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I've been thinking about this lately, as my current software platform is sometimes used for purposes I really don't like. And I've been considering moving to wo

I've been thinking about this lately, as my current software platform is sometimes used for purposes I really don't like. And I've been considering moving to work on some Etherium applications, since I strongly believe in a decentralized web. But the decentralized web will certainly enable unsavory characters to do evil things. In the end, we build things for the purpose of serving others, but can't really beat ourselves up when those things are misused. If I was an automotive engineer, I wouldn't like the fact that creeps were using my cars to kidnap people or as getaway vehicles or the like, but it doesn't mean that I'm complicit in those things. I think software-- for the most part-- is a lot like that.

QAPereo 9y ago
By the same token if you specialized in armored cars that could outrun police and were invisible to radar, you’d have no right to be shocked by who ends up using it. You’d protect diplomats and people in dangerous parts of the world... and cartel kingpins, dictators, etc.
ForHackernews 9y ago
I think this is a cop-out. As a developer, your software makes it easier to do certain things and harder to do other things. Not all use cases are equally well supported. Software is categorically different from something dumb like a hammer. Telling yourself you're just making hammers is a dodge to salve your conscience.