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Maybe we don't need more women in software. Maybe people shouldn't be persuaded to pick careers based on what "society wants" or what demographic ratios "shoul

by ucee054 14y ago

Maybe we don't need more women in software. Maybe people shouldn't be persuaded to pick careers based on what "society wants" or what demographic ratios "should" be. Maybe we need more women, no, more people to pick the most advantageous careers for them personally.

bct 14y ago
The entire article is about personal experiences that have prevented people from doing the things that they're interested in. It doesn't say anything about what society wants, or ideal demographic ratios, or whatever. This isn't about philosophy or ideology, and it's interesting that so many people here are framing it that way.
- ucee054 14y ago
  They frame it that way because the article does hint at it, especially in intro bullet 3 >>> The Gender Gap in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields and in Silicon Valley is a hot topic right now. We hear the same questions over and over, from many different directions: * What are the causes of this phenomenon? * What are the solutions? * Is it even something we ought to be concerned about?(I won’t dignify that last one with an answer.)
- ucee054 14y ago
  By the way, I am a bit dubious about the "personal experience" involved here, because - the way I understand it - it's about a dearth of societal role models. I was never even aware of that as a factor. If I had been, I should have thought "Of course I can't engineer software because according to our society's stereotypes of middle eastern people, I should become a terrorist instead". I don't get why anyone should even care about stereotypes in the first place (let alone have to de-program themselves) because they should decide for themselves as individuals. Grumble grumble, Identity Politics, grumble grumble.
rademi 14y ago
Once upon a time, computer programming was a job for women, and not for men. So, based on that period of history, we can equivalently suggest: Maybe we don't need more men in software? (I do not believe either suggestion, not for a second. And I am disturbed that people are so ignorant of history. Both the women subject to stereotype threat and the men suggesting it's a non-issue are making this same kind of mistake. So, instead, I'd like to point out that women are awesomely smart. So deal with it. Please.)

by ucee054 14y ago

bct 14y ago

The entire article is about personal experiences that have prevented people from doing the things that they're interested in. It doesn't say anything about what society wants, or ideal demographic ratios, or whatever. This isn't about philosophy or ideology, and it's interesting that so many people here are framing it that way.

ucee054 14y ago
They frame it that way because the article does hint at it, especially in intro bullet 3 >>> The Gender Gap in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields and in Silicon Valley is a hot topic right now. We hear the same questions over and over, from many different directions: * What are the causes of this phenomenon? * What are the solutions? * Is it even something we ought to be concerned about?(I won’t dignify that last one with an answer.)
ucee054 14y ago
By the way, I am a bit dubious about the "personal experience" involved here, because - the way I understand it - it's about a dearth of societal role models. I was never even aware of that as a factor. If I had been, I should have thought "Of course I can't engineer software because according to our society's stereotypes of middle eastern people, I should become a terrorist instead". I don't get why anyone should even care about stereotypes in the first place (let alone have to de-program themselves) because they should decide for themselves as individuals. Grumble grumble, Identity Politics, grumble grumble.

rademi 14y ago

Once upon a time, computer programming was a job for women, and not for men. So, based on that period of history, we can equivalently suggest: Maybe we don't need more men in software? (I do not believe either suggestion, not for a second. And I am disturbed that people are so ignorant of history. Both the women subject to stereotype threat and the men suggesting it's a non-issue are making this same kind of mistake. So, instead, I'd like to point out that women are awesomely smart. So deal with it. Please.)