2 ms·
> Why are we trying to shift focus from the wrongs large multi-nationals do to individual software engineers? This "ethics" business doesn't make sense becaus
by quotemstr 6y ago
> Why are we trying to shift focus from the wrongs large multi-nationals do to individual software engineers?
This "ethics" business doesn't make sense because the stated goals of the people pushing this idea aren't their actual goals. The stated goal of this "ethics" push is to reduce the harm done by software to society. As you point out, it won't work. The actual goal of the "ethics" push is to entrench a certain politically-contentious ideology in tech by branding this ideology as "ethics" and thereby making it immune to criticism.
The only legitimate binding code of ethics is the law. If a practice is harmful, we can all talk about it together and agree to enact a law against it. The "ethics" people are trying to use elevated moral rhetoric to bypass this democratic process, and we shouldn't let them get away with it.