In 1979 I worked for a computer consulting company. I visited GM headquarters in MI for some interviews. I arrived early so I stopped at the sandwich shop in the building lobby. It was filled with sallow-faced, scowling, middle-aged men. When the waiter took one guy's order, he threw his menu at him and snarled, "took you long enough!" fear and loathing was palpable. When I did the interview with several GM VPs, they became angry and sullen when I told them that the article I was writing would not mention them by name. The entire experience of being at GM headquarters was depressing and alarming. And that was 26 years ago.
We share a common experience. There were some very talented engineers in the lab but inertia held them hostage.
Imagine how it is now, full of affirmative action and politically correct junior officers and middle-management. In corporations it's 100 times worse than it was 30 years go. Only the strength of capitalism allows corporations to survive now. And when the older generation---men who came up in a day of accountability, without multi-culti, diversity, etc.---at the top retires, we're all in trouble.