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0 pointsthrowaway13512y ago0 comments

You seem to be saying: since coding is a valuable activity, any group not coding is a waste.

Is that correct?

0 comments

Any group underrepresented in [valuable activity x]relative to its distribution of talent.

You can theoretically have a distribution in which natural aptitude is equal, the distribution is skewed (more men than women) and it's not horribly inefficient, but I think if you spell out the assumptions of such a distribution, it's not especially realistic.

newnewnew12y ago

There is good reason to believe that natural aptitude is not equal[1][2]

[1] https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7DMQCP3v6SZQUw1MnNWbXBUV3M/...

[2] http://www.aei-ideas.org/2012/09/2012-sat-test-results-a-hug...

tszyn12y ago

What if women are equal to men in coding aptitude, but simply don't want to code? Is that still a waste that we should do something about?

hyperpape12y ago

Depends on why. If it really is because regardless of what social expectations there are, women are just less interested, that's harmless. But I think it's obvious that with a look at history and present attitudes, we can't assume an observed difference in interest is neutral that way.

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0 comments

hyperpape12y ago

Any group underrepresented in [valuable activity x]relative to its distribution of talent.

newnewnew12y ago

There is good reason to believe that natural aptitude is not equal[1][2]

[1] https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7DMQCP3v6SZQUw1MnNWbXBUV3M/...

[2] http://www.aei-ideas.org/2012/09/2012-sat-test-results-a-hug...

tszyn12y ago

What if women are equal to men in coding aptitude, but simply don't want to code? Is that still a waste that we should do something about?

hyperpape12y ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse