Tech Figures Blast Idea of Trump Presidency as 'Disaster for Innovation'

expression, openness to newcomers, equality of opportunity, public investments in research and infrastructure, and respect for the rule of law,” said the open letter, released Thursday. “We embrace an optimistic vision for a more inclusive country, where American innovation continues to fuel opportunity, prosperity and leadership.” Those signing included Hyperloop One General Counsel Marvin Ammori, Union Square Ventures Managing Partner Brad Burnham, Google’s Vint Cerf, former U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt, Tumblr CEO David Karp, Multicultural Media, Telecom & Internet Council CEO Kim Keenan, former FCC Chairman Bill Kennard, National Hispanic Media Coalition President Alex Nogales, Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter, Silicon Flatirons Center Director Phil Weiser, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Tim Wu, law professor at Columbia University. Trump “campaigns on anger, bigotry, fear of new ideas and new people, and a fundamental belief that America is weak and in decline,” they wrote. “We have listened to Donald Trump over the past year and we have concluded: Trump would be a disaster for innovation. His vision stands against the open exchange of ideas, free movement of people, and productive engagement with the outside world that is critical to our economy  --  and that provide the foundation for innovation and growth.” They said Trump “proposes ‘shutting down’ parts of the Internet as a security strategy  --  demonstrating both poor judgment and ignorance about how technology works. His penchant to censor extends to revoking press credentials and threatening to punish media platforms that criticize him.”