Google, Diversity, and Silicon Valley's Political Tribalism -- Colin's Last Stand (Episode 35)

A Google employee was recently fired for writing a rather innocuous, internally-circulated document about the company’s drive for diversity. So let’s use this opportunity to talk about why diversity for diversity’s sake is silly, and why pure meritocracy can, should -- and hopefully will -- win the day.

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[ColinsLastStand]

Hey Fam-a-Lam,

Multiple viewers brought up to me (both here in the comments and on Twitter) that the Gizmodo story lacks some essential context, especially in terms of citations for the original "Memo." So, I've gone ahead and amended the video description to include a new link, which you can find below, if you'd like to check it out for yourself:


I hope you are all well! -Colin

[carsonsmith]

Ironically there were apparently women at Google who filed complaints and took sick days because of distress the "manifesto" caused them. In the document the dude listed that women on average are more likely to respond to emotional situations... When I heard this I lost it. This shit can write itself.

[Dionysius]

Vote for a Federal Reserve video! Come on, people!

[TwilightDemon]

God bless this man. I feel the same way in my place of work.

[blksbth]

Hats off and glasses raised high, Colin. Possibly your best video to date. Your closing statements in the final quarter in particular really knocked it out of the park.

"I'm not a straight, white male at the end of the day - I'm Colin Moriarty, and you are you"

God bless you, good sir, and keep up the stellar work!

[bettyannmoriarty]

This was a fantastic episode. Your words really hit home with me ... exactly how I feel. There's no 'middle ground' anymore, no real listening to opposing views which in my opinion leads to no opportunity for growth. Hard discussions really help a person grow - not necessarily accept the new 'knowledge'. Makes me crazy. Always has....always will. Thanks for doing this.

[TheApexHound]

Excellent video, Colin. One of your best yet

[jhdkoopman]

Demanding diversity, but then refusing to accept that people and groups can have differences in both thought and action, is astoundingly backwards.

[transfiguration]

I thought all of this extreme Political Correctness/Authoritarian Left would've started to die down a bit, but they seem to constantly ramp it up. With how extremely authoritarian they are, it's getting scarier and scarier. In the 80s and 90s, the Right was the authoritarian side of the political spectrum, but I don't think they were nearly as harsh or extreme as the Left is today. I don't know when its going to end?

[anthonycavallaro]

My uncle did really well on the exams to become a firefighter. When marks came back, he was the best applicant. But he wasnt given the job because they wanted to hire the African American gentleman who had applied. My uncle sued the department and ended up getting the job he rightfully deserved.

[Chuck_Ditto]

Hi Colin! I just wanted to thank you for standing up and discussing these "difficult" topics. While I understand the realities of sexism and racism, diversity for diversities sake has always been an annoyance for me. I didn't always know what to say, but I'm finding more and more, as I watch Colin's Last Stand, that I am learning ways to better argue my points thanks to your videos. I didn't always have the words to describe how I felt, but watching your videos feels like you're taking all of the correct words I've been looking for right out of my mouth. So thanks again for being the voice so many of us fear to be.

[RagTagPwner]

Once again, glad to hear some sensible conversation about this. As someone entering the tech industry, I'm seeing more and more of this in the discussion surrounding my job, but it's so disconnected from reality. I'll keep trying to be one the people speaking up and asking the real questions. Thanks for the video!

[j.hooton]

Colin you should start doing QNA live streams. I would love to hear your opinions on the smaller topics that would be too short for a full video

[pirateofthesevenseas]

This was HANDS DOWN your best video in my opinion. Well Said Sir.

[itgetsdajobdone]

Keep up the fantastic work, Colin! CLS keeps on killing it!

[nolanmaryanski]

Great video! It's crazy how the media is misrepresenting this guy as a sexist for writing a well written, well sourced essay expressing concerns over diversity policies. Really demonstrates clear biases of tech and media.

[figdonpat]

Nailed it Colin. Many companies and organizations want to force diversity percentages rather than filling roles by merit. It's an easy "fix" for a much larger question. For example, I don't like the fact that more women don't have long careers in STEM but that's not an excuse to specifically hire more women without the concept of merit just to up the percentage. The tougher question, and frankly the real question, is when an organization is short on members of any sex, race, etc., why does that happen in the first place?

[Marthastewart.]

I could not agree more with you Colin! As someone who lives in the silicon valley this stuff drives me crazy. Thank you for shedding more light on this issue

[downloadsteve]

I'm so glad I work for a small company (~15 employees) that isn't infected with this pervasive tribalism. People just treat each other based on their character and the quality of their work. It's nice, and I feel bad for people who work at these large corporations where it's easy to get swallowed by these toxic, strangling ideologies. Great video as always Colin.

[mosyemessy]

Playing megaman while listening to Colin in the background. ahhh, that's life! :) ^^