Firing expected of Google employee who penned controversial memo on women • Hacker News Board

Re: Firing expected of Google employee who penned controversial memo on women

#41

Post by Chris2048 » Tue, Aug 08, 2017, 9:38 AM UTC

tzm wrote: post #15

eelliott wrote: post #2

I've noticed some people on Twitter, including Susan Fowler and Kara Swisher, saying free speech is only a protection against government intrusion and doesn't apply in the corporate sector. That seems to be mirrored in this article. The only thing I'd say is that those people should think carefully. Denouncing and shrinking rights such as free speech and normalising their role as negative rights when it is convenient…

Free speech is not free of consequence.

Then on what basis is it free? Can I also fire pro-diversity employees?

Re: Firing expected of Google employee who penned controversial memo on women

#42

Post by zimpenfish » Tue, Aug 08, 2017, 9:41 AM UTC

Overtonwindow wrote: post #6

There's an interesting article on the front page that firing this guy might be grounds for a lawsuit in and of itself. I don't think this guy should be fired. Google should make him an example of their willingness to listen, have thoughtful introspection, and consider all points of view. I truly hope this person is not fired. Free speech seems to only work when you're the majority.

> Free speech seems to only work when you're the majority.

You have no right of free speech within a company like Google.

Re: Firing expected of Google employee who penned controversial memo on women

#43

Post by zimpenfish » Tue, Aug 08, 2017, 9:45 AM UTC

PKop wrote: post #18

eelliott wrote: post #2

I've noticed some people on Twitter, including Susan Fowler and Kara Swisher, saying free speech is only a protection against government intrusion and doesn't apply in the corporate sector. That seems to be mirrored in this article. The only thing I'd say is that those people should think carefully. Denouncing and shrinking rights such as free speech and normalising their role as negative rights when it is convenient…

I think it's hilarious you would bring Trump into this example of Silicon Valley PC-group think run amok. This type of collective mob mentality lashing out at "wrongthink" is why Trump won the election. This is no more common than with people who hate Trump. This is par for the course with Social Justice Warriors who treat a person's well reasoned point of view citing data as unacceptable sexism that must be eradicat…

> This type of collective mob mentality lashing out at "wrongthink" is why Trump won the election.

No, he won with the help of the gutted Voting Rights Act, ridiculously gerrymandered districts, and an electoral college that gives far too much weight to rural racists.