Ask HN: As a Facebook or Google engineer, do you consider your company evil?

Re:Ask HN: As a Facebook or Google engineer, do you consider... by nihil75 on Sunday April 19, 2020 @07:49AM (#22915220)

I worked for a corp at a similar "golden cage" position, where switching would incur a pay-cut and working harder for longer hours. Eventually I changed company. I looked at the beurocrats around me and realised I'll end up like them - my tech skills on the decline, learning only how to manipulate and cover my ass.

We grow in the face of adversity and challenge. I think as an ex-Googler you'll have a choice of interesting positions that will benefit your career in the long run.

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Re:Ask HN: As a Facebook or Google engineer, do you consider... by throwaway_g_67 on Sunday April 19, 2020 @08:03AM (#22915292)

I believe that ethics are incompatible with capitalism, so this kind of personal choice doesn't change anything. You can change jobs from one evil company to another.

What would work is enough people willing to organise politically. Unions, people. This is a synchronization problem.

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Re:Ask HN: As a Facebook or Google engineer, do you consider... by anonymousobvi on Monday April 20, 2020 @12:22PM (#22925372)

> Unions, people.

Yes. If Google knew, say, 25% of its highly-skilled engineering workforce would strike in the face of unethical business practices, Google would not engage in unethical business practices. Tech companies are assholes because we allow them to be.

There are also companies who happen to make money doing something more-or-less good - for example life-saving medical devices, and even a company like Roland, which makes music equipment. I think those things contribute to a meaningful life, and are a good place to land if you're jumping ship.

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