Silicon Valley leaders say a Trump presidency would be a disaster for the tech industry

midian182

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Some of Silicon Valley's best and brightest have once again been united in their efforts to stop Donald Trump. This time, nearly 150 of the tech industry’s biggest names signed an open letter -published on Medium - opposing the real estate mogul’s candidacy for president.

The letter was posted by Katie Jacobs Stanton, Twitter’s former vice president of global media and current CMO of Color Genomics. Signers include CEOs such as Stewart Butterfield (Slack), Aaron Levie (Box), Jeff Lawson (Twilio), and David Karp (Tumblr). Other names include former US chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra, venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, Qualcomm chairman Paul Jacobs, eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

The letter states that most of what Trump has said in the past – his anti-immigration stance, “erratic and contradictory policies,” attacks on minorities and women – coupled with his apparent ignorance of technology (his plan to shut down part of the internet is noted), show that President Trump would be “a disaster for innovation.”

"Donald Trump [...] campaigns on anger, bigotry, fear of new ideas and new people, and a fundamental belief that America is weak and in decline. We have listened to Donald Trump over the past year and we have concluded: Trump would be a disaster for innovation."

"His vision stands against the open exchange of ideas, free movement of people, and productive engagement with the outside world that is critical to our economy — and that provide the foundation for innovation and growth."

Not every tech leader is opposed to a Trump presidency. PayPal co-founder and Facebook investor Peter Theil, who was recently revealed to have backed Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker, will be speaking at the Republican National Convention next week in support of the businessman.

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich was due to open his home up for a Trump fundraiser last month but canceled following a Silicon Valley backlash. He later claimed he had no intention of endorsing a candidate and that the event was simply a way of opening a dialogue on tech issues.

Back in May, it was reported that several top tech bosses, billionaires, and even senior members of the Republican party came together at the American Enterprise Institute’s annual World Forum to discuss stopping Donald Trump.

Image credit: a katz/shutterstock

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So these mongrels are going to try and circumvent the electoral process, rewrite it if you will?

Satya Nadella being made CEO of M$, it would appear, was a disaster for the Windows community. I don't suppose they'll try to do anything about that, while they're at it?

He seems to support honor killings of old operating systems.:eek:
 
So many accusations and slander. No wonder so many of them got together for that, they knew their statements are slanderous and they'd be libel for them; so they figured he couldn't really do anything to all of them at the same time.
But is it possible that they don't want their supply of slave labor to stop? Isn't that really what it means when things are manufactured in China?

..and I know there are going to be those that say "but hey you'd end up paying 2k for you phone!!" Well, you know what...perhaps having 900 Billion in the bank is a bit much for some major companies. Why did you think they have so much cash? Have you thought about that? NO!
 
"coupled with his apparent ignorance of technology"

Yes, Hillary Clinton is their answer. She has been shown and it has been stated for public record, she is inept with technology of the most common sort, yet they have no fear of her as the alternative? Trump has not been shown or remotely proven to be ignorant with regard to technology.
If these bright people are so worried about the Internet, why don't they use their collective brilliance to fix the state of the Internet services in the U.S.? They are not worried about anyone but themselves and their bank accounts. I do not begrudge them their riches, but I do take issue when they take issue about political goings on when it could possibly serve "the people" rather than themselves.
 
They give a very vague set of reasons why Trump would be "a disaster for innovation", for a bunch of "smart men" I would have expected a more precise explanation of the so called "disaster". Instead they give such a diluted explanation that it can be applied to just about anyone or any thing, typical response from those who believe that they are above everyone else.
 
They give a very vague set of reasons why Trump would be "a disaster for innovation", for a bunch of "smart men" I would have expected a more precise explanation of the so called "disaster". Instead they give such a diluted explanation that it can be applied to just about anyone or any thing, typical response from those who believe that they are above everyone else.


Also shame on you Techspot for not asking these people to give a more precise explanation of their statement.
 
