TECH

Delving into the history and culture of Silicon Valley.

Alexandre, a research fellow at the French National Center for Scientific Research, applies sociological methods to explore the layered cultures, traditions, and practices that define Silicon Valley. Also a deputy director of the Center for Internet and Society, Alexandre immersed himself in the community—interviewing, observing, and participating in its day-to-day life. In a work that hovers between academic and popular appeal, he follows the money trail to reveal the forces that shape Silicon Valley: a relentless focus on growth, the pressure of product life cycles, and the continual demand for fresh entrepreneurs and venture capital. Charts and diagrams help map out these intricate flows and relationships, accompanied by striking statistics. Despite the focus on startup success, 4% of IPOs fail. Alexandre notes that “a startup is less an organization than an ethos” embedded in an “innovation-focused culture.” Although his research includes nearly 150 interviews and a survey, the book isn’t centered on well-known tech leaders—and many respondents chose to remain anonymous. The perspectives of workers, hiring managers, and entrepreneurs reveal a deeply secretive work environment governed by nondisclosure agreements. While organizational size—whether a nimble startup or a more established firm—clearly influences workplace culture and the practice of programming or entrepreneurship, Alexandre largely sidesteps this distinction. He embarks on a side quest into the history and culture of Burning Man, the desert festival that has significantly influenced the tech world. Nevertheless, academics and seasoned insiders will find new perspectives in studying this intricate ecosystem of blended work and leisure—a place and a culture that has created technologies with an outsize impact on our lives.

A fascinating study of Silicon Valley as multiple complex, overlapping communities.