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> Damore actually wrote his memo as a response to Google soliciting feedback. So he in fact got the "license" that you talk about from Google. As an aside, thi

> Damore actually wrote his memo as a response to Google soliciting feedback. So he in fact got the "license" that you talk about from Google. As an aside, this is an extraordinary dangerous assumption for an employee to make. Suggestion boxes aren't magical shields from blowback. Tenure exists for a good reason, and parent's point is well-taken. If you aren't tenured (or even if you are), you should probably assume that you have to play a careful political game if you want to stay employed. (I'm not making any judgement, just stating some IMO facts.)

js8 9y ago
That's true. But humans can't have it both ways. If you obfuscate the language, you are at risk of someone not understanding it and taking it literally. And then a hypocrisy can be revealed. In one of the previous discussions, I linked to Charta 77. These guys did the same thing - they took the Czechoslovak government for the word that it respects human rights, because it was a signatory of some human rights agreements. They were persecuted. The same problem you have with tenure. You are saying professors are protected with tenure, but are they really? Unless someone tests the boundaries, then you don't know if it really protects you. So assuming tenure will protect you is, likewise, a dangerous assumption. Addendum: I would also like to point out this excellent book: https://www.amazon.com/Mistakes-Were-Made-But-Not/dp/1491514132 https://www.amazon.com/Mistakes-Were-Made-But-Not/dp/1491514... That's why Google cannot change its mind even if it wanted to, sadly.
- throwawayjava 9y ago
  Again, I wasn't making any judgement one way or the other. I'm just observing it's extremely naive to believe that a solicitation for feedback in an employment setting is somehow an invitation to free speech.
  - js8 9y ago
    > Again, I wasn't making any judgement one way or the other. I wasn't implying you did. > solicitation for feedback in an employment setting is somehow an invitation to free speech Without further qualification, in a literal sense, it is "invitation to free speech". That's the problem.
    - throwawayjava 9y ago
      > Without further qualification "The society you live in" and "a basic understanding of how the world works" are always that most important qualifications on any invitation to share your opinion.

js8 9y ago

That's true. But humans can't have it both ways. If you obfuscate the language, you are at risk of someone not understanding it and taking it literally. And then a hypocrisy can be revealed. In one of the previous discussions, I linked to Charta 77. These guys did the same thing - they took the Czechoslovak government for the word that it respects human rights, because it was a signatory of some human rights agreements. They were persecuted. The same problem you have with tenure. You are saying professors are protected with tenure, but are they really? Unless someone tests the boundaries, then you don't know if it really protects you. So assuming tenure will protect you is, likewise, a dangerous assumption. Addendum: I would also like to point out this excellent book: https://www.amazon.com/Mistakes-Were-Made-But-Not/dp/1491514132 https://www.amazon.com/Mistakes-Were-Made-But-Not/dp/1491514... That's why Google cannot change its mind even if it wanted to, sadly.

throwawayjava 9y ago
Again, I wasn't making any judgement one way or the other. I'm just observing it's extremely naive to believe that a solicitation for feedback in an employment setting is somehow an invitation to free speech.
- js8 9y ago
  > Again, I wasn't making any judgement one way or the other. I wasn't implying you did. > solicitation for feedback in an employment setting is somehow an invitation to free speech Without further qualification, in a literal sense, it is "invitation to free speech". That's the problem.
  - throwawayjava 9y ago
    > Without further qualification "The society you live in" and "a basic understanding of how the world works" are always that most important qualifications on any invitation to share your opinion.