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As a developer the traditional Old Boys clubs (Freemasons, Rotary, Golf club etc.) don't really appeal to me as they seem outdated or for traditional profession

As a developer the traditional Old Boys clubs (Freemasons, Rotary, Golf club etc.) don't really appeal to me as they seem outdated or for traditional professions, are they still relevant? Is there a freemasons equivalent for the tech scene? Are there masons in Silicon Valley? Maybe we could create a new society, the SiliconMasons, FreeBSDers? :P

yowlingcat 7y ago
Sad to say this, but if you have to ask, it's likely part of the reason you're not a member. The societies certainly still exist, and the relationships that are built there continue from higher education pedigree-ing to drive high-level capital allocation. You'll most closely see this in the management and leadership structure at large companies and venture capital firms. Folks try with varying attempts to create powerful secret societies in today's highly digital age, but they continue to be successful for the same reasons they always were -- the patronage of the wealthy and powerful. The highly stratified economic classes in the tech scene ensure this would remain the case. If you're not part of this class but want to look into collective action, what you're looking for may not be a masonic society but a union.
motohagiography 7y ago
This would be to misunderstand what those organizations are and the purposes they serve. I heartily recommend checking out one of those organizations in your area. By design it is quite difficult for dishonest men to get into them. Quite possibly, this is why they are dying out.
bmarquez 7y ago
The "old boys" clubs you mentioned don't exist just for the sake of gaining power. The network just comes naturally as a side-effect of repeated contact with trustworthy people with similar altruistic goals. For example, a stated goal of Freemasonry is "to make good men better." The stated motto of Rotary is "service above self" (and btw, Rotary accepts both men and women). Both organizations have a significant community service aspect, and if you showed zero interest in service and expressed desire to join solely for personal gain, you'd likely get rejected. Likewise with Lions Clubs. Can't comment on golf clubs since I have zero experience with them.

yowlingcat 7y ago

Sad to say this, but if you have to ask, it's likely part of the reason you're not a member. The societies certainly still exist, and the relationships that are built there continue from higher education pedigree-ing to drive high-level capital allocation. You'll most closely see this in the management and leadership structure at large companies and venture capital firms. Folks try with varying attempts to create powerful secret societies in today's highly digital age, but they continue to be successful for the same reasons they always were -- the patronage of the wealthy and powerful. The highly stratified economic classes in the tech scene ensure this would remain the case. If you're not part of this class but want to look into collective action, what you're looking for may not be a masonic society but a union.

motohagiography 7y ago

This would be to misunderstand what those organizations are and the purposes they serve. I heartily recommend checking out one of those organizations in your area. By design it is quite difficult for dishonest men to get into them. Quite possibly, this is why they are dying out.

bmarquez 7y ago

The "old boys" clubs you mentioned don't exist just for the sake of gaining power. The network just comes naturally as a side-effect of repeated contact with trustworthy people with similar altruistic goals. For example, a stated goal of Freemasonry is "to make good men better." The stated motto of Rotary is "service above self" (and btw, Rotary accepts both men and women). Both organizations have a significant community service aspect, and if you showed zero interest in service and expressed desire to join solely for personal gain, you'd likely get rejected. Likewise with Lions Clubs. Can't comment on golf clubs since I have zero experience with them.