Summary

Armin Ronacher announces his new company Earendil, co-founded with Colin in Vienna. The company is incorporated as a Public Benefit Corporation with a charter focused on crafting software and open protocols, strengthening human agency, and bridging division. Ronacher reflects on how Vienna's culture provides a counterbalance to Silicon Valley thinking. He frames the venture as a response to the changes AI is bringing to software development and society, emphasizing a commitment to values and principles during uncertain times.

Key Insight

In a time when AI is reshaping software development and society faces broader upheaval, the right response is not rejection but principled engagement—building something guided by values rather than pure commercial ambition.

Spicy Quotes (click to share)

• 3

  We want to be successful, but we want to do it the right way and we want to be able to demonstrate that to our kids.

• 4

  Vienna is in many ways the polar opposite to the Silicon Valley, both in mindset, in opportunity and approach to life.

• 4

  Despite Austria being so far away from California, it is a place of tinkerers and troublemakers.

• 3

  It's always good to remind oneself that society consists of more than just your little bubble.

• 3

  In the same way as artificial intelligence calls into question the very nature of my profession and the way we build software, the present day circumstances are testing society.

• 3

  We share a belief that right now is the time to stand true to one's values and principles.

• 2

  Rather than reject the changes that are happening, we look to nudge them towards the right direction.

Tone

reflective, earnest, hopeful