: Foundation says it won't compromise policy of inclusivity even if that cash would've really helped

Foundation says it won’t compromise policy of inclusivity even if that cash would’ve really helped

  • jasory@programming.dev
    4·
    7 days ago

    I’m on the fence about this. I think that it’s true the most hiring decisions aren’t merit-based, nor do they necessarily need to be. Most jobs can be sufficiently done by the average-skilled person, it’s only the most skilled positions were you can argue that one person is just simply the best (and sufficiently that it matters). I think DEI practices would be fine in the former case since it’s just another biasing metric like nepotism.

    As for highly skilled positions, most people in those positions grow up saturated in the culture from a young age, typically from parents in that field themselves. I think there is arguments to be made that DEI practices now can produce a larger skilled pool in the next generation.

    The questions are 1. How much does it help the next generation? 2. Is it worth the cost of lower standards now?

    • meowmeowbeanz@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      1·
      7 days ago

      So let me get this straight - we should hire less qualified people TODAY so that maybe their kids will be inspired to enter tech TOMORROW? And somehow this creates a “larger skilled pool”?

      The logic is beautiful: “Let’s lower standards now so future generations can… have lower standards too?” How exactly does seeing unqualified people get promoted inspire excellence? If anything, it teaches kids that competence is optional.

      • jasory@programming.dev
        2·
        7 days ago

        That’s just my steelman. You are correct that it would require a readjustment at some point, i.e DEI practices can’t exist forever.

        “Unqualified people get promoted inspire excellence”. I think at the very top, advanced work isn’t done to get promotions but rather the work itself. I imagine that people don’t take years of schooling and work with the goal of becoming a senior dev. There’s something about the work and producing good work that motivated them.

        Note that I don’t work in tech but rather mathematics research. So our incentives are different, but I think the main ideas hold.