The world of tech fascinates as much as it worries. In a gripping documentary mini-series, two journalists set out to explore the microcosm of the cradle of computing, Silicon “Fucking” Valley.
With his colorful Hawaiian shirt and colorful socks, Luc Julia stands out in a landscape usually dominated by the suits and ties of venture capitalists and the turtlenecks of tech gurus. However, it is this unusual character, one of the designers of the voice assistant Siri, who will open the doors to a world as fascinating as it is disturbing to two Arte journalists, that of Silicon Valley, the historic cradle and current locomotive of the IT industry.
With his explosive frankness, his juicy anecdotes and a clear absence of embarrassment to invite himself almost everywhere, Luc Julia will thus allow his two friends and the viewers to lift part of the veil of mystery which covers this universe object of all the fantasies. This mini-series, viewable for free on Arte and made up of six episodes of around fifteen minutes each, will also be named in the guide’s own words: Silicon Fucking Valley.
Throughout the wanderings of our three lunatics, several emblematic places, characters and companies of the silicon valley will be presented to us under different aspects. For example, we will discover the history of the prestigious Stanford University in California, which has seen most of the great inventors and technological entrepreneurs of recent decades pass through its benches, thanks to a model of close integration between the academic world. and industrial.
We will also meet a French fiber optic engineer, converted into a YouTuber specializing in repairing old computers. A perfect springboard to continue the fascinating history of the development of consumer personal computers, and in particular the Xerox Alto, the first in its category to offer a true graphical interface, instead of the command lines that reigned at the time. And on the concept of which the immense success of another manufacturer will be built: Apple.
The mini-series will also look at length at the meteoric development of the Apple brand, under the leadership of its visionary, and sometimes tyrannical, director Steve Jobs, between well-felt takeovers of innovative companies and dazzling intuitions on development. of consumer computing. It is also on this occasion that Luc Julia will mention the existence of the famous photo of the family jewels of the person concerned, but the origin of which will not be revealed to us until the very end of the series.
Each episode focuses on a period or aspect of the functioning of this « micro-nation » what is Silicon Valley. From highly paid star engineers to exploited transport and catering employees, including discreet investors and crazy restaurant owners, the mini-series introduces us to the galaxy of characters who inhabit this strange world, almost a parallel universe to ours. , with “its laws, its kings and its history”.
The series does not hesitate to expose darker and more problematic aspects of the brilliant success of Silicon Valley. We will hear, for example, the rare and dissonant voice of Meredith Wittaker, the current president of the Signal Foundation, and a sharp criticism of “surveillance capitalism” on which GAFAM has built its hold on the world. Or even those of employees at the “bottom of the scale”, whose work is necessary for the comfortable life of tech employees, but who are forced to live outside the silicon valley, for lack of a sufficient salary to do so. reside.
Between the historical documentary, the travel diary and the social investigation, Silicon Fucking Valley thus skims over many fascinating subjects, always with a lot of humor, often with mischief, but obviously without really delving into any of them. Those convinced of the tech business will certainly find the series too grating, while the most skeptical of the digital industry will surely judge it to be too soft in its criticism. In any case, the mini-series is a pleasure to enjoy throughout, and given that it is freely accessible on the Arte site and application, there is no reason to deprive yourself of it. .
