Activism and Value Systems in Silicon Valley

The speaker shares their journey from a value-driven upbringing to becoming an activist. Initially, they observed a shift in Silicon Valley's values, leading them to pass on investments in companies like Zynga and Uber. In 2016, they noticed issues with Facebook, believing it had strayed from its original values. Despite being retired, they felt compelled to act, realizing Facebook's potential role in global events like the 2016 election and Brexit. The speaker faced professional backlash but remained committed to their values, hoping for reform in tech companies.

What influenced the speaker's unexpected journey into activism?

• A personal experience with discrimination

• A desire for financial success

• A family with strong values and civil rights involvement

• A career in technology

What change did the speaker notice in Silicon Valley around 2007?

• A shift towards more inclusive hiring practices

• A move from user empowerment to viewing users as economic resources

• A focus on developing new social media platforms

• An increase in environmental sustainability efforts

Why did the speaker initially believe in Facebook's approach?

• Because it was the first social media platform

• Due to its commitment to authenticated identity

• Because of its focus on anonymity

• Due to its rapid growth and success

What was a major factor in the speaker's decision to oppose Facebook publicly?

• A personal disagreement with Mark Zuckerberg

• Pressure from other investors

• The potential impact of Facebook on global events like elections

• The company's declining stock value

What does the speaker hope tech leaders will realize?

• The importance of increasing their wealth

• The value of reforming their companies for greater good

• The need to focus on developing new technologies

• The necessity of expanding into new markets