Keith A. Spencer, a cultural critic and editor at Salon, dives deep into the dark realities of Silicon Valley in his latest work. He discusses how tech giants exploit workers and erode democracy through hyper-exploitative practices. Spencer critiques the myths of innovation, revealing personal stories of economic exclusion. He also illustrates absurdities like the Juicero juicing machine and challenges the relentless cycle of smartphone upgrades. Moreover, he uncovers social media’s manipulative strategies, urging for more democratic alternatives in our tech-driven world.
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Silicon Valley's Global Reach
Silicon Valley's influence is global, impacting lives far beyond the Santa Clara Valley.
Decisions made by a few engineers and CEOs have worldwide repercussions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Personal History and Exclusion
Keith Spencer's family, with deep Bay Area roots, has been largely excluded from Silicon Valley's economic boom.
His grandfather, a Menlo Park native, was evicted at 90 due to rising costs.
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The Book's Purpose
"A People's History of Silicon Valley" aims to present the perspective of those marginalized by the tech industry.
It covers the impact on both local residents and people worldwide affected by Silicon Valley's technologies.
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Keith A. Spencer's "A People's History of Silicon Valley" offers a critical examination of the tech industry's impact, focusing on the experiences of marginalized communities and workers. The book challenges the narrative of Silicon Valley as a purely positive force, highlighting issues of exploitation, privacy erosion, and democratic undermining. Spencer delves into the history of the region, tracing its evolution from agricultural roots to its current state as a global tech hub. He exposes the often-overlooked consequences of technological advancements on workers worldwide and the unequal distribution of wealth. The book serves as a call for greater accountability and a more equitable future for the tech industry.
The dark shadow of Silicon Valley is growing longer everyday, covering more and more of the globe and spreading not just technology, but a particular value set as well. By this time many know about the hyper-exploitative business models of companies like Uber or TaskRabbit. Or about how AirBnB has heavily reduced housing stocks in cities worldwide. But in his new book, Keith A. Spencer goes further than just picking on a few high profile companies. He lays out an argument for why Silicon Valley, at its core, is a highly exploitative and problematic industry. With a look at the tech world from the vantage point of the marginalized and oppressed—those who have not benefited from the incredible wealth bubbling up in the valley—”A People’s History of Silicon Valley: how the tech industry exploits workers, erodes privacy, and undermines democracy,” presents a damning thesis for why this new world of addictive gadgets and union-busting is increasingly undemocratic and dangerous. A People’s History of Silicon Valley is published by Eyewear Publishing.
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