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It's fairly alarming to read company dictats like this one. I hate to think that anyone could have some split second change of mind about the use of a particul

It's fairly alarming to read company dictats like this one. I hate to think that anyone could have some split second change of mind about the use of a particular word and then try to force it on the rest of the culture, top-down. Yes, there's some sense in which "user" connotes a detachment from the people who use the programs you create, but I hopefully Square isn't such a centralised culture that the CEO gets to decide on it in isolation from "the team".

SethMurphy 14y ago
Since when are start-ups a Democracy? Are only bottom up decisions allowed or must everything happen organically? I don't think a decision like this needs a company wide referendum. I actually think it would be a waste of time and resources and create an unnecessary distraction. I find it refreshing Square is open enough to listen to its newest board member and allow them to make an immediate impact. While small this change may not have come from the current culture that is more tech heavy and take the term user for granted.
- benatkin 14y ago
  > Since when are start-ups a Democracy? http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/straw-man.html http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/straw-man.html
  - SethMurphy 14y ago
    OK, admittedly a little dramatic to make the point that one thing that can slow down a startup (which should be fast by definition) from their real goal is involving everyone in every decision. It was in response to a board meeting, not quite in isolation as was stated.
interg12 14y ago
What's alarming about establishing communication best practices from the top? Having everybody use the same lingo for talking about product development is essential. This decision will help the engineering culture become inherently more empathetic to towards their end users.
Fjslfj 14y ago
Now you know why people hate working at Twitter.

SethMurphy 14y ago

Since when are start-ups a Democracy? Are only bottom up decisions allowed or must everything happen organically? I don't think a decision like this needs a company wide referendum. I actually think it would be a waste of time and resources and create an unnecessary distraction. I find it refreshing Square is open enough to listen to its newest board member and allow them to make an immediate impact. While small this change may not have come from the current culture that is more tech heavy and take the term user for granted.

benatkin 14y ago
> Since when are start-ups a Democracy? http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/straw-man.html http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/straw-man.html
- SethMurphy 14y ago
  OK, admittedly a little dramatic to make the point that one thing that can slow down a startup (which should be fast by definition) from their real goal is involving everyone in every decision. It was in response to a board meeting, not quite in isolation as was stated.

interg12 14y ago

What's alarming about establishing communication best practices from the top? Having everybody use the same lingo for talking about product development is essential. This decision will help the engineering culture become inherently more empathetic to towards their end users.

Fjslfj 14y ago

Now you know why people hate working at Twitter.