Most of Silicon Valley is "progressive liberal", when in public, but they are some of the biggest snobs in the world. Once you obtain the wealth/power they have, it changes you. They are just worried, that a president like Trump may actually try to do some of the things he says he will do. Granted, I don't think he will have a LOT of luck bringing manufacturing back to this country, I'd like to see it happen, but, the reality is, the world changed since the 50's. Blue collar factory jobs, went overseas for profit. If they brought some/all of them back, your prices at any retail place would go through the roof, or, china would just make knock offs of everything. I think what they are more worried about is losing the control they have over politicians, and having to figure out even more creative ways to hide their money overseas to escape the tax problem in THIS country.
If they would just eliminate the corporate tax rate, there would be so many corporations wanting to move their headquarters TO the USA, as a tax haven from their own countries, banks would be full of money to loan and get the economic engine running again. Corporations don't pay taxes anyway, they pass it along to consumers.
 
Silicon Valley are all well known to be die hard liberal Democrats. This is not surprising. What IS surprising, is that after 8 years of Obama where we had little to no economic growth, increase racism, increase terrorism, and that stupid Obamacare, they still think that there liberal philosophy is still the answer. Take these guys away from there computer and their virtual reality and they are just plain *****s.
 
"His vision stands against the open exchange of ideas, free movement of people, and productive engagement with the outside world that is critical to our economy — and that provide the foundation for innovation and growth."

This is like that scene from the end of Animal Farm. Here we have these ultra wealthy tech people who live in gated communities (or compounds, as is the case with Zuckerberg), who remove content from their platforms they disagree with, fire employees for saying or believing the wrong things, who use the legal system to kill any innovation that doesn't directly benefit their bottom line (see: patents and regulations), and who offshore jobs or replace domestic workers with H-1B visa workers...and they have the audacity to talk favorably about freedom of ideas, open borders, economic well-being, and innovation.

The voting line just got 10 feet longer.
 
Silicon Valley are all well known to be die hard liberal Democrats. This is not surprising. What IS surprising, is that after 8 years of Obama where we had little to no economic growth, increase racism, increase terrorism, and that stupid Obamacare, they still think that there liberal philosophy is still the answer. Take these guys away from there computer and their virtual reality and they are just plain *****s.
So you think voting in a fascist will somehow make things better? A profiling loving, nationalist promoting fascist is not what america, nor the world, needs right about now.
 
Trump is a disaster in himself. I'm glad to see tech vendors getting behind the campaign.

Yeah, remember when he said the police have to consider the sensitivities of the people burning down Ferguson? Oh, wait, that was Obama. Or the time he said the primary mission of NASA was to reach out to Muslims? Oops, Obama again. Shall I go on?

So you think voting in a fascist will somehow make things better? A profiling loving, nationalist promoting fascist is not what america, nor the world, needs right about now.

FASCISM:

a. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
b. A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.

Sounds an awful lot like that what we've endured for nearly eight years, don't it? The liberals simply exchange nationalism for globalism as their primary motivator of useful idi0ts, but other than that, its a pretty dead-on description. I sincerely hope that before you vote you spend some time actually educating yourself a bit regarding politics and world history.
 
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For the life of me I cannot understand the attraction of Donald Trump for anyone that has at least a 3rd grade education. Legendary bully, minimal success (those taxes will tell the whole story - is it any wonder he won't release them?), flip-flopper on every subject he discusses, and a habitual liar .... all wrapped up in someone that doesn't act like he has a shread of decency. I'm not a fan of Hillary either, in fact I am hoping that the election form will have that 3rd box at the bottom that says "none of the above". Could we dig up Ron Regan and just prop him up in front of the camera? Doesn't need to do anything, just look good .... which should be easy compared the current competition ......
 
Trump is a disaster in himself. I'm glad to see tech vendors getting behind the campaign.

Yeah, remember when he said the police have to consider the sensitivities of the people burning down Ferguson? Oh, wait, that was Obama. Or the time he said the primary mission of NASA was to reach out to Muslims? Oops, Obama again. Shall I go on?

