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Aren't Asians fairly well represented in tech, particularly at the larger SV firms? If they're trying to keep things exclusively White, I'm not sure they're doi

Aren't Asians fairly well represented in tech, particularly at the larger SV firms? If they're trying to keep things exclusively White, I'm not sure they're doing a great job of it. This of course isn't to say that bias/discrimination isn't a problem and that there isn't a ton of progress to be made on hiring employees of diverse backgrounds. Slightly tangential, but what's the generally accepted definition of "techbros"? I see the term used quite often but never really understand who exactly it applies to, it just seems like a nonspecific putdown. I don't work in SV though so I could just be out of the loop.

grabcocque 9y ago
Probably, because Asians are positively stereotyped as being good at STEM. But a stereotype is still a stereotype.
- Inconel 9y ago
  It's late, and sometimes my reading comprehension sucks, so just to be extra clear, are you suggesting that the representation of Asians in tech is due to the stereotype of Asians being good at STEM and not the fact that Asians are well represented in STEM fields at the college/university level, and subsequently are mostly likely quite competent in these fields which are often required in the tech industry?
  - matt4077 9y ago
    It's probably a bit of both, exactly in the way that the underrepresentation of women is also perpetuated by the stereotypes that work to convince many women to stay out of tech in the first place. IT has, for example, become the easiest way to get to the US on an H1B visa. As a result, Asia saw a boom in IT education, has many qualified instructors coming back from the US etc. It also helps that IT is probably the highest-paying profession where language skills are somewhat secondary.
    - Inconel 9y ago
      I appreciate your comment, and I should state that I am aware of the impact that stereotypes, both positive and negative, may play in the broader cultural landscape influencing career choice, among many other things. With that being said, saying it's a "bit of both", in my opinion downplays the extraordinary effort that Asians in the US have shown in gaining admittance to many STEM careers. This is particularly important considering Asians suffer from many negative stereotypes, I would unscientifically say far more negative ones than positive ones, and are often held to much higher academic standards than their black, Hispanic, or white peers with regards to college admissions. I understand that no malice was meant on your part but it still strikes me as somewhat downplaying the effort part of the equation. I'd also add that your response was far more nuanced than the poster I was originally responding to, which is why I was asking for clarification in the first place.

grabcocque 9y ago

Probably, because Asians are positively stereotyped as being good at STEM. But a stereotype is still a stereotype.

Inconel 9y ago
It's late, and sometimes my reading comprehension sucks, so just to be extra clear, are you suggesting that the representation of Asians in tech is due to the stereotype of Asians being good at STEM and not the fact that Asians are well represented in STEM fields at the college/university level, and subsequently are mostly likely quite competent in these fields which are often required in the tech industry?
- matt4077 9y ago
  It's probably a bit of both, exactly in the way that the underrepresentation of women is also perpetuated by the stereotypes that work to convince many women to stay out of tech in the first place. IT has, for example, become the easiest way to get to the US on an H1B visa. As a result, Asia saw a boom in IT education, has many qualified instructors coming back from the US etc. It also helps that IT is probably the highest-paying profession where language skills are somewhat secondary.
  - Inconel 9y ago
    I appreciate your comment, and I should state that I am aware of the impact that stereotypes, both positive and negative, may play in the broader cultural landscape influencing career choice, among many other things. With that being said, saying it's a "bit of both", in my opinion downplays the extraordinary effort that Asians in the US have shown in gaining admittance to many STEM careers. This is particularly important considering Asians suffer from many negative stereotypes, I would unscientifically say far more negative ones than positive ones, and are often held to much higher academic standards than their black, Hispanic, or white peers with regards to college admissions. I understand that no malice was meant on your part but it still strikes me as somewhat downplaying the effort part of the equation. I'd also add that your response was far more nuanced than the poster I was originally responding to, which is why I was asking for clarification in the first place.