The Evolution of Silicon Valley's Political Involvement

Silicon Valley historically viewed itself as detached from politics, perceiving tech as a realm for the intelligent, dismissing politics as trivial. This changed around 2010 with the rise of the sharing economy, as companies like Uber and Airbnb entered industries subject to significant regulations. The realization that politicians could directly impact their operations led these companies to shift their focus toward political engagement, culminating in strategic hiring of political experts like Chris Lehane. His insights propelled companies to recognize the importance of organizing voters as a means of influencing electoral outcomes.