Google Manifesto Author, (), Is “Right.” Rehire Him.

D. Paul
D. Paul
Aug 25, 2017 · 6 min read
Before you disagree, read the article.

Note: () = James Damore

First and foremost, I want to state that I did not, and still do not agree with Google’s decision to fire () after the controversial memo, and I still do not. () needed a place to voice his concerns and perhaps his mistake was not going to therapy or counseling to voice his frustrations instead. I read the memo and I do not think he was threatening but more so speaking from his perspective, a perspective that frankly, makes a lot of valid points. Americans and American organizations tend to do this thing where if someone speaks out with non-malicious intent, we chastise them for doing so instead of trying to understand where they are coming from to be able to a) bridge the understanding gap or b) help correct the misguided thought.

Biology does tell us that women and men are apt to behave in certain ways because of certain roles that we have been ingrained into us through centuries of socialization. Do the roles influence our genetics or do the genetics influence our roles? Personally, I think it’s both. () point comes from the perspective that genetics are permanent and cannot be changed.

Feelers vs. Thinkers

In Pat Wyman’s book, Three Keys to Understanding, she describes the Meyer’s Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a tool for better self understanding and personal development. The personality profiler has four components which are all on a spectrum: Introversion vs. Extroversion, Sensory vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Perceiving vs. Judging. (All people have the capability to exercise the different thought processes). Natural “thinkers” tend to be logical and less emotionally oriented while natural “feelers” use emotion more than logic to drive their decisions.

Feelers

Feelers tend to rely more on emotions and thus tend to make good caretakers and typically do well in service oriented industries. In Wyman’s book, she claims that in America, about 75% of women are feelers. The remaining are thinkers. An example of a woman thinker Wyman uses, is Hillary Clinton. As we know, in Clinton’s past presidential campaign was given a rough time for appearing too stiff and less nurturing than most women, a trait that we celebrate in men. People faulted her for being more “manly” yet said she was incapable to lead the country because she is not a man. Ironic.

Thinkers

In contrast, 25% of men are feelers and the rest are thinkers. Personally, I am innately a feeler, and that may explain why I tend to get along better with women than men. Like Hillary, I was also criticized for not fitting all the gender norms expected of men. It has taken me all but 28 years, to be able to more recognize my logical capacities and to proactively strengthen those muscles.

I am almost certain (James Damore)’s innate DNA hardwires him be very logical and therefore, he has utilized or exercised very little of his emotional muscles due to his upbringing and other life experiences. () assumes that feelers are “dumb” because they make less efficient decisions not realizing that they are thinking of the consumer’s best interest first before efficiency of use.

Conflict

Can a logically oriented mind perceive an emotionally oriented mind as a threat? It would make sense. A nihilistic statement such as “Life does not matter because we will all die one day” is bound to get thinkers and feelers in a feud. Their perspectives are different because the reasoning behind the statement is solid but it heavily discounts the value of emotions and the “beauty of life.” Simultaneously, the “tree hugging” perspective which tends to tends to do very well in relational situations and may believe that love is the only thing that matters may setup individuals for a life full of yes, love, but also for a life of a lot of unnecessary hardship. One can be strategic (logical) and still find love, the two need not be mutually exclusive. I am of the belief that Emotions and Logic are both needed to have a very fulfilling life.

In short, ()’s life experiences may have been traumatized by emotions and avoided it when he had control. (Not to get too person, I do wonder about his dating life It may be hard for him to connect with other women unless they are more like Hillary). He may feel threatened by “feeling” oriented individuals and never having got the chance to explore his emotional side. That does not mean that ()’s trauma makes emotions invalid as he argues in the Google Manifesto. Rather, it is a mental wellness, or educational issue at best. ()’s reality is skewed by his upbringing as well as experiences, and () must come to the understanding that his perspective does not hold absolute weight and that emotions are also important for survival.

Moving Forward

It would be in Google’s and everyone’s best interest to rehire James Damore to help him to understand the importance of emotions. Pare him with a male partner who is more “feeling” inclined and () may come to break down some of his gender stereotypes and biases and understand that gender is fluid. After this experience, Damore will be more able to relate more with women and understand their value. And, he will also “rub off” on “feelings” women helping them become more logically oriented. Google will be much better for it as both the consumer’s self interest and efficiency are optimized.

Big Picture (Education)

How can we help individuals work on some of these character flaws from early on?

1) Continue to motivate schools to work not just on logical thought processes (which it seems that America has been trying to do over the last 15 years), but to also start to support people with emotional tools such as empathy. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) includes art which helps individuals to understand perspective and therefore reinforce empathy.

2) For people who are out of school, as I mentioned, there may be a mental wellness piece to it. Perhaps a parent who was too emotional (for a “logic child”), or not emotional at all (for an “emotional child”). Both of these can psychologically scar an individual. Hence, it is important to take notes as a parent early on to see what thinking style their children gravitate towards and to help support them in that thinking style while helping them to activate dormant capacities. For adults who cannot go back in time, therapy and especially “parent bashing” therapy may be an appropriate form or therapy to help adults process unresolved childhood trauma.

3) Wellness. Pseudoscience and Eastern philosophy has made similar claims and it appears that Science has found evidence confirming these claims. Genetics (DNA based) influence personality. More and more evidence is showing that both exercise and diet can affect our mental capacity. Doing yoga may not only increase our physically flexibility, but may also stretch out mental capacity. Muscle building also positively affects the brain. Certain foods are shown to make individuals more emotional and others, more logical.

Final Thoughts

Punishing () will not solve the problem. It may in fact anger him and all who support him further increasing his biases about women. We really do not want that to happen. Google has the chance to innovative not just in tech but to also recreate the work relations aspect of work. I am more than happy to consult.

David Paul is an Entrepreneur, Mental Health Advocate, MBA Student, and Looks to Earn a Psychotherapy Doctorates.

You can reach him on LinkedIn.com/in/dpaul3 or email him at david.paul@duke.edu.

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D. Paul
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