At the beginning of the project the SV
research team consulted expert Jan English-
Lueck regarding what made Silicon Valley so
successful. She mentioned that although most
people think of technology when they think
of Silicon Valley the main reason the area
continues to thrive is because of the wide
range of diversity. Furthermore, she noted
the acceptance of diverse ethnicities, religions,
and sexual orientation is higher in this area
than other places trying to replicate it.
After the initial research some of the team
members travelled around the Silicon Valley
taking photographs of the area. It was noted
that there are huge socioeconomic differences.
Many of the places with technological industry
are surrounded by upscale expensive homes
and shopping whereas the areas in between
are littered with empty storefronts, aged
homes, and vacant lots. Upon further research
one thing was clear, with the integration of
the technology industry came an even wider
stratification of wealth.
The SV team decided to take a look back into
the past of Silicon Valley, formerly Valley of
the Hearts Delight. Prior to the technological
boom the area was filled with orchards and
agriculture.
Due to working collaboratively with people spread out all over the world the project uses Minecraft, a game with sandbox design, as a meeting and workspace. We are able to
Due to working collaboratively with people spread out all over the world the project uses Minecraft, a game with sandbox design, as a meeting and workspace. We are able to
collaborate our builds and communicate
about research all within this environment.
Some of the first objects brought out of the project were built in Minecraft, exported, and eventually 3D printed into physical space. Ideas quickly began circulating about building large-scale transistors in an orchard, bringing the technology back to the roots of the original area.
Some of the first objects brought out of the project were built in Minecraft, exported, and eventually 3D printed into physical space. Ideas quickly began circulating about building large-scale transistors in an orchard, bringing the technology back to the roots of the original area.