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Your mom and dad, or grandparents probably didn't need to know, even though they know how. Most of their interactions were with local businesses, with people w

Your mom and dad, or grandparents probably didn't need to know, even though they know how. Most of their interactions were with local businesses, with people who, like themselves, were part of the local community. The unofficial grapevine worked pretty well for rooting out the good and bad mechanics, lawyers and florists. Your dad could change the oil, but almost certainly knew which mechanics could be trusted to have done what was on the invoice, and the few to avoid at all costs. Mostly if really was OK not to care, because they knew someone who did. The network meant something. Doubly so in smaller towns, and yes, small town life came with some downsides too. :) That breaks horribly when recommendations are of global mega-multinationals, and most businesses on most high streets are national and international chains. A recommendation counts for nothing for a business of that scale, and an individual vote may be an employee you might never encounter again. The network means nothing, except as something to be gamed. Taking your custom elsewhere means nothing unless a million or two others do too. You have to care as no one else gives a shit about your interests, just the sale or commission. Except precisely none of us have the time for that. If we want the benefits of larger scale business I think we need to start giving them some responsibilities too. Like a duty of care in law as exists in some areas already, but further reaching to consider the public interest as a priority. Without something the power imbalance is impossible. Without constraint, large business takes the piss. It's time for some constraint. Then maybe we actually can depend on each other again.

Iv 7y ago
My dad was dealing with international teams to manage semiconductors manufacturing at a global mega-multinationals. His dad was the trustworthy mechanics though, that's why he ended being good at cars repairs :-) I am the one living in the countryside not far from a middle-sized city. I do know, from local community's word of mouth the reliable and cheap mechanic and florist. Don't fell in the fallacy that things changed globally because you moved from one place to another ;-) Tracking reputation has never been easier. If you are interested in it, that is.
TheOtherHobbes 7y ago
That's really the point of success in business - it gives you the ultimate privilege of hugely decreasing the odds that you'll be held responsible for damage you cause to others. Occasionally the wheels come off (maybe literally) and someone with significant power ends up in jail. But realistically - how often? Which is why software security and quality aren't a thing. There's no pressure to do the job properly and plenty of incentive not to.
- TeMPOraL 7y ago
  > There's no pressure to do the job properly and plenty of incentive not to. I won't name names, but doing some work for some company in IT security space once, I learned that one of the issue they faced in sales is that the product cannot be too good - because if it points out to a possible vulnerability and then that vulnerability gets exploited, the customer may be on the hook financially and legally, as the software could prove they knew about the problem and didn't address it.
  - zentiggr 7y ago
    And now I need to go check my blood pressure again. Worked in enough safety-necessary environments (military weapon handling, warehouses, shipyard) that the very idea of deliberately whitewashing a possible failure just makes me angry. Lessons learned briefings were some of the best OJT I ever had. I'd have filed CVE's on whatever they told you to leave uncovered and damn the consequences. (I've also never been in a place where I could afford to be let go, so YMMV/MMMV).
tanseydavid 7y ago
> The network means nothing, except as something to be gamed. Thank you for this insight, particularly the concise manner in which you have articulated it.

Iv 7y ago

My dad was dealing with international teams to manage semiconductors manufacturing at a global mega-multinationals. His dad was the trustworthy mechanics though, that's why he ended being good at cars repairs :-) I am the one living in the countryside not far from a middle-sized city. I do know, from local community's word of mouth the reliable and cheap mechanic and florist. Don't fell in the fallacy that things changed globally because you moved from one place to another ;-) Tracking reputation has never been easier. If you are interested in it, that is.

TheOtherHobbes 7y ago

That's really the point of success in business - it gives you the ultimate privilege of hugely decreasing the odds that you'll be held responsible for damage you cause to others. Occasionally the wheels come off (maybe literally) and someone with significant power ends up in jail. But realistically - how often? Which is why software security and quality aren't a thing. There's no pressure to do the job properly and plenty of incentive not to.

TeMPOraL 7y ago
> There's no pressure to do the job properly and plenty of incentive not to. I won't name names, but doing some work for some company in IT security space once, I learned that one of the issue they faced in sales is that the product cannot be too good - because if it points out to a possible vulnerability and then that vulnerability gets exploited, the customer may be on the hook financially and legally, as the software could prove they knew about the problem and didn't address it.
- zentiggr 7y ago
  And now I need to go check my blood pressure again. Worked in enough safety-necessary environments (military weapon handling, warehouses, shipyard) that the very idea of deliberately whitewashing a possible failure just makes me angry. Lessons learned briefings were some of the best OJT I ever had. I'd have filed CVE's on whatever they told you to leave uncovered and damn the consequences. (I've also never been in a place where I could afford to be let go, so YMMV/MMMV).

tanseydavid 7y ago

> The network means nothing, except as something to be gamed. Thank you for this insight, particularly the concise manner in which you have articulated it.