the collective 'he'

[Caswin]

I've occasionally seen "he" or "she" being randomly mixed up to refer to a hypothetical person, when "he" would probably have been more common before. To use it universally is kind of odd.

(Then again, I wouldn't have used "he" as my go-to word for gender neutrality, either.)

[Termite]

Er, not. Little people are not objects, or things, ever. So they deserve proper reference.

[Smaug the Dragon]

As far as the collective 'he' issue, I don't think there's really a right or wrong way. The English language changes all the time - what's 'correct' grammar now will be seen as archaic in the future - why shouldn't 'she' start being used collectively too? Is there any reason why both can't be used?

But as to the textbook; perhaps I'm wrong, but it could be that the used author intentionally 'she' to avoid discrimination in a field that's largely male-dominated. I'd imagine it would have a similar effect as using 'he' in a book about nursing, or teaching, or other female-dominated roles.

I'm rather conscious about that sort of thing since I started college. Girls are definitely in the minority in our computer science class, and it's easy to feel out of place.

[bookworm]

why shouldn't 'she' start being used collectively too? Is there any reason why both can't be used?

No there is not, and if it becomes proper then that’s great. But it is not currently proper, to my knowledge, so it appear unprofessional to use it prematurely.

it could be that the used author intentionally 'she' to avoid discrimination in a field that's largely male-dominated.

That’s very possible. But that’s also my point. Using it for that kind of reason is sexist, in a backwards way.