Re:Ask HN: What’s your “Everyone has a price” experience?
by igetspam on Thursday June 21, 2018 @09:34AM
(#17364918)
As I've gotten older and more respected in my field, I've done the same. I've had C level staff demand I do things that I felt were unethical and I've outright refused. I had someone tell me the CEO supported an action and I told him he could get the CEO to do it but there was a 0% chance I'd have my name attached and he was welcome to let me go. There's a lot I'll do for money but I definitely ha e some things I won't do, like violate privacy.
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Re:Ask HN: What’s your “Everyone has a price” experience?
by WhompingWindows on Thursday June 21, 2018 @11:28AM
(#17366024)
Thank you for that stance, if only all developers felt that way, things would be vastly different. Unfortunately, so few think twice about ethics.
Re:Ask HN: What’s your “Everyone has a price” experience?
by znpy on Thursday June 21, 2018 @12:18PM
(#17366497)
> if only all developers felt that way
If only we could whistleblow ...
Re:Ask HN: What’s your “Everyone has a price” experience?
by norealidea on Thursday June 21, 2018 @12:05PM
(#17366373)
when you're in your early twenties and making a ridiculous amount of money, ethics takes a far back seat.
Re:Ask HN: What’s your “Everyone has a price” experience?
by justaguyhere on Thursday June 21, 2018 @12:21PM
(#17366518)
Isn't it the other way around? When I'm in my early 20s, I don't need a lot of money but when I'm in my 40s with 2.5 kids, mortgage and cars ... then I do.
Re:Ask HN: What’s your “Everyone has a price” experience?
by pmiller2 on Thursday June 21, 2018 @12:44PM
(#17366789)
I think it’s more of a matter of simultaneously being young and naive while getting used to making loads of cash.
Re:Ask HN: What’s your “Everyone has a price” experience?
by dmschulman on Thursday June 21, 2018 @01:35PM
(#17367362)
I believe this is one of many reasons why tech companies, especially unscrupulous startups, look for the youngest talent they can afford.
Not only are these workers hungry for a job (and can be hired for less money because of their relative inexperience), but they also have not worked in the industry long enough to cultivate an ethical barometer (or are hungry enough for work that they would be willing to compromise their own ethical standards, if any).
When I read about or see a developer/engineer/etc stand up in support of the ethical or moral factor of their work it always makes me proud.