I wanted to post a link to Slate Star Codex’s blog post “CONTRA GRANT ON EXAGGERATED DIFFERENCES” because it’s one of the better looks on sex differences that I took the time to read. There are a couple of others and I may re-find them and update this later for future reference. Codex’s blog posting is a response to “Differences between Men and Women are Vastly Exaggerated“, an article by Adam Grant that was widely read post Google Manifesto release.
In a modern society such as ours, it really should not be controversial to discuss, in a rational way:
- that there really are documented differences between the sexes
- that those differences don’t make either sex any better or worse
- that in many ways these differences are complimentary and should be seen as such
- that the differences should not be segmented, eradicated, ignored or glossed over but utilized to best advantage
- that small differences in a population can actually produce large results
- that we should not view natural sorting by preference or choice as a bad thing or something to be fought
and I could go on about what shouldn’t be that controversial to discuss. But we apparently don’t live in a country that values open discussion, open inquiry, or a search for truth based in an objective reality any more. Apparently, we are post-truth, becoming post-rational and maybe well on our way to being post-science, but that’s another topic. Most things on my list above are seemingly self-evident; simply living in the world and observing interpersonal dynamics reveals these differences, but hey, all of that is simply an evil Western social construct created by the bigoted, cis-gendered, white, heterosexual male oppressors to preserve the patriarchy, so what do I know.
So, just a reminder, this memo, authored by started all the broo-ha:
http://gizmodo.com/exclusive-heres-the-full-10-page-anti-diversity-screed-1797564320
It should be noted that pretty much every Leftist either went ballistic or was triggered out of their minds over this well reasoned, documented and actually quite moderate paper. You’ll note in the link and the page, that it is described as “anti-diversity screed”. Also, for the record, you can identify every Left leaning media and web outlet, based on how they described this memo/manifesto. Do a, ironically, Google or Twitter search for “#googlemanifesto” or “#googlememo” and you can see the range of reactions.
The MSM coverage of this document was absolutely appalling. There is a reason CNN has the “fake news” reputation in Right leaning circles. It’s because of things like this:
This is blatant misrepresentation of the #GoogleMemo. You should be embarrased by your lack of journalistic integrity, @CNN 🙉 pic.twitter.com/BbM9YXcTB4
— The Safest Space (@TheSafestSpace) August 8, 2017
This Twitter lede is a perverse rendering of what is actually in the memo.
From the memo itself, the author says he supports the diversity efforts at Google and appreciates diversity. The kicker for the memo author is essentially that Google goes about remediating their lack of diversity by discriminating, that some programs should be opened to everyone, because they can actually benefit everyone. There are other points, and you should read the original memo for yourself. Pro-Tip: Always read primary sources.
Other outlets simply throw up what amounts to a straw man argument against the memo’s contents. In this Wired article, “Even the guy behind the research thinks that Googler is wrong“. The author of the article states the following:
“Damore wrote that the lack of diversity within leadership roles is due to innate personality differences between men and women…”
No. James Damore was very careful to qualify his statements regarding the statistics and research he cites, and he does not say this. He argues that sex differences, leading to preference based decisions, are an additional factor that is not being considered in the current diversity environment. He is countering the myopic view of the Left that every non-diverse environment is based on some overt discrimination.
The researcher, David Schmidtt that the author quotes says as much:
I believe there is good evidence of both sexism (including sex stereotypes) and real psychological sex differences (some of which may be evolved) to be causes of the gender gaps across occupations.”
The other quotes from Dr. Schmidtt actually support Damore’s primary argumentative thrust as well, not contradict it. This is shoddy journalism. An article written not for truth, but to support a narrative about and discredit the contents of the Google Memo.
To say that this has caused internal explosions at Google would be an understatement. Some at Google have some jaw-dropping things to say:
Google Leak #1
Google Leak #2
Google Leak #3
Google Leak #4
Google Leak #5 Pie Chart of Survey
Google Leak #6
Google Leak #7
While all of these are revealing in their own way, the most interesting image to me is the pie chart detailing the results of an internal survey revealing Googlers’ reaction to the memo. I’m going to embed it for quick perusal. It’s clear that Google is not homogeneous with respect to these views expressed by the SJWs.
As you can see, while there is a significant portion of Googlers that don’t agree with the memo’s point of view (48.5%), there is no small percentage of people at Google that hold a different view (~36%), and a good portion that are willing to sit the fence (12.6%). Also, there is a large contingent that are willing to have views aired and discussed without rushing to judgment. Forty-two percent strongly disagreed with the statement: “The document is harmful and shouldn’t have been shared.” Only 19.1% strongly agreed with it being harmful and should not be published. Overall, the majority did not see the memo as harmful (57.4%), which is actually good to see. You can argue the sample size is relatively small compared to the Google population and probably indicative of those most passionate about the issue. But, Google would be wise to tread lightly, and not allow the most vocal of the inmates to run the asylum.
Other sites are noting that there is internal support for the memo author’s views as well. I post the link and the headline below, to illustrate the derisive way in which this is spun. Note that Motherboard is leading with “anti-diversity”.
Internal Reactions to Google Employee’s Manifesto Show Anti-Diversity Views Have Support
Regardless of spin, I don’t think the numbers lie. There are large numbers of people in Google and larger numbers in American society that are not drinking the SJW Kool-Aid, and probably never will. This episode, James Damore vs Google, is just one more skirmish in the culture war. The war is not over, no matter what the Left wants to tell you and it won’t end for the Left until we all capitulate to their ideology.
Welcome to the real resistance.