Viral Photo of Shoes Outside AI Startup Office Ignites Discussion on Silicon Valley's 'No-Shoes' Policy
A social media post by a tech worker in San Francisco has gone viral, featuring a striking image of multiple pairs of shoes left on the floor outside an office door. The location has been identified as the office of Cursor, an AI startup founded in 2022 by four MIT alumni: Aman Sanger, Michael Truell, Sualeh Asif, and Arvid Lunnemark. This visual has sparked widespread curiosity and debate online about workplace cultures in the tech industry.
Cursor Joins Growing List of Tech Startups Embracing 'No-Shoes' Policies
Interestingly, Cursor is not alone in adopting this unconventional practice. Several other tech startups, including Cruson, Replo, Spur, Speak, Flowhub, and Composite, are also instructing employees to leave their footwear, such as Vans and Uggs, at the door. A New York Times report from January this year quoted Sneha Sivakumar, co-founder and CEO of Spur, who explained that the no-shoes policy helps create a homely atmosphere for her team of 10 employees. She stated, "It makes it feel like a second home and disarms you in a positive way." Spur utilizes artificial intelligence to scan websites for bugs, blending innovative technology with relaxed office norms.
Origins of the 'No-Shoes' Trend: Links to China's 996 Culture and Silicon Valley's Evolution
Analysts suggest that the no-shoes phenomenon may have roots in China's hard-charging tech scene, particularly associated with the 996 work culture. This term refers to a grueling schedule of working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. Margaret O’Mara, a historian at the University of Washington, noted in an NY Times report that 996 represents a "high-octane version of something that has been around in the tech industry for a while." She added that after a period of layoffs and turbulence, the tech sector has tightened its operations, with Elon Musk's "extremely hard core" approach now aligning with broader industry trends. This shift signifies the arrival of Silicon Valley's "hard tech" era, where working long hours or discussing such commitments has become part of the new normal.
'No-Shoes' Policy: Not a New Trend in Silicon Valley's History
The no-shoes policy is not a novel concept in Silicon Valley. According to Business Insider, going shoeless had already emerged as a techie uniform by 2019, alongside hoodies, t-shirts, and jeans. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced many to work remotely, further influencing workplace habits. Nick Bloom, a Stanford economist specializing in work culture, told the NYT that the shoes-off trend is partly "the pajama economy in action." He explained that as employees return to offices post-pandemic, they are bringing their home routines with them, blending personal comfort with professional environments.
This viral incident underscores how tech startups are redefining office cultures, balancing innovation with informal practices. As debates continue, it highlights the evolving dynamics of work-life integration in the fast-paced world of technology.
