To the editor:

It was frustrating to read Michael Barone’s opinion column titled “Google’s ‘tolerance’ requires repression” in the Aug. 14 Enterprise. In my career as a computer programmer, women engineers have consistently been among the best programmers I’ve worked with. Women, like Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, have been making essential contributions to the field since its inception. Ada Lovelace conceived of how to program a general-purpose computing machine before one was ever constructed.

The primary thing driving women away from engineering fields is encountering the attitudes promoted in this column and in the memo authored by the former Google employee. It is harmful to suggest to young people that talent in any field is an inherent trait rather than the result of hard work, passion and a supportive environment. Computer programming is a social activity, requiring many people to work together effectively. Skills like communication and empathy are in high demand, regardless of gender. Research shows that racially and gender diverse teams are smarter, more creative and make more money for their companies.

If you are a young woman considering a STEM career, don’t let this kind of thing put you off. The world needs you, and you’re going to be awesome.

Steve Halasz

Saranac Lake