End of an Epoch

Hewlett-Packard, the original pioneering company that helped create and define what become known as Silicon Valley, will be closing its Cupertino campus. Although HP is more closely associated with its birthplace in Palo Alto, its Cupertino operations were extensive in size and longevity. I grew up within a couple of miles of the Cupertino campus, went to a church that was across the street from one corner of the 100-acre site, and even worked there for two summers. Many friends of mine, or their parents or grandparents, worked there. Consolidation and retrenching is a normal part of the long-term business cycle, but it is nevertheless a pity to see the closure of a campus that has been a presence in that part of town for as long as most people there can remember.

I don't quite buy all of the stated justifications for the closure, however. In the politically correct speech patterns that seem to particularly afflict South Bay PR personnel, the closure has come about because consolidating local operations "will create a more productive, flexible, ecological and highly energized work environment." HP also stated that the closure "allows HP to better use space, continue to reduce our carbon footprint and provide employees with a more collaborative work environment." I track with everything except the "ecological" and "carbon footprint" remarks. These buzzwords must be used to ensure that the corporate image is one of a progressive caretaker of the earth, a de facto requirement for anyone who wishes to do business around here. However, I doubt very much that changing the commute of several thousand people from a couple of miles across town to a dozen miles up a gridlocked 101 to Palo Alto is actually a net positive from an ecological, carbon footprint viewpoint.

Reduce your carbon footprint all you want, HP. Kudos to you, but retain your integrity. Closing the Cupertino site has nothing to do with advancing environmental issues; by redirecting employees north to the Palo Alto mothership, the closure will create more traffic and pollution than before. Close the site if you must, but leave the dishonest feel-good lingo out of it.