[pyjug]

Sorry if I wasn't clear - GP's thesis was that white men are overrepresented in senior positions _because_ they can more easily "fight back" and "be open" than others. In other words, they still believe in meritocracy, it's just that white men are afforded the chance to be more meritorious.

I'm disputing that thesis based on my experience. You don't need to be vulnerable or "be open" at all - you just need to be part of the in-group. I know "Senior Director of Engineering" who had no clue what the hell was going on. They never spoke up in meetings, or did anything useful at all - it was clear to everyone they added no value whatsoever. Turns out they were just floating from startup to startup moving up in seniority in the process. Presumably, nobody bothered to question them during the interview process as it was assumed they were "competent" based on their background and past positions.