Just another one-star review- Google Manifesto
If I could give it 0 stars I would.
Twitter was right. I finally read the Google Manifesto and it totally sucks.
The one and only star I give, is for having the foresight to spew his nonsense under the guise of āscientific researchā and package it up nicely for all of us to choke on. This scientific document is evidence that my small woman-brain is going to prevent me from achieving success in Technology. Bummer!
This may be the opinion of one person, but do realize that this bro is speaking on behalf of countless others who harbor these ridiculous ideas in silence. Someone with a bit more sense will choose to act on these same biases without advertising that fact.
These secretive assholes are the ones to watch out for- except for the fact that you canāt, Ā because itās a secret. They are tactical in their discrimination, calling it by another name in order to continue flying under the radar. You canāt prove intent. They know that.
We already know from Sheryl Sandberg that when Suzy and Dave present identical resumes, Daveās will be rated higher than Suzyās. This is a fact. Dave gets the job because heās a man. We know this, but the record will show that Dave was more qualified than Suzy, and had greater potential. Ā After all, women are evaluated based off past performance while men are evaluated based off of their perceived potential.
This kind of discrimination is hard to catch. There person may not even realize theyāre doing it. Itās easy to make excuses for holding women back because thatās what men have been doing for centuries, right? I repeat, you cannot prove intent.
If you are feeling particularly defensive at this time, know that I hate you. Ā
Let me also say that this is in no way directed at men, either. Women are just as capable (and sometimes just as guilty) of propagating these harmful stereotypes as men are. I can turn anything into a plug for āLean Inā, but itās in the book if youāre not sure. SO DONāT BE BITCHES TO OTHER WOMEN, GOT IT?
Iām not saying affirmative action is always the answer but Iām saying maybe we shouldnāt throw out the idea that there are still assholes out there discriminating against other people in ways that are pretty darn rude!
I know we like to think that each of us controls our own destiny, but we donāt. Ā
We like to think that with a little hard work and determination we, too, can achieve this state of being called success. Ā We sometimes forget about circumstances. Timing. Plain, old luck.
Iām reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and this is basically the whole point of the book. Sometimes success is out of your control. Some people have the good fortune of being presented with opportunities Ā allowing them to pour 10,000 hours into honing their craft while others will never even discover what their craft could have been. Itās pretty sad. Hard work is important but you have to get lucky too. Thatās why this manifesto guy pisses me off. Itās hard enough for anyone to get anywhere without people being assholes for no reason.
Can we all just agree that if you are an asshole, you have to wear some sort of badge, identifying yourself as such? Iām not talking to the funny assholes- you guys can stay. Iām talking specifically to the unsavory assholes who are BAD HUMANS. Assholes that write shitty manifestos and get fired publicly from Google.
Guess what manifesto boy? Youāre probably right. I will most likely be a failure because the odds are not in my favor. I deserve to try though. I see your shitty book report (and your insecurity) and I raise you my middle finger.
PS- Called my advisor to register for Masters in CS classes today, thanks for the inspo.
