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Google Fires Author of Google’s Ideological Echo Chamber
James Damore, who worked as a software engineer in Alphabet Incorporated’s Google, published a memo last week regarding anti diversity and gender stereotypes in the tech world and within the company, in Google’s internal forum. The memo, which went viral, is a 10 page long screed titled Google’s Ideological Echo Chamber.
In the memo, Damore argues that women are underrepresented in the tech industry not because they face bias and discrimination in the workplace, but because of inherent psychological differences between men and women. He claims that women have biological issues that have prevented them from being as successful in the tech industry as men. He also adds, “We need to stop assuming that gender gaps imply sexism,” and women are less interested in high stress jobs because they are more anxious. The memo includes graphs and charts to support his personal opinion and accuses Google of silencing conservative political opinions.
The memo, which spread outside the company as well, angered many in Silicon Valley including several Google employees who railed against its assumptions. Google’s Chief Executive Officer, Sundar Pichai also sent a company wide memo claiming portions of the memo had violated the code of conduct and crossed the line “by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace.” But, he also noted that the memo did raise some important and valid points, such as the need for more willingness at Google to include more points of view, including the more conservative ones. Google’s Head of Diversity Danielle Brown, speaking about the memo said, “It’s not a viewpoint that I or this company endorses, promotes or encourages.”
Bloomberg reported, James Damore was fired on Monday because of the memo and confirmed by Damore himself who said he was fired for, “perpetuating gender stereotypes.” The memo put Google in a no win situation as they have long promoted a culture of openness with employees, who have even mocked the company’s strategies on internal forums. Google has also been dealing with the criticism that it has not done enough to promote diversity in the tech industry. The search giant is currently also fighting a lawsuit against the U.S Department of Labor who claim the company systemically discriminates against women.
To clarify matters further, Sundar Pichai has also called for a townhall meeting, along with the members of the leadership team, this Thursday.
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