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Uncanny Valley
288 pages, 2020
A defining memoir of our digital age, a trip to Silicon Valley offers an incisive perspective on the power and culture of the tech industry. In her mid-twenties, at the height of tech industry idealism, Anna Wiener—stuck, broke, and looking for meaning in her work—left a job in book publishing for the promise of the new digital economy.
She moved from New York to San Francisco, where she landed at a big-data startup in the heart of Silicon Valley: a world of surreal extravagance and dubious success. Amidst a massive cultural shift as the tech industry rapidly transformed into a locus of wealth and power rivaling Wall Street, a new Silicon Valley began to emerge: one that enriched itself at the expense of its idyllic future.
Uncanny Valley gives us a peek into the tech industry's culture. Anna Wiener shares her experiences working in Silicon Valley, revealing a world of ambition, wealth, and power. It's a must-read if you're curious about what goes on behind the scenes in the tech world.
Wiener's book highlights the gender inequality prevalent in the tech industry. She shares her personal experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field, shedding light on the challenges and biases women face. If you're interested in gender issues in the workplace, you should definitely check out Uncanny Valley.
Uncanny Valley explores the impact of technology on society. Wiener discusses how tech companies, in their quest for growth and profit, can overlook the societal implications of their products. This book will make you think about the role of technology in our lives.
In Uncanny Valley, Wiener takes a look at the dark side of start-up culture. She talks about the intense pressure, long hours, and the often unrealistic expectations that come with working in a start-up. If you're considering a career in a start-up, this book will give you a lot to think about.
Wiener's book digs into the human cost of the tech industry. She shares stories of burnout, mental health issues, and the toll that the industry's relentless pace can take on individuals. Uncanny Valley is a reminder that behind every app and platform, there are real people with real struggles.
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Uncanny Valley is a deft and edgy critique, portraying Silicon Valley as a modern dystopia rife with exploitation and excess.
Janet Maslin - Film and literary criticWiener's memoir is a rare and vivid glimpse into the peculiar culture and practices of Silicon Valley from an insider's perspective.
Jia Tolentino - Writer, editorUncanny Valley is a sharp and insightful exploration of the tech industry's unchecked power and influence.
Dwight Garner - Book criticRecommendations
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