Perhaps I should have said "Lack of women in the field..." But I was trying to be general. I implicitly agree that the problem is social, and was trying to say "crap, with a dearth of women we're missing out on many (?) of the most talented programmers." But that last sentence was a bit off.

Now, I believe words matter and can warp intentions over time and there is a danger of getting into a quota-for-quota's-sake mindset (as patio put it). I think that will alienate women as being somehow different from the majority of us, when they have more in common with us than with the rest of the population.

So, we kinda agree, I was trying to say what you said, but I think "we need more women in CS" is subtly and notably different. ...partially due to guys asking if they're hot or not... (bottom of thread)