3 ms·

"The problem is that there aren't many other options. Google is evil, Facebook is evil, Apple is evil if you care about open hardware, Microsoft is too stupid t

"The problem is that there aren't many other options. Google is evil, Facebook is evil, Apple is evil if you care about open hardware, Microsoft is too stupid to be evil but might at some point become evil again, and Amazon is probably evil and may or may not treat it's employees like shit depending on who you ask. At some point, you have to put food on the table." He is speaking as if there were only 4 or 5 technology companies working for in the whole world.

nkurz 9y ago
No, he realizes there are many other companies. His (possibly weak) argument is that unless you work for one of the five companies listed, you might suddenly find yourself working for one of those big five upon acquisition: "This worries me deeply, because as these companies get larger and larger, they eat up all the other sources of employment. Working at a startup that isn't one of the big 5 won't help if it gets bought out next month."
osteele 9y ago
Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft are the “Ivy League” companies. They are high ROI, you will work with a selective group of peers, these peers will remain an important part of your network after you “graduate”, and putting Apple etc. on your resume will make you eminently hirable or foundable. I know this list of companies from constant press exposure. I know this list of benefits from having gone to Apple from my (state) college, seeing the effect this has had on my career and opportunities, and comparing experiences with colleagues who went to name-brand schools. Is there a comparable list for non-profits and social purpose and benefit organizations? If someone wants to maximize their earnings, peer quality, technical challenge, and impact, they know where to turn. If they want to maximize their social impact instead of earnings, while still working on challenging problems with quality peers, the mainstream and technology media aren't giving them this guidance. Is there a guide for this? IWBNI the decision process for working on positive impact projects were easier than deciding to work for profit, given that one has to take a salary hit to do the former. (And maybe it is, and I just don't know where to advise that someone look.) “There's a reason they call it compensation.”

nkurz 9y ago

No, he realizes there are many other companies. His (possibly weak) argument is that unless you work for one of the five companies listed, you might suddenly find yourself working for one of those big five upon acquisition: "This worries me deeply, because as these companies get larger and larger, they eat up all the other sources of employment. Working at a startup that isn't one of the big 5 won't help if it gets bought out next month."

osteele 9y ago

Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft are the “Ivy League” companies. They are high ROI, you will work with a selective group of peers, these peers will remain an important part of your network after you “graduate”, and putting Apple etc. on your resume will make you eminently hirable or foundable. I know this list of companies from constant press exposure. I know this list of benefits from having gone to Apple from my (state) college, seeing the effect this has had on my career and opportunities, and comparing experiences with colleagues who went to name-brand schools. Is there a comparable list for non-profits and social purpose and benefit organizations? If someone wants to maximize their earnings, peer quality, technical challenge, and impact, they know where to turn. If they want to maximize their social impact instead of earnings, while still working on challenging problems with quality peers, the mainstream and technology media aren't giving them this guidance. Is there a guide for this? IWBNI the decision process for working on positive impact projects were easier than deciding to work for profit, given that one has to take a salary hit to do the former. (And maybe it is, and I just don't know where to advise that someone look.) “There's a reason they call it compensation.”