Stereotypes can destroy a work environment, classroom, or any other public venue. The stereotype could be harmless (i.e. assuming the man in the business suit and carrying the briefcase is a big-wig business associate) or harmful (i.e. assuming the man in jeans and t-shirt is the pizza delivery boy). Either way, our society is designed to create stereotypes based on all situations. Technology is no different. What’s the stereotype, you may ask. Well, in an article by Laurie Segall (2011), the claim is made that “’the world’s greatest entrepreneurs’ are almost all “white, male, nerds who’ve dropped out of Harvard or Stanford.’”
Shall we examine the validity of this claim?
- Entrepreneurial claim-to-fame: Facebook
- Male
- Leave of Absence from Harvard
- The Social Network leads us to believe he is, for all intents and purposes, a nerd
Mark Zuckerberg fits the stereotype.
- Entrepreneurial claim-to-fame: Apple
- Male
- Attended Reed College for a semester
- Designed first computer, consisting of only a circuit board
Steve Jobs fits two of the three stereotypical claims. However, the fact that he did drop out of college after a single semester leads to the same philosophy as a Harvard or Stanford dropout. Jobs is a match.
- Entrepreneurial claim-to-fame: Microsoft
- Male
- 1975 Harvard dropout
- Began studying computers in 7th grade, which lends toward the title of nerd
Gates is a perfect match. 
- Entrepreneurial claim-to-fame: Google
- Male
- Stanford PhD student
- Author of an algorithm (with Co-Founder Sergy Brin)
Larry Page is another match to the stereotype.
Four of the biggest names in technology fit the stereotypical claim almost to the letter. Should this be startling? Of course not. Seagull states that, with the pattern, investors have no trouble believing the company will take off, despite its construct or usefulness. She goes on to say that, in the technology world, diversity is just not a main focus. However, many are trying to rectify this situation. Some companies/programs are aiming specifically at female students. The problem, however real it may be, needs to be fixed. In a society where the dominant culture is shifting to the minority, companies must look toward new types of entrepreneurs. The stereotype, however accurate it may be, has met its end.
This does not surprise me at all. Even though in this day and age we are all connected, we still rely on and create stereotypes. Stereotypes supposedly help us make sense of our world and give us an understanding of it. Stereotypes allow us to decide if these people are the ones we want to interact with. The stereotype you presented here does not surprise me at all because of the white male and intellectual type. What I am amazed at is the lack of Asian names (stereotyping!). I appreciate your final comment that the stereotype will be changing in our technological world. I wonder what this new stereotype will be. Great idea for a post.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have dropped out of college... nevermind, I am writing this response so I guess that won't be happening anytime soon. One thing that interests me the most is that only one of the four guys... I mean nerds graduated from College. I guess they all had bigger and better things on their minds when they were attending.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely astonishing! I really enjoyed your blog Kyle. It makes a guy like me want to drop out and become rich. However, I do not possess the brains of the four people that you listed so my journey would be a different one. It would almost result in complete failure post dropout. I do believe that the stereotype has ended. It is hard to get anywhere without a degree these days and dropping out isn’t seen as beneficial. Great blog Kyle!
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