I believe this rule to be true in general, and in all environments. I.e. 90% of software developers (or any other profession) are terrible at their job. But thi

I believe this rule to be true in general, and in all environments. I.e. 90% of software developers (or any other profession) are terrible at their job. But this _also_ goes for prestigious company environments like Google -- 90% of Google developers are mediocre. And conversely, the top 10% of developers in a 100 man, mid-west company that you've never heard of do work on the same level as the top 10% of Googlers. (This does not extend to functions that the small firm does not have, i.e. R&D.) This is partly due to selection (firms filter out exceptionally good people and select for mediocrity) but also due to the hierarchical nature of social organizations: only the top of the pyramid have the agency and corresponding authority to think critically instead of obey orders, and do important original work.