Whether or not I choose to label my sexuality has no impact on my feelings or desires. Unfortunately, stepping into one of society’s pre-made ‘boxes’ of sexuality – gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, pansexual – subjects a person to a set of common assumptions, or stereotypes, about their personality and their actions. Bisexuality does not mean the same thing for everyone, and sweeping assumptions only obstruct understanding of the person. Bisexual people often get pushed to the wayside of the discourse around sexuality, with much discussion centring on the difference between gay and straight. As a result, bisexuals face several damaging generalizations, and it’s time to get the record ‘straight,’ so to speak.

Bisexuality is often pitted as ‘just a phase,’ and not a true identity. I’m not against people who are curious or experimenting: sexual experimentation is a part of the self-identification process. However, if someone tells you that what they think and feel is real, you can be assured it’s not a phase. It’s as simple as that. Refusing to acknowledge the validity of someone’s sexuality because you haven’t experienced it yourself is ignorant, and this sort of dismissive attitude ultimately perpetuates a dominant violence toward bisexuals.

Bisexuality does not mean the same thing for everyone, and sweeping assumptions only obstruct understanding of the person.

It also hurts to be told that your strongest, deepest emotions are non-existent or somehow inferior to those of others. Sadly, even people who have identified as bisexual for dozens of years are still being told by others in both the straight and gay communities that what is only a stepping stone to a ‘real’ sexuality.

A common stereotype, or assumption of bisexual people is that we’re ‘greedy,’ wanting a piece of everyone. Lesbians have told me that bisexual people aren’t satisfied enough, and sleep with men to make up the extra. Straight women have told me that bisexual people only sleep with women to attract more men. Saying bisexual people want to sleep with everyone is as wrong as saying that a straight women want to sleep with every man. We, like everyone, are picky about preferences and ‘types,’ and our sex drives, on average, are no higher than yours. I feel no void when I’m exclusively with a man or with a woman. Whether a person is male or female is simply not a deciding factor in whether I will be attracted to or will fall in love with someone.

Assumptions often become far-fetched and offensive. Many bisexual people, myself included, are subjected to distasteful comments and even grotesque proposals about threesomes. Let’s be clear: a person’s sexuality in no way defines the types of sexual activities they enjoy. Gay people are no more into BDSM, straight people are no more into rough sex, and bisexual people are no more into threesomes than any other person on the planet. I’ve also heard people claim that bisexual people are somehow more sexually insatiable than others. Some bisexual people define themselves as such strictly based on emotional connections, with little to no sexual interest. A person’s degree of sexuality is in no way related to their sexual orientation, and a person’s identity is not the place to start making assumptions about what goes on behind their bedroom door.

Even people who have identified as bisexual for dozens of years are still being told by others in both the straight and gay communities that what is only a stepping stone to a ‘real’ sexuality.

Making assumptions about sexuality impacts a person directly. For many people, the process of discovering one’s sexuality is long and confusing: identity offers stability. Being stamped with harmful assumptions can make a person question themselves fundamentally. A person may mistakenly try to detach from their sexuality, thinking that it is inherently ‘wrong,’ even though this is a natural part of their identity.

Though I consider myself overall very comfortable with my sexuality, I have come face-to-face with the consequences of these assumptions. I’ve been shut down by lesbians in bars who simply ‘don’t date bi girls’ (supposedly because of assumptions that I’ll leave them for a man). I’ve been asked harmful questions like, ‘Don’t you need to date both a guy and girl at the same time to be happy?’ or ‘How are you going to choose which one you want to marry?’ I’ve sat speechless after hearing comments like, ‘You’re luckier than gay people; you can just choose to be normal and date a guy.’ Even on T.V. people tell me it’s not possible to be who I am: Orange is the New Black only once mentions Piper’s bisexuality, choosing instead to paint her as indecisive and flopping between lesbian and straight. Society’s assumptions and ignorance can beat down even those of us who are most confident in our sexuality.

What is bisexuality, then? People who identify as bisexual are diverse in their views of love and sexuality. Some can see themselves spending time with, sleeping with, dating, and marrying either a man or a woman with no hesitation. However, it’s often not a 50-50 split. Personally, I have a stronger emotional attraction to men and a stronger sexual attraction to women. Others feel the opposite. Bisexual people can fall anywhere on this spectrum, and it makes them no more or less bisexual. It’s important to understand this internal diversity before generalizing anything about someone who identifies as bisexual. The easiest and most harmless way to understand a person’s sexuality is to ask them about it, and to listen to and believe what they say.

A person’s degree of sexuality is in no way related to their sexual orientation, and a person’s identity is not the place to start making assumptions.

