Penelope Trunk is on a tear and this time pinging on the lack of women in Web 2.0, and comes up with some pretty interesting theories on why this is the next big issue. So far, no one has solved the wage gap, and it looks like no one will.

Or, here’s another idea. Instead of worrying about the wage gap let’s worry about the Web 2.0 gap. The second round of the Internet revolution is being run largely by men. In fact, as tech companies need less and less marketing, the usual spots for women in tech companies are disappearing. And as the barrier to entry gets lower and lower, and founders get younger and younger, the hours people put in to start a company verge on 100 percent of waking time, something that women seem to be just plain not interested in doing. Source: Huffington Post

We will be the first to admit there is just not enough color in IT, the statistics are very skewed towards white males in their 20’s and 30’s. Older folks in IT have to either find a government job or go do something else because of the stereotypes in the system. Or they need to make management and trust young and upcoming employees to do wonderful things. The work hours are long, the rewards few unless you get “Lotto Lucky” and hit the jackpot, management leaves something to be desired, and getting time off or even needing time off can some how ruin you in the company.

Just sit here in this darkened cube and write code until metacarpal tunnel syndrome sets in.

Penelope points out that this really does not sound all that pleasant, and for many folks it is not, for some it is the ideal working conditions and they love it.

The IT industry does need to have more color and more diversity and move away from the stereotype to attract more people, that is just a given statement, and if you don’t believe us, walk through the corridors of anyone that does not hire a lot of H1B Visa folks.

So what is it about IT that does not appeal? Let us know, might be worth consolidating the arguments and seeing what we can come up with. Otherwise, we will be stuck with status quo, and that will just be the way that it is.