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Comment by webglfan

The principle is the same as always: solidarity. In groups, workers have more power than individuals. That might mean unionizing, that might mean starting new companies where tech workers are treated fairly.

This has happened in the past: Robert Noyce leaving Fairchild systems to create Intel.

PBS made a very good documentary about the origin of SV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcOoQP7nhl4

Wikipedia's page on the subject has a lot of great information as well: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traitorous_eight

A short summary:

Noyce's exit from Fairchild changed everything. He moved away from East Coast control and a lack of ownership, instead pioneering the employee stock option. By giving engineers "skin in the game" (instead of just a salary), he fueled both innovation and loyalty.

This move sparked the "Fairchildren" effect. Talent left Fairchild to start dozens of new firms (like Intel and AMD). This fragmentation prevented a single monopoly from dominating the region. Noyce's model of flat hierarchies and shared wealth became the Silicon Valley blueprint, ensuring prosperity through a cycle of reinvested talent and capital.

parent webglfan 8 months ago

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