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RubyConf AU 2016: Most of us who work in the tech space know that it is painfully lacking in diversity. But why is it the case? After all, the early pioneers of computer science were largely women and yet now only 6% of tech leaders are female. In Australia, the number of Aboriginal developers barely blips past 0%. Debugging Diversity performs a root cause analysis on diversity in tech and explains how it can be fixed. How each and everyone of us plays a role. Come and hear how over 2 years of research has culminated in a provocative, yet inspiring presentation.
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The video, titled "Debugging Diversity," presented by Dan Draper and Catherine Jones at RubyConf AU 2016, addresses the significant lack of diversity in the tech industry, focusing mainly on the issues of race and gender. Key points discussed throughout the presentation include: - **Definition of Diversity**: The presenters clarify that diversity encompasses various factors including gender, race, age, and more, but they primarily focus on race and gender due to the time constraints. - **Current Participation Rates**: They highlight alarming statistics, revealing that only about 26% of the tech workforce is female, with even lower percentages for racial minorities, particularly for African-American and Hispanic women. - **Exodus of Women from Tech**: A major concern is that many women are leaving the tech field, not just due to retirement or familial reasons, but often due to feelings of exclusion, harassment, and workplace culture challenges. - **Toy Marketing**: Draper mentions how marketing of toys perpetuates gender stereotypes, with girls being steered towards domestic roles and boys towards engineering and science, impacting their career interests from an early age. - **Hollywood Representation**: They discuss how media portrayals of tech culture, specifically in shows like "The IT Crowd" and "The Big Bang Theory," often reinforce negative stereotypes that make the tech environment less appealing to women. - **Brogrammer Culture**: This cultural phenomenon is identified as a significant barrier for women and others trying to enter the tech space, creating an environment that is often seen as unwelcoming. - **Promising Initiatives**: The speakers showcase companies like GoldieBlox and Hopscotch that are working to inspire young girls in technology by providing diverse role models and fun programming experiences. - **Local and National Support**: They encourage audience participation in local organizations aimed at supporting women in tech and highlight that increasing diversity not only leads to a fairer workplace but also to improved company performance. - **Documentary**: The presentation concludes by introducing a documentary titled "Debugging Diversity," aimed at exploring these issues further and showcasing contributions by women in the tech community. The main takeaway from the video emphasizes the necessity for continuous dialogue about diversity and the active role each individual can play in fostering a more inclusive environment in the tech industry. The presenters call for awareness and advocacy, encapsulated in the hashtag #DebuggingDiversity.
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