Unspoken Rules
This week, we read about the culture of the community of high-achieving scientists in this country. In multiple disciplines, including biology and physics, there are many “unspoken rules” that must be followed. These can range from not complaining to more gendered ones, like understanding that pregnancy would be a liability to research. Because of the strictness and rigor of the work scientists do, the scientific community often alienates women and minorities, who are seen as being less able to handle the competitive program. Recently, discrimination against women in STEM came into the nation’s news when a Google manifesto was leaked:
The manifesto “explains” that women are less inclined to be computer scientists because that is not how their brains are wired. The author of the manifesto also believed that Google’s diversity programs are useless and that the gender gap in STEM didn’t matter. Shockingly, the manifesto was circulated throughout hundreds of Google employees before it got leaked. This was surprising, considering the inflammatory nature of the piece. Some quotes include:
[On diversity programs] “ These practices are based on false assumptions generated by our biases and can actually increase race and gender tensions. We’re told by senior leadership that what we’re doing is both the morally and economically correct thing to do, but without evidence this is just veiled left ideology[7] that can irreparably harm Google.”
This quote is damaging because it undermines good efforts to solve diversity problems in STEM. It is widely accepted that a more diverse workforce leads to better innovation; comments like this threaten to stifle this potential.
[On empathy] “ I’ve heard several calls for increased empathy on diversity issues…feeling another’s pain — causes us to focus on anecdotes, favor individuals similar to us, and harbor other irrational and dangerous biases. Being emotionally unengaged helps us better reason about the facts.”
This quote is also problematic, because it downplays the importance of listening to our community and trying to make society as a whole better. We cannot live our lives trying to ignore the struggles of others. In this quote, the author misses the point of technology: to make the world a better place for everyone, not just white men.
[On men’s drive] “ We always ask why we don’t see women in top leadership positions, but we never ask why we see so many men in these jobs. These positions often require long, stressful hours that may not be worth it if you want a balanced and fulfilling life.”
The last quote is particularly offensive to many, as it assumes that women do not share an equal drive as men, or are not able to work long hours. It is based on the stereotype that women should be homemakers instead of professionals. The entire memo was proof that the scientific community has a culture that excludes certain groups. While the Google memo might have been disheartening to hear, there was at least one positive: it helped bring to light the discrimination against women in STEM.
