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At liberal tech companies, those who disagree on politics say they’re isolated

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Re: At liberal tech companies, those who disagree on politics say they’re isolated

#91

Post by archagon »

ubertaco wrote: post #66
archagon wrote: post #22

If your politics, or the beliefs of those who share your politics, make your coworkers feel hurt, scared, and angry, then I see absolutely no reason to bring them to your workplace. It's basic human interaction 101. And sorry, but insisting that people grow a thicker skin won't work, because that's not how people operate. I discuss controversial topics in person with my close friends, and I don't feel any poorer for…

This is a two-way street. As a Christian, I get upset when I hear my employer promote Bhuddist values (inviting Bhuddist monks on-site to otherwise-nonreligious corporate events) while also parading their role in defeating legislation to protect religious clergy who hold traditionally-Christian beliefs from being sued over their beliefs. This communicates to me both "you're the enemy, and we are working hard to make…

I actually think that's a perfectly reasonable thing to be uncomfortable with, and probably warrants a chat with a higher-up or an anonymous complaint.

Re: At liberal tech companies, those who disagree on politics say they’re isolated

#92

Post by [deleted] »

frgtpsswrdlame wrote: post #56
fhood wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know. It is kind of hard. I feel that if someone supports Trump, it is my moral obligation to change their mind. I wouldn't shame or degrade them, but I would argue my point fairly strongly.

I'd say that makes my case for me. Politics has a draw, a tribalistic compulsion that draws everyone in. That's why it shouldn't exist in the workplace.

[deleted]

Re: At liberal tech companies, those who disagree on politics say they’re isolated

#93

Post by xkvd »

AndrewDucker wrote: post #25
staticelf wrote: post #3

Honestly, I am not the least surprised. I don't know if anyone is really. Because never before has there been so much hate towards simply holding different opinions. People actively share "if you like x you can remove me as your friend" shit on facebook, companies fire people for expressing their political views and media companies "choose a side" more then ever. And don't tell me Google isn't. Just look at Youtube w…

If someone is "simply holding different opinions" that people should have lesser rights, or be treated differently because of how they were born, then we shouldn't really be surprised that people are upset by that. I'm not seeing hatred towards people for arguing over correct levels of import taxes. I'm seeing it because they're backing politicians who are actively causing harm to real human beings.

> [if someone thinks people should] be treated differently because of how they were born [then outrage they face is justified]

This has always piqued my curiosity -- would you mind explaining? Why is this such a deep tenet that I hear it so often as justification for shunning people? Apparently, there is something egregious about "treating people differently" because of "how they were born." What is wrong about this? Can you make this statement more concrete? How are the following "treatments" egregious?

* Someone is born deaf, so his parents give him care related to his disability, which is different compared to what they would have done otherwise.

* Someone was born with a great vocal range, so people encourage them to become a singer.

* Someone is born with great mathematical abilities, so later in life they are top-pick by quantitative companies, which pay them extra for the value they are expected to deliver.

* Someone has many insecurities and a history of nervous breakdowns and psychological damage, so we don't give them a high-stress job (for instance, the military doesn't hire them).

Re: At liberal tech companies, those who disagree on politics say they’re isolated

#94

Post by jimbokun »

zimpenfish wrote: post #53
nxsynonym wrote: post #19

>>“Work is work, and not everything needs to be about politics,” he said. While he sees liberal colleagues who sit nearby don’t seemingly need to filter their comments, he’s decided it’s not worth engaging, adding “I don’t want to be known as that guy who wants to argue with everybody.” As someone who falls on the Liberal side of the spectrum, this bothers me more than almost anything else regarding modern day politi…

> If you mention you are a conservative or hold conservative views, [many of which involve punitive action against the least well off / most marginalised in society] > you are aligned with the worst of the worst and anything you say is inherently wrong. Amazing, really, that people think less of you when you specifically say you think less of others (which is the core conservative stance.)

"Amazing, really, that people think less of you when you specifically say you think less of others (which is the core conservative stance.)"

And here you are, thinking "less of others" in the very same sentence in which you decry it.

Re: At liberal tech companies, those who disagree on politics say they’re isolated

#95

Post by 4c2383f5c88e911 »

staticelf wrote: post #3

Honestly, I am not the least surprised. I don't know if anyone is really. Because never before has there been so much hate towards simply holding different opinions. People actively share "if you like x you can remove me as your friend" shit on facebook, companies fire people for expressing their political views and media companies "choose a side" more then ever. And don't tell me Google isn't. Just look at Youtube w…

Being called a communist by US conservatives isn't really something worthy of notice, as anything that goes against them is called as such.

That said, with the polarization of political debate, people rabidly defend viewpoints they don't even understand or never thought about rationally. It means you cannot have interesting arguments because you don't share any axioms with the other party, and you have different opinions on basic stuff such as "do poor people deserve to die" or "should gay people be reeducated" or "do we put immigrants in concentration camps", at which point you can only give up and break contact with resignation. Sure, I can interact with people like that on trivial stuff if I have to, but don’t ask me to be overly nice to someone who would rather see me or people I like dead.

Re: At liberal tech companies, those who disagree on politics say they’re isolated

#96

Post by fhood »

MBCook wrote: post #86
fhood wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know. It is kind of hard. I feel that if someone supports Trump, it is my moral obligation to change their mind. I wouldn't shame or degrade them, but I would argue my point fairly strongly.

While I generally agree with the sentiment, if I were a manager that seems like something I wouldn't be able to allow because t would be too disruptive for no company benefit. That's assuming it's done during work hours. If done outside it may still be an issue if it starts to effect the working relationship.

I agree, and I don't actually engage in political arguments at work, but the compulsion is there for the reason I specified.

Re: At liberal tech companies, those who disagree on politics say they’re isolated

#97

Post by MichaelGG »

nxsynonym wrote: post #19

>>“Work is work, and not everything needs to be about politics,” he said. While he sees liberal colleagues who sit nearby don’t seemingly need to filter their comments, he’s decided it’s not worth engaging, adding “I don’t want to be known as that guy who wants to argue with everybody.” As someone who falls on the Liberal side of the spectrum, this bothers me more than almost anything else regarding modern day politi…

And the result is just as predictable. People with conservative views will stay quiet and get more isolated and annoyed. They'll identity with other "underdogs" that are being attacked, even if they wouldn't otherwise really agree with their positions. Then everyone acts all surprised when a more extreme candidate shows up to overwhelming support.

Re: At liberal tech companies, those who disagree on politics say they’re isolated

#100

Post by [deleted] »

nxsynonym wrote: post #19

>>“Work is work, and not everything needs to be about politics,” he said. While he sees liberal colleagues who sit nearby don’t seemingly need to filter their comments, he’s decided it’s not worth engaging, adding “I don’t want to be known as that guy who wants to argue with everybody.” As someone who falls on the Liberal side of the spectrum, this bothers me more than almost anything else regarding modern day politi…

[deleted]
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