Information, ideas, or resources that are put into a system, process, or discussion. It can also mean the act of entering data into a computer.
Formed in English from 'in' + 'put' in the 19th century, first used in technical and mechanical contexts. It grew popular with the rise of computing.
We talk about ‘input’ as if it’s neutral, but the quality of input almost always shapes the quality of output. Your brain works like a system too: what you read, watch, and hear becomes the input that trains your thinking.
In organizational and technical contexts, women’s “input” has historically been solicited but then undervalued or ignored, especially in male-dominated fields like engineering and computing. This pattern has contributed to products and systems that reflect male-centric assumptions.
When asking for input, ensure that contributions from women and marginalized groups are not only collected but visibly integrated into decisions. Avoid tokenizing by inviting input without real influence.
["feedback","contribution","perspective"]
When recounting design or policy processes, credit women whose input shaped outcomes, even if they lacked formal titles or recognition.
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