Silicon Valley’s meritocratic rhetoric masks real class hierarchy

Evidence

In Jan English-Lueck’s Cultures@ SiliconValley project, an ethnography of 1990s Silicon Valley technology workers, she describes the centrality of modern work practices to Silicon Valley techno-culture and identifies the discrepancy between its discourse of egalitarianism and the realities of social hierarchy. She writes, “This [Silicon Valley] identity, in which work defines worth, is based on producing technology, and embracing a fast pace and open attitude. In theory, it embodies the ultimate expression of personal achievement beyond the restrictions of one’s birth. People assert that opportunity is not affected by national origin, class, or gender. However, differences are detectable. The culture of opportunity looks different to a janitor, an admin, an engineer, and a high-tech executive.” The San Francisco technology scene prides itself on being open to those seeking to break in, but social position definitely affects how others treat you; your access to people, conferences, and technologies; your job and relationship prospects; your ability to command an audience; and many other privileges. — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update, 177

Categorization

• XREF: Echoes meritocracy-versus-structure critiques elsewhere in self-branding literature. — connects to: Tech meritocracy discourse masks a narrow demographic and behavioral mold — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity,…, 46; Tech’s meritocracy rhetoric contradicts its actual demographics and practices — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity,…, 645; The meritocracy myth masks structural inequality and justifies tech wealth — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity,…, 673 (+5 more)
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity,…, 177

Broader Connections

• Tech’s meritocracy rhetoric contradicts its actual demographics and practices #corroborates (0.95) — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update, 645
• Tech meritocracy discourse masks a narrow demographic and behavioral mold #expands (0.90) — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update, 46
• The meritocracy myth masks structural inequality and justifies tech wealth #expands (0.85) — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update, 673
• Silicon Valley’s anti-conspicuous consumption ethos protects the myth that success reflects merit alone #expands (0.80) — Alice E. Marwick, Status Update, 367