Tech’s Day of Reckoning Is Being Oversold
Whenever a new calendar year begins, there is an urge to press reset on the news cycle and existing strategies and plans. This doesn’t make much sense considering how, excluding new laws and taxes that may go into effect on January 1, the new year doesn’t usher in changes in marketplace conditions. Nevertheless, there is a psychological benefit found with using the new year to remove oneself from all of the noise and assess the big picture.
In looking back over 2021 to assess the major stories in tech, one topic quickly jumps out at me as having been all-encompassing. It was a very good year for the tech giants when it came to navigating the regulatory and legal landscape. Consider the following developments:
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The Problem with Regulating Software in the 2020s
As the anti-tech bills from the U.S. house antitrust subcommittee made their way through the judiciary committee last week, the tone in press coverage and tech circles continued to evolve. An increasing number of people have become convinced that Washington is going to come down hard on the “tech” giants. This feeling has manifested itself in different ways. Those who view the giants as too powerful are jumping in jubilation while others are nervous and fearful as to what the legislation may mean for hundreds of thousands of workers and hundreds of millions of consumers.
In reading through the anti-tech bills, a few themes become hard to miss:
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Payment is processed and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. Special bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Receive Exclusive Essays. The cornerstone of an Inside Orchard subscription is access to Neil’s weekly essays on the latest developments in the technology industry. Weekly essays are 1,000 words and sent via email on Mondays. Essays revolve around the following topics: technology industry analysis, business model analysis, technology’s impact on societal and consumer trends. A sample essay can be viewed here.
Access Exclusive Private Podcast. Listen to Inside Orchard essays via an exclusive private podcast. After becoming a paid subscriber, all previously-published podcast episodes become available in your favorite podcast player. Podcast episodes never become available to the public.
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