Tech Won't Save Us The Untold History of Silicon Valley w/ Malcolm Harris
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Feb 16, 2023 
Silicon Valley’s origin story is far darker than its tales of garage-born genius. Malcolm Harris traces Stanford’s ties to eugenics, the region’s military contracts and Cold War weapons, and how counterculture aesthetics helped sell corporate power. The conversation also follows the industry’s labor practices and the political legacy linking early tech barons to today’s influential figures.
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Horse Breeding Influences Education
- Stanford's horse breeding system inspired early education reforms focused on optimizing youthful training.
- This agricultural science approach transitioned to human capital, cultivating faster inventors and engineers.
Military Funding Fuels Silicon Valley
- Silicon Valley's tech industry has been deeply linked to military funding since its inception.
- Companies like HP leveraged military contracts to grow while asserting dominance over regulatory constraints.
Silicon Chips Built for Missiles
- Silicon Valley technology initially advanced through defense technology like missile chips.
- This tech industry supported US military dominance during hot and cold wars affecting global power structures.