So you think voting in a fascist will somehow make things better? A profiling loving, nationalist promoting fascist is not what america, nor the world, needs right about now.

FASCISM:

a. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
b. A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.

Sounds an awful lot like that what we've endured for nearly eight years, don't it? The liberals simply exchange nationalism for globalism as their primary motivator of useful idi0ts, but other than that, its a pretty dead-on description. I sincerely hope that before you vote you spend some time actually educating yourself a bit regarding politics and world history.

Except globalism is the antithesis of nationalism, and our country's power is pretty evenly spread out between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. There are very few truly nationalistic countries left. North Korea, to use an over-used example, is about it. Everyone else engages, attempts to engage, or wishes to engage in the exchange of goods, services, and workers with other countries from around the world. Because if they don't, it ends up literally being 'them vs. the world economy'

The trick to making globalization work in your favor is to make sure the innovation occurs within your national borders - because it then becomes yours to export. Kill our immigration and trade agreements and there is a good chance you'll kill innovation.
 
So these mongrels are going to try and circumvent the electoral process, rewrite it if you will?

Satya Nadella being made CEO of M$, it would appear, was a disaster for the Windows community. I don't suppose they'll try to do anything about that, while they're at it?

He seems to support honor killings of old operating systems.:eek:

Curious to know why you feel Sataya has been a disaster for Windows Community?
 
These "Tech" guys need to tell the truth behind their fear of Trump, They want to hire foreign workers over Americans because it's cheaper. They don't give a crap about fairness or the Country of immigrants gimmick, they just want cheap labor to the detriment of American workers.I am a capitalist I am an American and I hire American employees.
 
So these mongrels are going to try and circumvent the electoral process, rewrite it if you will?

Satya Nadella being made CEO of M$, it would appear, was a disaster for the Windows community. I don't suppose they'll try to do anything about that, while they're at it?

He seems to support honor killings of old operating systems.:eek:
It doesn't seem to be as bad, and certainly no worse than the "Repugnican" Senate refusing to vote on the Supreme Court Justice chosen by the President.
 
Trump is a disaster in himself. I'm glad to see tech vendors getting behind the campaign.

Yeah, remember when he said the police have to consider the sensitivities of the people burning down Ferguson? Oh, wait, that was Obama. Or the time he said the primary mission of NASA was to reach out to Muslims? Oops, Obama again. Shall I go on?

So you think voting in a fascist will somehow make things better? A profiling loving, nationalist promoting fascist is not what america, nor the world, needs right about now.

FASCISM:

a. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
b. A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.

Sounds an awful lot like that what we've endured for nearly eight years, don't it? The liberals simply exchange nationalism for globalism as their primary motivator of useful idi0ts, but other than that, its a pretty dead-on description. I sincerely hope that before you vote you spend some time actually educating yourself a bit regarding politics and world history.

Trying to educate liberals is futile!
 
Most of Silicon Valley is "progressive liberal", when in public, but they are some of the biggest snobs in the world. Once you obtain the wealth/power they have, it changes you. They are just worried, that a president like Trump may actually try to do some of the things he says he will do. Granted, I don't think he will have a LOT of luck bringing manufacturing back to this country, I'd like to see it happen, but, the reality is, the world changed since the 50's. Blue collar factory jobs, went overseas for profit. If they brought some/all of them back, your prices at any retail place would go through the roof, or, china would just make knock offs of everything. I think what they are more worried about is losing the control they have over politicians, and having to figure out even more creative ways to hide their money overseas to escape the tax problem in THIS country.
If they would just eliminate the corporate tax rate, there would be so many corporations wanting to move their headquarters TO the USA, as a tax haven from their own countries, banks would be full of money to loan and get the economic engine running again. Corporations don't pay taxes anyway, they pass it along to consumers.

I'm willing to pay MORE for American goods....it's as simple as that.
 
Zuck and his 'walled' in Palo Alto compound is all you need to know about these tech clowns.

Silicon Valley wants cheap labor, just like everyone else.

No news here !
 
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