Booth babes back and as off-putting as ever at CES

I can't really get too worked up about CES. Sometimes some interesting things come out of it. Most of the time it doesn't. The major firms have big events when they are making really significant announcements, so CES is no longer the place for really groundbreaking developments.

I can though get a bit worked up over the continuing presence of 'booth babes' at the event. The whole thing is a bit gross isn't it? More importantly, it still perpuates the image that technology is not an industry for women. It's the equivalent of meetings in the City being held at Strip Clubs - sure everyone has the adult choice to be there, but it is rather off putting for potential female participants, putting them in an uncomfortable position.

Moves like this just build the perception that tech is just not for girls. Recently I bought a PS Vita and, despite broadly receiving excellent customer service, I was asked multiple times "is this for you" by mildly confused sales assistants. Yes, I eventually explained, "girls play games too!"

Booth babes damage the reputation of an indsutry that almost more than any other will dictate how we live in the future. Tech is fun and important, and it mustn't be closed off or unapproachable for the majority of the planet.

Like politics, the media, and finance, technology must gow up stop being a little boys club.