Silicon Valley Without Trimmings According to Jan English-Lueck, a professor of anthroplogy at San Jose State University and author of "Cultures at Silicon Valley," the downturn appears to have eased for some people, but that is hardly universal. She said many people remained overextended — stuck with big mortgages, for example — and may be returning items not just to downsize their lifestyles, but to lift their bank accounts. "People are turning merchandise into money," she said.