One thing I loved about tech in the past twenty five years was things moved so fast and the workload was so intense that no-one had time for politics.

Oh well.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, a new class of tech billionaires has emerged, challenging the established order and igniting ideological battles that span both political and industry realms. At the forefront of this clash stands Marc Andreessen, whose name resonates alongside other influential figures such as Elon Musk and Peter Thiel. Their political vision and methods diverge not only from the dot-com tech titans like Bill Gates and Pierre Omidyar but also from the old-world industrialists and media moguls, including Rupert Murdoch and Ted Turner.

It might appear paradoxical for someone like Andreessen, firmly situated in a position of power, to criticize elites. However, it is crucial to recognize that elites, despite their influence, are not immune to forming cliques and engaging in contentious disputes. In the metaphorical cafeteria of America’s billionaires, Andreessen and his peers are throwing food and spoiling for a fight, while the incumbents leverage their connections to call in favors from prestigious institutions like the State Department and New York Times.

Although both camps are driven by more than just high-minded ideals, they hold fundamentally irreconcilable views regarding the kind of country they envision constructing. Take, for instance, the divergence between Reid Hoffman and Pierre Omidyar, the respective founders of LinkedIn and eBay, who have pledged a substantial $27 million to utilize artificial intelligence in vindicating social values of fairness and justice. In contrast, Andreessen publicly expresses concern over the adverse effects of training AI on what he refers to as the “woke mind virus.”

Another notable point of contention arises from Marc Benioff’s Salesforce, which made headlines last year by tying executive pay to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives—an initiative that Andreessen sharply criticizes. These clashes may initially seem like a battle between conservatives and liberals, but the reality is far more nuanced. Garry Tan, a successful investor and current president and CEO of the renowned startup incubator Y Combinator, has been a vocal critic of San Francisco’s progressive politics while remaining steadfast in his self-identification as a Democrat.

Andreessen, Tan, and their counterparts hold the belief that the core of this disagreement lies in the acceptance or rejection of a particular set of principles. It transcends simplistic categorizations and highlights the complex interplay between technology, politics, and societal aspirations. As the clash of tech titans continues to unfold, it brings to the forefront the broader question of what kind of future we want to create—a future shaped not only by technological advancements but also by the principles that underpin them.

While it’s a riveting battle of ideas as these influential figures strive to shape the trajectory of our society in the ever-evolving tech landscape, I wish they’d just get back to work. Then again, if no-one speaks up about culture and politics, who are we leaving the governing to?