aren’t synonymous with “masculine,” people. Or, you know, computers.

Josh Hartnett in lipstick, yes. Yes.

Have I mentioned that I’m totally in love with Josh Hartnett? No, I haven’t? Silly me.

(Source: guymeetsworld.wordpress.com)

Boys wearing lipstick, part 2.

(Source: stylefrizz.com)

I think boys wearing lipstick is my new favorite thing ever.

(Source: trendhunter.com)