The Google Diversity Memo: Today's News for August 8th

A Google employee recently sent out a 10-page memo about diversity. Whenever someone treads on a favored Leftist topic like diversity, expect much gnashing of teeth and rending of garments. 

The sad part is there is a lot in the diversity memo. You can read it here. Some of it may be offensive, but there are some valid points that should be discussed, and not just dismissed because someone finds other parts offensive.

Trying to find ways to be more inclusive of different races and genders without discussing the differences, is like trying to discuss a construction project without mentioning the differences between wood and steel. But even if you narrow down those differences, there will be exceptions: Some pieces of wood can be nearly as strong as steel, and some pieces of steel have hidden flaws that can weaken them over time and eventually lead to engineering disasters. Even among building materials, not everything can be lumped perfectly into a group.

If the Google memo has a flaw, it is this: It is trying to subdivide overly broad generalizations, which is a move in the right direction, but it doesn't go far enough. Until we recognize that EVERY individual is different, then diversity will never accomplish its stated goals, nor will it be effective in making us better as a society/culture.

You want a diversity solution? Here is the best one ever devised:

"...Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."--Mark 12:31

The beauty of this is you don't even have to believe in God to agree with "Do unto others as you would have done to you". It is a good philosophy of life, and instantly achieves diversity if everyone lives by it.

Regarding the news story of the Google memo, it should come as no surprise that both the Right and Left have different takes on it...

CNN:

Google CEO cuts vacation short to deal with crisis over anti-diversity memo

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has condemned portions of a controversial memo sent by a male engineer at the company who argued that women are not biologically fit for tech roles.

The broad-brush generalizations are flying!

First off, this is a "crisis"? It may be if you are a PC hack, but in most corporations, this is just a piece of bad PR. The CEO knows he has to genuflect to the PC powers-that-be, and everything will be forgiven. He can go back to his vacation next week.

Secondly, the memo does NOT say that women are "unfit for tech roles". It says that women have different priorities (I would argue better priorities, but that is strictly my opinion), and if you want to get more women in tech roles, then you need to adjust the roles so more women will want them.

Continuing:

"Our job is to build great products for users that make a difference in their lives," he wrote in the email, which was seen by CNNMoney. "To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not OK."

Pichai said he was cutting his family vacation short to return to the office.

"Clearly there's a lot more to discuss as a group," he wrote. "Including how we create a more inclusive environment for all."

...A source inside the company told CNNMoney that when an employee violates the company's code of conduct, it often results in firing.

A Google spokesperson declined to comment on reports late Monday that the engineer who wrote the memo has been fired.

Pichai also said in his email that there are Google employees who are questioning whether they can safely express their opinions, especially ones that might fall into a minority.

"They too feel under threat, and that's not OK," he wrote. "People must feel free to express dissent."

Keep that last part in mind as we move to the Right's version of this story:

Fox News:

Google fires employee behind controversial memo on diversity, reports say

Google fired the worker whose controversial leaked memo claimed the company had an “ideological echo chamber” that alienated conservatives, according to multiple reports late Monday.

The engineer, identified as James Damore, emailed Bloomberg to say he was fired for “perpetuating gender stereotypes.” Recode also reported the firing, citing sources. Google did not immediately comment.

...Pichai told employees that such views are not welcome in their work.

“The memo has clearly impacted our co-workers, some of whom are hurting and feel judged based on their gender,” he continued. 

Confused by the mixed messages? If people "must feel free to express dissent", as Pichai has claimed, then firing someone based on some hurt feelings runs contrary to that "free expression" view.

Also, notice how the Right plays up the fired employee, who was trying to express his politically incorrect views, whereas the Left downplays that story, instead concentrating on charges of sexism?

Ultimately, it is interesting how the Left is very pro-corporate in their view, by giving Google management plenty of cover to take whatever action they like with the employee. On the other hand, the Right takes the side of the employee, presenting him as a mistreated conservative. Politics does make strange bedfellows.