The author of this newsletter is a Democrat who believes in the values of DEI, understands the importance of climate mitigation efforts, serves as an ally to LGBTQ folks, Black Lives Matter, and other progressive ideals. Views expressed here are personal.
TL;DR
Embracing DEI for equal opportunities is crucial. Yet, prioritizing false narratives over factual accuracy is unethical. Period. Privilege exists but the way to create a more level playing field is not to start playing with facts.
Critics say Google messed up. Gemini, its competitor to Chat GPT, turned out to be a major embarrassment. In its quest to prioritize DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) over facts, it launched a model that frustrated everyone. Google issued an apology. Take a look at why people got worked up:
#1. Race
#2. Politics
#3. Common sense and judgment. It depends, but not always.
This is an interesting take on Gemini and Google culture.
Is Google too woke to be true?
Before we address this, let’s discuss what woke means. "Woke" originally referred to being awake or aware, especially in social and political issues. However, in contemporary usage, "woke" has taken on a more specific meaning, often associated with a heightened awareness of social injustices, particularly related to issues such as race, gender, and other forms of systemic oppression.
In essence, being woke is good and shows moral awareness and clarity. However, critics argue, wokeism has further divided society by making it fundamentalist in the opposite direction.
Rob Henderson introduced the concept of "luxury beliefs" as morally convenient beliefs that the rich and powerful (both people and companies) have learned to articulate perfectly to signal status. Essentially, you are cool if you say the right things, says Henderson. An example of a luxury belief is thinking that random social forces, like luck, matter more than individual decisions and effort in determining success. This notion benefits the upper class by reinforcing their privileged position but can disadvantage underprivileged individuals who may be less motivated to work hard
Here is a short video if you want to get into the details.
The Google Saga
Google has been at the forefront of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. While fostering an inclusive outlook towards products and services is commendable, concerns have been raised about whether the company's commitment to being socially aware has led to an environment where certain narratives take precedence over factual accuracy. The potential danger lies in the risk of perpetuating ideological echo chambers and suppressing diverse perspectives, which could hinder open dialogue and a balanced exchange of ideas.
It's crucial to navigate the fine line between genuine social awareness and performative "wokeness" that might serve as a status signal. The concept of luxury beliefs raises questions about whether being "woke" in certain contexts is more about signaling virtue than creating meaningful societal change. As we delve into Google's practices and corporate culture, a critical examination of the motivations behind their woke initiatives is essential to determine if they genuinely align with fostering equality and inclusion or if they serve as a status symbol for the tech giant.
Was Google Gemini just a symptom of luxury beliefs gone wild? Was it all a marketing gimmick to score political points? You decide.
To conclude, let’s reiterate a few things:
DEI efforts and important and urgent. However, force-fitting DEI to score political points is an insult to common sense.
Being woke is being moral. However, pretending to be woke is an insult to common sense.
The founders and employees of companies have the right to be political. However, they can’t enforce their politics onto others. Imagine a world where people of unpopular political views aren’t allowed to Tweet, Google, or book AirBnB. Some say, intentionally or unintentionally, that’s what Gemini did. That seems like an insult to common sense.
Finally, and this is just fyi - if you say grand things in your mission statement, you will be morally liable for failing to live up to your words.