Back when real programmers where women. I don't think it is nostalgia to say that we need more programmers like these women. They make an excellent case for a more diverse technology workforce.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_programming_langua...
The GI bills provided a ton of financial assistance to WWII veterans seeking a college education, which explains why women had a little more time in advanced fields like computer science. Due to cultural mores the wartime trained women were bound to be replaced by men, especially in the armed forces, it just took a while after the war to educate the soldiers.
The problem is that outside the likes of Srinivasa Ramanujan people need a hell lot of education to become the best. And unlike innate talent education is not equally distributed in society.
So the pool is very skewed.
So, lower the barrier to getting started and learning from hands on experience. Github and other sites host code, discussions, and documentation for more projects than a lifetime of hacking could touch. No one knows who you are behind a handle.
You seem like one of those people who thinks that quotas will magically improve companies, diversity, and people's lives. You are falling victim to the soft bigotry of reduced expectations. This isn't fair, particularly to the groups in question.
Anyway - I never did or intend to do karma whoring. While I tend to rarely post pure troll statements, I do hold views that can be controversial. So when I have something to say I say it.
Being civil isn't being "politically incorrect" online or offline. If you say something that might get you punched in the face (literally or metaphorically), don't be surprised when you do get punched in the face.
I never made this argument - you seem to have skipped my first paragraph entirely. I'm all for sharing controversial opinions that have merit and in a manner that is not dickish.