General Discussion

OneGrassRoot

(23,954 posts)

5. True...

Wed Aug 19, 2015, 06:36 PM

Aug 2015

But nearly all of the sites got A LOT of venture capital investment. A LOT.

That demographic remains the greatest recipient of such funding.

Unless you're independently wealthy, finding time to give a venture all of your time and energy to REALLY push it out there is a tremendous struggle.

I created sites over the last few years. One is known to many DUers, Wishadoo; it has proof of concept.

Yet finding funding in order to relaunch and take things to the next level -- and be able to devote my time to that rather than paycheck-to-paycheck survival -- has been discouraging, to say the least.

Age and gender matter in that world. They truly do. It is changing, especially via programs which are focused on teaching girls and all kids of color coding, but it will be a while before we feel that impact.

Still, my fear is that it will continue to be segregated.

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It's official: The Internet is Owned by White Dudes [View all] OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 OP

This is something to think about. LWolf Aug 2015 #1

what a great thought provoking post cali Aug 2015 #2

Anyone can create any kind of website. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #3

True... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #5

A couple of things... Xithras Aug 2015 #93

Thanks for such a thoughtful, detailed reply. OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #102

A new study showed investors tend to fund entrepreneurs who look like them.... JTFrog Aug 2015 #151

No surprise at all... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #152

I just wanted you to know that it's not all in your head... JTFrog Aug 2015 #153

Thanks for confirming that. OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #154

The only solution is for other people to create successful websites LittleBlue Aug 2015 #4

It's not even about coding knowledge... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #6

True LittleBlue Aug 2015 #7

Values and mission matter. OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #8

You frame your criticism in terms of race but ignore the elephant in the room which snagglepuss Aug 2015 #48

I don't ignore it -- I simply didn't flesh all aspects out in this OP... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #51

The person with coding knowledge *and* an idea is at an advantage. lumberjack_jeff Aug 2015 #14

The media founders (HuffPo) had no technical expertise... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #16

The media founders of Huff Po brought capital. lumberjack_jeff Aug 2015 #17

So? OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #18

i see the usual cave men have emerged CreekDog Aug 2015 #26

dammit... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #27

:) CreekDog Aug 2015 #29

Ahh, this must be that "ongoing, meaningful, respectful discussion" mentioned in the main post. Jester Messiah Aug 2015 #101

You catch on quick. The poster to whom you are replying is least likely to embody it. nt lumberjack_jeff Aug 2015 #116

It is the amount of respect due a person CreekDog Aug 2015 #117

Is stalking me a passtime or a pathology? n/t lumberjack_jeff Aug 2015 #119

Jeff, stalking would require that person actually follow you- not conversing with others. bettyellen Aug 2015 #124

We *can* all read. lumberjack_jeff Aug 2015 #126

I don't think you have offered anything relevant here other than insisting that learning code is bettyellen Aug 2015 #139

It's not stalking when i participate in gender inequality threads CreekDog Aug 2015 #129

Nothing some quotas wont fix GummyBearz Aug 2015 #9

Jezebel was founded by a woman? The best vegan recipe websites are all women. KittyWampus Aug 2015 #10

Jezebel is part of Gawker Media... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #11

Yep and Those Young White Dudes Are Literally Kicking Old, Poor, People of Color Out of Housing daredtowork Aug 2015 #12

dayum... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #13

This is sort of like debate about the pay gap. lumberjack_jeff Aug 2015 #15

I don't even know how to respond to that first line... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #19

Don't feed them. n/t JTFrog Aug 2015 #34

... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #35

Sad but true. JTFrog Aug 2015 #36

And that is PRECISELY the culture of which I speak... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #37

"Change will only come from underrepresented people changing their choices and priorities," YoungDemCA Aug 2015 #64

That's the most farcical misinterpretation of something I've ever seen. sibelian Aug 2015 #90

I'm at a loss, and the OP doesn't propose, how to fix the problem statement. lumberjack_jeff Aug 2015 #118

If you're referring to my OP as impotent griping... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #121

