U.S. Tech Culture has Evolved
The Times They Are A-Changin': It’s difficult to make sense of the marriage between technology and power on full display at this week’s inauguration. But we have a few ideas.

This week, the inauguration seemed to speed past me, which is odd because I’m based in the Washington, D.C.-area. I took a moment to pause—first, to wonder about Melania’s hat fashion choice (we all paused, I guess that was the goal), and second, to notice all those tech billionaires lined up, almost in an act of kissing the ring. It said a lot: all these titans of Silicon Valley flying out to make nice with the incoming President. And my cofounder Alice and I couldn’t help but wonder—what happens when technology and power become intertwined at this level, both here and across the globe?
As a millennial American, I grew up with the idea that technology was an equalizer. It gave the underdog—people like me, a minority woman—the tools to disrupt norms and systems that didn’t always have our best interests in mind. For a while, it was exciting to watch these systems shake under the force of “breaking things” and remaking them. But now, the tech scene’s evolution feels less like a revolutionary wave and more like part of “the machine,” as I like to call it.
The U.S. is on the cusp of a major power shift, driven not by oil or steel but by technology. In 2025, tech moguls aren’t just coding in garages; they’re lining up at inaugurations, wielding influence that reaches far beyond our borders.
For those of us who once saw tech as an equalizer—and for communities worldwide—it raises urgent questions: Will technology serve us, or will we be serving it? The rules we set now, from D.C. to Brussels to Beijing, will determine whether digital power liberates society or tightens its grip on us all.
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Historically, we’ve seen wealth and power form around land, monarchies, and even oil. Those in control of critical resources held the keys to shaping society. But in 2025 and beyond, data is the new resource—and the people who can harness it wield tremendous influence.
In the past, we might’ve expected the steel barons or oil tycoons to appear in the same room as the President. Now we see tech moguls—billionaires who own not just platforms but entire ecosystems. These ecosystems touch our social connections, our finances, our sense of self, and even our politics.
So why is this shift significant? Because it’s no longer about physical goods—it’s about what we do, what we think, how we interact with the world. That’s an incredibly intimate power where our sense of self and independent thought is at risk.
Technology 💍 Power
Tech bro culture used to be about the “glorified hacker”—that smart kid in a hoodie who built something in a garage and took it to the moon. It was all about disruption, flattening hierarchies, toppling old industries. Soon we realized that it wasn’t nearly as inclusive as it claimed to be. Still, it gave us glimpses of how a scrappy startup could outshine century-old corporations.
But now, many of those so-called “scrappy” startups are the establishment. They’re some of the wealthiest, most influential organizations on the planet, with founders who’ve become the new aristocrats—flying on private jets, investing in space colonies, or even buying entire islands. Instead of working around government, they’re working with it—or, in some cases, trying to work above it.
This matters globally because technology is redefining social contracts in different corners of the world. Europe’s data protection laws push back against corporate overreach, while in China, tech often intertwines with state objectives, reshaping personal freedoms.
In the U.S., the blurring lines between private enterprise and public policy make it hard to tell who’s truly at the helm. It’s a marriage of big data + big power—one that’s both fascinating and frightening.
Now That It’s Merged, What Can We Expect?
Policies Shaped by Tech Interests
Expect regulations on AI, data privacy, and platform behavior to possibly swing in the favor of large tech entities. It might be subtle—tweaks to data laws or an extended grace period for new regulations—enough to give these companies time to strengthen their hold.New Frontiers of Innovation
On the bright side, collaboration between government and tech might speed up advancements in healthcare (AI diagnostics), infrastructure (smart cities), and education (customized learning tools).Heightened Global Rivalries
With China, the Middle East, the EU, and the U.S. all racing to lead in AI and emerging tech, big decisions about trade and diplomacy might revolve around algorithms, data centers and chip manufacturing more than traditional resources.Growing Divide in Society
Not everyone benefits from digital power. When entire communities lack high-speed internet or advanced devices, they’re locked out of the very innovation that claims to “help” them. This digital divide could widen further. In addition to the impacts that AI could have on energy resources, taking from some to feed the AI-generations of others.Want More Content Like This?
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How You Can Protect Yourself and Your Family
Own Your Data: Know what platforms you use, what data they collect, and how to limit what you share. Simple steps—like adjusting privacy settings, turning off location services, and using encrypted messaging—can help you stay in control.
Stay Politically Aware: Tech policy might sound boring, but it affects everything from your social feed to your job prospects. Keep an eye on new laws or executive orders related to AI, data privacy, or digital currencies. Staying informed can help you spot red flags.
Cultivate Digital Literacy: If you have younger siblings or children, teach them not just how to use tech but also how tech uses them. Understanding algorithms, ads, and mental health impacts early can prevent future pitfalls.
Diversify Your Tech Toolkit: Don’t rely on a single platform or ecosystem for everything. Experiment with smaller or more privacy-focused tools. That way, you’re not entirely beholden to a handful of mega-corporations.
Value Local Communities: Big tech is global, but resilience starts locally. Get involved with local groups—whether neighborhood cooperatives, mutual-aid networks, or small businesses—to stay grounded in a community that’s not purely algorithm-driven.
We stand at the crossroads of an era where technology is no longer just shaping how we live—it’s forming the backbone of political power structures themselves.
And while it’s easy to feel uneasy—or even a little jaded—about a world where corporate jets land on the White House lawn, there’s still room for optimism.
Disruption doesn’t die; it evolves.
The question is: how will we choose to engage? Will we be passive consumers of these shiny new ecosystems, or will we stay vigilant, informed? The answer might depend on whether we’re willing to pay attention—not just to fancy hats at inaugurations, but to the subtle handshake between tech and power that’s shaping our tomorrow.
Cultural Takeaway
Technology is fast becoming the backbone of our social contracts, shaping how we work, communicate, and govern ourselves across different societies. Whether it empowers us or exploits us depends on the legal frameworks and cultural values we adopt—rules and norms that can either protect citizens or hand tech giants free rein.