tech

A Google insider spills the tea on how the company forsook its founding ideals

Claire Stapleton’s new book, Don’t Be Evil, recounts her journey from company cheerleader to outspoken dissident.

A Google insider spills the tea on how the company forsook its founding ideals

TL;DR

  • Claire Stapleton, a former Google communications specialist, details her journey from company loyalist to dissident in her book "Don’t Be Evil."
  • Stapleton was an organizer of the 2018 Google employee walkout protesting the company's handling of sexual misconduct allegations.
  • She claims she was demoted in retaliation for her role in organizing the walkout and subsequently resigned.
  • The book explores a perceived shift in Google's corporate culture, particularly after Larry Page replaced Eric Schmidt as CEO in 2011, leading to increased bureaucracy and a focus on branding over innovation.
  • Stapleton critiques Big Tech's broader ethical and political evolution, noting a growing disillusionment among workers and the public.
  • The memoir also touches on Stapleton's personal experiences with grief after her brother's death and how it influenced her work ethic and perspective.