Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the growing divide between tech company leadership and employees in Silicon Valley, particularly in the context of political pressures and changes in corporate culture under the Trump administration. Group 1: Corporate Response to Political Pressure - Tech leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, have shown compliance with the Trump administration to avoid negative business impacts, leading to a shift in corporate policies regarding diversity and inclusion [1][4] - Employees at Meta have expressed silent protests against leadership decisions, such as the removal of gender-specific hygiene products, indicating a growing discontent with management's alignment with government policies [3][4] Group 2: Employee Discontent and Corporate Culture - A Meta engineer was terminated for sharing internal information, highlighting a growing tension between the company's emphasis on control and the previously encouraged culture of openness [5] - The internal assessment at Meta indicated a plan to lay off 5% of underperforming employees, raising fears among staff about job security and the potential for being targeted for non-compliance [5][6] Group 3: Shift in Employee Dynamics - The article notes that the majority of tech employees in Silicon Valley are foreign nationals, which complicates their ability to voice dissent due to immigration concerns [6][7] - Political discussions have largely disappeared from workplace forums, with employees fearing repercussions for speaking out against corporate decisions [6] Group 4: Decline of Open Corporate Culture - The once-open culture of companies like Google has shifted, with areas of their headquarters now restricted to employees only, reflecting a move towards increased security and control [9][10] - The article suggests that the current leadership's focus on political alignment and business stability may stifle innovation, leading to a potential decline in the competitive edge of these tech giants [11]