Completely agree that the reporting on this memo would have benefited greatly by more careful reporting by the journalism community.
While that may be the case, however, it isn't like the uproar and misinterpretation couldn't have been predicted. Whatever the academic merit of the memo author's claims, the memo was thrown into a social context that was clearly primed for snap judgement.
Particularly regarding social issues, how we write is just as important as what we write. An effective argument connects and convinces, anticipating possible reactions and (mis-)interpretations of the reader.
The irony is that the memo is missing the necessary empathy and social awareness for the audience, qualities that the author attributes to women.
While that may be the case, however, it isn't like the uproar and misinterpretation couldn't have been predicted. Whatever the academic merit of the memo author's claims, the memo was thrown into a social context that was clearly primed for snap judgement.
Particularly regarding social issues, how we write is just as important as what we write. An effective argument connects and convinces, anticipating possible reactions and (mis-)interpretations of the reader.
The irony is that the memo is missing the necessary empathy and social awareness for the audience, qualities that the author attributes to women.