JS Tan
@js-tan.bsky.social
PhD candidate @ MIT DUSP. Former software engineer. Research on labor and the political economy of innovation, with a focus on big tech/cloud and green tech. Newsletter: https://www.valueadded.tech
The Amazon layoffs are another sign of a new era of labor relations in tech. For those interested in the bigger picture, here’s an analysis I wrote on why layoffs have become so common: www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
Why layoffs are the new normal in tech
A story of labor relations in America's most innovative industry.
www.valueadded.tech
October 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The Amazon layoffs are another sign of a new era of labor relations in tech. For those interested in the bigger picture, here’s an analysis I wrote on why layoffs have become so common: www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
Reposted by JS Tan
Out now in Competition & Change
@compchange.bsky.social
“Dependent development in digital
capitalism: The politics of startup
policies in the new periphery”
@journals.sagepub.com
#polisky
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
1/n
@compchange.bsky.social
“Dependent development in digital
capitalism: The politics of startup
policies in the new periphery”
@journals.sagepub.com
#polisky
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
1/n
October 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Out now in Competition & Change
@compchange.bsky.social
“Dependent development in digital
capitalism: The politics of startup
policies in the new periphery”
@journals.sagepub.com
#polisky
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
1/n
@compchange.bsky.social
“Dependent development in digital
capitalism: The politics of startup
policies in the new periphery”
@journals.sagepub.com
#polisky
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1...
1/n
Reposted by JS Tan
📢 New article alert 📢 "Unlikely Organizers: The Rise of Tech Worker Labor Activism" is out with @ilrreview.bsky.social
@js-tan.bsky.social, @emilymazo.bsky.social, and I find tech cos with political and social activism in the workplace saw 1.3x more labor activism in the next 6-12 months (1/2)
@js-tan.bsky.social, @emilymazo.bsky.social, and I find tech cos with political and social activism in the workplace saw 1.3x more labor activism in the next 6-12 months (1/2)
October 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
📢 New article alert 📢 "Unlikely Organizers: The Rise of Tech Worker Labor Activism" is out with @ilrreview.bsky.social
@js-tan.bsky.social, @emilymazo.bsky.social, and I find tech cos with political and social activism in the workplace saw 1.3x more labor activism in the next 6-12 months (1/2)
@js-tan.bsky.social, @emilymazo.bsky.social, and I find tech cos with political and social activism in the workplace saw 1.3x more labor activism in the next 6-12 months (1/2)
So excited to share our new article on tech worker activism, co-authored with @nataliyan.bsky.social and @emilymazo.bsky.social, just published in the @ilrreview.bsky.social!
Baby’s first published academic article! @js-tan.bsky.social and @nataliyan.bsky.social and I analyzed the @techactions.bsky.social archive and find that tech worker labor organizing stands on the shoulders of prior struggle- conflict begets class conflict journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:44 PM
So excited to share our new article on tech worker activism, co-authored with @nataliyan.bsky.social and @emilymazo.bsky.social, just published in the @ilrreview.bsky.social!
Reposted by JS Tan
Baby’s first published academic article! @js-tan.bsky.social and @nataliyan.bsky.social and I analyzed the @techactions.bsky.social archive and find that tech worker labor organizing stands on the shoulders of prior struggle- conflict begets class conflict journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Baby’s first published academic article! @js-tan.bsky.social and @nataliyan.bsky.social and I analyzed the @techactions.bsky.social archive and find that tech worker labor organizing stands on the shoulders of prior struggle- conflict begets class conflict journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by JS Tan
Latest on the CLaSP blog: Why has China’s digital economy developed along such a distinctly consumer-facing path? @js-tan.bsky.social explains 'The Labour Foundations of China’s Consumer-First Internet'
www.claspblog.org/blogposts/7l...
www.claspblog.org/blogposts/7l...
The Labour Foundations of China’s Consumer-First Internet — CLaSP Blog
JS Tan explains how cheap labour and flexible employment practices encourage internet firms to build consumer platforms.
www.claspblog.org
September 22, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Latest on the CLaSP blog: Why has China’s digital economy developed along such a distinctly consumer-facing path? @js-tan.bsky.social explains 'The Labour Foundations of China’s Consumer-First Internet'
www.claspblog.org/blogposts/7l...
www.claspblog.org/blogposts/7l...
