时间：2026-03-29 02:14:06 来源：网络整理编辑：熱點
Actor, venture capitalist, and Uber investor Ashton Kutcher is trying to start a "dialog" around gen
Actor, venture capitalist, and Uber investor Ashton Kutcher is trying to start a "dialog" around gender inequality in tech. Unfortunately, he may be going about it exactly the wrong way.
A post Thursday night on what appears to be Kutcher's LinkedIn page (we have emails out to his venture firm and publicist to confirm) proposed some questions for an upcoming discussion about "gender equality in the work place and in tech in general." The post says Kutcher plans to host a "live open dialog" on his Facebook page next week with fellow Sound Ventures partner Effie Epstein.
The end of the post asks, "Are these the right questions?" Spoiler alert: they're not.
SEE ALSO:Sex discrimination lawsuits pile up in Silicon Valley—and there's no end in sightInstead of asking how top venture capitalists like himself could change their behavior to make tech more inclusive, Kutcher's post prompted discussion about the pipeline of women in STEM education and about how people can flirt in the workplace without sexually harassing anyone.
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
As Paradigm CEO Joelle Emerson first pointed out on Twitter, these questions are seriously flawed. The post starts off by asking for rules surrounding "dating" and "flirting" in the workplace — not the top concern for women affected by sexism and discrimination in tech.
The question "What are the clear red lines?" is less about supporting gender equality, and more about protecting powerful men from accusations of sexual harassment or misconduct.
Tweet may have been deleted
Other questions frame this discussion from the perspective of male investors, too. Kutcher — or whoever wrote this post under his name — asks, "How do we create channels to promote female entrepreneurship?" and "What advice should we be giving to female entrepreneurs?" These ideas don't address the behavior or bias of the men who already have institutional power in Silicon Valley.
The topics up for discussion look at gender inequality in tech as a pipeline problem — one that can be solved by mentorship, advice, and education, without changing the culture of the tech industry.
Tweet may have been deleted
The post noted that "in the short term we are clearly bound by the existing educated talent pool in STEM" and asked, "Should investors invest in ideas that they believe to have less merit so as to create equality across a portfolio?" The idea that people underrepresented in tech remain so in part because some of their ideas have "less merit" and that creating diversity would require lowering the bar is incredibly problematic.
Sound Ventures didn't respond to request for comment about the criticisms of this approach. But in response to some gentle criticism on LinkedIn, Kutcher responded in the comments of his post that he was starting "with the basics" to make sure cultural change affects more than human resources policies.
Kutcher has used his platform to support activism before, in particular against human trafficking. He also defended former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick at the peak of Uber's sexism crisis.
This LinkedIn post comes after several women came forward alleging sexual harassment and misconduct by top investors in Silicon Valley. Most prominently, 500 Startups founder Dave McClure resigned from his position and apologized for making "advances towards multiple women in work-related situations, where it was clearly inappropriate."
It's good that Kutcher's asking if these are the right questions. If he realizes they're not, maybe his upcoming dialog could be of some use.
UPDATE: July 7, 2017, 8:04 p.m. EDT
Kutcher responded to this feedback on Twitter Friday night, confirming that he planned to host the discussion in question on his Facebook page Monday. The good news is, it sounds like he's taking the criticism seriously.
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
TopicsSocial Good
17 questions you can answer if you're a good communicator2026-03-29 02:13
Tom Hanks spent his Golden Globes delivering martinis, deserves an award2026-03-29 02:00
New 512GB microSD memory card will make you go power2026-03-29 01:59
Arnold Schwarzenegger shares support for 'True Lies' co2026-03-29 01:57
Visualizing July's astounding global temperature records2026-03-29 01:24
'Genital Jousting' is a silly game about dicks with a timely message2026-03-29 01:20
Snapchat redesign updates in Canada, Australia, U.K., users are angry2026-03-29 01:12
New 512GB microSD memory card will make you go power2026-03-29 01:10
Michael Phelps says goodbye to the pool with Olympic gold2026-03-29 00:43
Facebook announces a big News Feed change — and just wants you to be happy2026-03-28 23:54
U.S. pole vaulter skids to a halt for national anthem2026-03-29 01:49
The government shutdown will keep SpaceX from testing the Falcon Heavy2026-03-29 01:40
Trump struck net neutrality down — and kickstarted the movement that will save it2026-03-29 01:16
Chris Christie is the first elected NJ governor in decades to avoid breaking his leg2026-03-29 00:57
Xiaomi accused of copying again, this time by Jawbone2026-03-29 00:56
Please enjoy these pics from Fiona the hippo's first birthday party2026-03-29 00:53
Elon Musk's new Tesla compensation plan is based on his performance2026-03-29 00:49
This $25 waterproof AirPods case is a hidden gem from CES 20182026-03-29 00:33
Aly Raisman catches Simone Biles napping on a plane like a champion2026-03-28 23:47
Hugh Grant explains his issue with the 'Love Actually' dancing scene2026-03-28 23:29
