This exploration will trace the evolution of Silicon Valley companies, culture, and customers from the early days of marginal idealistic geekery to today — a world in which Silicon Valley products have redefined nearly all aspects of how we live and think, and which mediate our every action.

About the Speakers

David Temkin is the editor-in-chief of In Formation, a magazine focused on what tech is doing to us. He’s been a software engineer at Apple, a privacy leader at Google, and has co-founded three tech startups. Originally launched during the dot-com era, In Formation has always and solely been about serious and satirical critiques of tech culture. The magazine is being relaunched in 2025.

Contributing editor Paulina Borsook has been immersed in Silicon Valley culture since the mid-1980s. She is best known for her essay “How the Internet ruined San Francisco" and for her book Cyberselfish: A Critical Romp Through the Terribly Libertarian Culture of High Tech.

Details

• Monday, June 23, 10–noon
• 1995 University Ave., Berkeley (the suite number will be shared at a later date.)
• This is an in-person, livestreamed + recorded event
• Doors will open at 9:30 AM
• The Zoom livestream link will be shared with registrants closer to the date
• The event will be recorded; participants will receive the link to view after the event

Cost

• $20 for OLLI @Berkeley members (all types)
• $40 for non-members

Not yet an OLLI @Berkeley member? Now is the time to join. Members receive exclusive access to 100+ courses per year, town halls, intergenerational dialogues, field trips, travel, socials, and more.

About Summer Shorts

Summer Shorts are one-time events open to OLLI @Berkeley members and non-members. Each Short features acclaimed speakers discussing issues impacting the state of our country, Constitution, and shared humanity.

[Members, be sure to log into your OLLI account before registering to receive your $20 discount.]