Palo Alto: A History Of California, Capitalism, And The World

Beskrivelse

Discover the untold story behind the town that fuels Silicon Valley’s innovation and influence. Palo Alto reveals the complex past and present of a place shaping the future of technology and society.

An in-depth look at Palo Alto’s role in shaping capitalism, technology, and global history.

Palo Alto boasts pleasant weather, a well-educated and affluent population, and a unique blend of countercultural roots with cutting-edge tech and finance. This mix has created the ambitious core of Silicon Valley, driving changes in everything from transportation to food.

But beneath its polished surface lies a darker history: Palo Alto sits atop stolen Native American burial grounds and is burdened by toxic waste. It is deeply entwined with the capitalist system that dominates the world.

In Palo Alto, Malcolm Harris offers the first thorough global history of Silicon Valley, exploring how Northern California developed in such a distinct and impactful way. The book traces 150 years of Anglo settler colonialism, revealing the origins of ideas and policies like IQ testing, the "tragedy of the commons," racial genetics, and the "broken windows" theory, alongside the rise of the internet and computers.

This is the story of how a small suburban town became a powerhouse driving economic growth and warfare, ultimately leading the world into a challenging 21st century.

Palo Alto is a timely, insightful history that not only explains how we live today but also offers a bold, clear-eyed vision for how we might change our path moving forward.

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