On the one hand, I understand that the lack of women in tech is a complicated affair that probably has to do with biology, systems in place, culture, misconceptions, etc. I'm not someone who's going to blame the bro culture for repelling women in tech. I think it's far more complicated.
On the other hand, one reason why I hate working in tech is because of the lack of women. Every tech city you go is a sausage fest and dating is exponentially harder unless you're the top 10% in attractiveness due to the gender imbalance. I think this imbalance breeds creepy behavior. Part of it is the lack of social awareness from not having women around to learn from and the other part of it is that men who work in tech have a higher tendency of socially awkward behaviors.
Lastly, I've observed that of the few women who do work in tech, a higher proportion of them (vs general public) are idealists. Take this observation however you want.
If I could snap my finger and change things, I'd love to have a 50/50 gender balance in tech.
This massive gender imbalance initially made me reject the tech industry and spend my first few years after graduation in a completely different industry.
It was painful to see the comp sci program start out around 15% female in first year and drop off to 2-5% by the end of year 4.
It wasnt always so, back in the 70s at the same school the proportion was much closer to 50/50.
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[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 30.2 ms ] threadOn the other hand, one reason why I hate working in tech is because of the lack of women. Every tech city you go is a sausage fest and dating is exponentially harder unless you're the top 10% in attractiveness due to the gender imbalance. I think this imbalance breeds creepy behavior. Part of it is the lack of social awareness from not having women around to learn from and the other part of it is that men who work in tech have a higher tendency of socially awkward behaviors.
Lastly, I've observed that of the few women who do work in tech, a higher proportion of them (vs general public) are idealists. Take this observation however you want.
If I could snap my finger and change things, I'd love to have a 50/50 gender balance in tech.
It was painful to see the comp sci program start out around 15% female in first year and drop off to 2-5% by the end of year 4.
It wasnt always so, back in the 70s at the same school the proportion was much closer to 50/50.
I'm fine with women being free to choose.