In this new piece, I explain why focusing only on red tape and proceduralism (as the Abundance thesis does) misses the bigger story about the American Political Economy and fails to explain the staggering build out of data centers across the country.
www.valueadded.tech/p/america-ca...
www.valueadded.tech/p/america-ca...
America can still build (data centers)
The Abundance thesis is that America can't build anymore, so how do we explain the surge of data center construction across the country?
www.valueadded.tech
September 17, 2025 at 3:49 PM
In this new piece, I explain why focusing only on red tape and proceduralism (as the Abundance thesis does) misses the bigger story about the American Political Economy and fails to explain the staggering build out of data centers across the country.
www.valueadded.tech/p/america-ca...
www.valueadded.tech/p/america-ca...
In my review of Dan Wang's Breakneck, I argue that China’s trajectory looks less unique—and less puzzling—when viewed through the lens of the developmental state, a framework long used to explain the (also building-heavy) rise of Japan and Korea.
www.valueadded.tech/p/is-china-a...
www.valueadded.tech/p/is-china-a...
Is China an Engineering or Developmental State?
Breakneck is excellent, but could use a touch more developmental thinking.
www.valueadded.tech
September 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
In my review of Dan Wang's Breakneck, I argue that China’s trajectory looks less unique—and less puzzling—when viewed through the lens of the developmental state, a framework long used to explain the (also building-heavy) rise of Japan and Korea.
www.valueadded.tech/p/is-china-a...
www.valueadded.tech/p/is-china-a...
Just published a reintroduction to my newsletter, highlighting some of the key cross-cutting themes that tie my interests together.
www.valueadded.tech/p/re-introdu...
www.valueadded.tech/p/re-introdu...
Re-introducing Value Added
And a short guide to some of the key themes of this newsletter.
www.valueadded.tech
August 21, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Just published a reintroduction to my newsletter, highlighting some of the key cross-cutting themes that tie my interests together.
www.valueadded.tech/p/re-introdu...
www.valueadded.tech/p/re-introdu...
Reposted by JS Tan
Very excited to share this workshop I'm helping to host on August 19: "From Tech Lash To Tech Fash: Strategic reflections on a decade of collective organizing in computing"
tech-organizing-reflections.github.io
tech-organizing-reflections.github.io
July 23, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Very excited to share this workshop I'm helping to host on August 19: "From Tech Lash To Tech Fash: Strategic reflections on a decade of collective organizing in computing"
tech-organizing-reflections.github.io
tech-organizing-reflections.github.io
One of the most eye-opening stories I’ve read about how the new right is really just as a bunch of art-boy edgelords; a social club of cancelled men more than a group with any coherent political vision.
www.ft.com/content/0e24...
www.ft.com/content/0e24...
Sunday at the garden party for Curtis Yarvin and the new, new right
What you learn at a gathering of neoreactionaries, Very Online rightwingers and the formerly cancelled
www.ft.com
August 10, 2025 at 1:54 AM
One of the most eye-opening stories I’ve read about how the new right is really just as a bunch of art-boy edgelords; a social club of cancelled men more than a group with any coherent political vision.
www.ft.com/content/0e24...
www.ft.com/content/0e24...
Reposted by JS Tan
We've just published the first response to our call for new organizing tactics in the tech sector, by an anonymous software engineer: The Case for Sabotage collectiveactionintech.substack.com/p/the-case-f...
The case for sabotage
Creative tactics for a tech worker strike
collectiveactionintech.substack.com
July 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
We've just published the first response to our call for new organizing tactics in the tech sector, by an anonymous software engineer: The Case for Sabotage collectiveactionintech.substack.com/p/the-case-f...
A viral resignation letter from a veteran Alibaba employee offers a rare look at the company’s culture—and the issues now holding it back. Here’s my take on what the letter reveals, and what it means for China’s tech giants as they pivot into the AI era.
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-innova...
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-innova...
"Boss culture", 996, and KPI-driven management in China's tech sector
A viral Alibaba resignation letter gives an inside look at labor relations in China's tech sector.
www.valueadded.tech
July 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
A viral resignation letter from a veteran Alibaba employee offers a rare look at the company’s culture—and the issues now holding it back. Here’s my take on what the letter reveals, and what it means for China’s tech giants as they pivot into the AI era.
