What Tech Calls Thinking - Book Summary (2024)

Dropping out of college has become a symbol of success in the tech industry, with many successful entrepreneurs, such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, having done so. This idea is often used as a marketing tool and does not necessarily represent the reality of the industry. The concept of dropping out is associated with risk-taking, independence, and unconventional thinking, which are highly valued in the tech world. However, in many cases, dropping out is not as risky as it seems, as these individuals often come from privileged backgrounds and have access to resources and connections that help them succeed.

The dropout narrative is also linked to the anti-authoritarian counterculture of the 1960s, with figures like Timothy Leary advocating for dropping out as a way to form one's own religion and myth. This connection to a rebellious past adds to the allure of the dropout story in the tech industry. However, the reality is that many tech entrepreneurs who drop out of college still maintain strong ties to their universities and benefit from the resources and connections they provide.

For example, Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of Theranos, dropped out of Stanford but still managed to raise significant funding from her connections to the university. This highlights the fact that dropping out is often more of a strategic move than a true rejection of the educational system.

Moreover, the focus on dropping out as a key to success can lead to a distorted view of the importance of a well-rounded education. Many tech entrepreneurs who drop out still have a strong foundation in general education, which may contribute to their ability to think creatively and solve problems. However, this aspect of their education is often overlooked in favor of the more sensational dropout narrative.

In conclusion, the concept of dropping out as a symbol of success in the tech industry is often used as a marketing tool and does not necessarily represent the reality of the industry. While dropping out may be associated with risk-taking and independence, it is important to recognize the role of privilege, connections, and a well-rounded education in the success of these entrepreneurs.

What Tech Calls Thinking explores the history of ideas in the tech industry, a place that often pretends its ideas don't have any history. The book delves into the origins of Silicon Valley's ideals and how they shape the industry's understanding of its projects and its relationship with the wider world. The author, Adrian Daub, examines concepts like dropping out, content, genius, communication, desire, disruption, and failure, and how they have been repurposed and rebranded in the tech world.

1. Recognize that the tech industry's ideas have a history and are often repurposed from older concepts.
2. Understand that the tech industry often presents itself as revolutionary, but many of its ideas are rooted in long-standing American traditions.
3. Be aware of the distinction between genuine innovation and opportunistic exploitation of regulatory gaps.
4. Acknowledge the role of self-help and personal development in the tech industry's ideals and practices.
5. Recognize the importance of empathy in design thinking, even if it is often reduced to a minimal observation of others.
6. Be critical of the tech industry's portrayal of failure as a route to eventual redemption.
7. Understand that the concept of "dropping out" has become a symbol of independence and risk-taking in the tech industry.
8. Be aware of the cognitive dissonance between how tech entrepreneurs present themselves and their actual experiences.
9. Recognize that the tech industry often creates distinctions without differences and elides differences that are politically important to recognize.
10. Be critical of the media's fixation on tech thought leaders and the narratives they create around them.