I think the SV language is explained by Thiel's monopoly theory. Big tech all aspire to be monopolistic but the rule in that club is to never admit you are a part of it.
For all its hubris, WS never aspire to be monopolistic. GS just wants to beat morgan stanley and co, they never wanted to 'organise the world's finance'.
I think you nailed it. Your essay reminded me of Anand Giridhardas's excellent book "Winners Take All", where he makes similar points about SV's doublespeak and he at least say that they really believe in it, and that's really dangerous.
I've worked at eBay, PayPal, and Google, along with many start ups, right up until I left tech in 2009. Back then, in the early and mid 2000s, some companies genuinely believed in a higher purpose. We *were* out to "change the world", and we wanted to make everything as accessible for people as possible. Yes, we thought we were the good guys. And I can tell you it's incontrovertible that Larry and Sergey really believed in "don't be evil" during that time. But I left the Valley for Oregon two years ago. A lot has changed....
Proof read. Proof read. Proof read. "When Palantir wins a government contract, I mean, no one is even beginning to pretend it’s will realize any liberal values."
^great related article, explores more of the corporate culture side of things. the argument is that SV companies tries to distinguish themselves via a corporate culture somewhat inspired by the hippie movement but that's always been in tension with how they often actually function. Also by Nathan Heller, so it's a pretty fun read!
Evan Williams put it succinctly. There are 2 types of entrepreneurs. Type 1. Money is the means. Type 2. Money is the end. Wallstreet is type 2.SV and tech in general is type 1.
I think the SV language is explained by Thiel's monopoly theory. Big tech all aspire to be monopolistic but the rule in that club is to never admit you are a part of it.
For all its hubris, WS never aspire to be monopolistic. GS just wants to beat morgan stanley and co, they never wanted to 'organise the world's finance'.
I think you nailed it. Your essay reminded me of Anand Giridhardas's excellent book "Winners Take All", where he makes similar points about SV's doublespeak and he at least say that they really believe in it, and that's really dangerous.
The world is transitioning from the Age of Falsehood to the Age of Righteousness.
Snowden tapes, Wikileaks, Panama Papers, Me Too Movement - these are all manifestations of the crooks being called upon to answer for their misdeeds.
The time of reckoning is at hand. When this reckoning is over, there will be peace on Earth and goodwill towards all Mankind.
I've worked at eBay, PayPal, and Google, along with many start ups, right up until I left tech in 2009. Back then, in the early and mid 2000s, some companies genuinely believed in a higher purpose. We *were* out to "change the world", and we wanted to make everything as accessible for people as possible. Yes, we thought we were the good guys. And I can tell you it's incontrovertible that Larry and Sergey really believed in "don't be evil" during that time. But I left the Valley for Oregon two years ago. A lot has changed....
Proof read. Proof read. Proof read. "When Palantir wins a government contract, I mean, no one is even beginning to pretend it’s will realize any liberal values."
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/11/25/naked-launch
^great related article, explores more of the corporate culture side of things. the argument is that SV companies tries to distinguish themselves via a corporate culture somewhat inspired by the hippie movement but that's always been in tension with how they often actually function. Also by Nathan Heller, so it's a pretty fun read!
Evan Williams put it succinctly. There are 2 types of entrepreneurs. Type 1. Money is the means. Type 2. Money is the end. Wallstreet is type 2.SV and tech in general is type 1.