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The "techlash" has always been overblown and COVID exposed what Americans truly care about.
A quick thread on my latest piece in @realclearpolicy https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2020/08/12/covid-19_killed_the_techlash_501693.html
A quick thread on my latest piece in @realclearpolicy https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2020/08/12/covid-19_killed_the_techlash_501693.html
The term “techlash” first appeared in @TheEconomist to explain the phenomenon of growing hostility toward large tech firms.
It took off in the media.
In 2019, >600 news articles explicitly mentioned the techlash, so it is not surprising that many accepted it as reality.
It took off in the media.
In 2019, >600 news articles explicitly mentioned the techlash, so it is not surprising that many accepted it as reality.
While there was clearly questions about tech's role in society in general, people’s actual opinions of tech firms were overwhelmingly positive.
A recent @verge poll (12/19) found that most people hold largely positive views about individual tech firms. https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/2/21144680/verge-tech-survey-2020-trust-privacy-security-facebook-amazon-google-apple
A recent @verge poll (12/19) found that most people hold largely positive views about individual tech firms. https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/2/21144680/verge-tech-survey-2020-trust-privacy-security-facebook-amazon-google-apple
Then a real crisis came with COVID-19 and the importance of technology became immediately obvious, even to critics.
Consider telemedicine — it is no longer a niche benefit for rural or disabled Americans, it’s a tool that has kept countless people out of harm’s way.
Consider telemedicine — it is no longer a niche benefit for rural or disabled Americans, it’s a tool that has kept countless people out of harm’s way.
Communications technology has also kept major portions of our economy functioning by providing many with the ability to work from home. The rise of Zoom illustrates this perfectly. https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/3/21207053/zoom-video-conferencing-security-privacy-risk-popularity
And as my colleague @neil_chilson points out, Zoom's rise demonstrates that competition is far from 'dead' in tech--so much for a key prong justifying the techlash
#antitrust https://morningconsult.com/opinions/the-rise-of-zoom-shows-competition-is-far-from-dead-in-tech/
#antitrust https://morningconsult.com/opinions/the-rise-of-zoom-shows-competition-is-far-from-dead-in-tech/
But tech is about more than keeping us connected, itshines a light on tragedies that previously may have gone overlooked and underreported.
The horrific killing of George Floyd, captured on video, sparked mass protests around the globe.
The horrific killing of George Floyd, captured on video, sparked mass protests around the globe.
Polling from @AFPhq / @YouGov makes clear that Americans understand the importance of having a camera in virtually everyone's pocket.
@billyez2 explained the full results in this thread https://twitter.com/billyez2/status/1280510621017149440
@billyez2 explained the full results in this thread https://twitter.com/billyez2/status/1280510621017149440
So who benefited from the 'techlash' narrative?
One source is politicians seeking the limelight. In particular, @SenWarren, @RepAOC, and @SenHawleyPress egged on by companies eager to use the powers of government https://www.wsj.com/articles/oracles-man-in-washington-fans-the-flames-against-rival-tech-giants-11581615873
One source is politicians seeking the limelight. In particular, @SenWarren, @RepAOC, and @SenHawleyPress egged on by companies eager to use the powers of government https://www.wsj.com/articles/oracles-man-in-washington-fans-the-flames-against-rival-tech-giants-11581615873
A third and key player here is other businesses. It's much easier to have the government pick your fights than to compete for consumers in the market.
So large firms (e.g. Oracle) and smaller companies (Yelp, Popsocket, etc...) turn to the government to protect their businesses
So large firms (e.g. Oracle) and smaller companies (Yelp, Popsocket, etc...) turn to the government to protect their businesses
All three of these constituencies (politicians, the news media, and competitor firms) are egged on by a handful of fringe activists who want to use myth of the techlash to reshape broad areas of public policy to suit their interests.
Americans have moved on.
Polling shows 38% say their view of the tech industry has become more positive since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. 88% reported having a "better appreciation" for tech's positive impact on society. https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-ceeec506-e760-4346-97ed-d4b493f16743.html?chunk=2&utm_term=emshare#story2
Polling shows 38% say their view of the tech industry has become more positive since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. 88% reported having a "better appreciation" for tech's positive impact on society. https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-ceeec506-e760-4346-97ed-d4b493f16743.html?chunk=2&utm_term=emshare#story2
It is time to acknowledge that techlash was always overblown.
The techlash was a solution in search of a problem.
With that in mind, we should turn our attention to accelerating the ways technology can strengthen our communities rather than demagoguing it.
The techlash was a solution in search of a problem.
With that in mind, we should turn our attention to accelerating the ways technology can strengthen our communities rather than demagoguing it.
