On Diversity In The Technology Field

by Brenda J. Christie

Another great article, Diversity isn't a Google Problem, holds as its premise the scarcity of minorities in the technology field, being due to laziness and comfort with familiarity.  Written by Shane Paul Neil, and appearing in Technorati, the article holds that such scarcity is indeed, industry-wide and not limited to Google.

I find this trend both interesting and dismaying but maintain that it is more the outcome of the commoditization of Information Technology, wherein much like Investment Banking, too many people want in because of the potential payoff.

This contrasts quite starkly to prior periods, including the decades where I worked as a developer and project manager.  In prior decades it was more for the love of technology and its capabilities than money. Not that the salaries were anything to dismiss.  However, salaries were no where near the compensation levels Google is known to pay its employees.

Notwithstanding compensation, prior periods were altogether different.  I worked along side many diverse groups, both from an ethnic and religious perspective.  I do believe that in spite of these differences, love of technology was the glue that held us all together.

It is sad that money has once again separated us.  It is probably an unfortunate byproduct of the commoditization of Information Technology.  

Brenda J. Christie