jwlrs/gist:1304262adebbb227c900

## gistfile1.txt
One thing that often comes up in discussions about hiring more diverse candidates is the idea that selecting for diversity is seen as lowering the bar.  We need to spread the idea that selecting for diversity is raising the bar.  Why?

- More diverse candidates are more likely to have faced discrimination and other hurtles.  This means that even if they are of equal competency as someone else, they had to work harder to get there, and therefore have greater velocity and tenacity.
- Underrepresented candidates might be more competent than they appear because of unconscious bias.
- Diverse perspectives are in and of themselves an asset.

This is not an original idea of course; I will collect all the references I can and present them.  There is plenty of academic research about this, for example: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/7281.html

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I am a white, straight, typically-abled, middle-class male.  As such, I hope you don't pick my talk, because that means you have enough other speakers applying.  That said, if you do pick me I will deliver a great talk.  I can do this in 5 minutes or as long as 15 minutes.
	One thing that often comes up in discussions about hiring more diverse candidates is the idea that selecting for diversity is seen as lowering the bar. We need to spread the idea that selecting for diversity is raising the bar. Why?

	- More diverse candidates are more likely to have faced discrimination and other hurtles. This means that even if they are of equal competency as someone else, they had to work harder to get there, and therefore have greater velocity and tenacity.
	- Underrepresented candidates might be more competent than they appear because of unconscious bias.
	- Diverse perspectives are in and of themselves an asset.

	This is not an original idea of course; I will collect all the references I can and present them. There is plenty of academic research about this, for example: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/7281.html

	----

	I am a white, straight, typically-abled, middle-class male. As such, I hope you don't pick my talk, because that means you have enough other speakers applying. That said, if you do pick me I will deliver a great talk. I can do this in 5 minutes or as long as 15 minutes.