I personally find calling people "a female" or "a male" (adjectives used as nouns) to come across as somewhat depersonalizing, as if implying that this were the only significant fact about the person. I would say the same goes for these examples:
The choice of "female" vs. "woman" (and "male" vs. "man") also seems significant to me. "Female" and "male" sound more clinical and biological — the sort of thing one would expect on a lab report or an autopsy — while "woman" and "man" sound more social or casual. As a male, I have testicles; as a man, I am often expected to be interested in football, porno, and books about war.
I agree broadly with this. I'd suggest that "if you are a female reader" feels less depersonalising than "if you are a female". It feels to me like it is conveying the relevant criteria without oversimplifying people to just their gender.
In another thread, we have been discussing how people (especially female people) have come to find out about LessWrong. Instead of just guessing, I figured I would make a poll.
I remember in recent history there was a thread on the subject, but the answers were mainly "I got here from HPMoR" or "I've been here since OB". However, the question I want answered is:
How did you find HPMoR or OB in the first place?
Were you referred by a friend? Were you searching the internet for keywords like "rationality"? Were you linked from some other site you read?
Please answer! Even if you are a lurker; ESPECIALLY if you are a female reader! (There is a question where you can say you are a lurker, if you like!)
Click here to take the poll!
ETA- female *reader* and female *people*