War Bros Didn’t Always Rule Silicon Valley
Some say that tech was always about the money and the military. Don’t buy that argument.
In September 2015, the Founders Fund organized a retreat in British Columbia, inviting notable figures like Alan Kay, Neal Stephenson, and author Sharon Weinberger. During breakfast, Kay recounted his experiences with the Dynabook, while Peter Thiel listened incredulously. Thiel finally confronted Kay, asking who he was, to which Kay responded that he was just an "old has-been."
This moment of disconnect between the worlds of Silicon Valley and counterculture technology pioneers led to a reflection on the industry's values.
Sharon Weinberger's op-ed in The New York Times argued that Silicon Valley's values have remained unchanged since its inception, despite its current focus on military technology and wealth accumulation. She claimed that the industry's countercultural roots and desire for free expression were mere opportunistic feints, masking the industry's true nature.
The author disagrees with this interpretation, asserting that the industry's transformation was driven by idealism, a hackerish love of building things, and a disdain for conventional practices.
The author cites the influence of counterculture on the Valley during its growth years, pointing to the pivotal computer labs of AI pioneer John McCarthy, Douglas Engelbart, and Alan Kay. These institutions were known for their hippie atmosphere, with many researchers seeking draft deferments to avoid the Vietnam War. The author also highlights the Homebrew Computer Club, where a group of engineers, including those who would later create Apple, developed the personal computer industry.
The author argues that the transition from a defense-oriented industry to one shaped by counterculture values began with these influential institutions. While these labs thrived, the ragtag group of engineers at the Homebrew Computer Club invented the personal computer industry, which was later carried on by Apple. The author emphasizes that the entrepreneurial culture of Silicon Valley emerged from a fusion of counterculture hackers and engineers who believed that technology could change the world, not from a purely market-driven mindset.
Written by urgent.news from Wired's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
