Re:Amazon layoffs now expected to mount to 20k, including to...
by raz32dust on Sunday December 04, 2022 @12:59AM
(#33851063)
I think you are describing all big tech companies. But what's the solution? I think it's just a result of having a large org. 20% of the org delivers 80% of the value. But when risk appetite is high and the company can afford to throw money at experiments, it makes sense to still pay for the rest of the 80%. When times are tough, it doesn't.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Amazon layoffs now expected to mount to 20k, including to...
by greatpostman on Sunday December 04, 2022 @01:05AM
(#33851092)
Definitely it makes sense to take bets on new tech. But a lot of higher up managers are not running these projects in good faith. At some level they know the projects are futile, and many around them are playing a game acting otherwise
Re:Amazon layoffs now expected to mount to 20k, including to...
by raz32dust on Sunday December 04, 2022 @08:36PM
(#33860286)
How do you know that? I don't disagree that many projects are futile. But it is usually only apparent in hindsight, and humans are very good at justifying their own jobs and by extension, their team's jobs.
Re:Amazon layoffs now expected to mount to 20k, including to...
by imiric on Sunday December 04, 2022 @05:37AM
(#33852382)
> But what's the solution? I think it's just a result of having a large org.
Right. Maybe Elon's approach is correct, and all these layoffs are a chance for companies to trim the fat and focus on what matters.
We're only now realizing the bubble the tech industry was in, and that pursuing endless growth is not sustainable.
> But when risk appetite is high and the company can afford to throw money at experiments, it makes sense to still pay for the rest of the 80%.
Does it, though? You're paying for full-time engineers to work on bets that might be completely misaligned even if they succeed, which also might be unlikely. And this makes up the majority of your company? It sounds ludicrous in any market.