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-innova...
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-innova...
Microsoft just laid off another 9,000 workers—its largest cut in two years. If you’re trying to make sense of what’s happening across the industry, here’s my recent piece on how to understand the non-stop waves of tech layoffs.
www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
Why layoffs are the new normal in tech
A story of labor relations in America's most innovative industry.
www.valueadded.tech
July 3, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Microsoft just laid off another 9,000 workers—its largest cut in two years. If you’re trying to make sense of what’s happening across the industry, here’s my recent piece on how to understand the non-stop waves of tech layoffs.
www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
Reposted by JS Tan
The tech worker movement is in crisis and we want to hear from YOU!
We’re launching a new series to highlight the problems that workers are facing in this new political environment. Submissions are open until July 30th, 2025. Please send your responses to hello@collectiveaction.tech
We’re launching a new series to highlight the problems that workers are facing in this new political environment. Submissions are open until July 30th, 2025. Please send your responses to hello@collectiveaction.tech
Time For A New Playbook?
A call for new strategies to rebuild the tech worker movement.
collectiveactionintech.substack.com
June 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The tech worker movement is in crisis and we want to hear from YOU!
We’re launching a new series to highlight the problems that workers are facing in this new political environment. Submissions are open until July 30th, 2025. Please send your responses to hello@collectiveaction.tech
We’re launching a new series to highlight the problems that workers are facing in this new political environment. Submissions are open until July 30th, 2025. Please send your responses to hello@collectiveaction.tech
This week, I wrote about the ongoing tech layoffs- a topic that I’ve been thinking about for a long time both as a former tech worker and an organizer in the sector. I argue that layoffs are the tip of a broader transformation in labor relations happening in tech.
www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
Why layoffs are the new normal in tech
A story of labor relations in America's most innovative industry.
www.valueadded.tech
June 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
This week, I wrote about the ongoing tech layoffs- a topic that I’ve been thinking about for a long time both as a former tech worker and an organizer in the sector. I argue that layoffs are the tip of a broader transformation in labor relations happening in tech.
www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
www.valueadded.tech/p/why-layoff...
Reposted by JS Tan
Join us at #FAccT2025 for the AI Workers’ Inquiry CRAFT workshop, where workers, organizers, and labor experts will explore how AI is transforming our workplaces and discuss strategies for collective resistance. RSVP and more info: ai-workers-inquiry.github.io
AI WORKERS' INQUIRY
AI Workers' Inquiry is a FAccT 2025 CRAFT workshop that brings together workers, organizers, and labor experts to explore how AI is transforming our workplaces and discuss strategies for collective re...
ai-workers-inquiry.github.io
June 9, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Join us at #FAccT2025 for the AI Workers’ Inquiry CRAFT workshop, where workers, organizers, and labor experts will explore how AI is transforming our workplaces and discuss strategies for collective resistance. RSVP and more info: ai-workers-inquiry.github.io
Reposted by JS Tan
When DeepSeek released its latest AI model earlier this year, Silicon Valley panicked. Some claimed it was a product of the Chinese state—or the result of industrial espionage. But as @js-tan.bsky.social argues, the reality is far more complex.
DeepSeeking the Truth | JS Tan
Panic about the rise of DeepSeek says more about Silicon Valley than it does about the reality of innovation in China.
thebaffler.com
May 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
When DeepSeek released its latest AI model earlier this year, Silicon Valley panicked. Some claimed it was a product of the Chinese state—or the result of industrial espionage. But as @js-tan.bsky.social argues, the reality is far more complex.
Reposted by JS Tan
"Across sectors, vertical integration is re-emerging not as a relic of the past, but as a forward-looking strategy for resilience, coordination, and control."
Another great post from @js-tan.bsky.social's indispensable newsletter
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-return...
Another great post from @js-tan.bsky.social's indispensable newsletter
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-return...
The Return of Vertical Integration
Cars, clouds, and the turn away from the fissured firm.
www.valueadded.tech
May 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM
"Across sectors, vertical integration is re-emerging not as a relic of the past, but as a forward-looking strategy for resilience, coordination, and control."
