Are you suggesting that Google is sexist? Or trying to suppress women?

You didn't even mention how few of them are minorities. I didn't see a single Hispanic-sounding name. Google must also be trying to keep Latinos out too. I guess the only thing multi-colored at Google is the logo, eh?

Please tell me you're just trolling here. Google seems like a merit-based company, as evidenced by their innovative style and some third-party anecdotes I've encountered. Maybe there are only men because only men submitted the best entries.

I'm sure there were plenty of women programmers who entered, but maybe their projects didn't cut the mustard. Maybe Google considered their entries solely based on their innovativeness and didn't consider the "social implications" of their gesture.

Do you seriously find fault with this? Do you think they should have used some sort of weighting, whereby a handicapped entrant gets extra points or a black lesbian would get bumped up automatically? If so, that totally flies in the face of any usability theory you espouse--the cream should rise, the best should be implemented.

Posted by: Bill on June 3, 2002 11:23 AM

 

Bill,

My point is much more simple than what you have assumed. Simply stated, I think it is interesting that only men were recongized and I wonder why that is the case. I do not suspect that Google is being sexist. I hope that clears up any confusion.

Posted by: John S. Rhodes on June 3, 2002 12:09 PM

 

I almost didn't post but because the question seems so sincere, here is my opinion. I'm sure it will probably just tick people off instead of informing, but the question itself is quite volitile.

I doubt there was any exclusion going on. My take on it (my opinion) is that women programmers don't typically enter contests like this.

Possible reasons: absence of need to flaunt skill, admission of undesirable geekiness by entering, focus (far too busy having to prove themselves over and over at work already, with extra time being sucked up frantically trying to stay ahead of the game, not just on top of it).

I've met a couple of women who really excel at what they do and are not only respected by their peers, but who are aggressive and proud of their ability. Most others fall into the "us against them" category.

The deck is stacked against even entering, in other words, and since you'd be competing against people with a higher committment and dedication to craft than the average crowd (not to mention additional time on their hands), the hurdles start to become more clear.

Posted by: Lydia on June 3, 2002 02:46 PM