5 ms·

I've been wondering about this. Say that we can prove the distribution of Male/Female interest in technology/no interest in technology, and for arguments sake s

I've been wondering about this. Say that we can prove the distribution of Male/Female interest in technology/no interest in technology, and for arguments sake say we can reliably measure that to be 75:25 male to female. Then we look at the industry as a whole and we discover placement is 90:10, that'd be indicative of a gap, and it'd be equitable to ensure that people who's interests lie in tech are not prevented from perusing it. Would that be a fair and honest thing to do?

Smutte 9y ago
First of all, even having that conversation would be a HUGE leap forward in terms of intellectual honesty. The easy answer to you question (which I think many would agree with) is yes. However, reality is a bit more complicated. Is the 75/25 split in the total population or Google applicants? Are differences originating from things under Google control or from other parts of society? etcetcetc. This is the conversation that should be had. To see differences and honestly discuss them (including striking down on unfair discrimination), while also discussing what the goal should be and what trade-offs we might want to make to get there. But all of this is impossible when a significant and loud part of the population answer with calling people "sexist" and firing anyone who tries to broaden and nuance the conversation
mercer 9y ago
I suppose it would be? But I'm not entirely sure I understand how your comment relates to mine though. Could you elaborate?
- TheAdamAndChe 9y ago
  From how I'm interpreting it, ryan-allen is saying "If there are quantified differences between the sexes, and even with the biological differences taken into consideration we still see a gap, should we do something about it?" which is a fantastic question made more difficult by the fact that it won't ever be quantifiable. There may be legitimate biological factors affecting career preference, but how do we determine when that stops and cultural suppression begins?
  - AstralStorm 9y ago
    Easily enough. Ethnography is the main source of help there. Check other cultures with different set of biases. Failing that, attempt to experimentally manufacture a different culture in a small scale experiment.

Smutte 9y ago

First of all, even having that conversation would be a HUGE leap forward in terms of intellectual honesty. The easy answer to you question (which I think many would agree with) is yes. However, reality is a bit more complicated. Is the 75/25 split in the total population or Google applicants? Are differences originating from things under Google control or from other parts of society? etcetcetc. This is the conversation that should be had. To see differences and honestly discuss them (including striking down on unfair discrimination), while also discussing what the goal should be and what trade-offs we might want to make to get there. But all of this is impossible when a significant and loud part of the population answer with calling people "sexist" and firing anyone who tries to broaden and nuance the conversation

mercer 9y ago

I suppose it would be? But I'm not entirely sure I understand how your comment relates to mine though. Could you elaborate?

TheAdamAndChe 9y ago
From how I'm interpreting it, ryan-allen is saying "If there are quantified differences between the sexes, and even with the biological differences taken into consideration we still see a gap, should we do something about it?" which is a fantastic question made more difficult by the fact that it won't ever be quantifiable. There may be legitimate biological factors affecting career preference, but how do we determine when that stops and cultural suppression begins?
- AstralStorm 9y ago
  Easily enough. Ethnography is the main source of help there. Check other cultures with different set of biases. Failing that, attempt to experimentally manufacture a different culture in a small scale experiment.