Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley by Emily Chang

In her book ‘Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley’, Emily Chang reveals the dark side of the Silicon Valley tech empire. The book tells the story of the exclusive and exclusionary culture that drives tech companies along the San Francisco Bay. From the moment a woman crosses their doors, it becomes clear that sexism is a normal element in the world of high-tech. It may manifest itself in the form of decreased wages, lack of career opportunities and persistent harassment. Chang takes readers on a journey behind the closed doors of the clubhouses and meeting rooms where men take advantage of their power, privilege and unspoken immunity.

Chang opens the book with a discussion of the importance of the internet. For centuries, people have been connecting with one another, sharing ideas, and innovating. But in the last two decades, this connection has taken a more powerful form: the emergence of social media networks used worldwide to facilitate commerce and communication. Silicon Valley, established in the San Francisco Bay Area, is home to some of the most successful tech companies in the world.

Chang delves into the intricate workings of these companies, levelling at the deep-rooted sexism ingrained in the tech world. She begins by tracing the story of the unequal pay gap- between men and women in tech and their comparison to white-collar jobs in other industries. She shares jarring stories of the blatant discrimination and sexual harassment reported by women working in the tech industry. Upon further investigation, Chang changes the narrative. She claims that even the most progressive companies such as Google and Apple have been complicit in creating an atmosphere of gender inequality, which leads them to overlook instances of harassment and mistreatment of women employees.

Chang investigates how and why the Silicon Valley boys’ club sets more stringent rules and requirements for women and systematically demeans them. By discussing corporate sponsorship of platonic and sometimes amorous experiences, such as golfing outings, skiing weekends and massive parties, Chang illustrates how such events perpetuate the status quo of Silicon Valley elitism.

Drawing upon interviews with business leaders, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs, Chang shows how Silicon Valley works to exclude, objectify and silence women. From having women tokenized as eye candy at major industry events and treated as ‘petting zoo’ animals at private parties, she paints a vivid and often shocking picture of Silicon Valley, a world in which women have all but been replaced by robots.

And yet, even in the face of all of these inequities and abuses, Chang provides a glimmer of hope. She writes of recent efforts being made by progressive companies and groups to create a safe and fair working environment for women in tech. By detailing the obstacles and opportunities in the current climate, as well as the practical steps each of us can take to actively promote women in the male-dominated industry, Chang leaves readers optimistic that real change and a real working environment for women can be created.

Written with depth and simplicity, ‘Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys' Club of Silicon Valley’ by Emily Chang, is an eye-opening exploration of the culture and dynamics of the tech world. Although the book’s harsh truths about Silicon Valley may at times be difficult to read, Chang does offer a tangible path to creating a fairer future where a better workplace awaits.