It is not fair that all womens' positions have been decided by activists, and many women in tech have specifically noted this issue. However, activism is available for any individual interested in it.
This is interesting - what do you mean by this? I'm not sure what you mean in this context, but in an overall, general sense I strongly disagree.
Certainly there is significant incentive for activism from a satisfied person. A person may be satisfied but that does not mean that there is not room for improvement or change. Satisfaction is something that is static, stagnant, and doesn't last forever. One day you may be satisfied with a product or political situation, and the next day you might not be even if it remains unchanged itself.
Activism is a method of creating change. Everyone is incentivized by it because everyone can benefit immensely from change, even the ultra-rich.
> Also, most conservative opinions tend to be met with anything from disgust to derision online, further disincentivizing counter-protest.
I have found the opposite to be true, actually. Depending on the online community, sometimes it is the conservative opinions that are the only ones deemed acceptable by the community (as is often the case here on HN), and in others perhaps the liberal comments.
But I have been a liberal commenter on the internet for nearly 20 years and I have found, time and time again, that the internet has little room for acceptance of left-wing opinions.
Not everyone. And, some people don't feel like they need charge. Some people are actually happy with their life, career and situation.
> even the ultra-rich.
What does the ultra-rich have to do with anything? You've kind of jumped the shark there.
And what kind of social or career impact on their lives do you expect from such activism against the current flow?
I expect one will claim that James Damore offers evidence of a life being "ruined" by their views, but I think the kid is doing pretty damn well for himself - especially due to his views. If you are a conservative activist in tech then feel free to shout your views from the rooftops, I'm sure there are many on 4chan who would love to follow you and help you succeed.
Nobody’s perfect, if you need a decent excuse you’ll find one.
Political views and affiliations are not protected under federal law, though at least some states have protected them. See this page: https://www.eeoc.gov/facts/qanda.html
I'm not sure you understand the goal of gender equality.
> then I highly encourage you to become more involved with activism because that is the only way to make your voice and opinions heard.
I'm a software engineer. Every woman on our team is treated as an equal. Because they are. But apparently your experience = every experience.
Maybe, just maybe, the women that you speak of are in the minority?
I never made any such claim. Instead you're the one arguing that because your team has no issues, then clearly the women who speak out are in the minority.
I'm simply arguing that these women who speak out exist, and we shouldn't just ignore their claims without evaluating their merit. Instead, you say we should ignore them because they are "in the minority?". Maybe it is you who does understand the goals of gender equality. A view should never be ignored because it is the minority - it should be evaluated on the basis of its own merit.