I'm aware that coding knowledge isn't your point, but it must be. lumberjack_jeff Aug 2015 #125

I'm trying to understand your point... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #131

This white dude sees what you're saying - freemay20 Aug 2015 #20

that was also a Bay Area headline a while back: something like "tech companies even whiter MisterP Aug 2015 #21

k&r Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #22

and the cave men are in here harassing her CreekDog Aug 2015 #28

If only they would make better choices and priorities. Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #38

it's fascinating that the same people who notice they are shut out from higher level opportunities bettyellen Aug 2015 #57

+1. For all-too-many straight white dudes, personal responsibility is for other people YoungDemCA Aug 2015 #66

And that mindset is built in to Internet culture OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #71

I agree strongly, with all of this YoungDemCA Aug 2015 #75

Well said... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #78

Interesting thoughts- thanks OGR! bettyellen Aug 2015 #92

I really hope you're saying that ironically. Jester Messiah Aug 2015 #100

It's actually a reference to post #15... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #105

Sounds more like your beef is with capitalism in general davidn3600 Aug 2015 #23

Again, missing the point... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #25

Great post malaise Aug 2015 #24

"Diversity and equality must to be part of the creation" Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #30

You DO realize... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #31

You DO realize... Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #32

I actually do not believe that is the case... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #33

Actually you're wrong....the lack of diversity means they aren't getting the best CreekDog Aug 2015 #39

"Lacking diversity means they lack the dimensionality to appeal to all facets of the marketplace." Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #40

Maybe the obscene consumerism... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #41

Then trudge off to Mexico, China, Taiwan, etc. and scold them for their lack of diversity. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #42

Oy...try to have a good day. n/t OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #43

I'm still curious to know how we hand-wave diversity into existence in an environment that is Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #44

Okay, I'll bite... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #50

In the tech world where the biggest entrepeneurs started in their college dorms? Yes. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #54

The point was about the inception of the marketing ideas - not where their factories are, LOL. bettyellen Aug 2015 #112

Except when you're grousing about hiring practices, apparently. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #114

attempted derail- because the marketing is not happening overseas. DERP. bettyellen Aug 2015 #146

most sites listed are not "salty snacks and skinny jeans" but editorial comment and fuck yes they bettyellen Aug 2015 #46

^^^^ THIS n/t OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #49

How come everybody acts as if the consumer has no say in any of this? Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #53

LOL, you are pretending that hiring and funding decision are based on merit? How many studies have bettyellen Aug 2015 #56

Google and Facebook were started by college kids in their dorms. What bias transpired in their Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #58

You think people are magically free of bias when they are in school or something? Seriously? bettyellen Aug 2015 #59

Well, you seem to lugging around a few of your own but I'm curious to know if you can Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #60

acknowledging systemic bias against women and POC is not my "bias". it's been studied and proven bettyellen Aug 2015 #70

Your argument basically amounts to little more than calling the companies cited in the OP Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #82

LOL, it is true of the majority of companies in our culture, unless you argue that white men are bettyellen Aug 2015 #83

You're condemning people by their skin color and gender, not evidence. That's bigotry defined. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #86

By your measure no one could discuss our sexist and racist past without being a bigot. Nope. bettyellen Aug 2015 #87

Getting rid of sexism and racism is a moral duty but if you're going to accuse specific people of a Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #88

Not going to make this sandwich for you. You're free to live in ignorance or do your own research. bettyellen Aug 2015 #95

You're the one accusing the companies in the OP of sexist/racist behavior. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #98

I have actually done a lot of reading on the hiring practices and corporate culture at most of those bettyellen Aug 2015 #103

Making the great assumption that you have, in fact, studied these companies Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #109

In other word, you don't know what I am talking about, and are not interested in finding out... bettyellen Aug 2015 #110

There is no "in other words" I'll say it flat-out -- Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #111

Baloney. Malarky. Entitled bullshit. Do your own research if you are not up to speed, because you bettyellen Aug 2015 #113

That which is asserted without proof may be dismissed without proof. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #115

None so deaf as those that will not hear. None so blind as those that will not see. bettyellen Aug 2015 #122

