Odd Lots

This Is What Happens to Silicon Valley in a Downturn

Nov 28, 2022

Margaret O'Mara, a professor of American history at the University of Washington and author of 'The Code', dives into Silicon Valley's current downturn amidst tech stock struggles and mass layoffs. She reflects on the profound impact of historical booms and busts on the region's unique corporate culture. O'Mara also discusses government investment's role in shaping innovation and contrasts today’s challenges with past economic cycles. The conversation sheds light on the cultural shifts and resilience in the tech industry during turbulent times.

42:08

Creator website

Episode guests

Margaret O'Mara

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Secret of Silicon Valley

01:04

The Last Boom Bust

01:11

Intro

2min

Tech's Tumultuous Cycle

4min

Exploring the Cycles of Tech Booms and Busts

5min

Navigating Economic Cycles in Tech

16min

Exploring the Scale of Modern Downturns and Industry Impacts

2min

Government Investment and Tech Innovation

15min

Podcast Updates and Live Event Announcement

3min

The US economy may not be in a recession, but Silicon Valley, which had a mega-boom throughout the 2010s, is in a downturn. Tech stocks have tanked and almost every day there are new reports about industry layoffs. So what happens next? What happens to its unique corporate culture? What happens to management and employees? On this episode, we speak with Margaret O'Mara, a professor at the University of Washington and the author of the book The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America. We talk about the history of Silicon Valley's upside-down moments and how the industries that have dominated the region have changed over time, particularly as government money comes in and out of the picture.

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