50 pages • 1-hour read
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
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General Impressions
Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of gender and/or transgender discrimination, mental health conditions, illness or death, and racism.
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. How did reading about the pervasive nature of the gender data gap change your understanding of everyday systems and designs? Have you read other works examining systemic bias, such as Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neil? How does Perez's approach compare?
2. Which examples of gender-based design bias surprised you the most, and why did these particular instances stand out?
3. Was Perez's use of both statistical data and personal anecdotes an effective way to deliver her argument about the consequences of the gender data gap? Why or why not?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. When have you encountered design or systems that seemed "gender neutral" but actually favored male users? How did you adapt to handle these situations?
2. Perez discusses the fact that women's unpaid work often goes unrecognized and uncounted. How has this dynamic played out in your own life or in the lives of women you know?
3. How has reading this book changed your awareness of gender bias in data collection and design? What examples have you noticed since reading it?
4. The book explores the fact that women often have to create workarounds for systems that were not designed for them. What workarounds have you developed in your own life to navigate similar challenges?
5. Consider the section on medical bias against women. Have you or women you know experienced situations in which your health concerns were dismissed or misdiagnosed?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book's relevance to broader societal issues, cultural trends, and ethical dilemmas.
1. How does Perez's analysis of the gender data gap intersect with other forms of systemic bias, such as racial or economic discrimination?
2. What role should technology companies play in addressing algorithmic bias against women? What responsibilities do they have?
3. How might the COVID-19 pandemic (as discussed in the epilogue) have amplified or highlighted the issues that Perez raises about gender bias in data collection?
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book's structure, characters, themes, and use of narrative techniques.
1. How does Perez's use of humor and sarcasm contribute to (or detract from) her argument about gender bias?
2. Examine how Perez builds her case across different sectors (e.g., medicine, technology, urban planning). How effective is this structural approach in supporting her central thesis?
3. What role do the case studies and specific examples play in strengthening Perez's argument?
4. How does Perez's treatment of the "Henry Higgins Effect" serve as a recurring motif throughout the book? What does this concept reveal about societal attitudes toward gender?
5. Consider the ways in which Perez uses data to tell human stories. How does she balance statistical evidence with narrative elements?
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative interaction with the text.
1. If you were to design a public awareness campaign about the gender data gap, what three key points from the book would you emphasize, and how would you communicate them?
2. Imagine that you are consulting with a city planning committee. Based on Perez's insights, what specific changes would you recommend in order to make urban spaces more inclusive?
3. What might a truly gender-conscious world look like in 2050 if all of Perez's recommendations were to be implemented? What would be different about daily life?
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