scott fFeb 14, 2023

A top editor of the NYT recently told employees, "We are pro-capitalism. The New York Times is in favor of capitalism." So I'm not too surprised they panned Malcolm Harris' new book, Palo Alto, a rare Silicon Valley history that foregrounds workers and activists and doesn't flatter the rich.

I, however, thought it was a great read and you can read my review, with no paywall, over at Democratic Left 😇 https://www.dsausa.org/democratic-left/blood-that-trots-young-malcolm-harriss-history-of-silicon-valley-exploitation/

#SiliconValley #PaloAlto #bookstodon

"Blood That Trots Young”: Malcolm Harris's History of Silicon Valley Exploitation - Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)

The extreme inequality of our time isn’t the natural state of things. It requires the elites’ constant maintenance to keep it that way. We should take heart and keep organizing.

Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
Show threadscott fFeb 14, 2023

This is my first published book review. First of many, or will I never do this again? Who knows? Stay tuned

Anyway, here's a Bookshop link if you wanna buy it and support local bookstores https://bookshop.org/p/books/palo-alto-a-history-of-california-capitalism-and-the-world-malcolm-harris/18512232?ean=9780316592031

Show threadscott fFeb 14, 2023

For laughs, here's Harris' response to the NYT review, including inaccuracies in it https://twitter.com/BigMeanInternet/status/1625511330487627782

Alt version of that link that won't track you: https://twitter.censors.us/BigMeanInternet/status/1625511330487627782

Malcolm Harris on Twitter

“"'Palo Alto" is nominally a history, but it is really a work of grand theory, in this case a familiar one: Marxism. Karl Marx’s long shadow darkens every page." Oh my God lol https://t.co/mBPTbS6zII”

Twitter
Show threadswfongFeb 14, 2023

@scott I would hope is included in the book: the adjacent town of East Palo Alto isn't mentioned in the review.
Besides such lowlights as once leading Cali in murders per capita, there was a sign on the walkway over 101 connecting EPA to PA with warnings about curfews and committing crime. There were no such signs when you left PA.

How PA has isolated themselves from EPA is shameful.

Show threadscott fFeb 14, 2023
@swfong yeah, there’s a whole section on the “ghettoization of East Palo Alto.” It’s a 600+ page book, so I couldn’t fit everything in my review.
Show threadswfongFeb 14, 2023

@scott I think how towns are isolated is the cause for much of our ills.

I especially despise Piedmont, and I wish Oakland would set up toll roads leading into Piedmont.

Show threadscott f
@swfong a cause, yes, and also an effect of our ills... racism and the desire to protect real estate value above all led to those municipal boundaries. (American Babylon is a great history of this phenomenon specifically in the East Bay)
Feb 15, 2023 at 1:17amWeb
Show threadswfongFeb 15, 2023

@scott I take back what I said about Piedmont. Their residents know what the most critical problems of the East Bay are and how to fix them. Fundraising won't hold them back!

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/02/14/piedmont-pool-funding-gap-within-striking-distance-of-closure/

Piedmont pool funding gap ‘within striking distance’ of closure

The nonprofit Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization so far has raised $1.25 million of the remaining $2.1 million needed to pay for project.

East Bay Times