Many have read or at least heard about the 10-page paper by James Damore and his subsequent firing by Google.
What most have failed to note is simply that the workplace performance differences attributable to sex are of the same magnitude as, or smaller than, those attributable to other group classifiers such as age, race, education, economic history, and so on. There are quantifiable differences everywhere you look. Few are relevant to anything.
Damore seems to argue that because such differences exist and are measurable, they impose a burden or create negative impact. Nothing could be further from the truth. Damore is literally using his numbers backwards.
First, the differences between individuals easily overwhelm the differences between sub-groups, especially in tech, and particularly in software development. So anything that may appear to be relevant at some level of classification fails miserably when applied to individuals.
Second, Damore conveniently ignores the evidence that diversity (of all types, not just sex) is a net positive in technical environments. Working with people different from ourselves can literally make the best even better.
I prefer to think of our differences as the aggregate in the concrete that binds us together as a team, making it far stronger than the cement alone.
Personally, I've done some of my best work while part of diverse teams. In particular, design and code reviews in a diverse environment are much more dynamic, creative and productive.
I've seen the petty passive-aggressive discrimination some express, such as consistently claiming they can't understand a coworker's accent, when in fact they understand just fine. Or by snubbing others at social team or group activities. Or by making snide comments behind their back. Or by doing that fakey "Hello..." subtly sexist greeting.
Most of this is done by folks who look like me, a white male. But some is also done by members of other various minorities trying to "fit in", which perhaps is the greatest tragedy of all.
This makes me both angry and sad. My anger keeps me vigilant, always willing to redirect or defuse a situation, and to take more direct action in private. My sadness keeps me open and sensitive, seeking out my quieter colleagues, looking for signs of exclusion.
I need all my colleagues. I work best as a member of a team. Yes, I do have my individual "rockstar" moments, and I treasure them, but they don't happen every day. My team is what happens every day. It is what enables my best moments.
Damore simply doesn't get that. I can only wonder how well he works on any team, much less a diverse team.
