The Vergecast Anna Wiener's Uncanny Valley
Jan 16, 2020
Anna Wiener, a contributing writer for The New Yorker and author of 'Uncanny Valley,' shares her experiences in the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley startups. She dives into the reality of tech's influence on culture and politics, reflecting on its dual nature post-2016. Wiener discusses the power shifts between employees and employers, accountability in tech companies, and the quest for genuine innovation versus corporate narratives. Her insights highlight the tensions within the industry and the potential for a more aware workforce to drive meaningful change.
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Wiener's Career Transition
- Anna Wiener's career path began in book publishing and transitioned to tech through an e-book startup.
- Her initial goal was music journalism, but she ended up in analytics and open-source software.
Intentional Anonymity
- Wiener intentionally omits company and executive names in her memoir to highlight structural patterns.
- She believes this approach encourages reflection on corporations' societal roles beyond their brand recognition.
Business as Emotional Outlet
- Wiener observes that business discourse, particularly in tech, often serves as a proxy for emotional expression.
- This emotional investment, coupled with high ambition and risk, creates a complex psychological landscape.
