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As a software developer, I am becoming more and more concerned about the potential for a (possibly violent) backlash against us in general for the antics of tec

As a software developer, I am becoming more and more concerned about the potential for a (possibly violent) backlash against us in general for the antics of tech bros and some of the companies that they've created, coupled with resentment and the lack of personal responsibility some take in creating this software (social considerations that go beyond what the faddiest framework to use is) because the pay is high enough to ignore the negatives. The only element that is missing is a charismatic political agitator to stir things up a bit, because the public have a lot to be angry at.

raxxorrax 5y ago
The thing is that it isn't entirely unsubstantiated to have animosity towards tech. The industry has little regard for anything but profit. But that is something most developers have very little influence on.
- chobeat 5y ago
  It's not true: their labor is a scarce resource and often they have plenty of choice who to give it to. They could go work for other things instead of dystopic nightmare projects like Facebook or Amazon. Anyway the working class Jews had nothing to do with Germany's economic problems but that didn't stop the Holocaust. It takes nothing to make scapegoats. It's already a political topic: for example movements for affordable rent are trying to incorporate a narrative of "it's not the single programmer the problem, it's speculation and the market" because there anti-tech sentiment already translates to aggressions in many cities against tech workers and tech companies.
  - raxxorrax 5y ago
    I agree that choice in employer is relevant, but my impression is that the influence of developers is often disregarded completely. The decisions in corporation comes mostly from the top. It is also an opportunity because it allows you to learn a lot in such an environment. Facebook management isn't stupid, they know the angles to push for developers to rationalize their work as something beneficial, how to make people feel important and peoples overconfidence blinds them to see a broader picture. Some just withdraw themselves from that and just focus on the technical side. Not a good excuse of course. I know a lot of people expected more from classical software nerds, more from the internet and its effects. And it was something to rely on for a time. But overall user behavior was much more influential. People bought at Amazon because it is convenient. They shared their lives on Facebook to compete against each other. They did not care about the consequences either for whatever reason. Many hate these developments too and maybe devs could search employment elsewhere, but it would not change that much as ultimately they are replaceable too. Honestly, don't give those with animosity a noble lie. I think some devs could very well profit from having that sentiment being screamed in their faces because they can see the problem as well but believe it is what people want or they even hope for people from outside the industry to make some noise.

raxxorrax 5y ago

The thing is that it isn't entirely unsubstantiated to have animosity towards tech. The industry has little regard for anything but profit. But that is something most developers have very little influence on.

chobeat 5y ago
It's not true: their labor is a scarce resource and often they have plenty of choice who to give it to. They could go work for other things instead of dystopic nightmare projects like Facebook or Amazon. Anyway the working class Jews had nothing to do with Germany's economic problems but that didn't stop the Holocaust. It takes nothing to make scapegoats. It's already a political topic: for example movements for affordable rent are trying to incorporate a narrative of "it's not the single programmer the problem, it's speculation and the market" because there anti-tech sentiment already translates to aggressions in many cities against tech workers and tech companies.
- raxxorrax 5y ago
  I agree that choice in employer is relevant, but my impression is that the influence of developers is often disregarded completely. The decisions in corporation comes mostly from the top. It is also an opportunity because it allows you to learn a lot in such an environment. Facebook management isn't stupid, they know the angles to push for developers to rationalize their work as something beneficial, how to make people feel important and peoples overconfidence blinds them to see a broader picture. Some just withdraw themselves from that and just focus on the technical side. Not a good excuse of course. I know a lot of people expected more from classical software nerds, more from the internet and its effects. And it was something to rely on for a time. But overall user behavior was much more influential. People bought at Amazon because it is convenient. They shared their lives on Facebook to compete against each other. They did not care about the consequences either for whatever reason. Many hate these developments too and maybe devs could search employment elsewhere, but it would not change that much as ultimately they are replaceable too. Honestly, don't give those with animosity a noble lie. I think some devs could very well profit from having that sentiment being screamed in their faces because they can see the problem as well but believe it is what people want or they even hope for people from outside the industry to make some noise.