From the former news policy lead at Google, an 'informative and often harrowing wake-up call' that explains the high-stakes global cyberwar brewing between Western democracies and the authoritarian regimes of China and Russia. Jacob Helberg, who led Google’s efforts to combat disinformation and foreign interference, discusses the escalating technology cold war between democracy and autocracy, focusing on the control of software and hardware that shapes the world’s balance of power.
Markoff reflects on the history of Silicon Valley, from its beginnings in the 1960s to the present day
The article reflects on the intersection of technology and counterculture in Silicon Valley, exploring the tension between the open-source spirit of the hacker counterculture and the capitalist ambitions of venture capitalists. It discusses the history of Silicon Valley, the role of psychedelics, and the paradox of the region's ability to simultaneously allow diverse cultures to thrive.
Markoff emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex nature of Silicon Valley, which is not just about making money, but also about, as Steve Jobs invoked in Stewart Brand's phrase, "stay hungry, stay foolish" , remaining curious and open to new ideas.