[travjones]

It seems that the HN community responds interestingly to topics of discrimination in tech (or, "lack of diversity"). It seems that there is a bit of denial in this community that there is indeed a discrimination issue. This is merely my observation, it could be skewed or entirely incorrect. Just keep in mind, that discrimination occurs whether you notice it or not. Further, you might be less likely to notice it if you are part of a group that suffers less from discriminatory practices.

Nonetheless, data and personal testimonies suggest that women and minorities have a harder time being interviewed and hired for positions at tech companies. Women and minority founders typically have a more difficult time securing funding and/or resources that will help them build a successful company. This isn't an issue that is unique to tech at all, rather this problem exists in organizations of all types.

[dang]

The HN community isn't of one mind on this. Rather, it's deeply divided, just like society at large—and just like most large population samples are on most divisive topics.

[mehh]

I suspect the HN community isn't as blinkered as you may think, and perhaps being of an analytical mindset aren't as easily fooled by the 'diversity theatre' that corporations are performing at present. Perhaps they are more likely to look at systemic causes and solutions than ill considered treatments of the symptoms.

But what the hell do I know :)

[alfonsodev]

> Women and minority founders typically have a more difficult time securing funding and/or resources that will help them build a successful company.

Well, but isn't it that normal ? is like saying that if you buy less lottery tickets you have it harder to win than those who buy more.

I think the issue is impossible to resolve, because we make groups based on attributes, so you can always make groups that share attributes that are less common among the total. Then those groups that are minority will always have less chance, unless you discriminate in favor them.

I'm open minded and I can accept that ok, gender is like very important attribute and we'll consider only that one, and we'll discriminate for some time until things are balanced. But, then we might need to change the constitution, and make discrimination by gender allowed temporarily, right ?

[codezero]

I think that a big component of that, and I could be wrong, is that a large part of the community isn't based in SF or even the US where these issues are more top of mind. Looking in from the outside, I'm sure it looks like those of us in the Bay Area might be focusing on perplexing things, which to many of us appear totally appropriate.

[Double_a_92]

If there are less applications from some specific group of people, but the rejection rate is high in general, the rejection rate of the minority will tend to be very high. But that has nothing to do with discrimination.