I'm not sure I buy this argument, because Wired consistently ignores it regards to men. Like in 2005, when they put Blake Ross on the cover (issue 13.02). Or 2006, when Will Wright was on the cover (14.04). Or 2008, when they featured Ray Ozzie (16.12) and Shai Agassi (16.09). Or Craig Newmark in 2009 (17.09). None of these people is particularly well-known outside of tech circles.

I did not go back all the way in Wired's cover archive to verify Royal's claim that no woman has been on the cover "for an actual accomplishment" since Sherry Turkle in 1996. But that is that is a fairly damning data point, assuming it is true.