Harmful assumptions are not exclusive to bisexual people. Many lesbians are questioned for being ‘too pretty,’ gay men for being ‘too masculine.’ Even people who identify as straight are subjected to the social assumptions surrounding their sexuality: marriage, kids, a perfect conformity to feminine or masculine gender expression. People who may not identify with a sexuality that the wider society understands (pansexuals, polysexuals, asexuals, queer, et cetera) may reject a pre-defined set of prejudices, but face discrimination because so few understand their identities. Letting boxes of assumptions define people only limits our understanding of one another.

Sexuality is a dynamic, diverse, and defining feature of humanity. By limiting our acceptance to a select few configurations of love, emotion, sex, and gender, we limit our unique ability to express ourselves sexually. People are already pushing the traditionally accepted boundaries of sexuality: a man who sleeps with a man is not necessarily gay, and a woman who marries a man is not necessarily straight. Convenience, social pressure, and curiosity can all be factors in an individual’s sexuality, but ultimately, it is defined by what makes them happy.

It’s time to break up with one-size-fits-all boxes of sexuality. I’m not necessarily against labels altogether: I use them to help define my own sexuality. However, accepting sexuality as an individualized identity is critical in achieving equality. Bisexuality exists. It exists because people identify as such. By refusing to accept people’s choices, you refuse to listen to the voices of real people who are trying to express their very real feelings and identity. Let’s grow up, listen to each other, respect each other, and love whomever we want to love.

Arielle VanIderstine is The Daily’s web editor, but her views here are her own. To contact her, email web@mcgilldaily.com.

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However, it can be hard for students without prior experience to break into the field and take their first step in programming. McGill offers introductory programming classes that are available to all students through the School of Computer Science, but many students are also tempted by the plethora of free online resources available for coding acquisition. Is one of these two contrasting learning styles superior for students who want to get started? Ultimately, whether or not a classroom-based or web-based coding education is right for you depends on your learning style. University classes provide constant, tangible pressure to keep up and succeed at the pace of the class. They can provide direction, context, and ongoing personalized support through a planned syllabus and a network of teaching assistants and tutorials. If you learn best by watching others and going step-by-step, the classroom might be the best first step to take. “If you’ve never touched a text editor and have no clue what programming is, it can be daunting to get into,” notes Charles Clermont, a mechanical engineering undergraduate. The vast field of computer science is surrounded by walls of technical jargon and obscure technological concepts, posing accessibility barriers to interested students. Introductory classes are a great stepping stone into the world of coding and disassembling the accessibility barrier: according to Clermont, “A course is a first step; it’s like what learning arithmetic is to learning mathematics.”

There are currently 800 students, spread across three sections, taking their ‘first step’ into coding at McGill this fall through COMP 202. The lecture-style class has a professor who guides students through the basics of computer logic and Java programming, from binary numbers to the beginnings of object-oriented programming. In the coding community, the course has mixed reviews. Anderson-Trocmé, who had no prior computer science knowledge, spoke highly of his experience: “The course was very approachable, and I felt like I learned a lot.” In contrast, Clermont finds that “courses can be very slow and boring. You can learn most of it much faster with any ‘introduction to programming’ book.” Mohamed Adam Chaieb, an undergraduate software engineer, acknowledges the benefit of university computer science classes, but notes that they can be intangible at times: “Courses are definitely helpful, but they are more theoretical [and] although they try to show you applications, it’s up to you to find a way to use it.”

“I personally recommend that people learn programming through these online courses rather than take a minor in Software Engineering or Computer Science.”

– Usman Ehtesham, a recent McGill electrical enginnering graduate

Online interactive platforms offer alternative ways to learn to code outside of the traditional university context. Codecademy is one of those platforms, offering step-by-step, interactive, tutorial-style courses that teach students to code, compile, and see results instantly within your web browser. The platform is appealing to beginners because no installation is required to get started, there is a structured approach to learning code like in classrooms, and there is an online community of experts and fellow students that actively answer questions. There is a catch: while the courses offered on Codecademy are free, they offer no university credits or certificate of completion.

Universities continue to retain their authority when it comes to issuing computer science- and software engineering-related course credits, minors, and degrees that remain particularly important for job interviews in the technology industry. However, this is changing with the burgeoning presence of massive open online courses (MOOCs). Interested students are now able to enrol in online computer courses on Coursera to earn a certificate of completion or distinguishment to present to potential employers. Coursera is also starting to offer “specializations,” such as a Fundamentals of Computing track accredited by Rice University. These specializations often involve taking a series of related courses and then participating in a two-week cumuluative review session and exam at the end of the series, all online. Although still reliant on the accreditation of a host university, these specializations are often much cheaper, with each course costing about $60, while retaining the same sense of authenticity.

