As someone in the tech industry (historically, alternative energy and blockchain), I see what you are talking about all the time, ESPECIALLY in blockchain. I HATE that this happens, I hate that women can’t express themselves without being considered “bitchy”. Some of the best engineers that have ever worked under me have been women and some have been men. In alt energy, at least in my experience, the divide is not so great, the focus is on providing a very difficult goal of creating renewable energy and competitive costs.
Blockchain on the other hand, seems to attract the dregs of men you are talking about.
But I definitely think that you have taken a small minded view of capitalism. Is acting to reject 51% of the population a healthy strategy in free market capitalism? Is creating toxic communities that reject women and discouraging them from competing in the labor force a good plan in a capitalistic economy? This idea doesn’t make sense.
People behaving poorly to each other is not a symptom of capitalism, it’s a symptom of having power and has existed since the dawn of civilization. I don’t think Penny White below couldn’t be more wrong about how to solve this. You think the tech industry is bad? Wait until you see government. Where do you think the worse people go to enjoy the benefits of power?
The key to fixing this problem, without the authoritarianism that Ms. White is suggesting, is many fold, and none of them require pointing guns at people to make them behave.
I would say that the start of it is to do as you have done. It is so amazing that that you spoke there, in front of a group of men, of which some proportion did as you were discussing. This speech really pointed fingers and I love it. I hope this leads to way more of this.
The second is that labor forces need to work together. The tech industry is literally flooded with jobs and opportunities. The labor force is scarce (at least the competent labor force). What can we add to the new normal? What I mean is, labor has won vacation days, profit sharing, 401Ks, etc etc. What else can be added. Perhaps blinded resumes? Perhaps something beyond HR that represents workers, be it unions or something with a new name (because the system of unions within a government isnt better than the system of corporations)? The willingness of like minded individuals to group together , and act, within a corporation. I’m not sure.
Third, I think results from 1. Speaking out as you did, helping the public focus and act FAR faster than the government ever did, or could. The public needs luminaries and influencers to help frame and point out how they can help. Did Uber not change when the Delete Uber campaign impacted profits and image? businesses in a capitalistic framework can and will respond FAR faster than government ever can or ever will. The US government is still, after over 100 years, trying to figure out how to deal with institutional sexism and racism. Culture moves faster, way faster. Where people put their money is a far more liquid, and expedient, way of voting than elections ever will be. Did you vote for Trump? How is “government fixing it” working out for you?
Thank you for this speech and pointing it at the right people.
