One Google Staffer Fired, Two Others Put on Leave Amid Tensions

Post by mywacaday » Wed, Nov 13, 2019, 12:02 PM UTC

skissane wrote: post #28

> The documents concerned a mandatory tool that was recently installed on the Google Chrome browser on workers’ computers, the employees said. In October, some Google employees raised concerns that the Chrome extension was an internal surveillance tool designed to monitor their attempts to organize protests. It would automatically report staffers who create a calendar event with more than 10 rooms or 100 participants…

Post by repolfx » Wed, Nov 13, 2019, 12:09 PM UTC

inferiorhuman wrote: post #119

javagram wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you’re already keeping your social media protected/private, that seems like a pretty good sign that you’re not a political troublemaker or activist. Private social media accounts don’t have virality or reach. I keep my own twitter and facebook private because I have no interest in accidentally igniting a feeding frenzy if I post something wrong on social media. But it’s equally true that if I wanted to make a fuss…

If you’re already keeping your social media protected/private, that seems like a pretty good sign that you’re not a political troublemaker or activist. How do you figure that? I keep most of my social media stuff private but I would happily participate in, for instance, a unionization campaign and I will vocally support the sorts of folks that people like Damore seek to condemn.

Post by cryptica » Wed, Nov 13, 2019, 12:11 PM UTC

repolfx wrote: post #247

cryptica wrote: post #214

>> The tracking had made the staff in those departments feel unsafe It's very strange how often this idea of 'feeling unsafe' is coming up in the media now. It seems that either: - People have become more fragile/sensitive; or - People have become more aggressive. I think it may be both. I think corporations create extremely unnatural, oppressive and coercive environments which makes people more outwardly sensitive b…

Physical safety trumps most other things in our culture, rightly so. So political activists realised they can brainwash or pressure idiots by claiming that any opinion, person or class of people they don't like creates "lack of safety". It's a kneejerk reaction: safety first. The worst case I saw of this so far was an event organised by my workplace, for teaching programming. But straight white men were banned. If yo…

Post by nearbuy » Wed, Nov 13, 2019, 12:18 PM UTC

bjourne wrote: post #213

nearbuy wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Larry Page and Sergey Brin ... had designed their company's famously open culture to facilitate free thinking. Employees were “obligated to dissent” if they saw something they disagreed with, and they were encouraged to “bring their whole selves” to work rather than check their politics and personal lives at the door. Seems like James Damore took their advice.

Yes. What is your point? Must you either be in favor of James Damore and against these Googlers who are trying to organize the workplace or vice versa? Can't everyone get to share their political views and also keep their jobs?

Post by matwood » Wed, Nov 13, 2019, 12:20 PM UTC

Hitton wrote: post #248

say_it_as_it_is wrote: post #208

What we are seeing are the consequences of "Employee Capture". Google captured the hearts and minds of its employees for workplace productivity. Its side effects are varied. The real world only sees highlights. Googled created a bubble from which its employees can socialize without ever needing to do so with the outside world. Why talk politics with the outside world? Stay with us, where it is safe, people are intell…

Funny thing is, that although Google boasts about its racial and gender diversity, there is preciously little ideological diversity. And once people stray, they must be purged.