Silicon Valley, Halt and Catch Fire, and How Microserfdom Ate the World (2015)
6 days ago
- #tech-culture
- #literature
- #TV-shows
- Douglas Coupland's novel 'Microserfs' explores the spiritual and existential yearnings of young coders in the mid-90s tech industry.
- The book, published in 1995, predates many other tech-focused novels and TV shows like 'Silicon Valley' and 'Halt and Catch Fire'.
- Coupland's portrayal of Microsoft employees and their reverence for Bill Gates reflects a unique cultural moment before the internet boom.
- The novel's vision of technology and work-life balance contrasts sharply with today's more cynical views of the tech industry.
- HBO's 'Silicon Valley' satirizes the modern tech startup culture, highlighting its absurdities and the power dynamics within it.
- AMC's 'Halt and Catch Fire' offers a period-piece look at the early days of personal computing, focusing on innovation and failure.
- Both shows and 'Microserfs' reflect changing attitudes toward technology, from optimism to skepticism about its impact on society.