The best thing the tech industry can do for Ukraine is donate
Just put your money where your mouth is
It’s not you, it’s us
Unfortunately, the modern tech industry is founded on the idea of “disruption.” If you look at the past 30 years, companies haven’t been using technology to neatly support other sectors, instead they’ve been using it to dismantle them.
This goes for almost everything, from Amazon’s overhaul of retail, to Apple’s remodeling of our daily lives with the iPhone. It’s inherent in the language of the industry.
But here’s the thing: not everything can — or should — be disrupted. Thinking otherwise is pure hubris. Often, the best approach is showing humility and, well, putting your money where your mouth is.
The best example of the negative impact this “disruptor” mentality has was displayed by everyone’s favorite tech egomaniac, Elon Musk.
Stretch your mindback to 2018and the Thai boy’s soccer team being stuck in a cave. Rather than just accept the expertise of life-long divers and rescuing experts (who eventually saved the boys), Musk took it upon himselfto build a submarine.
Surprise surprise,the vehicle was unusable. It didn’t even fit in the damn cave.
The moral, if there was one, is this: listen to experts and accept what they’re saying.
This isn’t saying don’t help, far from it. If an organization actively asks for your technical assistance and you can deliver that (for example,the IT Army of Ukraine), then go right ahead.
The danger is when you provide “help” experts haven’t asked for — which is precisely what Musk did. All the money and resources spent on his submarine would’ve been better utilized in the hands of experts.
But youcanhelp
This isn’t an indictment or a takedown of people wanting to make a difference. I totally get why highly-skilled technologists want to get involved — and I genuinely believe the reasons behind this are both admirable and understandable.
Inactivity feels tortuous when we want to do something, especially if we have applicable skills. But this in itself is a selfish act, as we’re prioritizing our needs, over those of the people actually embroiled in war.
Help. Lord, help as much as you can, but do so in a way that’s actually beneficial for the overall effort.
So, unless you are called on to specifically lend your talents to Ukraine, here’s what you can do instead:
Story byCallum Booth
Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting(show all)Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC.
Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too.
Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
