Films and television turn their focus to Silicon Valley’s influence
The newsletter argues that a tech backlash is increasingly showing up in entertainment, with new films and television dramas examining Silicon Valley and the consequences of its influence. Its recommendations include *The Social Reckoning*, Aaron Sorkin’s new Facebook-focused film, and *Cupertino*, a legal procedural about technology and AI.
The writer says early reactions suggest *The Social Reckoning* is good but falls short of *The Social Network*. *Cupertino*, from the team behind *The Good Wife*, is praised for tackling real legal issues in tech and AI through an episodic format. The newsletter also highlights Kevin Roose’s book *The AGI Chronicles*, which examines how a small group of AI executives and their relationships may shape the industry’s future.
- New screen stories are taking on Big Tech.
- *The Social Reckoning* draws comparisons with *The Social Network*.
- *Cupertino* explores legal questions around technology and AI.
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Silicon Valley refers to the cluster of technology companies based in California, particularly those developing social media platforms, search engines, and artificial intelligence systems that have become central to modern life. These companies and their leaders have accumulated considerable influence over how information flows and how people communicate globally.
Entertainment producers are increasingly dramatising Silicon Valley's influence, reflecting broader public concerns about the power of technology companies. These concerns range from social media's effect on mental health and democracy to questions about how artificial intelligence might reshape society and employment.
By bringing these issues to mainstream film and television audiences, storytellers are helping shape how the public understands and discusses the role of technology in their lives. This reflects a shift in how entertainment engages with questions about corporate power and technological change.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Entertainment that critically examines Silicon Valley's influence on society serves an important function in an age when these companies shape our information, relationships, and economy. Tech corporations wield enormous power yet operate largely beyond public debate, so accessible narratives through film and television help audiences understand real consequences—from privacy violations to algorithmic bias—in ways traditional journalism cannot always achieve. This represents legitimate accountability for institutions whose decisions affect billions, not bias against innovation.
The case against
This entertainment trend reflects a one-sided bias against the technology industry that resembles advocacy rather than balanced examination. Silicon Valley has produced genuine achievements—breakthrough medical treatments, global connectivity enabling opportunity, tools that improve daily life—yet entertainment focuses relentlessly on harms whilst ignoring benefits, creating a caricature that distorts public understanding. Fair criticism would acknowledge both real problems and real contributions; the systematic negativity suggests ideological opposition to tech rather than genuine inquiry into complexity.
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Originally published by The Verge as “The techlash has gone Hollywood”.