Who Was Fired? A Googler in Hot Water Over a Controversial Memo
Dr. Six-Pager: The Story
One Google engineer—whispers call him James Damore—wrote a memo titled “Google’s Ideological Echo Chamber” that turned social media into a storm. In it, he claimed that men and women aren’t exactly the same “in biology” and that this might explain why few women hit the top spots in tech.
He said, “We need to stop assuming that gender gaps equal sexism.” But folks weren’t entirely thrilled about that line.
After his memo leaked, the slip‑through: people took it seriously, some applauded him, and others—
- —launched cries of “offense” and “stereotyping” at a company that prides itself on diversity.
- —damned it for sailing under the banner of biological determinism.
- —told him that Google’s ethos is stronger than his birth‑date.
Top‑Level Post‑Mortem
Chief Executive Sundar Pichai fired him. In a gutsy email to the Google crew, he blasted the memo for “advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace.” He added, “To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to certain roles is offensive and not OK.”
Google’s Code of Conduct, which stops “harassment, intimidation, bias, and unlawful discrimination,” was squarely violated. Pichai urged every Googler to uphold the company’s values until the end.
Why the Fuss?
Google’s slogan is all about “bringing people together.” A memo that echoes old myths about gender? A fit‑no‑fancy twist. That’s the headline. And the rebels? The ones who want to keep the workplace drama free of stereotypes.
Quick Takeaway
The memo sparked a debate about biology vs. bias, but the answer was clear: Google’s culture needs to nudge away from contentious theories, leaving room for inclusion, not exclusion.
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