undefined | Better HN

0 pointsrhapsodic7y ago0 comments

> Whatever the root cause, the predominance of white males (of which I am one) in tech shows that there is a lack of representation of various groups. This ought to be blindingly obvious

What I am well and truly fed up with is the implication that it is pernicious behavior on the part of white males that is responsible for this state of affairs. And that's not necessarily relevant to this particular SJW dustup, but in general it is what's implied, when it's not stated explicitly (as it often is).

0 comments

peterashford7y ago

I agree that that sometimes happens, and I agree that it is not okay when that happens. However, I really think we need to guard against reasoning along the lines of "sometimes people are overzealous with identity politics therefore lets oppose all attempts at dealing with injustice". The problem with a lot of these debates is the extreme polarisation that often occurs. We need to keep minds open and not stop thinking just because some actors in the debates are jerks

zimpenfish7y ago

> the implication that it is pernicious behavior on the part of white males that is responsible for this state of affairs.

Historically, it has been, yes. Even today, there are pockets of white males who are virulently against anyone but them having access to their little clubhouses (cf GG for one prime example.)

rhapsodicOP7y ago

>Historically, it has been, yes.

Not in the decades I have been observing this industry through my participation in it. In my observation, these past few decades the efforts to increase female and minority employment have far outweighed the rare instances of discrimination I've seen.

> Even today, there are pockets of white males who are virulently against anyone but them having access to their little clubhouses (cf GG for one prime example.)

If they're a "prime example", then why do I have no clue who you're talking about?

zimpenfish7y ago

> Not in the decades I have been observing this industry through my participation in it.

Also decades but I have observed plenty of discrimination.

> have far outweighed the rare instances of discrimination I've seen.

Might it be possible that you're not seeing the less explicit forms of discrimination? I know I certainly wasn't until people highlighted them.

joelaw7y ago

It sounds like he's talking about GamerGate. Which, since they followed the old tech idea of race and gender not even being brought up in their ranks, indicates his opinion on most matters social justice.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

peterashford7y ago

zimpenfish7y ago

> the implication that it is pernicious behavior on the part of white males that is responsible for this state of affairs.

Historically, it has been, yes. Even today, there are pockets of white males who are virulently against anyone but them having access to their little clubhouses (cf GG for one prime example.)

rhapsodicOP7y ago

>Historically, it has been, yes.

> Even today, there are pockets of white males who are virulently against anyone but them having access to their little clubhouses (cf GG for one prime example.)

If they're a "prime example", then why do I have no clue who you're talking about?

zimpenfish7y ago

> Not in the decades I have been observing this industry through my participation in it.

Also decades but I have observed plenty of discrimination.

> have far outweighed the rare instances of discrimination I've seen.

Might it be possible that you're not seeing the less explicit forms of discrimination? I know I certainly wasn't until people highlighted them.

joelaw7y ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse