[hhw]

Why should 50:50 be the desired ratio? Are you proposing that every industry which isn't at or near that ratio rife with gender discrimination? Do you also believe there is significant sexual discrimination against men in every industry dominated by women? Have you even considered the possibility that men and women are just interested in different things, simply due to natural proclivities, and not because one gender is actively discouraged? Note that I'm not suggesting that there isn't any discrimination in CS, but simply that there is no reason to believe that 50:50 should be the ideal ratio in this, or any other field, be it currently male or female dominated, unless there's research to support that men and women are both equally interested in that discipline.

[andrewliebchen]

50:50 is the ideal ratio if you think that there is no biological reason that men would be better at anything than women (as I do). The key point is interest. Why would women be less interested in CS?