via Fraser Cain

via Fraser Cain 

Originally shared by Pamela L. Gay

One is the loneliest number. I'm tired of being a party of one. I want community.

Earlier tonight, I found out I am the only individual female scientist on Google+'s suggested people and pages in Science & Nature (there are 10 people, and 30 pages listed). This is a huge honor, but it is also an honor that disturbs me. I've gone through too much of my life as the only girl in class, the only girl at the podium, the only woman on the panel, and sometimes even the only woman in the room. It is time for greater inclusion, and it is up to you to make the difference.

I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure how Google+ comes up with it's suggested users list. As a programmer, I can only presume it is some complicated algorithm that looks at who is talking about what, and who is included on what named lists, and is getting pluses, circles, and shares for using what sets of words. This is a nasty concept for an algorithm, but Google has the technology to process a clean list of quality content out of the chaos that is our beloved social community. (And heck, there may even be a human engaged in making the final decisions!) Whatever the details of how this has happened, it boils down to this: A lot of the amazing women in our community aren't getting acknowledged as individuals: they are only getting grouped in as STEM Women on G+ 

You can change this! Find and recommend individual women in science. Shout their names, and share their content, and encourage others to follow you in a movement to force Google's algorithms to add more women to the recommended list.

Personally, I love the posts made by Bug G. Membracid: They are often rich in amazing images and content on bugs that I didn't know I really didn't want to know, but strangely can't help but consume (Yes, that is a recommendation to follow her).  There is also Carin Bondar, who has the most open and odd content stream (You're going to have to check her out yourself!) And don't forget Joanne Manaster and her application of chemistry that includes the occasional application of chemistry concepts to her makeup applicator. And in the space community, we have our own Nicole Gugliucci, a radio astronomer who works her PhD off getting you the latest news in space science.

Circle, plus, share, and learn. Find a woman scientist, or two, or twenty and help promote their content, and help Google's intelligent software learn just how intelligent, powerful, sensitive, and remarkable women in science can be.

#ScienceSUL #SUL #WomenonGPlus #STEMwomen #BeRemarkable  

(Edited to add hashtags)