Silicon Valley becomes epicenter of social change

The San Jose Mercury News reports:

Twenty years ago, Silicon Valley was an isolated bubble, oddly unconnected to the social issues that were churning in America. Its leaders, if they did speak out, kept their policy talk to business issues, such as taxes, trade agreements and securities law.

Now, organizers and companies recognize that Silicon Valley is the new Hollywood. Consumers have a personal connection to technology products and services, amplifying the interest when the industry is involved in an issue.

"The balance of power is certainly shifting toward Silicon Valley," said Matt Mahan, chief executive of Brigade, a startup offering a civic engagement platform. Tech companies such as Facebook and Google have considerable reach. "That's a perfect storm for tech leaders to be evoked as advocates of social causes or play a bigger role in the political system."

No word yet on when Tim Cook will stop selling products in Saudi Arabia.