Project Boing;)

De: Brian W. Robinson

Narrado por: Chris Henry Coffey

Project Boing;) is a sharp-witted satire of the tech industry—a fascinating, vibrant, insular, ambitious, self-important community that influences, for better or worse, the lives of everyone in the world.

It's 2012, before fake news, the cryptocurrency crash, the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Internet still feels like a hope-filled meritocracy where people anywhere in the world can realize their dreams.

But changes are stirring at Boing;), in the heart of Silicon Valley. Once the world's largest Internet portal, the company is facing an existential threat from search and social media companies, as people shift their online time from portals to Google and Facebook, from desktop computers to mobile phones.

Glenn Cregg is a Senior Manager of Marketing Insights. He takes his job seriously. Every day he drives impact, GSDs, and bleeds Boing;) Blue. He believes his research identifies an opportunity for Boing;) to return to its glory days, and he convinces the CEO to greenlight the new product. But when Glenn violates his own personal motto—Being objective makes me effective—things go badly, swiftly.

©2023 Brian W. Robinson (P)2023 Brian W. Robinson

Wonderfully Humorous Tale of Silicon Valley

I work in Silicon Valley and this story rings true. Very funny and wonderful characters. Crazy as it seems, it's like real life in the Valley. I strongly recommend it.

Silicon Valley Shenanigans: A Satirical Dive into a Techie’s Absurd Realities

A hilarious yet eerily accurate portrayal of the tech industry's absurdities. From cutthroat competition to mind-boggling incompetency, he captures it all with wit and precision. Glenn’s journey through the company's maze mirrors the struggles we face daily, from the relentless pressure to perform to the suffocating company culture drenched in koolaid.

Brian's writing is not just easy to listen to, it's addictive. He effortlessly weaves in tropes of the tech world, making you laugh and cringe simultaneously. And the incorporation of the author’s music adds perfect transitions to the narrative immersing you even further into the world of Boing.

Whether you're a tech worker or just fascinated by Silicon Valley's madness, this book is a must-read. It's a hilarious yet sobering reminder of the realities we navigate every day in the tech industry.

Funny & relevant for living in FAANG

The intro of a support/rehab group, hearing tech slang, "You did what with the needle?!" catches you immediately.

It's a fun, kind-hearted satire of being in the valley that lightly pokes at some of our embarrassing groupthink behaviors. I've experienced many situations highlighted in the story, from Sergey's "tell me something I didn't know, bro," to Tiger teams and performance strategies. The story handles a serious subtext with care (attempted suicide) but does touch on the callousness manifested under the veneer of "caring" tech corps.

Overall, it reminded me of the Scott Meyers stories (Off to Meet the Wizard series). Maybe not as pop-referencable or quirky, but this story is much closer to reality. I liked it and found the writing light and easy to ingest without distraction.

Those unfamiliar with the jargon may not feel that way, but for anyone in the Valley, this book is fun.