Meanwhile, "Shawnee" is a really rare name[2], one you may not be aware of if you didn't grow up in the US (or in particular parts thereof). (Apparently only 4000 of them are alive today!)
Just as an aside, using "they" by default can be very confusing, especially when plurals are involved. I use it sometimes, but prefer to use the passive voice instead ("the parent poster", etc.) I definitely do not have time to check every person's profile when I comment on HN.
1: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=shawn
2: http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=shawnee&rawformassumpti...
> I definitely do not have time to check every person's profile when I comment on HN.
At least then we should not make explicit such gender assumptions, regardless.
I have never heard the name "Shawnee" and generally do not assume usernames on web forums are indicative of real-life anything (e.g. you are 'striking', but apparently that is not your name).
I agree 'they' is an awkward construction in English, but for many people the alternative using passive voice is a little more complex to use (cf. non-native English speakers).
I'm not sure I see the point in thinking this long and hard about pronouns, but to each his own.
But you're going to have to get used to the singular "they", because it seems to only be getting more common (historically, singular "they" was acceptable until the late 19th century, so the strictly plural "they" might be seen as a 20th century anomaly).
> I think you missed his point. He was speaking generally [..]
shawnee_ --> hackeress.com
> What is a hackeress?
> A hackeress is a female hacker.
Bad form to assume all people are males in this domain (or even the majority for that matter, regardless of the actual statistics).
Use the form "they" when referring to someone whose gender (or gender identity) is unknown to you. Or check their profiles ;)
2¢