Update: All-Male New Media Delegation Considered "Microcosm" of Industry

Nancy Scola over at TechPresident gives an update on the State Department's New Media Delegation that went to Iraq. You may recall that I scorned the trip earlier this week due to a major lack of diversity within the list of all-male attendees who allegedly represent the new media-technology world.

The updates from the attendees are mildly insightful and interesting until we get to Jared Cohen's remarks where he pretty much insinuates that this all-male delegation is a "microcosm" of the technology and new media industry:

Remember, you know, each member of our delegation was chosen because of their expertise. What you have here is a microcosm of the industry. You know, the industry is gigantic and, you know, we wanted to bring, you know, individuals that represent, you know, different types of platforms. But again, they came in their expert hat, not in their business hat. So the purpose of this trip was not to make deals, but to, you know, have a conceptual partnership.

So if you're going to talk about any kind of partnership, it really is conceptual at this stage, because again, this is the first of what we hope will be an ongoing engagement and dialogue between the American technology industry and the Government of Iraq, all on the conceptual side to help them think through how to expand and leverage these platforms, so yes, eventually down the line on how they can use these platforms to achieve tangible results on the ground.

I'm sorry, but this just needs to stop. Wake up Jared Cohen - the American technology industry is made up of A LOT more people besides men. Remember these ladies?

Gina Bianchini, Caterina Fake, Eileen Gittins, Sandy Jen, Elaine Wherry, Mary Lou Jepsen, Tina Sharkey, Rashmi Sinha, Mena Trott, Louise Wannier, Genevieve Bell, Sandy Carter VP, Safra Catzm, Susan Decker, Andrea Jung, Julie Larson, Ann Livermore, Marissa Mayer, Sheryl Sandberg, Stephanie Tilenius, Padmasree Warrior

When will those in the government get a grip and realize the when you add women, you will not only garner a greater range of opinions, but ensure success from both a female and male point of view.

Talk about innovation.

(Photo by Scott Heiferman)