Claire Stapleton's Memoir 'Don't Be Evil' Chronicles Google Walkout and Tech Disillusionment
Claire Stapleton's memoir, "Don't Be Evil," chronicles her twelve years at Google, detailing her experiences and disillusionment with the tech giant. The book reflects on the pivotal November 2018 walkout of over 20,000 employees protesting the mishandling of sexual harassment allegations, an event Stapleton helped orchestrate. Joining Google in 2007, she encountered early cognitive dissonance, especially under CEO Larry Page's techno-utopian vision. Stapleton notes that after the walkout, women advocating for change faced retaliation. Influenced by authors like Fred Turner, her memoir reveals the complexities of modern tech culture.
Key facts
- Claire Stapleton's memoir 'Don't Be Evil' was published, recounting her 12 years at Google.
- In November 2018, over 20,000 Google employees walked out to protest mishandling of sexual harassment allegations.
- Stapleton helped organize the Google Walkout for Real Change.
- Stapleton started at Google in 2007 and experienced cognitive dissonance from early on.
- Google's 'Radical Accountability' training was led by a Silicon Valley career guru favored by Sheryl Sandberg.
- Larry Page became CEO during Stapleton's first five years, promoting techno-utopian visions.
- After the walkout, Google punished women who pushed back.
- Stapleton cites books by Fred Turner, 'Careless People,' 'Uncanny Valley,' and 'Private Government' as inspirations.
Entities
Artists
- Claire Stapleton
- Sheryl Sandberg
- Larry Page
- Sergey Brin
- Fred Turner
- Lindsey Buckingham
- Bob Weir
- Joan Baez
Institutions
- Vogue
- Stanford University
- Fleetwood Mac
- Grateful Dead
Locations
- Palo Alto
- New York
- Silicon Valley