Sorry, this is wrong.
Direct quote (emphasis added): "I’m simply stating that the distribution of preferences and abilities of men and women differ in part due to biological causes"
See Damore's own mirror: https://firedfortruth.com/
However, biological traits and abilities != career ability. Even more so since these are average indexes with vast overlap between groups.
On what basis do you think that preferences and abilities are two mutually exclusive traits?
We know interest is influenced heavily by environment. We also know that ability is influenced by both interest and environment. Carol Dweck's work is a good source for this type of study.
It also seems intuitive that ability influences interests, although I'm actually not aware of what studies exist in that area.
I don't think you're standing on as solid footing as you think when you're making accusations of others conflating topics.
Just because interests and abilities influence each other does not mean they are not exclusive. You can do a lot of things that you probably have never even considered before too.
Many women believe they're statistically more intelligent than men and less violent, by fate of biology.
"The distribution of preferences and abilities of different groups differ."
Note the binding emphasis to both sides of the 'and'.
Also the focus on any specific cause for that difference should be addressed elsewhere, if at all. Not in an over-simplified singular soundbite.
Edit: what flavor of markdown hell is HN using... I always forget.
Furthermore he attacked 'diversity' hires as a whole, but only presented evidence on male/female differences not racial ones... so there's significant precedent for him making points that aren't backed up directly. I don't think he should get the benefit of the doubt there with regards to subtlety of meaning.