Charles Duhigg on How Silicon Valley Learned to Lobby | The ...
Founded in 1993, The Motley Fool is a financial services company dedicated to making the world smarter, happier, and richer. The Motley Fool reaches millions of people every month through our premium investing solutions, free guidance, and market analysis on Fool.com, top-rated podcasts, and non-profit The Motley Fool Foundation.
Campaign contributions are table stakes. Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the author of Supercommunicators and The Power of Habit. Motley Fool host Mary Long caught up with Duhigg to talk about his latest article in The New Yorker. They discuss:
History of Silicon Valley and Lobbying
For investors, as you're looking at these companies, do a little bit of research to see, are they simply just handing out cash, or are they actually going out and doing campaigns that target voters to say, we think you are an Airbnb voter or we think you are an Uber voter, and we want you on our side. If they're organizing, they're going to be even more effective.
Chris Larsen's Role in Silicon Valley
Chris Larsen was a visionary who transitioned from Washington to Silicon Valley, realizing the importance of political influence in the tech industry. He played a crucial role in mobilizing Airbnb hosts to support the company in the face of Proposition F.
The Success of Airbnb's Initiative
Through strategic mobilization and voter engagement, Airbnb successfully won the initiative, showcasing the impact of effective lobbying and political campaigns in Silicon Valley.
Financial Backing for Lobbying Efforts
Airbnb's significant financial backing, primarily from venture capitalists, was instrumental in supporting the lobbying efforts against Proposition F, highlighting the investment made to protect the company's interests.
To catch full episodes of all The Motley Fool's free podcasts, check out our podcast center. To get started investing, check out our beginner's guide to investing in stocks. A full transcript follows the video.
