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I don’t even understand what the term "tech sector" really means. It seems to be exclusively companies that sell or provide a software (platform) as their main

I don’t even understand what the term "tech sector" really means. It seems to be exclusively companies that sell or provide a software (platform) as their main product, plus chip/electronics manufacturers, but excludes defense contractors, aerospace (minus spacex maybe), automotive (minus Tesla maybe), biotech/pharma, and finance (aside from "fintech" startups). The word tech really got co-opted.

Retric 2y ago
It’s just ties back to silicon valley. Does the sector inherently require a processor/transistor? Cars no Aircraft no Pills no Banks no Self-driving car yes Software yes Fintech yes Tablet yes Sure modern cars use lots of processors, but the Model T didn’t. It may seem a little vague around where the line between industries is, but at the extreme things line up quite well.
snowpid 2y ago
It's really a good distinction where SV is good and where is not (so other first world countries don't have tech by definition)
paxys 2y ago
That's really for wall street analysts to decide. Maybe they flip a coin, I can't say.
- lolinder 2y ago
  So, if I'm understanding what you're saying: The article is referring to a sector of the economy that is essentially undefinable and using statistics they somehow derived about that undefinable sector to argue that San Francisco is the center of said undefinable sector. Do I have that right? (If so, this is not reassuring me that their cited statistics are in any way meaningful.)
  - paxys 2y ago
    You can use any definition you want and argue semantics all day long. The conclusion is still going to be that Silicon Valley is the center of the global tech industry and where most talent is concentrated and where most new innovation is happening.
    - lolinder 2y ago
      If you create special definitions for "global tech industry" and "talent" and "innovation" specifically in order to arrive at that result, absolutely! Meanwhile, those of us in the 90% of US developers and 99% of worldwide developers will keep on innovating and building new stuff regardless of the semantic games you want to play to keep your Bay-centric worldview.

Retric 2y ago

It’s just ties back to silicon valley. Does the sector inherently require a processor/transistor? Cars no Aircraft no Pills no Banks no Self-driving car yes Software yes Fintech yes Tablet yes Sure modern cars use lots of processors, but the Model T didn’t. It may seem a little vague around where the line between industries is, but at the extreme things line up quite well.

snowpid 2y ago

It's really a good distinction where SV is good and where is not (so other first world countries don't have tech by definition)

paxys 2y ago

That's really for wall street analysts to decide. Maybe they flip a coin, I can't say.

lolinder 2y ago
So, if I'm understanding what you're saying: The article is referring to a sector of the economy that is essentially undefinable and using statistics they somehow derived about that undefinable sector to argue that San Francisco is the center of said undefinable sector. Do I have that right? (If so, this is not reassuring me that their cited statistics are in any way meaningful.)
- paxys 2y ago
  You can use any definition you want and argue semantics all day long. The conclusion is still going to be that Silicon Valley is the center of the global tech industry and where most talent is concentrated and where most new innovation is happening.
  - lolinder 2y ago
    If you create special definitions for "global tech industry" and "talent" and "innovation" specifically in order to arrive at that result, absolutely! Meanwhile, those of us in the 90% of US developers and 99% of worldwide developers will keep on innovating and building new stuff regardless of the semantic games you want to play to keep your Bay-centric worldview.