| 1. One observation about diversity discussions: improved outcomes from diversity are credited to diversity. But worsened outcomes from diversity aren't blamed on diversity. If you're going to tout problems in stereotypical male/male interactions as evidence in favor of more gender parity, I think you should be prepared to accept problems in stereotypical male/female interactions as evidence against more gender parity. You didn't say anything about problems in stereotypical male/female interactions at all, so this objection technically doesn't apply to you. But I don't imagine that, had the interaction been a bad one between a male and a female in some stereotypical way, you would count it as an example of the drawbacks of more gender parity. I am glad that tech is becoming a more welcoming place for women, and everyone benefits when men (or anyone) improve their communication and conflict resolution skills. But I find most discussions about the benefits of diversity to be disingenuous, because diversity is praised for desirable outcomes but escapes blame for undesirable outcomes. 2. > What a waste of time. Among the criticisms you could level here (and I agree this exchange warrants plenty of criticism) "waste of time" doesn't ring true to me. The participants resolved the dispute rapidly. |