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This makes it sound like there is only one kind of quota in the world. Speaking as a woman who worked in tech for many years, I saw a ton of mediocre dudes get
by Arete314159 5y ago
This makes it sound like there is only one kind of quota in the world. Speaking as a woman who worked in tech for many years, I saw a ton of mediocre dudes get promoted and a ton of super-talented women stay at the bottom rung. I also had workplaces where all the leadership just happened to be caucasian males from the same tight-knit religion.
Somehow, promoting folks who are culturally just like you (in spite of mediocre ability) is considered a meritocracy, while hiring folks who DON'T look like you is considered a lower-quality diversity hire?
And, speaking of hiring just by resumes, I attended Harvard and we had something even lower status than the waitlist -- the "z list." That was the just-squeaking-in applicants who came from wealthy / connected families, but who wouldn't have gotten in otherwise. I knew one of them; he was not the brightest. But later on, he'd have Harvard on his resume and might outperform another applicant on a blind application. When you dig into it, the so-called meritocracy is often just a machine for consolidating privilege among the already privileged.
- mbrodersen 5y agoI agree with you. However I don’t see a way to truly fix the problem. If your parents are doing well, have a stable loving marriage, highly encourage education etc. you are always going to have a massive advantage compared with a kid who’s parents are divorced/disfunctional, doesn’t consider getting a good education important etc. Also, it is a fact that most people feel more comfortable and communicate better with people who has a similar background to themselves. The soft skills matter a lot more than people think. Yes it is unfair and there is a way to reduce the disadvantages: free health care and free education. It doesn’t completely remove the problems (you don’t choose your parents/culture) but it does make it more likely that disadvantages kids can realise their potential.
- mbrodersen 5y agoIt would also help if talented woman/minorities founded more software companies. It does happen but it seems to be more rare? Do you have any insight into why that is? Have you ever considered starting a biz yourself?