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When the corporation in question controls a major part of the spaces that have replaced the institution of the public square, so central to the functioning of a

When the corporation in question controls a major part of the spaces that have replaced the institution of the public square, so central to the functioning of a republic, their political actions deserve scrutiny. If they claim to be open to diverse opinions, yet behave in a manner that suggests otherwise, then citizens need to start paying attention.

vasilipupkin 9y ago
I agree, I'm merely pointing out that suftware engineers who aren't focused enough on their immediate duties and instead stir up culture wars by writing manifestos would be fired by most companies not just google
- marcoperaza 9y ago
  Do you think an employee at a tech company would be fired for sending out a 10-page memo about why trans people should be allowed in the military? How about a 10-page memo about why they shouldn't? Both are obviously incredibly unprofessional, but only one would probably face life-changing punishment in reality. Ideally you set the tone that both are unacceptable, that the only political discussion acceptable beyond interpersonal conversation is the politics of the company's self-interest. Both starting an internal political battle, as as well tweeting externally about an already-started one, should get you fired. But that's only fair if you set that tone and expectation.
  - vasilipupkin 9y ago
    My guess is if you start spending your time writing 10 page political memos and distributing them inside companies, your career won't advance very far, regardless of content. But, in this case, literally most women at google were upset and that's incredibly disruptive and stupid - hence he was fired and should have been
    - davidivadavid 9y ago
      The guy who wrote the memo apparently received glowing reviews and was promoted twice at Google. Doesn't seem like your typical slacker.
      - vasilipupkin 9y ago
        Yes, typical slackers don't write stupid manifestos, you are correct
- jshevek 9y ago
  So you are saying that ideological intolerance is a problem throughout the industry?

vasilipupkin 9y ago

I agree, I'm merely pointing out that suftware engineers who aren't focused enough on their immediate duties and instead stir up culture wars by writing manifestos would be fired by most companies not just google

marcoperaza 9y ago
Do you think an employee at a tech company would be fired for sending out a 10-page memo about why trans people should be allowed in the military? How about a 10-page memo about why they shouldn't? Both are obviously incredibly unprofessional, but only one would probably face life-changing punishment in reality. Ideally you set the tone that both are unacceptable, that the only political discussion acceptable beyond interpersonal conversation is the politics of the company's self-interest. Both starting an internal political battle, as as well tweeting externally about an already-started one, should get you fired. But that's only fair if you set that tone and expectation.
- vasilipupkin 9y ago
  My guess is if you start spending your time writing 10 page political memos and distributing them inside companies, your career won't advance very far, regardless of content. But, in this case, literally most women at google were upset and that's incredibly disruptive and stupid - hence he was fired and should have been
  - davidivadavid 9y ago
    The guy who wrote the memo apparently received glowing reviews and was promoted twice at Google. Doesn't seem like your typical slacker.
    - vasilipupkin 9y ago
      Yes, typical slackers don't write stupid manifestos, you are correct
jshevek 9y ago
So you are saying that ideological intolerance is a problem throughout the industry?