Blog 8: Gentrification in Silicon Valley

"The Google bus is a problematic symbol of inequality produced in the area by the tech boom and its high-earning progeny." 

The transportation of ushering thousands of workers from their homes in San Francisco to Silicon Valley through the Google Bus can be an issue pointing to social and technological inequality.
 "...the Google Bus has become the go-to symbol for discord in Silicon Valley", says San Francisco writer Julia Wong. Many view the Google Bus (a term used for any private bus chartered by employers) as a safe way to commute workers, have them arrive in a timely manner, and even take cars off of the street. But there are others who view the Google Bus in a completely different perspective. Not only do these private buses cause congestion, but they are using the routes illegally. And on top of that, what's really concerning people is that rent is going up in areas surrounding the bus routes. Rental owners are well aware of the highly paid techies from various companies who are being commuted every day. Recently there has been protests and blockades in an attempt to bring awareness to the issue, causing controversy in the streets of San Francisco.

These rising prices for rent are pushing those with lower income out, and recruiting those with substantial funds. This can be viewed as a form of gentrification, but should the google buses be blamed for this? Some definitely do not think so, “Wake the hell up! Stop trying to put transportation and housing issues together!” shouted Christa Jones, a shuttle bus employee, to a protesting crowd. I can see how employees for the shuttles and the riding employees see this as unfair treatment from the protesting individuals. People are always trying to put blame on one thing for the reason of their misfortune. The problem lies much deeper than the shuttle and company employees and I do not believe that it is their intention to drive locals out of their homes.

Blog 6/7: Free Labor in the Digital Economy & the Deadly Labor Behind our Technology

Stefana Broadbent’s Ted Talk, “How the internet enables intimacy” looks at how the internet has become a “democratization of intimacy”. We are progressing into this modern world where communication technology such as; texting, facebook, IM are actually cultivating deeper relationships rather than spoiling human intimacy. The world is breaking an imposed isolation that institutions are imposing on people. Over 50 years ago, when you went to work, or institution, during the day there was this focus, this full commitment to the task at hand. People would go about their day not able to talk to those they enjoy or love. Now, there is this great possibility to be in contact throughout the entire day. She uses an example of a baker who works early in the morning and hours later in the morning, he sneaks away to call his wife to wish her a good day when she is starting her day. Its taking a moment to chat whether it be email or IM at work or students sneak text messages at school. Even using social networks at institutions is turning into a common norm. Its this idea of possibility that she points out where people are able to communicate and connect with people we love most through the use of our new technologies, that other generations before never had before. For example she tells us of a couple who each week sets up a Skype webcam at the dinner table to “eat dinner” with their other family across the globe. The close connection we can get through technology aids this degree of intimacy with one another at anytime, at all times.

Institutions try to block the movement of greater possibility of intimacy and have social control for who has the right to self determine their attentions to be isolated. Work and schools try to enforce these “codes” by taking away cell phones, creating fines, or use a version of punishment to make sure people are focused. I agree that there are times when it is ineffective and somewhat distracting to be using communication technology, BUT like everything else moderation is key. It is important to be focused at school and to be hard working when at work, yet if studies are done, if such work is completed and it does not interfere with what is expected, then I don’t see why people can’t take a second to check their private email, facebook, text messages, etc.

In Sophia Cheng's article “The Deadly Labor Behind our Phones, Laptops, and Consumer Gadgets” we are reminded that getting to use these devices are a privilege in itself. While we are using these gadgets on a day to day basis, to ease or communication with one another, poor developing countries are slaving away with nothing else but making these “gadgets” for us at a cost no one would work for in America. People are in a factory working way too long of hours, making less than a dollar each day, hurting themselves making the products, and then head home for bed only to start the same day all over again.

I agree that technology has helped us into a better intimacy and connection with one another but it is to that extra degree that I believe is wrong. When we are constantly on our technology sometimes we forget how to be intimate in actual reality. Are need for having not just a smartphone (similar to a small computer at hand) but in addition we must also have a laptop, tablet, ipod, etc. While all these devices are incredible and enjoyable to use we must understand that there are countries of people suffering to make what we hold so much value to. We need to start critically thinking about when and how we are using our technology on a day to day basis, and how it is effecting not only us but the people producing these “gadgets” for our ongoing cycle of consumerism.

Photo of the working conditions in a factory in China for electronics