Paul Graham isn't a social scientist. His arguments assume there isn't systemic, implicit gender bias based on cultural attitudes and that major competitions access the potential, not realized, pool of "best" talent.
One need only look at Disney, Nickelodeon, or walk through the aisles of a toy or bookstore to witness rampant stereotyping. Case in point: the nauseating toy for "girl engineers", Goldie Blox, a single-purpose toy bedecked in pink accoutrements and accompanied by a vapid story-come-manual featuring a visually sexualized protagonist. This patronizing pith has been lauded as a breakthrough toy. The only thing it shatters is girls' self-esteem.
As a society, we excel at subliminally undermining females' intellects. Young women are bombarded with messaging from all corners promoting a hyper-sexualized, objectified existence. Level playing field, I think not.
I attended an all-girls school from grade 7, and the single best thing they did was EXPECT that all graduates would have a full slate of university preparation math and science courses under their belts. They created an environment where female
STEM participation was normative. I tip my hat to the headmistress at the time.
