5 ms·

Maybe I have a case of "wishful thinking", but I think developers are smart enough, and kind enough to get something like this working without too much corrupti

Maybe I have a case of "wishful thinking", but I think developers are smart enough, and kind enough to get something like this working without too much corruption, and bureaucracy (since you can never eliminate it completely). I mean, look at us, we have OSS. And that might not sound like much for someone who's been industry long enough, but I feel like it's a statement of the freedom we all seek when we use our computers, the power we have (not me, I could stand to loose some mediocrity :P).

starbase 3y ago
Speaking only for myself here, I feel more free when I have less organizational hierarchy (read: bosses) to deal with. Might be different for others. I know of no union that would give me the flexibility I currently enjoy--flexibility to bill hourly on some projects, lump sum on others. Flexibility to invest my retirement savings as I wish. Flexibility to work 12 hours days 7 days a week for 6 weeks, then take two months off to travel. Flexibility to tell clients "this is how _I_ do it, full stop. Flexibility to choose my own wage and benefits and career trajectory. Flexibility to work for equity alone, or barter, when it makes sense. That's my reality, and I have yet to see a union that offers anything close.
- julian-a-avar-c 3y ago
  My thoughts are: Lets create it then! We can make Amazon, Google, tech giants, operating systems, large language models, Chrome, data processing engines... Why would we be incapable of creating a good system for ourselves. Not a perfect one, we can upgrade the version later (lol, Union 2.3.4, merge conflict). But I think we should all want some guarantees to make sure that Big Tech can't unilaterally screw half of us _on purpose_.
  - starbase 3y ago
    By all means, create a more perfect union. Until then, I can't get on board. Seems like every historical instance of individuals ceding their rights to an organization goes rotten. Maybe this time will be different.

starbase 3y ago

Speaking only for myself here, I feel more free when I have less organizational hierarchy (read: bosses) to deal with. Might be different for others. I know of no union that would give me the flexibility I currently enjoy--flexibility to bill hourly on some projects, lump sum on others. Flexibility to invest my retirement savings as I wish. Flexibility to work 12 hours days 7 days a week for 6 weeks, then take two months off to travel. Flexibility to tell clients "this is how _I_ do it, full stop. Flexibility to choose my own wage and benefits and career trajectory. Flexibility to work for equity alone, or barter, when it makes sense. That's my reality, and I have yet to see a union that offers anything close.

julian-a-avar-c 3y ago
My thoughts are: Lets create it then! We can make Amazon, Google, tech giants, operating systems, large language models, Chrome, data processing engines... Why would we be incapable of creating a good system for ourselves. Not a perfect one, we can upgrade the version later (lol, Union 2.3.4, merge conflict). But I think we should all want some guarantees to make sure that Big Tech can't unilaterally screw half of us _on purpose_.
- starbase 3y ago
  By all means, create a more perfect union. Until then, I can't get on board. Seems like every historical instance of individuals ceding their rights to an organization goes rotten. Maybe this time will be different.