Katy Cook - The Psychology of Silicon Valley: Ethical Threats and Emotional Unintelligence in the Tech Industry

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Books arewrongly, in my opinionattributed to one person. As I learned while writing this, my first book, they are in fact the result of the generosity and kindnesses of many, many extraordinary people. Here are a few of the friends and colleagues who helped the following pages become pages with actual words on them. This book, quite simply, would not exist without them.

First and foremost, thanks are due to Dec Munro for bringing to my attention the fact that this book should exist and for believing I could do something so hard and exciting and scary. As ever, you are full of fantastic, utterly insane ideas and I love you tremendously.

My thanks to my Centre for Technology Awareness family also cannot be overstated. First, to Anders Beier, whose support and presence made the last few years of research, thinking, and planning a lot less lonely. And also to Adam Daniel, who was the very first person to listen to my crazy ideas about the future and technology and not to look at me like I was crazy. Thank you both for being there every step of the way.

I am forever indebted to my editors at Palgrave Macmillan, Grace Jackson, Joanna ONeill, and Beth Farrow, who got excited about an idea, took a chance on it, and guided me kindly through the publishing process until it actually looked like a book. You are such intelligent, patient, wonderful women and I am so grateful to have worked with you.

Many thanks are due to my truly wonderful colleagues, friends, and sounding boards: Machiel Klerk, Mary Lee Moser, Chris McNab, Myrsini Ouzounelli, Eliza Cubitt, Lavonne Cloke, Matt McStravick, Claudia Hergesheimer, and Brian Clack, as well as to my wonderful research assistant, Tom Rolinson. Many thoughtful conversations, ideas, and introductions occurred as a result of their expertise, edits, and guidance and I am still in awe that I get to count each of them as friends.

Particular thanks are due to Mia Mulch, for reminding me that to get where you need to go, sometimes you have to be brought kicking and screaming. Special thanks are also due to Gareth and Beth Davies, who spend their days making the world braver and more vulnerable. I dont think I would have had the courage to pursue this project had our paths not crossed and Im grateful every day that they did.

Many thanks are due to Helen Lockett, who volunteered her editing expertise while in the throes of law school, and made the final product infinitely better with her insightful questions and ideas. And my deepest thanks also go to Celia Pool, who read and reread the manuscript with an excellent eye for detail and an uncommon level of support.

I dont expect I can ever adequately express my gratitude to Bruce Thomas and Rhio Ossola, who gave me the most beautiful writing space in the world. This book wouldnt have seen the light of day for at least another year without your hospitality, generosity, and selflessness.

Thanks, of a different but equally important kind are due to Jake Hamer, who so expertly put my hand back together at a rather critical writing time, and also to Erin Brooks, who helped me learn to use it again so I could eke out the last section.

More than anyone, this book exists thanks to my mom, who consistently gives everything, asks for nothing in return, and is one of the best human beings Ive ever met. I love you so much.

I am humbled and grateful to everyone who took the time to tell me about their experience of Silicon Valley. It was an honor to hear your thoughts and opinions and to have been entrusted with your stories and I hope the following pages have done them justice.