Usman Ehtesham, a recent McGill electrical engineering graduate, learned to code through both a software engineering minor and through various online courses. He advocates for the latter: “I personally recommend that people learn programming through these online courses rather than take a minor in Software Engineering or Computer Science.” In addition to saving money, he says, “there are many more options to choose from, whereas in a minor you can do only six to eight courses.” Ehtesham’s comment reflects on the abundance of online courses and content; from tutorials to eBooks to challenges, both free and paid materials are available in every programming language at every skill level.

In contrast to classroom learning, learning online is decidedly more self-directed and independent. As a result, motivation and dedication are essential to success. Ehtesham notes, “One issue with online courses could be losing motivation within the first few weeks, as students may feel no pressure.” Students enrolled in university classes are pushed to keep up to pass the course with a decent grade. However, for the independent learner, online material can help you advance faster and further than the traditional classroom-structured approach of learning. Clermont affirmed that “[reading books] had a greater impact on my coding than courses ever did,” while noting the extra effort required for this type of learning.

Ehtesham continues, “if one has the motivation to learn coding, and does not want to spend extra money on a minor, then online courses is definitely the way to go. […] The next step from that is and should be working on your own project or contributing to an open source project.” Open source projects in computer science are projects in which the code itself is available to the public and editable. These are, in his opinion, “the best way to become a proficient programmer.” In addition to the experience gained from participating and creating these projects, employers are often more interested in past experience than credentials due to the practical nature of coding.

If you’re generally more self-motivated, self-paced, and independent, online resources may offer you more freedom than classrooms in terms of course pace and the breadth and depth of coverage. The already vast collection of online materials will only continue to grow as the internet evolves with the advancement of technology. Whether you learn through sets of exams and assignments in class or through tutorials and challenges online, learning to code is beneficial. Golfi notes, “I believe that anybody can learn programming with enough willpower and elbow grease.”

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The question of what to do after graduating is a daunting one. Many fields have grim outlooks, and an undergraduate degree no longer has the power to secure a well-paying job. However, technical literacy can greatly improve job prospects. A paper by researchers at Oxfirst, an economics consulting firm, estimated that the growth in computer specialist jobs in the U.S. would increase at double the rate of all other jobs. Even outside of strictly computer-based jobs, many occupations expect candidates to have coding or technical knowledge. 

Coding is creating a buzz as a critical skill, with tech giants Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, politicians Al Gore and Michael Bloomberg, and countless other celebrities and public figures endorsing the ‘learn to code’ movement. Code.org introduces children and adults alike to the basics of code through games (including the notorious Flappy Bird) as well as tutorials that have them play logic games, engage with basic programming languages, and even create apps. This site is also the hub for the ‘Hour of Code’ challenge, which brings kid-friendly coding tutorials into classrooms around the world.

Coding hasn’t always been this accessible, as computer science has often been viewed as a kind of intangible ‘other.’ A lack of resources, education, and information on coding for non-tech students has built a boundary around computer science. For example, computers with relevant software to get started in coding are not as easily accessible for students outside of computing, and, even with the proper technology, there are fewer academic support systems to facilitate learning. The division has been perpetuated by tech-exclusive events that are elusive to other students due to an unfamiliar culture, technical jargon, and steep learning curve.

However, the walls are breaking down. Computer science, which once stood as an autonomous field, is now increasingly becoming integrated into everything we do. Mohamed Adam Chaieb, a U3 software engineering student, has witnessed the changing dynamics within industries. “Everyone needs to understand that things are changing,” he told The Daily. “Software is everywhere. People who don’t have an understanding are missing out on so much potential.” He echoes the growing consensus that some knowledge of computers and technology is absolutely essential to achieve progress in any field. Technical literacy is a prerequisite for the future.

Across academic fields, we are seeing the integration of computation and programming. Biology has embraced technology to give way to computational biology, which aims to model, represent, and understand complex physiological systems through algorithms and data processing. Recognizing the potential of programming within the field, McGill offers a joint major in Computer Science and Biology that trains students to apply computer and math skills in the analysis of large data sets. The interdisciplinary Quantitative Biology program also uses students’ foundation in coding to use data. The marriage of computers and biology has led to initiatives such as the Human Genome Project, which successfully sequenced the genome’s three billion base pairs, and has opened the doors to new, more powerful research.

Biology is not alone in the technology revolution. Nearly all fields now have an integrated coding component: linguistics uses sound analysis, language acquisition software, and machine translation; history implements databases and 3D artifact reconstruction; medicine relies heavily on scanning and imaging technology and record keeping software; environmental studies employs tracking devices; architecture uses modelling software. Coding is not just for programmers and engineers anymore.

