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Tech workers pledge to never build a database of Muslims

latimes.com

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Re: Tech workers pledge to never build a database of Muslims

#61
post #2

It's a lovely gesture, and an important sign of solidarity; however, it'a merely that, just a gesture. I hope that SV and the tech industry leverages its wealth and technical legal capabilities to fight these sorts of actions in court, unlike their responses to privacy intrusions by the federal government, British intelligence, and other foreign groups.

Gestures aren't nothing, they start a conversation, spark a reframing of priorities, and signal to others that it's OK to concur -- or, as you say, a sign of solidarity.

We focus on decision makers because that's the easiest point of observation. That we are much more limited in observing the chain of gestures and other non-decisive actions that influence decisions doesn't mean that gestures are nothing. More importantly, gestures are a way to be engaged and increase engagement, as you gradually position yourself to be in the right place at the right time to make impact. If everyone waited until they were established/rich enough before they acted at all on their convictions...well, there's a reason why "The establishment" is used as a perjorative.

And as an obvious example, our president-elect made many gestures that he'll be unlikely to fulfill. But that was signal enough to get him to be where he is.

Re: Tech workers pledge to never build a database of Muslims

#63
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, to be honest, the title is highly misleading. Sure, they pledged to refuse to participate in the creation of such database, but that's just one of the things stated in the full pledge. I would emphasize more on the following parts of the pledge: * to scale back existing datasets with unnecessary racial, ethnic, and national origin data. * to implement security and privacy best practices, in particular, for end-…

> * to scale back existing datasets with unnecessary racial, ethnic, and national origin data. We already have this, as the foreigners Trump is referring to have to get US Travel Visas. Obviously we know their country of origin. Anyone paying attention at all knows Trump's current plan is keeping a close eye on all visitors and immigrants (allowed in) from countries with large anti-western terrorism contributions - w…

[deleted]

Re: Tech workers pledge to never build a database of Muslims

#64
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your comment is slightly abrasive, however, it is worth discussing. Every Religion has been warped by humans at some point to gain wealth or power, I think Islam has seen the worst of it. What was meant as framework to help people be happy and treat each other with dignity has turned into a destructive force used to justify crimes.

The thing is Islam wasn't "warped". Mohamet was a barbaric warlod, you think the religion he created was and is about love of respect to your enemies? Could you please explain the train of thought that brought you to such conclusions?

I don't know if this is the kind of content I come to the Hacker News forums (hosted by Y Combinator) for.

Re: Tech workers pledge to never build a database of Muslims

#65
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you read the Old Testament? Christianity has plenty of barbarism in it.

It's called Old because there's a New Testament, which overrides the Old where applicable. And Jesus was a peace-loving man.

So the New Testament is like Bible version 2.0 then? Did they publish an errata to help us work around bugs in v1.0 ?

Re: Tech workers pledge to never build a database of Muslims

#67

Unfortunately, with firearms registration and no-fly lists, Muslim registries are part of the slope we've set precedent for. A citizen should _never_ have to register with the government to exercise a freedom explicitly granted in the constitution.

It's an interesting argument. How could that work for things like driving, where you need to prove competency before you are legally allowed to do something?

Driving isn't considered a right, but also registration is with the States, not the Fed.

Re: Tech workers pledge to never build a database of Muslims

#69

Unfortunately, with firearms registration and no-fly lists, Muslim registries are part of the slope we've set precedent for. A citizen should _never_ have to register with the government to exercise a freedom explicitly granted in the constitution.

It's an interesting argument. How could that work for things like driving, where you need to prove competency before you are legally allowed to do something?

I think the important point is that competency doesn't come from religion. It comes from past actions and current environment one is exposed to.

Re: Tech workers pledge to never build a database of Muslims

#70

Unfortunately, with firearms registration and no-fly lists, Muslim registries are part of the slope we've set precedent for. A citizen should _never_ have to register with the government to exercise a freedom explicitly granted in the constitution.

It's an interesting argument. How could that work for things like driving, where you need to prove competency before you are legally allowed to do something?

Driving a car isn't a protected right unlike the other things mentioned in the parent comment.
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