I've seen proof that everything you asserted is patently false. Do you own research for that. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #127

Most of the tech companies have a lot of POC 1939 Aug 2015 #149

And very very few blacks, latinos and women. bettyellen Aug 2015 #150

In reading about this issue in depth yesterday... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #61

wasn't FB conceived so that male students could checkout pics and info on new women on campus? bettyellen Aug 2015 #94

That wouldn't surprise me at all... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #97

Ick yes- it is worse than I thought. Evolved from a "hot or not" site that used pics of fellow bettyellen Aug 2015 #104

Ick is right! OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #106

When you control what is on the shelf tkmorris Aug 2015 #63

It makes for good sci-fi but the fact is most producers just want to show a profit so they Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #65

+1. YoungDemCA Aug 2015 #69

But at the creation stage 1939 Aug 2015 #45

Do you actually believe this? That is pretty sad and self defeating. And ridiculous. bettyellen Aug 2015 #47

And there are lots of women who appreciate and love nerdy men YoungDemCA Aug 2015 #72

I don't disparage any of the geeky, nerdy, young dudes... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #52

"All of a sudden, they are making big bucks and everyone says 'why weren't we invited?'." Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #62

that's more like an MRA trope- nerd gets rich so he can get revenge on those football players and bettyellen Aug 2015 #91

You are just desperate to mischaracterise whatever you cannot refute. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #96

By that logic, FOX News and Clear Channel-owned radio stations are just fine and dandy YoungDemCA Aug 2015 #68

it's interesting how their root argument is that basically culture doesn't exist or matter, LOL. bettyellen Aug 2015 #74

It's the view of societies as an aggregate of atomistic, self-contained individuals YoungDemCA Aug 2015 #76

How could they be conditioned if they didn't first choose the means of conveyance? Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #79

Interesting thoughts! You will get a lot of blow back from dudes who don't care basically pretending bettyellen Aug 2015 #55

You're not the only one - Lilith Rising Aug 2015 #73

The powerful and privileged don't want to share power and access to resources YoungDemCA Aug 2015 #67

Is there a specific change you are seeking, or is this more of an "observational" post? jeff47 Aug 2015 #77

Remember Wishadoo!? OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #80

The culture shifts as the people in the pool shift jeff47 Aug 2015 #84

Gotcha... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #85

Interesting - but you are limiting this to the "how to create" aspect, which as you say- bettyellen Aug 2015 #89

Yep, my point is more of how we got here and how we are very slowly climbing out. jeff47 Aug 2015 #99

what blows my mind is that most people will admit that most businesses do not function as bettyellen Aug 2015 #128

That is an outstanding observation. Idiotic decisions by exectives and mangers are SOP. greatlaurel Aug 2015 #138

Yet I have seen many jump in here pretending it doesn't happen when a woman says it does... bettyellen Aug 2015 #144

An unfortunate OP Android3.14 Aug 2015 #81

There are plenty of people out there trying to bring some diversity to tech. KamaAina Aug 2015 #107

Absolutely... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #108

This is one of the most outstanding posts on DU for a long time. greatlaurel Aug 2015 #120

Thank YOU... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #123

Thanks! greatlaurel Aug 2015 #140

honestly... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #141

Absolutely this. Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #134

Aha! lol OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #142

If your choices have always led to relative success, and you've never thought about it, Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #143

Silly you...us... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #145

Meritocracy is just a fancy way of saying good ole boy network. Thank you for your insights. greatlaurel Aug 2015 #147

If you are waiting for young white men to "create a culture" for you... Romulox Aug 2015 #130

I have no desire to stop white men, or men in general... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #132

Then you need to direct your anger inward. It's *your* failure to create the culture you want. Romulox Aug 2015 #133

I'm actually not angry, not in my OP nor now... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #135

You call out others for what you yourself have not done. nt Romulox Aug 2015 #136

Please, do tell... OneGrassRoot Aug 2015 #137

actually all the anger and hostility here is coming from you, LOL. bettyellen Aug 2015 #148