Silicon Valley, once a beacon of innovation and progress, has lost its way. The tech industry's relentless pursuit of profit over people has led to a crisis of values that threatens the very foundations of society.
One man, Alex Komoroske, is sounding the alarm. As former product manager at Google and Stripe, Komoroske has witnessed firsthand the dark side of Silicon Valley. He recalls a time when he proposed a project with great societal benefits, only to be met with dismissal from his superiors. "It's disgusting to see the industry as it currently is," Komoroske says.
Now, Komoroske and a group of concerned technologists have come together to create The Resonant Computing Manifesto. This idealistic set of principles aims to recenter Silicon Valley around the values that were lost in the scramble for profit and scale. The manifesto is not a call to arms, but rather a gentle invitation to rethink the way technology is developed and used.
At its core, the manifesto demands that users have control over their tech tools, promoting social value and true connection. It's an appeal to the idealism of Silicon Valley's early days, when what was good for the world seemed more important than building scale and maximizing shareholder value.
The manifesto stands in stark contrast to Marc Andreessen's Techno-Optimist Manifesto, which is dismissive of critics and accused of being "virtual murderers." The new document takes a different approach, acknowledging that people who build products are not inherently bad or evil. Instead, they're driven by incentives that can lead them astray.
Komoroske and his co-author Mike Masnick aim to energize and support a new generation of tech professionals who want to be proud of their creations. They hope that by signing the manifesto, these individuals will take its principles into account when building products, pushing back on the incentives that drive some companies to prioritize profits over people.
If nothing else, a few thousand signers would indicate that there are still idealists in Silicon Valley who care deeply about the values of technology and society. It's a small step towards change, but one that could have a profound impact if more people join the conversation.
As Tim O'Reilly, an early signer of the manifesto, notes, "I certainly subscribe to the principles." The Resonant Computing Manifesto is not a solution to Silicon Valley's problems, but it's a vital first step towards creating a more humane and sustainable tech industry. Will it be enough? Only time will tell, but for now, it's a beacon of hope in a valley that desperately needs it.
One man, Alex Komoroske, is sounding the alarm. As former product manager at Google and Stripe, Komoroske has witnessed firsthand the dark side of Silicon Valley. He recalls a time when he proposed a project with great societal benefits, only to be met with dismissal from his superiors. "It's disgusting to see the industry as it currently is," Komoroske says.
Now, Komoroske and a group of concerned technologists have come together to create The Resonant Computing Manifesto. This idealistic set of principles aims to recenter Silicon Valley around the values that were lost in the scramble for profit and scale. The manifesto is not a call to arms, but rather a gentle invitation to rethink the way technology is developed and used.
At its core, the manifesto demands that users have control over their tech tools, promoting social value and true connection. It's an appeal to the idealism of Silicon Valley's early days, when what was good for the world seemed more important than building scale and maximizing shareholder value.
The manifesto stands in stark contrast to Marc Andreessen's Techno-Optimist Manifesto, which is dismissive of critics and accused of being "virtual murderers." The new document takes a different approach, acknowledging that people who build products are not inherently bad or evil. Instead, they're driven by incentives that can lead them astray.
Komoroske and his co-author Mike Masnick aim to energize and support a new generation of tech professionals who want to be proud of their creations. They hope that by signing the manifesto, these individuals will take its principles into account when building products, pushing back on the incentives that drive some companies to prioritize profits over people.
If nothing else, a few thousand signers would indicate that there are still idealists in Silicon Valley who care deeply about the values of technology and society. It's a small step towards change, but one that could have a profound impact if more people join the conversation.
As Tim O'Reilly, an early signer of the manifesto, notes, "I certainly subscribe to the principles." The Resonant Computing Manifesto is not a solution to Silicon Valley's problems, but it's a vital first step towards creating a more humane and sustainable tech industry. Will it be enough? Only time will tell, but for now, it's a beacon of hope in a valley that desperately needs it.
. We need people who care about the impact our technology has on society to step up and create positive change. I think what's really needed is not just another set of principles, but also support and resources for those who want to build tech that makes a difference 
. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that we're just innovators, but the truth is, our choices have real-world consequences 
.
. I mean, isn't the problem with Silicon Valley just that there aren't enough people who care about values and social impact? Like, where are all these "idealists" been hiding? 
It sounds like they're trying to reinvent the wheel here, but Silicon Valley has been through this kind of thing before. Remember the whole 'user is king' movement back in the 90s? 
Most of them are just using that as a marketing gimmick to get more funding and attention. It's like they're saying, 'Oh, we care about social impact!' without actually doing anything about it. 
. I'd sign that manifesto in a heartbeat – it feels like it's time for us tech folks to get back on track and start building something with some soul 
.
. It's not about being against the industry, it's about making sure they're working towards the greater good 
. What do you guys think – are there enough people out there who care?
. As someone who's witnessed the tech industry's growth firsthand, I think it's high time we re-examine our values and priorities. The pursuit of profit over people has led to some questionable decisions, but with this manifesto, Alex Komoroske and Mike Masnick are offering a alternative path forward.
. It may be a small start, but it's a start nonetheless. Who knows, maybe it'll inspire a new generation of tech professionals to rethink their priorities and build products that make a real difference in people's lives 
.
. I mean, who wants to work on something just to make money? That doesn't feel very fulfilling, right? 
. It's all about making tech tools more user-friendly and socially responsible 
. Maybe it'll inspire others to join in and create a better future for tech 
. Can't we just make tech more humane and sustainable? That's what I want from my tech tools - not just stuff that makes me richer 
like when they're just all about the benjamins 
and now theres alex komoroske speaking truth to power 
its just about recognizing that we can do better 
it means there's still hope 
in silicon valley and that more people will start to care about the values they're building into their products 
we could make some real change 
. Whether it'll lead to real change remains to be seen, but I'm defo rooting for them 
.
. It sounds like they've lost sight of what's truly important 
Not me! 
. The Resonant Computing Manifesto sounds like a great idea 
- giving users control over their tech tools, promoting social value and connection 
. It's all about finding a balance between innovation and humanity