Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley

Emily Chang

February 6, 2018

Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley, by Emily Chang celebrates the achievements of women in Palo Alto, Silicon Valley and the technology industry. Through in-depth analysis, Chang uncovers the competitive and often exclusionary culture that has set the tone in the tech world since its inception.The book examines the “bro culture” and its implications on career advancement, company culture, innovation, and public policy. Chang reveals the unique challenges women face in the tech industry, from finding mentors and being taken seriously, to top-down gender bias. She dissects the struggles female engineers, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists have endured and the decisions they have made to stay in the game.Chang draws attention to the uncomfortable truth of “pink ghettos” and “manels” (all-male panels) that largely exclude female talent, and lets readers peak into the world of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, companies, and boards of directors which are often dominated by men. Ultimately, she argues that the status quo must be disrupted and proposes corrective steps for achieving gender parity long overdue.Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley is an eye-opening, insightful exploration of a culture so often perceived as progressive, but often remains outdated and exclusive in attitude. Through rigorous interviewing and research, Chang offers readers tangible, implementable strategies for creating change and fostering inclusion. This book is a must-read for those interested in pushing Silicon Valley towards a more equitable future.