It's not defense. I just don't want to engage so I don't bother replying if I have a strong enough candidate pool that will engage in a 10 minute conversation with me. Remember, I have to confirm that you are qualified for our role. If I tell you salary up front and then find out that you don't fit all of the requirements we're looking for then you become combative 90% of the time.

My company tends to pay above the averages based off of what our comp analysts reports every month. Our lowest pay band is still above the median for our market. With that said, some candidates are more qualified than others. If a less qualified candidate hears my high end and doesn't move from it then we don't hire him and move on to the vast amount of available candidates. That candidate then comes on reddit and makes posts like yours.