Beyond academia, understanding code can help students understand the technology that powers their lives. From online course software to mobile applications, a basic knowledge of code logic can help you harness technology. Many aspects of the university studentís life could be simplified or clarified by a knowledge of code. Things like understanding Google search commands (like filetype options, AND/OR, or the use of quotation marks) can improve search results, and manipulating Excel documents with booleans and logic equations can make labs a breeze.

Even beyond practical usage, coding provides an alternate way of thinking. Employing logic through the mind of a computer forces rationality, brevity, and accuracy. Strong leaders harness interdisciplinary critical thinking by considering problems from within different mindsets (creative, mathematical, emotional, etectera) to form an optimized solution.

University students are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of coding literacy, and luckily post-secondary education provides an ideal incubator for coding acquisition. McGill offers numerous introductory courses to both general computing as it relates to society and to programming. Electives, minors, and joint majors are accessible as a complement to nearly any academic program, and provide an advantage when searching for employment. Students are also connected to a world of online resources to learn tangible, practical skills such as web design, script writing, or basic game development. The door to technological literacy is open to all.

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Foldit crossed the line from science-based game to scientific research in 2011 after developers published a paper in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. According to the paper, gamers were essential to the research discovery. “Following the failure of a wide range of attempts to solve the crystal structure of M-PMV retroviral protease […] we challenged players […] to produce accurate models of the protein. Remarkably, Foldit players were able to generate models of sufficient quality.”

The structural protein model developed by the Foldit gamers provided new insight for the design of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV. Recently, users have been folding away on Ebola-related puzzles, and scientists have been following up on the proposed protein structures with the hope of developing a new vaccine.

A similar program, EyeWire, creates a game out of mapping neurons. Gamers fill in artificial intelligence knowledge gaps by highlighting logical paths and eventually completing maps of individual neurons. More than 2,000 EyeWire gamers have been accredited in a recent paper, also published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, that unveiled the mechanism by which mammals detect an objectís direction of motion. The publishing of legitimate papers gives credibility to the idea of mass outsourced innovation: it’s more than just gaming.

Mass outsourcing, or crowdsourcing, isn’t a new idea. Ten years ago, Luis von Ahn, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, conceived a project called the ESP Game, which gathered information about images on the web in the guise of a game. Images pose an issue in computer science, as they are not easily analyzed, recognized, or classified by computers. However, collective human logic can help fill in the gaps that automated systems will inevitably leave. You’ve probably contributed to this crowdsourced data: Google harnessed the concept in 2006 with its largely popular Image Labeler game, and the security program reCAPTCHA continues to use human image recognition as both an authentication and a data collection method.

The crowdsourcing trend has also expanded from human processing to computer processing. Stanford’s Folding@home lets volunteers donate their computer power to compute protein folding problems similar to those done by Foldit. The computer can be left alone to process data and contribute to the project. By combining the power of hundreds of thousands of computers, a crowdsourced computing network is created.

This type of network has huge potential for small, independent researchers, for whom computing costs are extremely restrictive. Though there are huge amounts of data available for scientists, processing it to make real progress can be unreasonably time-consuming. However, as a result of open source initiatives, scientists can turn to the crowdsourcing of data processing power.

An open-source program called BOINC (Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing) acts as the middleman between independent scientists and the mass global network of volunteer data and processing power. Mass computation can propel science: connecting innovators with the resources they need could mean a surge in new technologies and discoveries.

After the success of BOINC, an app was released for Samsung devices that makes donating computing power as easy as charging your phone. Power Sleep uses a phone’s processing power for scientific computation while it is plugged in, fully charged, and connected to WiFi, turning everyday actions into a medium for research.

These initiatives harness power that would otherwise be wasted. Gaming becomes productive, and idle computers become tools for problem-solving. Increasing accessibility to innovation while putting excess power to use creates a productive and positive win-win technology network.

University students are stakeholders on both sides of crowdsourcing, with the potential to be both the creators and part of the crowd. Open source volunteer computing means that young startups and research projects can focus on formulating great ideas instead of securing funds and resources. Innovation, progress, and technology become more accessible to all. Helping out is also easy and accessible, and creates real results and innovation.

Open source networks and mass crowdsourced data could be precursors to a technology revolution: a connected global data network. We are moving toward a world of open technology, open data, and open computing. Could playing games and letting your phone sleep be enough to battle diseases and spark innovation despite a lack of funding? It seems that this crowdsourced teamwork could pave the way for some truly great discoveries.

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