New Books Network Malcolm Harris, "Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World" (Little, Brown, 2023)
Jan 19, 2026
Malcolm Harris, a freelance writer and author known for his works on millennial culture and societal critique, dives deep into the complex history of Silicon Valley in his latest book. He discusses how Palo Alto became a nexus of economic power while tracing its roots in settler colonialism and racial exclusion. Harris highlights the dark legacy of eugenics at Stanford, the influence of radical movements, and the implications of tech's financialization. He emphasizes the need for a radical rethinking of America’s capitalist foundations, urging lessons from historical movements.
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California As An Early High‑Tech Zone
- Alta California became a high-technology zone early because it linked to late-stage global capitalist development and was labor‑short, so labor‑saving tech spread fast.
- California agriculture and mining adopted advanced engines and research institutions to maximize capital productivity quickly.
Speculation, Land, And Racial Exclusion
- Land speculation in California was built on racial exclusion from the start, using laws and violence to secure plots for settlers.
- Land's speculative value, not subsistence farming, drove settlement, linking whiteness to ownership and profit.
The 'Money Machine' As A Persistent Goal
- The recurring goal across eras was to build a 'money machine' — structures that let people profit from finance and speculation rather than production.
- Railroads, mining stocks, and modern VC all convert infrastructure and information into speculative rents.
