1.) At the start of the film, Po Bronson, author of Nudist on the Late Shift, notes the disparity between the material reality of the valley (non-descript office parks, highways, strip malls) and the imaginary reality of it in the minds of those captured by its spell (staggering riches, intense technical culture, innovation, etc.). What is the relationship between Silicon Valley the place and Silicon Valley the idea? Think about this as you read Bronson's book as well.

2.) One of the virtues of this film is that it gives you a more human account of life inside a Silicon Valley company. Consider the human costs involved in playing the Silicon Valley game. Are they worth it? What are the rewards? Are they worth the costs? Would you want to pursue your fortune in Silicon Valley? Why or why not?

3.) Consider Jamie Zawinski, the young advocate of "open source software." In what ways is he a product of hacker culture as described by Steve Levy? In what ways is he a product of the 1960s counterculture? Use his character to consider again the relationship between hackers and hippies in the making of contemporary Silicon Valley.

4.) The film directly addresses the youth culture of Silicon Valley. How does this presentation change your attitude about this culture? Is the dominance of youth in Silicon Valley a good or bad thing? Justify your answer.

5.) This film explores more than any other we have yet seen the gender dynamics at the center of contemporary Silicon Valley. Why is the valley's culture so strongly male? Is the valley distinctive in this respect or is it representative of the high tech world as a whole? What historical forces produced this gender outcome? What advantages come from it for Silicon Valley? What disadvantages? How does your view about the pros and cons of Silicon Valley change when you view the valley through the lens of gender?

6.) Consider Scott Collins's relationship with his family in the Midwest. Can this relationship be read as a metaphor for Silicon Valley's relationship with the Midwest in general? In other words, what is the relationship between Silicon Valley and Middle America from an economic, technological, and cultural point of view? Does the Collins family personify this relationship? Why or why not?

7.) The film introduces you to the typical valley attitude about Microsoft. Is the hatred of Microsoft justified? Why or why not? How does comparing the hatred of Microsoft with the Netscape employee's complicated stance toward AOL, another computer behemoth, change your understanding of Silicon Valley culture?

8.) Michael Toy ends the film in retirement, having achieved the financial independence so sought after by many in the valley. Is his a happy story? What does his experience teach us about the costs and benefits of the Silicon Valley lifestyle?

9.) Using the story of Netscape presented in this film as representative of Silicon Valley as a whole, how do you evaluate the pros and cons of Silicon Valley culture? Is Silicon Valley a model to be emulated? Should all of America become more like Silicon Valley? Does Silicon Valley itself need to be changed or is everything operating fine? Do you get the sense that the valley is different now than it once was? If so, how have things changed? Have the changes been good or bad? What is the future of Silicon Valley in your estimation?
 

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