If you pay them.... they would come.... but you don't
So much to write and so little space....
Outsourcing
Science just doesn't cut it with respect to status in the first world. The tech companies are looking for smart third world students who have gravitated to this field as it offers status, a good income and a ticket out of there if they play their cards right. In so doing the tech company gets the same skill level for a third of the price. Oh, and people who will work themselves into the ground for the promise of a green card.
Unless you had an unwavering passion, why choose science over becoming an investment banker (out of favor now but they'll be back), actuary, doctor, accountant etc. ?
The "Cool" Factor
Tech will only bee seen as cool by a fringe element. Stop referring to people like Gates and Brin as being cool geeks as: one, they are in a microscopic minority; and two, they are billionaires. By default being a billionaire makes you cool.
Tech is just never going to have the sheen of marketing. If you've ever spent 48 hours straight in server rooms over the weekend you'll know what I mean.
Women in Technology
This old chestnut. Oddly I've not seen a drive for more men in nursing. This is such a waste of time.
Further, women who are cherry picked by tech companies tend to get the hell out of tech in favor of being a manager as soon as possible. Yes there are exceptions but this is the standard path I've observed. if you've yet to be told this little gem, the management ladder is MUCH longer and higher than the tech ladder.
People Aren't Dumb
This relates to my original point. Look at salaries. The salesman, whose gift is his extroverted personality, with a limited understanding of the product at best is going to earn multiples of what the average engineer is able to.
If you don't already know, these are the true stars of a company if income is anything to go by.
So, why compete to get into such a tough field for limited return? Pick your battles wisely. My advice to future science students is to target those fields occupied by the mediocre where you'll stand a good chance of being at the top of your field for significantly less effort - oh and with great pay and status too. Alternatively, look at salaries and follow the money.