One weird thing I notice is that most articles in mainstream media seem anti Ellen Pao. Not this one, it is sort of neutral but most are. I wonder why this is. I figure in trials like this coverage should be more neutral - it isn't like she is a murderer or something else that people usually prejudge negatively.
Well, it would make sense that if there were widespread cultural biases against women drawing attention to sexist behavior or challenging it; that those would be reflected in media coverage. But it would be rude to suggest that that might be the case.
> It would be an interesting research project over time to see if a culture of decent, respectful relations and manners led to the same or better VC investment returns. What has to happen is there has to be near unanimous backlash against loud b.s. talking assholes. Silence and pause often is interpreted as agreement. In other words unless the environment of respect and normal discussion is not defended it will end u…
Aren't you both arguing for a culture of science ? Of discussions dominated by experimental results and data driven decisions? You can be as loud an asshat as you like, but if your opinions disagree with experimental results, tough. Of course you can still be a loud asshat and right but that's a different class of problem.
The problem is that loud, wrong assholes tend to be be highly skilled at manipulative strategies e.g. Gish Gallop, etc. In fact, it's selected for. And you can't always counter disingenuous debate with honest debate - you just have to kick that person out of the room.
Starting to perhaps understand how VC investment results over time have been so mediocre compared to other asset classes. If 'Confidence Driven Workplace' ie. being loud, interrupting -- shuts down a mellow minded person whose contribution is lost (Pao for example) -- it could be a mistake to get behind that kind of culture. A study might show why VC returns are so mediocre. The non-risk-adjusted RoR through mid-2013…
> It would be an interesting research project over time to see if a culture of decent, respectful relations and manners led to the same or better VC investment returns. What has to happen is there has to be near unanimous backlash against loud b.s. talking assholes. Silence and pause often is interpreted as agreement. In other words unless the environment of respect and normal discussion is not defended it will end u…
> What has to happen is there has to be near unanimous backlash against loud b.s. talking assholes.
This is basically every VC out there who maintains a social media presence. They just shout and scream how great the teams/products they just invested in. As if yelling and screaming will force these ventures to success.