Another great post from @js-tan.bsky.social's indispensable newsletter
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-return...
Another great post from @js-tan.bsky.social's indispensable newsletter
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-return...
Reposted by JS Tan
Great analysis of the political economy of China's "overcapacity" in electric vehicles.
"This is where China's political structure is a problem. The extent to which the Chinese state is embedded and autonomous is complicated by the loose coupling between central and local governments."
"This is where China's political structure is a problem. The extent to which the Chinese state is embedded and autonomous is complicated by the loose coupling between central and local governments."
This piece looks at how China’s industrial policy—while effective at scaling production—also drives involution-style competition, marked by overcapacity and unsustainable price-cutting. Contrary to how Beijing is often portrayed, this is not its intended outcome.
www.valueadded.tech/p/explaining...
www.valueadded.tech/p/explaining...
Explaining overcapacity in China's EV sector
How China's decentralized state structure enables involution-style competition.
www.valueadded.tech
May 1, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Great analysis of the political economy of China's "overcapacity" in electric vehicles.
"This is where China's political structure is a problem. The extent to which the Chinese state is embedded and autonomous is complicated by the loose coupling between central and local governments."
"This is where China's political structure is a problem. The extent to which the Chinese state is embedded and autonomous is complicated by the loose coupling between central and local governments."
This piece looks at how China’s industrial policy—while effective at scaling production—also drives involution-style competition, marked by overcapacity and unsustainable price-cutting. Contrary to how Beijing is often portrayed, this is not its intended outcome.
www.valueadded.tech/p/explaining...
www.valueadded.tech/p/explaining...
Explaining overcapacity in China's EV sector
How China's decentralized state structure enables involution-style competition.
www.valueadded.tech
May 1, 2025 at 12:37 PM
This piece looks at how China’s industrial policy—while effective at scaling production—also drives involution-style competition, marked by overcapacity and unsustainable price-cutting. Contrary to how Beijing is often portrayed, this is not its intended outcome.
www.valueadded.tech/p/explaining...
www.valueadded.tech/p/explaining...
Last week, ChinaTalk ran my primer on China’s cloud computing sector. This week, I’m back with a deep dive—unpacking the institutional and structural constraints shaping the industry that underpins China’s AI ambitions.
And heads up: this one’s a long one.
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-politi...
And heads up: this one’s a long one.
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-politi...
The political economy of China's cloud
A deep dive.
www.valueadded.tech
April 23, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Last week, ChinaTalk ran my primer on China’s cloud computing sector. This week, I’m back with a deep dive—unpacking the institutional and structural constraints shaping the industry that underpins China’s AI ambitions.
And heads up: this one’s a long one.
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-politi...
And heads up: this one’s a long one.
www.valueadded.tech/p/the-politi...
Thrilled to share my latest piece in @chinatalk.bsky.social on the political economy of China’s cloud computing industry—and how the country’s distinct features has set its cloud firms on a different path from their U.S. counterparts.
www.chinatalk.media/p/the-politi...
www.chinatalk.media/p/the-politi...
Why China's Cloud Lags
A primer
www.chinatalk.media
April 14, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Thrilled to share my latest piece in @chinatalk.bsky.social on the political economy of China’s cloud computing industry—and how the country’s distinct features has set its cloud firms on a different path from their U.S. counterparts.
www.chinatalk.media/p/the-politi...
www.chinatalk.media/p/the-politi...
Trump's promise to bring back American manufacturing has two problems: 1) modern manufacturing won't generate many jobs and 2) the factory jobs that people are nostalgic for were union jobs—something that Trump & Musk are actively undermining.
www.valueadded.tech/p/tariff-wre...
www.valueadded.tech/p/tariff-wre...
Tariff Wreckage: The Myth of America's Manufacturing Comeback
Trump’s tariffs promise industrial revival. Even if it does, it overlooks the simple fact that fixing American industry alone won't restore middle-class prosperity.
www.valueadded.tech
April 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Trump's promise to bring back American manufacturing has two problems: 1) modern manufacturing won't generate many jobs and 2) the factory jobs that people are nostalgic for were union jobs—something that Trump & Musk are actively undermining.
www.valueadded.tech/p/tariff-wre...
www.valueadded.tech/p/tariff-wre...