Big Tech's Golden Age is Coming to an End. Here's Why It's Time for a Change.
Silicon Valley, once the epicenter of innovation and progress, has lost its way. The industry's relentless pursuit of profits over people has led to a blithe disregard for users and a cynicism that's suffocating creativity. The mantra of "disrupt" has become synonymous with destruction, and the values that once defined Silicon Valley – ideals, collaboration, and humanity – have been left in the dust.
Mike Masnick, editor of Techdirt, and Alex Komoroske, CEO of Common Tools, are trying to shake things up. Together, they've crafted The Resonant Computing Manifesto, a set of principles designed to recenter Silicon Valley around values that have been lost in the scramble for hyperscale and shareholder value. The manifesto is an attempt to reclaim the industry's ideals and promote a more human approach to technology.
Komoroske has always been at odds with Big Tech's darker side. He remembers a time when innovation was driven by a sense of purpose, not just profits. When he first joined Google, he was extolled for his ideas, but as the company grew, so did the cynicism. Komoroske realized that something had to change.
The manifesto is a call to action, urging technologists to put people at the center of their creations. It demands control over tech tools, promoting social value and true connection. The document is a gentle rebuke to those who prioritize profits over humanity, but its tone is also a reminder that technology can be used for good.
The Resonant Computing Manifesto stands in stark contrast to Marc Andreessen's Techno-Optimist Manifesto, which accuses those who disagree of being "virtual murderers." The new document takes a different approach, acknowledging the incentives that drive tech professionals but emphasizing the importance of humanity behind their creations.
While the manifesto may not magically solve Silicon Valley's problems, it's a crucial step toward energizing and supporting a new generation of tech professionals. By promoting these values, Masnick and Komoroske hope to create a tool for people within companies to push back on some of the incentives that prioritize profits over people.
It's time for Big Tech to rediscover its ideals and reclaim its purpose. The Resonant Computing Manifesto is just the beginning – it's an invitation to join a movement that's all about putting humanity at the center of technology.
Silicon Valley, once the epicenter of innovation and progress, has lost its way. The industry's relentless pursuit of profits over people has led to a blithe disregard for users and a cynicism that's suffocating creativity. The mantra of "disrupt" has become synonymous with destruction, and the values that once defined Silicon Valley – ideals, collaboration, and humanity – have been left in the dust.
Mike Masnick, editor of Techdirt, and Alex Komoroske, CEO of Common Tools, are trying to shake things up. Together, they've crafted The Resonant Computing Manifesto, a set of principles designed to recenter Silicon Valley around values that have been lost in the scramble for hyperscale and shareholder value. The manifesto is an attempt to reclaim the industry's ideals and promote a more human approach to technology.
Komoroske has always been at odds with Big Tech's darker side. He remembers a time when innovation was driven by a sense of purpose, not just profits. When he first joined Google, he was extolled for his ideas, but as the company grew, so did the cynicism. Komoroske realized that something had to change.
The manifesto is a call to action, urging technologists to put people at the center of their creations. It demands control over tech tools, promoting social value and true connection. The document is a gentle rebuke to those who prioritize profits over humanity, but its tone is also a reminder that technology can be used for good.
The Resonant Computing Manifesto stands in stark contrast to Marc Andreessen's Techno-Optimist Manifesto, which accuses those who disagree of being "virtual murderers." The new document takes a different approach, acknowledging the incentives that drive tech professionals but emphasizing the importance of humanity behind their creations.
While the manifesto may not magically solve Silicon Valley's problems, it's a crucial step toward energizing and supporting a new generation of tech professionals. By promoting these values, Masnick and Komoroske hope to create a tool for people within companies to push back on some of the incentives that prioritize profits over people.
It's time for Big Tech to rediscover its ideals and reclaim its purpose. The Resonant Computing Manifesto is just the beginning – it's an invitation to join a movement that's all about putting humanity at the center of technology.