Interesting that you should think “women who work in tech being angry at being told they are aberrations and probably shouldn’t be there” somehow means that the argument that they are aberrations and probably shouldn’t be there has merit.
Google, note, has a strong culture of peer-review.
What do you think that women would expect out of that, if they are faced with the fact that evidently at least a few of their peers think they are less capable simply because they are women?
This is not about our widdle feewings being hurt, sir. This is about the fact that other people’s held stereotypes affect opportunity, as well as providing the classic “chilly environment” of work. Yes, beliefs that are held about women affect performance feedback — and pay, and job opportunities. That is not simply a matter of introspection and self-confidence.
Your blithe assumption that people can just “move on or start their own company” also does not take into account the simple (and in this economic climate, inescapable) restrictions on opportunity and finance which exist, and the fact that few people will ever be able to “start their own company” in a way which rivals opportunities at the tech giants like Google.
I ask you, would you be so eager to defend the man’s “right” to his thesis if his statement had been “why is Google trying to recruit blacks? Blacks just aren’t as good at science.”
And given that many of the man’s statements about gender capabilities are flatly contradicted by the best available evidence, why should HR have to waste time on discussing if there is “merit” to the argument?
Your daughters will face quite enough challenges as they grow up, without you adding to the burden by suggesting that if people dismiss their abilities based on gender, maybe it’s because it’s true…even though it isn’t.