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But that's exactly what miffs most HN readers, I think---that calls for "more women in tech" are generalizations. It's not "Marissa Meyer should be CEO, not La
by invalidOrTaken 15y ago
But that's exactly what miffs most HN readers, I think---that calls for "more women in tech" are generalizations. It's not "Marissa Meyer should be CEO, not Larry," it's "more women in leadership in tech." This sentiment is in turn often justified by anecdotes. Marissa Meyer can almost certainly code circles around me. Most people here have read Jean Hsu's submissions/comments and know that she knows what she's talking about. So what? It's still true that CS enrollment is 80/20 M/F.
I hold an extremely high opinion of most HN readers. I have never before in my life talked with so many people who intimidate me through raw intelligence alone. I find it very hard to believe that there's some secret sexist agenda upon which they've all agreed.
Rather, I think HN has an extremely low tolerance for bullshit, and a hacker's typical hyper-focus on competence.
The hacker ethic is pretty egalitarian; it basically boils down to "If you know your stuff, you can hang with us." Peter Deutsch was 12 when he was messing around in the MIT lab, and no one minded---except the pointy-headed academics, which is typical.
So to say in the midst of a hackers' forum that we ought to judge on something other than technical merit...well, what do you expect? Startups don't need women---women are ditzy, appearance-focused, and scared of risk. Startups don't need men either---men are prone to irrational risky behavior, overconfident, and inconsiderate. Startups need engineers, and they are rare enough in both genders that they'll take them if they're blind, half-man half-woman, triple-lesbian, WHATEVER.
There are social issues (particularly in beginning CS classes, IMO) that can be addressed, but the issue is generally not male discrimination in the Valley, and that's what the article implies. That's what stirs the reaction here.
And stop your straw-man labeling. It brings down the level of discussion.