Silicon States: The Power and Politics of Big Tech and What It Means for Our Future

by Lucie Greene

Named a Best Book of the Year by Esquire Winner of the 800–CEO–READ Business Book Award in Current Events and Public Affairs In an era when faith in government and its institutions is quickly eroding, the businesses of Silicon Valley are stepping in to fill the gap. With outsize supplies of cash, talent, and ambition, a small group of corporations have been gradually seizing leadership—and consumer confidence—around the world. In Silicon States, renowned futurist and celebrated international think–tank leader Lucie Greene offers an unparalleled look at the players, promises, and potential problems of Big Tech. Through interviews with corporate leaders, influential venture capitalists, scholars, journalists, activists, and more, Greene explores the tension inherent in Silicon Valley's global influence. If these companies can invent a social network, how might they soon transform our political and health–care systems? If they can revolutionize the cell phone, what might they do for space travel, education, or the housing market? As Silicon Valley faces increased scrutiny over its mistreatment of women, cultural shortcomings, and its role in widespread Russian election interference, we are learning where its interests truly lie, and about the great power these companies wield over an unsuspecting citizenry. While the promise of technology is seductive, it is important to understand these corporations' possible impacts on our political and socioeconomic institutions. Greene emphasizes that before we hand our future over to a rarefied group of companies, we should examine the world they might build and confront its benefits, prejudices, and inherent flaws. Silicon States pushes us to ask if, ultimately, this is the future we really want.

Genres: Nonfiction, Technology, Business, Politics

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2018

Reviews

[Nick Rahaim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was educational, but surprising how dated the book is (2017-2018) given how much has happened in Silicon Valley due to COVID and the 2022-2023 layoffs
Preachy, theme was all over the place, pretty bad writing, but I enjoyed the content.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Midway in the book (on page 148), the author writes that "Considering how on-demand culture has already turned urban millennials into a tribe of impatient selfish babies, unable to handle any social realities, let alone wait for taxis, thanks to Uber, dates, thanks to Tinder, deliveries, thanks to Seamless, and—er—anything, thanks to TaskRabbit, it's wild to imagine what [Hyperloop] could do to our sense of collective social consciousness. Is it so bad to wait for a train?" Not particularly a supporter of Hyperloop or in that specific demographic, but what an incredibly stupid and reductionist statement to make which reflects poorly on the author's point of view. A shame too, because the book is otherwise neither terrible nor great.

[Darnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some decent parts to this book, and I felt it got stronger as it went along, but it's still marred by a reflexive animosity toward Big Tech. It leads to some strange bedfellows, like passages that are supporting of non-tech multinationals, the RIAA, or insurance agencies. The book tends to always take the side opposite Big Tech, brushing past other legitimate concerns on issues like net neutrality or the Apple backdoor controversy. Oddly, it also takes lazy (and unsupported) jabs at millennials.

[Lynne C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy from a friend and Greene's account is a must-read read—not only for those in the industry, but for anyone who wants to know where our country (and world) is headed. As a futurist, Greene has a unique outsider's perspective on the inner workings of Silicon Valley and the costs/benefits of these companies encroaching on government and social infrastructures. As someone not working in tech, I thoroughly enjoyed having Greene guide me with with wit, humor, and acute insight through these important and timely topics. Highly recommend!

[Lindsey Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a millennial who’s spent the entirety of my career in the tech industry, this was a book that put to words many of the thoughts, concerns and questions I’ve had. As tech rapidly outshines government in its advances and the future overtakes us, how can we enact systemic change, hold big business accountable and disrupt the incremental changes of government? While these are extensive questions still left to be answered, the book is a thought-provoking read. Intuitively organized and well-researched.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty biased but still a really interesting read. I hadn't thought in depth about anything she brought up in the book before I began reading it

[Suraj Nyalakonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The general thrust of Ms. Greene's argument rang true, but many of her specific lines of reasoning were vague. She had a very ambitious aim: examine how Silicon Valley is affecting almost every part of the economy and society. That meant diving into healthcare, hospitality, travel, infrastructure, education, philanthropy, the gender gap in STEM, space exploration, and development in poverty-stricken countries.

