3 ms·
When a company has embedded itself so deeply in public life - globally - it's reasonable to have strong feelings about its actions. When we say layoffs work, a
by offices 3y ago
When a company has embedded itself so deeply in public life - globally - it's reasonable to have strong feelings about its actions.
When we say layoffs work, are we considering the way the same companies overhired just a few years ago, harming the rest of the employment market? Do we remember this in later discussions when we treat these companies as prescient hiveminds, in spite of them using overtuned bang-bang control for their hiring? Do we remember it in discussions about workers rights and the things we tie to employment in the naive assumption that only those who deserve it lose their jobs?
- killerstorm 3y agoI find it a bit hilarious that programmers feel entitled being employed for life in one company. Did you ever consider finishing the project? Getting it done and delivered? My first paid job as a programmer was like that. We made an exam software for university, a complete package covering the process from authoring test questions to making reports. We made it in 6 months and it was done. Finished. Working. There was some maintenance/improvement, but that was a separate deal. We did not expect university to employ us for life to maintain it. Shouldn't that be a norm? Like, yeah, obviously Google has a lot of projects, so they can allocate programmers to do something different after something is done. But they didn't promise employment for life, did they? Obviously, people like being securely employed. But, perhaps, that should be addressed at societal level - e.g. unemployment benefits.
- lazyasciiart 3y agoYou’re suggesting that Microsoft should be done with Windows by now, are you?
- ifyoubuildit 3y agoIf only. Circa windows 7 era would have been a perfect time, just keep adding security updates and we'd be golden.
- killerstorm 3y agoI'm suggesting that it's up to Microsoft management to decide what software they want to develop, and programmers should expect they are hired to develop a product. Downsizing should be considered a norm. People came to assume that a total comp >$100k is a norm, but it's really not. E.g. engineer working on research projects for INRIA in France might get up to $3000 gross a month. (And you might get better job security in France but it comes with a bit of total comp hit, as you see.) That's the reality for most people on Earth. Salary >$100k should be considered an insane arb opportunity, not a stable job expectation. Microsoft makes a shitload of money selling Windows to billions of people, and is able to pay a lot to devs? OK, good for those devs. But would that last? Uncertain.
- ngai_aku 3y ago> People came to assume that a total comp >$100k is a norm, but it's really not…. Microsoft makes a shitload of money Who should receive the shitload of money that these companies make?
- tomrod 3y agoUnder capitalism, investors. Under UBI, you and I.
- killerstorm 3y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand These companies make a lot of money because of supply & demand. They pay large salaries because of supply & demand. They have layoffs because of supply & demand. It's free market. Stop complaining unless you can propose something better.
- offices 3y ago>It's a free market "OK Google, what's a patent?"
- Zetobal 3y agoYou are describing contract work... maybe look into it if you like it other people don't and thats also ok.
- tomrod 3y ago> Shouldn't that be a norm? When guilds/unions are stronger, then project only work is fine to organize around.
- offices 3y ago>But, perhaps, that should be addressed at societal level - e.g. unemployment benefits. Google lobby.