4 ms·

I’ve wondered about this. If you assume that intelligence is evenly distributed across some demographic and a particular group is underrepresented, then you’re

I’ve wondered about this. If you assume that intelligence is evenly distributed across some demographic and a particular group is underrepresented, then you’re missing a lot of intelligent people and accepting a lot of less intelligent people in your overrepresented group. Any company that is struggling with hiring should take notice. I’ve noticed a bias towards Ivies and traditionally well regarded CS schools in initial recruitment, in getting interviews and in decisions. And sure, that’s understandable, but would it really hurt for Google to send a few recruiters to HBCU’s? Or for Microsoft to sponsor a program for underprivileged kids to learn to program. Or heck, help kids who can’t afford to go to college still get opportunities in tech.

Shekelberg 8y ago
> If you assume that intelligence is evenly distributed across some demographic Why on earth would you assume this? It's well known that IQ scores do differ across demographic groups. Maybe you are assuming that all groups have equal underlying genetic potential, but there's no actual evidence for this, it's just the politically correct belief that everyone is scared to question.
- antwerpen 8y ago
  Because IQ and Intelligence are not the same thing.
- unimpressive 8y ago
  >Maybe you are assuming that all groups have equal underlying genetic potential, but there's no actual evidence for this, it's just the politically correct belief that everyone is scared to question. Well, for good reason. The eugenics programs of the 20th century didn't noticeably improve the average persons life but did ruin (or end) the lives of millions. I'm not surprised people are scared after an outcome like that. Not to mention the supremacist arguments which relied on disparities in ethnic intelligence being the scientific consensus. 19th century social justice activists were able to simultaneously believe that consensus and advocate on behalf of folks. A lot of the problem with the new school is its withering fragility. I'm to understand the jury is still out on whether variance in IQ scores represents underlying genetic variance in g, but which outcome should we hope for? I think I'd prefer to live in the world where it's genetic, that's generously solvable outright with a few decades of well funded research into genetic engineering. By contrast, bigotry and social disparities are intractable logistical nightmares that might take a century to solve.
flukus 8y ago
> then you’re missing a lot of intelligent people and accepting a lot of less intelligent people in your overrepresented group. This is true even if intelligence isn't evenly distributed. > Any company that is struggling with hiring should take notice. I wouldn't rely on companies to solve it, equality of opportunity needs to start much earlier.
- _hardwaregeek 8y ago
  > I wouldn't rely on companies to solve it, equality of opportunity needs to start much earlier. Completely agree. However, I’m amazed that otherwise profit oriented companies wouldn’t think to explore alternative recruitment channels (even if they take time)

Shekelberg 8y ago

> If you assume that intelligence is evenly distributed across some demographic Why on earth would you assume this? It's well known that IQ scores do differ across demographic groups. Maybe you are assuming that all groups have equal underlying genetic potential, but there's no actual evidence for this, it's just the politically correct belief that everyone is scared to question.

antwerpen 8y ago
Because IQ and Intelligence are not the same thing.
unimpressive 8y ago
>Maybe you are assuming that all groups have equal underlying genetic potential, but there's no actual evidence for this, it's just the politically correct belief that everyone is scared to question. Well, for good reason. The eugenics programs of the 20th century didn't noticeably improve the average persons life but did ruin (or end) the lives of millions. I'm not surprised people are scared after an outcome like that. Not to mention the supremacist arguments which relied on disparities in ethnic intelligence being the scientific consensus. 19th century social justice activists were able to simultaneously believe that consensus and advocate on behalf of folks. A lot of the problem with the new school is its withering fragility. I'm to understand the jury is still out on whether variance in IQ scores represents underlying genetic variance in g, but which outcome should we hope for? I think I'd prefer to live in the world where it's genetic, that's generously solvable outright with a few decades of well funded research into genetic engineering. By contrast, bigotry and social disparities are intractable logistical nightmares that might take a century to solve.

flukus 8y ago

> then you’re missing a lot of intelligent people and accepting a lot of less intelligent people in your overrepresented group. This is true even if intelligence isn't evenly distributed. > Any company that is struggling with hiring should take notice. I wouldn't rely on companies to solve it, equality of opportunity needs to start much earlier.

_hardwaregeek 8y ago
> I wouldn't rely on companies to solve it, equality of opportunity needs to start much earlier. Completely agree. However, I’m amazed that otherwise profit oriented companies wouldn’t think to explore alternative recruitment channels (even if they take time)