Such an ambitious breadth is, almost inevitably, going to lead to a lack of depth or rigor. And that's what happened here. I think Ms. Greene would have done well to discuss this challenge in the introduction. However, I can't fault her too much because, as I noted earlier, the general thrust of her argument rings true: there is a looming technocracy which all citizens in pursuit of truth, justice, prosperity, and sustainability must be wary of. Our government moves too slow, but that doesn't mean we give up on government and cling to our technocrats. It means we have to get involved in government and think more clearly and with more urgency about the fundamental limitations of the Internet in solving flesh-and-blood problems.

[Alicia MacMillan · Rating 2 out of 5]

With technology changing constantly I know at the time in which I read her book its naturally already 5 years out of date. I still found the book an undertesting insight into the world that is not my own yet affects me greatly. The dialoge of interviews the author conducts are interesting and projections of the future thought provoking.
I gave Greene only two start rating because she is unable to have a unbias view and so all her points seem skewed. In general I think my political views probably align with Greene, but I did not want to read a political rant book. I feel she would come off with more credibility if she had been able to present the information from both political views. Greene writes with an already establish world view and her interpretation of Big Tech and our future.

[Patrick Pilz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silicon Valley does no longer stand just for technology. It is entrenching all aspects of life. The wealth accumulated in the process has more profound impact than governments and it trajectory is getting ever faster. This is a balanced view on the changes the silicon valley attitude makes to our lives and to humanity. It questions the role of governments and their inability to keep pace with innovation and the challenges of society. I pretty solid book in which technology is observed from different angles.

[Emily Onufer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"People don't see their futures represented in the parade of white-haired politicians and outdated government websites. While brands are tripping over themselves to seem "transparent" and have "purpose" to win trust from consumers, politicians aren't in any hurry to do the same. They don't need to. Consumers can leave a brand at any second. Elections only happen every couple of years, and that's assuming you even vote." 16

[Peter Aronson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The increasing power of big information companies in our lives is an important topic. Unfortunately, this book is shallow and emotional, without any real answers or sense of history. There's a lot of viewing with alarm, sneering ans sweeping generalizations, but no consideration of "if not this, then what?" How did we get here, and given the that technology exists, how could have things turned out differently, and where do we go from here?

[Mike Stolfi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The topic is so worth thinking about, & it's happening to us whether we think about it or not.
Especially in this day & age where the owners of Cambridge Analytica pulled the usual sleazy contractor scam of reforming under a new corporate entity & are back in business as usual.
But the real question is whether our collective future should be decided by such a narrow demographic within what some people claim is a Democratic template.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

SWE Book Club July 2019

This was more interesting and thought-provoking than I expected, and actually held my interest. The book was well-researched and was fairly politically neutral considering the industry. I appreciated the author’s background in the industry and I think that made it a more plausible book to read and not some random outsider’s doomsday scenario.

[Richard Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Valley

I have lived in Silicon Valley all of my life, from picking and cutting apricots to building semi conductor plants. This book is required reading if you have any interest in tech, philosophy and socialism. All three are covered in detail, my favorite chapters were on new age education systems being developed in Silicon Valley.

[JudithCollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I close my eyes and imagine the future all I see is a house full of stroppy ponies....wait. And a fork in the road, one path leading to 100 French sticks, the other 50 disposable masks. I think I see hope.

[Cristina Gherasim · Rating 4 out of 5]

too biased and self-imposing opinion about the Big Tech's role and involvement in current affairs but a very nice overview of the current situation

[Doschev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad I read it. Read some sections completely and skimmed others. Helped to understand Silicon Valley's world perspective.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silicon Valley is the birthplace for city-sized tech ecosystems which may one day dot our maps as Amazon City, NE or Facebook Village, FL.

[Ken Hamner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Highly recommended.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by turns frightening and informative. Think twice before you give away your data; think especially about who you're giving it to.

[esteban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blew my mind and totally changed my idea of big tech companies.

[Nese Tuncer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think the book was edited! The author is spiteful (why?), she didn't get Apple HQ's name correct, there are many half sentences...reads like a high school essay

[Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I am curious about the future steps that the US government will take.

[Kathy Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary that no regulations on these companies. It is the Wild West all over again.

[Yama Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

值得看，但非必看