Trampled by Unicorns

An insiders revealing and in-depth examination of Big Techs failure to keep its foundational promises and the steps the industry can take to course-correct in order to make a positive impact on the world. Trampled by Unicorns: Big Techs Empathy Problem and How to Fix It explores how technology has progressed humanitys most noble pursuits, while also grappling with the origins of the industrys destructive empathy deficit and the practical measures Big Tech can take to self-regulate and make it right again. Author Maëlle Gavet examines the tendency for many of Big Techs stars to stray from their user-first ideals and make products that actually profoundly damage their customers and ultimately society. Offering an account of the world of tech startups in the United States and Europefrom Amazon, Google, and Facebook to Twitter, Airbnb, and Uber (to name a few)Trampled by Unicorns argues that the causes and consequences of Big Techs failures originate from four main sources: the Valleys cultural insularity, the hyper-growth business model, the sectors stunning lack of diversity, and a dangerous self-sustaining ecosystem. However, the book is not just an account of how an industry came off the rails, but also a passionate call to action on how to get it back on track. Gavet, a leading technology executive and former CEO of Ozon, an executive vice president at Priceline Group, and chief operating officer of Compass, formulates a clear call to action for industry leaders, board members, employees, and consumers/users to drive the change necessary to create better, more sustainable businessesand the steps Western governments are likely to take should tech leaders fail to do so. Steps that include reformed tax codes, reclassification of platforms as information companies, new labor laws, and algorithmic transparency and oversight. Trampled by Unicorns exploration of the promise and dangers of technology is perfect for anyone with an interest in entrepreneurship, tech, and global commerce, and a hope of technologys all-empowering prospect. An illuminating book full of insights, Trampled by Unicorns describes a realistic path forward, even as it uncovers and explains the errors of the past. As Gavet puts it, we dont need less tech, we need more empathetic tech. And how that crucial distinction can be achieved by the tech companies themselves, driving change as governments actively pave the road ahead.