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Brad's post was a colossally bad idea. First, it reveals a very hostile attitude within Google toward the go community - a complete lack of empathy for what hi

Brad's post was a colossally bad idea. First, it reveals a very hostile attitude within Google toward the go community - a complete lack of empathy for what his actions will do to tens of thousands of developers who have adopted his team's product. Just by posting what he did he's damaged the subreddit, which is apparently his intention. Second, it reinforces the impression that Google is very temperamental in support of their products and services. This is just another in a large stack of examples of why not to choose Google for your project or company. Third, Brad, please go talk to your PR folks. This could easily be spun as "Google attacks Reddit in support of Trump forum", "Google abandons go community", or any number of other baitings. About the only thing they will like about it is that it was at least posted on Thanksgiving holiday, which means most people who could exploit it will not notice. Last, there is a larger, more adult concept known as equity in behavior that Brad should try to adopt. Just because he has a personal ethical issue does not mean he gets to damage other people. It's one thing to say "my personal code does not permit me to continue here, how can I withdraw in the way that is least damaging to others" vs "I'm going to use my position of privilege to inflict as much harm on Reddit as I can, with no regard for damage to others". I agree with @4ad. This is a team that really has no business doing community support.

pbhjpbhj 10y ago
>"my personal code does not permit me to continue here, how can I withdraw in the way that is least damaging to others" vs "I'm going to use my position of privilege to inflict as much harm on Reddit as I can, with no regard for damage to others" // What I read at https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!msg/golang-nuts/XoOhzUClDPs/jgSWxng7CAAJ https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!msg/golang-nuts/XoOhzUCl... just now seems quite inline with the former statement. bradfitz expresses that he doesn't want to use Reddit anymore and that other mods may also not want to; that there are thus lots of possible moves - move to a reddit new reddit clone just for Golang, move to voat, etc.. It seems that if all the mods just abandon the sub without a continuation plan that the sub will be harmed more than if it's moved en bloc to a new site/forum? It seems to me, approaching this situation fresh on HN with this story, that perhaps you're being coloured by other factors?
TheGrumpyBrit 10y ago
Thanks for this - I don't follow Go and until I read your post, I'd assumed that he was just a pissed off reddit user with no vested interest in Go outside his capacity as a moderator. The fact that he's a developer who is heavily involved in the product makes this a far bigger issue than I initially thought it was. Announcing that he's stepping down as moderator as a result of this is his right and I'd completely support such a choice. Announcing that he's deleting his Reddit account and will no longer be involved in the Reddit community is a powerful statement given his position, and again, is a stance which I completely support whether I agree with him or not. Openly suggesting that other moderators also step down is perhaps a little OTT, but I still don't really have a major problem with it. If the Go team as a whole want to distance themselves from Reddit following this incident, that's understandable. But if that's what they want to do, the way to do that is to recruit interested and active members of the subreddit to take over moderation duties. I'd go as far as to say that, with a community of 25,000 people, that is your duty as a moderator. Closing the subreddit completely shows a complete disregard for a significant proportion of your user population. Doing so on the ground of "unethical and immature" behaviour on the part of the CEO is more than a little hypocritical. Making your proposal on a separate platform so that those affected by your decision don't see it is unforgivable. If you want to leave, fine. Taking your ball with you is just childish.

pbhjpbhj 10y ago

>"my personal code does not permit me to continue here, how can I withdraw in the way that is least damaging to others" vs "I'm going to use my position of privilege to inflict as much harm on Reddit as I can, with no regard for damage to others" // What I read at https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!msg/golang-nuts/XoOhzUClDPs/jgSWxng7CAAJ https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!msg/golang-nuts/XoOhzUCl... just now seems quite inline with the former statement. bradfitz expresses that he doesn't want to use Reddit anymore and that other mods may also not want to; that there are thus lots of possible moves - move to a reddit new reddit clone just for Golang, move to voat, etc.. It seems that if all the mods just abandon the sub without a continuation plan that the sub will be harmed more than if it's moved en bloc to a new site/forum? It seems to me, approaching this situation fresh on HN with this story, that perhaps you're being coloured by other factors?

TheGrumpyBrit 10y ago

Thanks for this - I don't follow Go and until I read your post, I'd assumed that he was just a pissed off reddit user with no vested interest in Go outside his capacity as a moderator. The fact that he's a developer who is heavily involved in the product makes this a far bigger issue than I initially thought it was. Announcing that he's stepping down as moderator as a result of this is his right and I'd completely support such a choice. Announcing that he's deleting his Reddit account and will no longer be involved in the Reddit community is a powerful statement given his position, and again, is a stance which I completely support whether I agree with him or not. Openly suggesting that other moderators also step down is perhaps a little OTT, but I still don't really have a major problem with it. If the Go team as a whole want to distance themselves from Reddit following this incident, that's understandable. But if that's what they want to do, the way to do that is to recruit interested and active members of the subreddit to take over moderation duties. I'd go as far as to say that, with a community of 25,000 people, that is your duty as a moderator. Closing the subreddit completely shows a complete disregard for a significant proportion of your user population. Doing so on the ground of "unethical and immature" behaviour on the part of the CEO is more than a little hypocritical. Making your proposal on a separate platform so that those affected by your decision don't see it is unforgivable. If you want to leave, fine. Taking your ball with you is just childish.