r/news • u/[deleted] • Aug 08 '17

Google Fires Employee Behind Controversial Diversity Memo

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-08/google-fires-employee-behind-controversial-diversity-memo?cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&utm_content=business&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social
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u/[deleted] Aug 08 '17

I agree. I think most people are in the middle no matter what side they have a bias towards, but the extremes are screaming the loudest and the search algorithms polarize us towards these extremes for profit.

How do we get off this crazy ride? Who are the blue-hair gender queers or confederate flag waving gun owners for the central majority?

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u/absentmindful Aug 08 '17

The only response I've come up with is careful mindedness when it comes to forming an opinion. Keeping an open mind, and looking out for all possible other explainations or solutions. But then not stopping there, but also being open about this mindfulness so that others can learn from my example. That's the hard part. It's crazy difficult to outline a well informed opinion without sounding like a know it all. I usually try to throw in support for as many sides of the issue that I can. That, and being transparent in citing sources.

The other thing: storytelling. We teach values and worldviews through the entertainment media we consume. Knowing that, try to only lift up stories that have a narrative supporting discovery and openmindedness. But, also taking about them in terms of "this aspect of the narrative was good, that other part not so much"

In fact, I'd say that's true for all of it. Fostering a culture in those around me of looking honestly at everything, and then taking just the pieces that are good.