The death of tech idealism and rise of the homeless in Northern California
21 hours ago
- #Tech Industry
- #Homelessness
- #Silicon Valley
- The article discusses the stark contrast between the wealth of Silicon Valley and the growing homelessness crisis in Northern California.
- A venture capitalist in Palo Alto expresses frustration with homelessness, blaming NGOs and activists while advocating for tech-driven solutions.
- The author reflects on changes in Santa Cruz and Cupertino, noting the rise of homeless camps where none existed before.
- Historical context is provided about Silicon Valley's origins, linking its tech industry to military and defense roots.
- The article highlights the living conditions of gig workers and the unhoused, including RV communities and tent cities along the Guadalupe River.
- Efforts to address homelessness, such as sweeps and shelters, are met with resistance from both residents and businesses.
- The piece critiques the tech industry's role in exacerbating housing inequality through job-housing imbalances and high real estate costs.
- Personal stories from unhoused individuals, like Ariginal and Ida, illustrate the human impact of the crisis.
- The article concludes with a call to rethink societal attitudes toward homelessness, framing it as a systemic issue rather than an invasion.