a. Need there be a cause for blame, at all?
b. I know a certain number of woman who were 13 roughly 10 years ago. None is now working in programming, or that I know looking to start a company. Several are in the technically demanding field of architecture. One is an RN, which requires a good deal of intelligence. All seem reasonably happy with their choices.
c. For it may be hard to see in the world of HN, but programming, let alone programming as founder of a startup, is not the be-all and end-all of vocations.
The problem with pg's statement, which I quoted directly, is that he blames 13 year old girls and middle schools and gives industry a pass. We're already non-discriminating and self-selecting. The problem is getting girls into code, and god knows how to do that.
Parents and teachers might have a response to that. Where are the female hacker role models for the 13 year old girls to look up to?
That's one of the proactive things industry can do. Shine the spotlight on positive role models. Counteract brogrammer culture at conferences and in companies, too. That requires active intervention, not just an open door policy.
And that was the whole question he was responding to -- not just whether we're actively discriminating against women, but whether there's something more proactive we should be doing.
Just pointing his finger up the line and saying "it's their fault" is kind of disappointing.