Hi Mark,

First of all, thank you for the very good insights in the VC and startup world that you share on Both Sides.

In regard of your post (I find it perfectly fine, even better and intellectually richer to have your political or more broader view not only limited to the core startup and VC topics):

I think it would have been interesting to analyze and put in self-reflecting perspective to what extend the tech industry and the Silicon Valley elite potentially have a share of responsibility in the social dynamic forces that lead to this alarming election outcome. One extract from the excellent Daily Stratechery of Ben Thompson (Wednesday November 9) illustrating this perspective:

“In fact, though, the tech industry treats the typical Trump voter — overtly racist and misogynistic or not — with contempt. Just look at the entire digital advertising industry: its entire premise is based on the assumption that people are too dumb to care about their privacy being violated, which means there is an arbitrage opportunity in selling personal information for more than it costs to provide whatever service or publication is drawing said user. Who cares about doing what is right, if it’s legal it’s A-OK!

You can apply the exact same criticism to the tax avoidance policies that every tech company engages in, including — especially — Apple. It is difficult to imagine a starker example of behavior that is justified by being legally acceptable even as it is morally dubious. It is behavior sounds an awful lot like the Wall Street bankers that so many Americans despise: actions are justified by their legality, not by their morality. We sit here and decry how Trump has decimated the norms of political campaigns, even as we violate norms as long as it benefits the bottom line.”

On a more positive note: Hillary won the votes of the majority of the Americans and it is only because of an outdated Electoral College system that Trump won. Maybe worth putting some energy to reform that in the first place.

Best