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I think you are making a number of poor logical leaps. I have read the memo in its entirety. I have begun the process of reading the citations in their entirety

I think you are making a number of poor logical leaps. I have read the memo in its entirety. I have begun the process of reading the citations in their entirety. I am, so far, entirely unconvinced of that he has proven his point about gender bias. I am entirely convinced that he did prove his entire point about the political and moral echo chamber that is Googles Mountain View office. Though he did not do it within the letter. Google helped him by firing him. Where you've made some poor logical leaps are: there is zero evidence that he shouted out his obviously controversial beliefs to the world. As far as I can tell this memo did not go to the whole world by his doing. It did not go to the entire Google staff by his doing. In fact, for all we know he was asked for his well thought out opinion on Googles diversity training and gave it to the appropriate people who did not respect the fact that he was giving his opinion to a small group and began forwarding it on. You might say I have no proof of this, and you'd be right. But you have no proof that he blasted this to the whole world. Additionally, he was a number of things in the memo but he was not an unhinged idiot. It reads like someone who was asked for his opinion on the training that was going on and whether there was value in making it mandatory. I have been asked in professional settings for my opinion on controversial matters. One time I was put into a very troubling position because of my opinion and many people were quite upset. It was uncomfortable for us all. I no longer give my opinion on controversial topics. I keep quiet and do my work and if I disagree with a policy or procedure I find new employment. I am sure the author of this memo has learned his lesson now. He will shut up. I hope that the world is a better place without his opinion.

friedman23 9y ago
Maybe you misinterpreted my statement as defending this person being silenced and fired but I was not. Frankly I have no strong opinions with regards to PC culture. It does not affect me and I see the injustice that comes from both sides. My statement was more intended to be advice, if you haven't cultivated a reputation/influence and you step out of line you will be mocked, ostracized, and perceived as an unhinged idiot. I believe the result of this debacle backs my point.
- trcollinson 9y ago
  I might very well have. So in the case that an employee is asked to give their opinion on a controversial topic, what would you suggest is the best course of action so that they will not be mocked, ostracized, and perceived as an unhinged idiot? My solution is always to just shut up. But then again, it doesn't really create a discussion around controversial topics, does it? Because the majority will mock, ostracize, and condemn you as an unhinged idiot. Is that a good thing for society? Or should we open our ears and listen? Maybe read before we speak? Maybe even debate with facts and counter facts? Before we go straight to the mocking, ostracizing, and condemning. These are all hypothetical questions of course. But something to think about. Edit: because my phone likes four letter words that sound like shut.
  - friedman23 9y ago
    It's obviously not good for society but it's also wrong to believe you will make any positive impact by throwing away all influence you have and effectively ruining your own life. Do you think this person that has been fired has gained anything? Do you think anything will change because of this memo? I don't.
    - trcollinson 9y ago
      I come from a legal background so pardon my argument. I don't mean to offend. I do agree with you, if in fact that was the authors intent. The issue you bring up is a good one though. Did he believe that he would throw away his influence and ruin his life by sharing this opinion? That's very tough to prove one way or the other. It entirely depends on the circumstances surrounding why he wrote the memo. If he did so entirely on his own without being asked or provoked, then you are right. If he was asked to write the memo by a superior or someone in perceived authority, you may be partially correct. If he was led to believe his opinion would be valued and his reputation kept and protected, then you are quite wrong. Unfortunately, I don't believe we will ever know the truth. So this interesting academic exercise will never really come to a conclusion. Now, on the other hand. A thorough reading of the source would indicate that he should know that essentially saying that Google is biased against privileged individuals (say, white, male software engineers) is a pretty hard position to defend and he was foolish for attempting the argument. But hindsight is 20/20.

friedman23 9y ago

Maybe you misinterpreted my statement as defending this person being silenced and fired but I was not. Frankly I have no strong opinions with regards to PC culture. It does not affect me and I see the injustice that comes from both sides. My statement was more intended to be advice, if you haven't cultivated a reputation/influence and you step out of line you will be mocked, ostracized, and perceived as an unhinged idiot. I believe the result of this debacle backs my point.

trcollinson 9y ago
I might very well have. So in the case that an employee is asked to give their opinion on a controversial topic, what would you suggest is the best course of action so that they will not be mocked, ostracized, and perceived as an unhinged idiot? My solution is always to just shut up. But then again, it doesn't really create a discussion around controversial topics, does it? Because the majority will mock, ostracize, and condemn you as an unhinged idiot. Is that a good thing for society? Or should we open our ears and listen? Maybe read before we speak? Maybe even debate with facts and counter facts? Before we go straight to the mocking, ostracizing, and condemning. These are all hypothetical questions of course. But something to think about. Edit: because my phone likes four letter words that sound like shut.
- friedman23 9y ago
  It's obviously not good for society but it's also wrong to believe you will make any positive impact by throwing away all influence you have and effectively ruining your own life. Do you think this person that has been fired has gained anything? Do you think anything will change because of this memo? I don't.
  - trcollinson 9y ago
    I come from a legal background so pardon my argument. I don't mean to offend. I do agree with you, if in fact that was the authors intent. The issue you bring up is a good one though. Did he believe that he would throw away his influence and ruin his life by sharing this opinion? That's very tough to prove one way or the other. It entirely depends on the circumstances surrounding why he wrote the memo. If he did so entirely on his own without being asked or provoked, then you are right. If he was asked to write the memo by a superior or someone in perceived authority, you may be partially correct. If he was led to believe his opinion would be valued and his reputation kept and protected, then you are quite wrong. Unfortunately, I don't believe we will ever know the truth. So this interesting academic exercise will never really come to a conclusion. Now, on the other hand. A thorough reading of the source would indicate that he should know that essentially saying that Google is biased against privileged individuals (say, white, male software engineers) is a pretty hard position to defend and he was foolish for attempting the argument. But hindsight is 20/20.