51–60 of 120 posts
> Instead of a nice friendly “campus” we see a Google farm for harvesting Kreuzberg’s brains and talents, or a Google mine in which ideas and data will be extracted out of Berlin It's simply not a zero sum game. Google will bring culture and resources with it that could enhance Berlin.
What culture could Google bring to Berlin?
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What culture could Google bring to Berlin?
As a person from post-Communist country where this argument ("offices of big corporations in your area will bring culture, resources, and set you free") is used all the time by everyone from media, politicians, to employees, I find this hilarious. Obey.
Some of Google's money will flow to locals not directly employed by Google, but will this offset the increased cost of their living expenses?
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What culture could Google bring to Berlin?
There are tons of books written about Google's culture, but my favorite is ”How Google Works” by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg.
I can't complain, I'm also just a yuppie whom Kreuzberger would probably hate, but if their claim about the tax regime is correct, then what's the point of attracting a cancer that would just make everything in your area more expensive...
I'm reminded of John Oliver's segment about tax incentives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bl19RoR7lc
Just like people repeatedly breaking the windows of a coffee shop nearby because the owners are "bankers from London" (this was stated as the #1 selling point for boycot in a flyer) this entire movement exposes the worst Kreuzberg has to offer: an incredibly self-righteous xenophobia. People think they are so incredibly open minded when they are pro refugees, but as soon as it's the "wrong kind of Ausländer" (the one…
Being open-minded is a two way street, remember.
Just like people repeatedly breaking the windows of a coffee shop nearby because the owners are "bankers from London" (this was stated as the #1 selling point for boycot in a flyer) this entire movement exposes the worst Kreuzberg has to offer: an incredibly self-righteous xenophobia. People think they are so incredibly open minded when they are pro refugees, but as soon as it's the "wrong kind of Ausländer" (the one…
Pretty immature website, I get why people are against Google and specifically this campus but this website rubs me the wrong way. If they made the same arguments, cleaned up the language and delivery and cited it with studies, papers and facts it would be a much more credible site. They should probably change the domain name as well.
I'm not saying all of their claims are outright wrong, but this borderline childish website did not persuade me of anything - if anything I have some antipathy against this movement now.
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What "culture and resources" will Google bring that will benefit anyone except Googlers?
There are tons of books written about Google's culture, but my favorite is ”How Google Works” by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg. With regard to resources, Google has by far has the most sophisticated access to future tech (quantum, ML for example), the most infrastructure (GGC, oceanic fiber, DC/pops), and their incredible scale comes with great advantages.
No thanks.
> Instead of a nice friendly “campus” we see a Google farm for harvesting Kreuzberg’s brains and talents, or a Google mine in which ideas and data will be extracted out of Berlin It's simply not a zero sum game. Google will bring culture and resources with it that could enhance Berlin.
That’s up to the people of Berlin to decide, not a faceless American tech company.
Does the city of Berlin?
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What culture could Google bring to Berlin?
The kind of culture that comes with being a place where young, highly educated, liberal, high earning people come to work and live. It seems like that final bit is the problem for these campaigners, they seem pretty enamoured with the idea of their city staying poor (but sexy).
But if locals want to keep it that way, then they need to show that they are the majority in that municipal area, or they should have bought the buildings a long time ago.
Or at least strategically important flats (the cheap ones on the ground floor next to the hallway, or just simply the cheapest ones, maybe just a lot in the basement, that grants private property rights) - though it depends on the co-owned property rights in Berlin/Germany, but I hope a condo cannot be sold without all the owners agreeing.