https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-brilliance-paradox-what-really-keeps-women-and-minorities-from-excelling-in-academia/

In the 1980s philosophers would sometimes speak of “the Beam”—a metaphorical spotlight of intellectual brilliance that could illuminate even the most complex philosophical conundrums. Only some lucky philosophers were ever born with the Beam, and their work represented the gold standard of the field. Anyone who lacked the Beam was forever condemned to trail behind them intellectually.