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I'm inclined to agree; it's never a good idea to discuss stuff like this on work comms. this leads to a bigger question though. why does google encourage this k

I'm inclined to agree; it's never a good idea to discuss stuff like this on work comms. this leads to a bigger question though. why does google encourage this kind of discussion on an internal mailing list in the first place? seems like it can only lead to embarrassing PR moments.

ashtonkem 7y ago
It was going to end in tears one way or another.
SpicyLemonZest 7y ago
Google allows (allowed?) relatively free socialization on internal mailing lists, and there are serious labor law issues with saying "you can talk about anything you'd like as long as it's not company policies or politically controversial".
- leetcrew 7y ago
  most companies don't have to say anything like that. the absence of active encouragement is usually enough. the "default" is not to discuss sensitive topics over company email.
  - SpicyLemonZest 7y ago
    Google specifically wanted to encourage open discussion of things like company plans and priorities, which at many other companies are sensitive topics.
yahyaheee 7y ago
Yea and he was essentially complaining about google brainwashing
- pas 7y ago
  No, he was complaining about how the diversity team wasn't scientific enough, and pointed out that it from a certain viewpoint it doesn't makes sense. But failed to simply account for what Google as an entity (the CEO, the shareholders, the board of directors, the upper management, the vocal minorities, etc) wanted. And that was simply diversity even at the cost of spending a lot of money and making some sub-optimal decisions.
  - ForHackernews 7y ago
    > And that was simply diversity even at the cost of spending a lot of money and making some sub-optimal decisions. That's an interesting take considering how little success Google has had in making their tech workforce more gender diverse. One cynical view might be that the entire thing is a PR exercise, designed to make it appear that Google cares about gender diversity. For the cost of a small amount of money to write some press releases, and no real changes to their hiring policies, they get some good press and stave off criticism. Damore's memo threatened this from both sides: it makes it look (or was made to look by adversarial press coverage) like Google is hostile to women, and it also threatens to call attention to the diversity Potemkin village set up by HR.

ashtonkem 7y ago

It was going to end in tears one way or another.

SpicyLemonZest 7y ago

Google allows (allowed?) relatively free socialization on internal mailing lists, and there are serious labor law issues with saying "you can talk about anything you'd like as long as it's not company policies or politically controversial".

leetcrew 7y ago
most companies don't have to say anything like that. the absence of active encouragement is usually enough. the "default" is not to discuss sensitive topics over company email.
- SpicyLemonZest 7y ago
  Google specifically wanted to encourage open discussion of things like company plans and priorities, which at many other companies are sensitive topics.

yahyaheee 7y ago

Yea and he was essentially complaining about google brainwashing

pas 7y ago
No, he was complaining about how the diversity team wasn't scientific enough, and pointed out that it from a certain viewpoint it doesn't makes sense. But failed to simply account for what Google as an entity (the CEO, the shareholders, the board of directors, the upper management, the vocal minorities, etc) wanted. And that was simply diversity even at the cost of spending a lot of money and making some sub-optimal decisions.
- ForHackernews 7y ago
  > And that was simply diversity even at the cost of spending a lot of money and making some sub-optimal decisions. That's an interesting take considering how little success Google has had in making their tech workforce more gender diverse. One cynical view might be that the entire thing is a PR exercise, designed to make it appear that Google cares about gender diversity. For the cost of a small amount of money to write some press releases, and no real changes to their hiring policies, they get some good press and stave off criticism. Damore's memo threatened this from both sides: it makes it look (or was made to look by adversarial press coverage) like Google is hostile to women, and it also threatens to call attention to the diversity Potemkin village set up by HR.