3 ms·

There is simply no justification for the level of backlash he is receiving. None. >But we don't publish it on the internet because of some grandiose vision tha

There is simply no justification for the level of backlash he is receiving. None. >But we don't publish it on the internet because of some grandiose vision that our words will suddenly shine light on the issue and spur someone to action. Sure, we all just step over the homeless, ignore the problem, and go about our day. Justin expressed his frustration, and guess what we're all talking about now - that uncomfortable thing we all choose to ignore. >But when you can't even make your argument without using pejorative language, you've failed. Then the author of the Washington Post article failed as well. Wielding the might of a nationally syndicated newspaper to rant about "tech bros" and publicly eviscerate a single individual is disgusting. >And this reaction is what you get, so the rest of us can see this isn't how you fix the problem. So unless we can provide the solution to a problem we're not allowed to complain about it or expression frustration about it? That sounds like a great way to suppress any conversation about the problem. And judging by the current situation in SF this is exactly what has happened. Well guess what - by writing that article this "tech bro" has brought more attention to the problem of homelessness than has been paid in years, and although it all could have been written with more nuance, it's a hell of a lot more than most people are doing; which is exactly nothing.

shopkins 11y ago
Yes, that's what it's about: changing the things you're frustrated by. Because the world expects more from the people who build the hardware and software they depend on everyday than some petulant whining. This evisceration is a testament to that. It should be celebrated. So if you're frustrated, great. Write it in your diary, and then tell us all when you come up with a good solution. But if you have to dehumanize people to get your point across, then yes, to the rest of the world you're just a "tech bro" sitting behind your computer screen who can't handle the realities of human life. P.S. being offended by the term "tech bro" is like being offended by the word "nerd" or "geek." Come on. We're not being oppressed here.
- marknutter 11y ago
  > But if you have to dehumanize people to get your point across, then yes, to the rest of the world you're just a "tech bro" sitting behind your computer screen who can't handle the realities of human life. People dehumanize tech workers, the wealthy, and other "privileged" people all the time. And frankly, I'm fine with it. It's hard to acknowledge the human aspect of a problem when you're talking about it from a high level. Statisticians and scientists dehumanize people all the time because they need to remain subjective. There's nothing inherently wrong with dehumanizing people and sometimes it's necessary in order to make hard decisions about real problems. What I'm not cool with are virtual lynch mobs doxxing and inciting people to attack someone for holding an unpopular opinion. And for the record, I find no offense in the term "tech bro".

shopkins 11y ago

Yes, that's what it's about: changing the things you're frustrated by. Because the world expects more from the people who build the hardware and software they depend on everyday than some petulant whining. This evisceration is a testament to that. It should be celebrated. So if you're frustrated, great. Write it in your diary, and then tell us all when you come up with a good solution. But if you have to dehumanize people to get your point across, then yes, to the rest of the world you're just a "tech bro" sitting behind your computer screen who can't handle the realities of human life. P.S. being offended by the term "tech bro" is like being offended by the word "nerd" or "geek." Come on. We're not being oppressed here.

marknutter 11y ago
> But if you have to dehumanize people to get your point across, then yes, to the rest of the world you're just a "tech bro" sitting behind your computer screen who can't handle the realities of human life. People dehumanize tech workers, the wealthy, and other "privileged" people all the time. And frankly, I'm fine with it. It's hard to acknowledge the human aspect of a problem when you're talking about it from a high level. Statisticians and scientists dehumanize people all the time because they need to remain subjective. There's nothing inherently wrong with dehumanizing people and sometimes it's necessary in order to make hard decisions about real problems. What I'm not cool with are virtual lynch mobs doxxing and inciting people to attack someone for holding an unpopular opinion. And for the record, I find no offense in the term "tech bro".