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Negative / Visible / Social: Sexism in the tech industry

Show Notes

We look at the tech industry\\u2019s persistent habit of treating women badly \\u2013 both overtly, in terms of sexual harassment, and less overtly, in terms of simply hiring and mentoring fewer women. What can we do to improve matters? What is the responsibility of individuals? Of companies? Of culture at large? Of the government?

Links

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• Recent examples of sexism in the tech industry:

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  • \\u201cReflecting On One Very, Very Strange Year At Uber\\u201d \\u2013 Susan J. Fowler, with the piece that plunged Uber into its current, very much deserved, hot mess by explaining just how sexist its internal practices were.

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  • \\u201cThe fall of 500 Startups CEO Dave McClure\\u201d \\u2013 Marisa Kendall, writing for the Mercury News, on Dave McClure of 500 Startups, who was forced to resign after (apparently well-founded) allegations of sexual harassment.

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  • Binary Capital

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    • \\u201cWomen in Tech Speak Frankly on Culture of Harassment\\u201d \\u2013 Katie Benner, writing for the New York Times, on women harassed by Justin Caldbeck of Binary Capital.

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    • \\u201cBinary Accused of Post-Resignation Harassment by Ex-Employee\\u201d \\u2013 Emily Chang and Sarah McBride, writing for Bloomberg, on Justin Caldbeck\\u2019s threats to a woman who had stopped working with Binary Capital on account of pervasive sexism.

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  • \\u201cThe long-term cost of sexual harassment\\u201d \\u2013 Catherine Shu, writing for TechCrunch, with a description of her own experience of being harassed and the way it affected her long term.

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• \\u201cCan Venture Capital Be Saved?\\u201d \\u2013 Mitch and Freada Kapor, making a case for their own VC fund\\u2019s approach, with a clear recognition that (awful as it is) sexual harassment is a symptom of yet deeper problems with VC culture:

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  How can the industry celebrate people who glory in breaking all the rules, ask forgiveness not permission, and then be surprised when people are predatory, abusive and pursue their own desires at the expense and over the objection of others?

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• \\u201cI\\u2019m a startup founder and I had sex with an investor \\u2014 and I am sorry\\u201d \\u2013 Perri Chase, writing for Business Insider, with a really thoughtful reflection on the current state of affairs, including a frank admission of her own choices and how they have played into things, but without blaming victims (a hard line to walk).

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• Previously on the show:

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  • Season 3 \\u2013 many reflections on business success by way of taking the slow road.

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  • 3.07: One Size Does Not Fit All \\u2013 Amazon\\u2019s workplace culture as a view into corporate ethics and responsibility.

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Music

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• \\u201cJonah 2\\u201d by The Jonah Project. Used by permission.
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• \\u201cWinning Slowly Theme\\u201d by Chris Krycho.
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Sponsors

Many thanks to the people who help us make this show possible by their financial support! This month\\u2019s sponsors:

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• Andrew Fallows
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• Kurt Klassen
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• Jeremy W. Sherman
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If you\\u2019d like to support the show, you can make a pledge at Patreon or give directly via Square Cash.

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