Given the number of applications Google receives, I assume they receive far more candidates that "meet the bar" technically than they can ever possibly accept,

Given the number of applications Google receives, I assume they receive far more candidates that "meet the bar" technically than they can ever possibly accept, as do top tier Universities with students who have stellar grades/test scores. So like these Universities, Google must consider other factors they believe add uncommon value to the "campus" when choosing candidates, among which are ethnic and gender diversity. I believe the author is underestimating the value of this to Google's corporate culture and public image, and is probably overestimating the technical skill required to be a competent Googler. That being said, I believe his firing will only raise the dissatisfaction of the (I'm sure many) employees that share his viewpoint or at least his right to express it.