What can we learn from Silicon Valley?

In this first of three conversations historian David Larsson Heidenblad and tech analyst Björn Jeffery discuss the ideas that have shaped the tech companies of today. How does life in Silicon Valley work? What can you learn, and use, from these ideas in your daily business? And what can the fairly short but very influential history of the California ecosystem tell about the future of innovation and technology?

The Books on the Table

Why are certain expressions, methods, and startup philosophies accepted and used all over the world? A knowledge canon has emerged around how to best create change and economic value in a digitally connected world. This has contributed to a learning process where what seems obvious today hardly even existed in the 1990s. At the same time, there are books from that era that are still widely read and that form the foundation of how companies have been built (e.g. Only the Paranoid Survive, The Innovator’s Dilemma).

In conversation, we highlight how this canon has spread globally (The Lean Startup, Zero to One). We discuss this as a historical knowledge phenomenon at the intersection of academia, business, technology (and politics).

The conversation is free to join, but bring your own (optional) lunch (we recommend take away from restaurant Varv, or a salad from Holy Greens).

Also, check out and register for session two and three in series.

Speakers

David Larsson Heidenblad is an Associate Professor in History at Lund University and deputy director for Lund Centre for the History of Knowledge. David’s research is focused on contemporary history and revolves around themes such as stock saving, knowledge work, and the emergence of the digital society. He writes regularly in Svenska Dagbladet, Sydsvenskan, Curie, Respons and Populär historia.

Björn Jeffery is an independent tech analyst, advisor and board executive. He was the co-founder and CEO of Toca Boca and spent eight years in Silicon Valley. Currently he is the technology columnist at the Swedish newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet.