This article was published on November 9, 2016

Trump knows nothing about tech, and that’s scary


Trump knows nothing about tech, and that’s scary

Regardless if you agree with today’s choice to put Donald Trump in the White House, there’s one thing clear about his upcoming presidency — he’s not a big fan of technology.

I mean, this is a guy who goes around without a cell phone and doesn’t use email. In 2016, when everyone including our parents know how to use technology and the internet to our advantage, the new president of the United States doesn’t know how to use a computer.

He has a certain disdain for technology that doesn’t do right to the current state of the US, where companies that have been vital to the surge of technological progress are among the most valuable in the world.

donald trump

Of course there’s the person, but there are also his policies. He is actually on the record for saying that he wants the US army to communicate with each other via written letters, not highly secure modern communication tools — an absolutely ridiculous and inefficient way.

As the Washington Post wrote, he sees immigrants as a hindrance and not as entrepreneurs that establish new businesses, which sometimes end up with billion-dollar valuations.

Then there’s also the cyber, something else Trump thinks is very dangerous and we should do way better on. He’s probably trying to say something about digital security, but I don’t think he actually knows what he’s talking about.

It’s not just that he doesn’t know what the internet is about, this is a guy that thinks he can call Bill Gates to shut down the internet. I mean, come on.

Nobody knows what the coming years will bring for the US, but from a political standpoint they’ll be very interesting — rest assured many will write about that in the coming days.

But from a tech view, I’m scared. But at least Trump seems to have a friend that shares his views.

Yes, a telegram. If the Russian Prime Minister’s choice of communication is any indication, then brace yourself, because the 1830s are back.

Read more:

How the Internet tricked you into thinking Trump wouldn’t win
Trump’s triumph in tweets: The happiest and saddest reactions from the 2016 US election

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