NASA moves swiftly to end DEI programs, ask employees to “report” violations
"Failure to report this information within 10 days may result in adverse consequences."
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/01/nasa-moves-swiftly-to-end-dei-programs-ask-employees-to-report-violations/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
@arstechnica One to add to the list. If you see someone stealing a loaf of bread, no you didn't. If you see someone who might be making a DEI hire, no you didn't.
@Salty @arstechnica How else is a mediocre person supposed to get ahead?
Don't be obtuse.
DEI is not about hiring mediocre people. It's about if you have a choice between equally good candidates, you choose the one in the under-represented demographic.
@Salty @galad @arstechnica Respectfully - it's not really that, either. It's about ensuring that people with unequal backgrounds, advantages and opportunites are given equal access to jobs and roles.
For example, if you get two candidates with engineering degrees from MIT, it *shouldn't* matter if one of them went to a fancy-ass private high school. Or if one of them is a wheelchair user. Or needs an extra provision for an interview because of their neurodivergence. Or is the wrong gender.
@BonehouseWasps @galad @arstechnica I agree that equal is where we want to end up. But we are far from equal. In the meantime we must aim for equitable instead. That means a thumb on the scale. It is, strictly speaking, unequal. But it moves us toward being equal.
If have 10 potatoes and you have 5, giving us both 5 potatoes is equal. But I still have more potatoes than you. Instead if you get 10 and I get 5, then we're equal, and we can get 5 each from then on.
Straight white men like me
@BonehouseWasps @galad @arstechnica currently have all the potatoes. Once everyone who is NOT a straight white man has caught up, we can be equal. But not before.
@Salty @galad @arstechnica This is true in practice, of course. Well said.
@BonehouseWasps @Salty @galad @arstechnica
It's about levelling the playing field.
https://youtu.be/yDEL1pTYOhs?feature=shared
No, it isn't
@darwinwoodka @galad @arstechnica Thank you for this insightful, nuanced contribution to the discussion.
@Salty @galad @arstechnica and understanding that a diverse workforce brings more ideas from different places, makes better decisions by considering more viewpoints. And makes fewer bone headed mistakes.
@munkisquisher This 100 percent.
@Salty @galad @arstechnica
Oh! When he said "How else is a mediocre person supposed to get ahead?" I thought he was referring to all the mediocre privileged white boys who get jobs because of family connections, going to the right private schools, paying the right people, cheating on their education, having the right skin colour etc!
@MrLee @Salty @arstechnica I am. The point of ending DEI is so that the bottom of the barrel can rise to the top. The kicker is that some white people benefit from DEI as well, especially if they are neurodivergent or have a physical disability.
@galad @Salty @arstechnica try asking your mom.
None of the individuals maybe with exception of one or two that’s being nominated for White House appointments is qualified or experienced.
If people are going to complain about DEI explain to me first how people with no qualifications other than being loyal to either billionaires, and Pluto Democrats or Donald Trump constitutes technical expertise or experience
@arstechnica Bigots everywhere
@arstechnica
Just shut down Space Camp, then.
This is not just NASA. Almost all agencies were forced by the fascists to send out the same form letter.
@SaftyKuma @arstechnica they can still practice it as a culture but just not call it that to send a message to the fat orange fascist to fuck off.
@arstechnica Threats. Because otherwise she is woman in a position of power and would herself be singled out as a violation and fired.
#nasa #dei
@arstechnica punch her in the fucking throat. Resist.
@arstechnica Uranus is gay. Blow it up!
@arstechnica Trump is an idiot. Anyone who goes along with him is a bigger idiot.
@arstechnica
"Turn in the Jews or else!" moment for the mighty USA.
@arstechnica
Clarification: It’s DEIA, including accessibility. So also specifically aimed at anyone with any sort of disability. I understand why you called it DEI in the headline, but facts matter, now more than ever.
@arstechnica I am deeply disappointed.
@arstechnica
Thank you for your post.
That is shameful.
Peace