Like an invisible gas, the toxicity of tech culture has been creeping up, leaving us reeling.
Things are shifting on a macro level. Geopolitically, the world order is changing, evidenced by trade and military wars. Old systems are breaking down in economics, politics, health care, and higher education. Tech’s heyday might be ending.
At the same time, you have this massive new disruptor with AI. True, it’s exciting and creates opportunities, much like the internet. But something feels different this time. Frantic even. AI is supposed to make our lives better, but everyone seems to be working longer hours and more stressed than ever.
All this is creating a crucible, as factors collide in a time of great uncertainty. The bigger the disruptors, the bigger the unknowns. No one knows what to do.
In this environment, it’s understandable to feel afraid, or want to protect yourself by attempting to create security.
The problem is when that comes at the expense of others. Building tech for tech’s sake—or purely for personal gain—at any cost, without assessing the human impact. Or worse, deliberately ignoring it. That’s a race to the bottom. Because what is the point?
That smells like empire mentality. A few leaders taking advantage of a new technology or situation and extracting as much as they can out of people, like early in the industrial revolution. It feels like being exploited. While it might add to revenue, it subtracts value from the world.
Things may get worse before they get better. But this cannot continue. A correction is coming.
While you can’t necessarily change the situation, you can choose your response. Knowing what’s happening, you can better prepare. Weather the storm.
Good leaders retain their humanity and connection to people, help them navigate the situation, and bring them together to solve problems (instead of setting them against each other).
You don’t have to pretend like it’s OK. Everyone I talk to feels this way. I suspect almost everybody does. So don’t go it alone. Find your people. Band together and support each other. Speak up. Creatively set boundaries and offer alternatives.
You have more agency and community than you realize. You just need to leverage it.
P.S. Don't be the guy in the background. Nobody wants to be that guy.
