God forbid I have some sort of say in how my labor is used.
GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
361–370 of 708 posts
Re: GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
#362"I was just doing my job" is not an excuse. It is absolutely not only our right to decide how our work is used in the world, but our duty to make sure we're not enabling human rights violations. I applaud and support tech workers making ethical calls around their work. Unfortunately we may need to put our money where our mouths are and leave employers that refuse to stand by any ethical code, and that's already happening all across the tech industry.
Re: GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
#363I question how much an employee should concern him/herself with how a product is used once it's created. You have to let certain control go after a point. Or if your product is open to everyone, you'll have to live with the fact that people may use it in ways you disagree with. Xerox or Canon (or whoever) probably makes copiers that ICE uses to make copies. Lenovo or Apple probably makes hardware that they use also t…
But what will your peers at brunch say if you do not show how virtuous you are?
Re: GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
#364Earlier quoted context omitted.
I remember in 2016 when people were predicting people would be debating the definition of concentration camp during this administration. Here we are.
If you want to avoid that debate, then maybe cool it with the exaggerated claims?
I'd like to avoid it by not having ICE run something that could even raise the question. They're even using some of the same facilities that were used for Japanese internment.
Re: GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
#365Earlier quoted context omitted.
I remember in 2016 when people were predicting people would be debating the definition of concentration camp during this administration. Here we are.
That makes sense since those same people are now labeling detention centers "concentration camps". It's tautological.
Interesting claim, but I don't think it's true. Source?
Re: GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
#366I question how much an employee should concern him/herself with how a product is used once it's created. You have to let certain control go after a point. Or if your product is open to everyone, you'll have to live with the fact that people may use it in ways you disagree with. Xerox or Canon (or whoever) probably makes copiers that ICE uses to make copies. Lenovo or Apple probably makes hardware that they use also t…
> Why don't the employees at all these other companies object like Github employees? Why do Github employees get a special right to withhold consent for their product to be used in a setting they might object to? Why is ICE the only company that they object to? Why do some causes get their favor and not others? Wokeness and the recent trend of trying to cancel anything that doesn't align within a narrow spectrum of p…
I'm sure these people have varying viewpoints across the spectrum on a variety of issues, but this is a direct contract with a client that currently has a large target on it's back. These employees agree they would prefer not to be a partner. Saying all of those who petitioned share a narrow viewpoint is reductive.
Re: GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
#367I question how much an employee should concern him/herself with how a product is used once it's created. You have to let certain control go after a point. Or if your product is open to everyone, you'll have to live with the fact that people may use it in ways you disagree with. Xerox or Canon (or whoever) probably makes copiers that ICE uses to make copies. Lenovo or Apple probably makes hardware that they use also t…
There is an even bigger question here.
Is ICE the only thing on GitHub that is morally questionable?
I would venture to guess NO. I would venture to guess that all sorts of things on GitHub are used in illicit, illegal, or morally repressible ways.
Re: GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
#368Earlier quoted context omitted.
Trying to understand the opinion being communicated here. People shouldn't protest things they disagree with? People have a duty to be loyal to their employer's every decision?
No, people should leave situations they're uncomfortable with. Vote with your feet.
To be fair this is a natural philosophical position to take in a country founded after a bunch of people left some tea crates where they were on a ship and just moved to another empire's colony
Re: GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
#369God forbid I have some sort of say in how my labor is used.
I'm baffled by this statement.
Sure you have a say, you also (likely) have the luxury of having a skill set that makes you able to make these choices.
A while back there was an ask HN post about surviving through the first bubble (2001). If you find a group of engineers of that vintage it is likely that you can quickly find someone who worked putting up adult content. (Note I don't have an objection to the topic but realize that some do and this isn't exactly the most glamorous work in tech).
Re: GitHub tries to quell employee anger over its ICE contract
#370Earlier quoted context omitted.
That makes sense since those same people are now labeling detention centers "concentration camps". It's tautological.
Interesting claim, but I don't think it's true. Source?
I’m referring in part to your own comments. You said people would be debating the definition of concentration camps then you called a detention center for illegal immigrants a “concentration camp”. It is you who is trying to change the definition and fit it where it’s convenient to your politics.