Tech for President …
They are rich, popular, have millions of followers, proven management skills, and concerns about society and politics that go far beyond their business interests. Could they be nurturing political ambitions?
When we start seeing articles calling for the heads of tech companies or scientists to enter politics, coupled with rumors about Mark Zuckerberg running for president in 2020 or analysis of his position on issues such as environment, health, immigration, justice and equality, technology, security or the economy, it seems pretty clear that the media is helping generate a mood that demands a different approach to the problems the planet faces.
This might have something to do with the United States having chosen the worst president in its history, a failed businessman who has bankrupted hotels and casinos and who is so deeply irresponsible and populist: we are talking about a country where literally anyone can be president. In the light of such a situation, the idea of Trump being replaces, in a radical swing of the political pendulum, by somebody from the tech sector with proven management ability and a better idea of what really matters in today’s world could reach resonate reasonably well with a significant part of a deeply disenchanted electorate that has seen what can happen when something as important as politics is left to clowns.
Sadly, there are plenty of other leaders around the world who don’t understand the world. In the United Kingdom, Theresa May or her Home Secretary Amber Rudd, clearly do not understand the encryption dilemma; while the Indian Minister of Transport, Nitin Gadkari, has said he would never allow the autonomous vehicle into his country, which has one of the highest vehicle accident rates in the world, because doing so would destroy jobs. Of course, our leaders’ failure to understand the importance of technology means that we all suffer.
Can you ever imagine a champion of technology in the White House?
(En español, aquí)