Decoder with Nilay Patel

Recode Decode: Margaret O'Mara

Dec 11, 2019

In this enlightening conversation, Margaret O'Mara, a history professor and author, delves into her book exploring the intertwining of U.S. politics with the tech industry. She traces the roots of Silicon Valley back to the 1960s and discusses the significant role of government in the digital revolution. O'Mara highlights the persistent sexism in tech and the contributions of women often overlooked in history. She also warns of threats to Silicon Valley's culture, including stringent immigration laws and rising global competition.

01:02:38

Episode guests

Margaret O'Mara

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Tech, Politics, and the Birth of Silicon Valley

14min

The Birth and Evolution of the Internet

3min

Exploring the Origins of Silicon Valley's Influence

4min

Silicon Valley: Roots and Revelation

13min

The Rise of Silicon Valley: Growth and Transformation in the Digital Age

3min

The Dynamic Interplay of Tech and Politics

19min

Wealth, Leadership, and Historical Reflection

4min

Historian Margaret O'Mara talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about her latest book, The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America. She explains how the government catalyzed the digital revolution starting in the 1960s, the reasons tech power coalesced in suburban California, and why tech history must be considered a part of political history — even though the industry has tried in recent decades to distance itself from government. O'Mara also talks about the origins of sexism in the tech industry and how women were not given the same opportunities to break in as men, and the threats to Silicon Valley's current culture, including government regulation, overly strict immigration laws, and the rise of China.

Read a full transcript of this interview here.

Featuring:

Margaret O'Mara (@MargaretOMara), author, The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America

Hosts:

Kara Swisher (@karaswisher), Recode co-founder and editor-at-large

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