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I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

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Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#241

Post by wrren »

code4tee wrote: post #208

Zuckerberg has always made it clear to investors and employees that Facebook is not a democracy. Mark is in charge and has full control of the company to do as he pleases when he pleases. When they IPOed he made it clear that’s how the company works. IPO materials made it clear that if you don’t like that don’t invest in it. Not saying I agree with his actions (or inactions) and decisions but he’s been very clear abo…

Even a dictatorship can be put under pressure if enough of its subjects take a stand. The relationship between employer and employee is a continuous negotiation. Facebook has put something new on the table: we expect you to look the other way when Trump calls for violence.

If enough employees push back it's very likely that Facebook will change its stance, regardless of whatever power Mark thinks he has.

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#242

Post by at_a_remove »

mchusma wrote: post #49

I don't understand why doesn't Facebook just: -Allow all posts -Allow users to customize what they want to see (e.g. "dont show me posts that glorify violence" or "only allow covid posts that match WHO guidelines" or "allow exceptions from political figures or of historical significance") and allow users to ban hide posts that are found untruthful by third parties (snopes, etc). To me effectively everyone wins. Faceb…

Ah, that word "just." Whenever I see "just" in some kind of kind of technical demand in the first line, I immediately know that there's a lot of stuff to unpack.

Here, you have requested something fairly close to a general AI which understands both written language, images, and even more fun, images of language. Cartoon violence right on down to "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" And will quoting Henry II of England set off your detector?

Let's unpack your COVID post thing -- note that WHO guidelines have changed a few times. Recall that era wherein they said that there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Also, don't buy masks. So you'd have to factor in a time domain as the guidelines change, in addition to your generalized AI as above.

In IT, I have frequently heard requests for "why can't we just get the things we know we will like?" and such. It all boils down to that mind-reading, future-predicting generalized AI.

Why don't we just turn it on?

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#243

Post by purerandomness »

SpicyLemonZest wrote: post #35
ordinaryradical wrote: post #8

He’s standing up for what he believes. You can disagree with his convictions, but you should admire anyone who risks personal and financial consequences for sticking to their guns. That’s what actual morality is—not just a “belief” that is talked about but acted upon even when the results will be costly.

I just don't agree that severing professional ties over political disputes is admirable. For society to function, people need to be willing to work with others whose politics they find distasteful.

Politics affect your profession and your life. You cannot separate politics from your life.

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#244

Post by jaycroft »

SpicyLemonZest wrote: post #133
kristiandupont wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>For society to function, people need to be willing to work with others whose politics they find distasteful. Why? I am not on some high horse here, I am not sure what I would be willing to put up with if I had no other options but I certainly prefer working with companies that have values that are aligned with my own.

Because otherwise it becomes impossible to truly engage in politics. If everyone sorts themselves into liberal companies that only allow liberal values and conservative companies that only allow conservative values, how are we supposed to have an honest debate on anything?

If everyone were to sort themselves into companies that were anti-genocide and pro-genocide, how could we ever have an honest debate on anything?

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#245

Post by QuercusMax »

masukomi wrote: post #187
blickentwapft wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s a highly privileged position to be in to make a personal stand and leave your $250,000 job for another $250,000 job. Not judging this way or that, just saying.

he's a "Software Engineer" at facebook. He's not even a "Senior Software Engineer" He is NOT making 250k and he likely lives _near_ facebook which means _most_ of his money is going directly into housing. There are a LOT of people working what is normally considered a high income job in the bay area and living out of their vans because that's the only way they can actually have any money left over at the end of the m…

You are extremely out of touch with actual bay area compensation for big companies. I made more than 250K total comp as a senior eng at Google in 2015.

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#246

Post by 12xo »

kiplkipl wrote: post #217
lizardking wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And?

Then it seems the poster does find some value in social media. I'm saying that HN is social media - descended from Reddit, in fact - to point out that the popular stance of Facebook being inherently evil seems to forgive this website for doing the same thing. This kind of scare has happened with all media: games, TV, film, fiction books. If there's a difference between the fast-food social media and this website, I'd…

Well to start forums are a self selecting group of like minded individuals. To be an active member usually requires thought and care, intelligence and skills such as reading comprehension and critical thinking... Oh, and the whole system isnt built to game your senses in order to mine minute data points about you that is then sold to companies who then masquerade their content as ads all while pretending that they're doing good work for the world...

But honestly, if you cant tell the difference between Social Media and a forum, maybe you should step away from the net all together. Read some books, learn a hobby. Go outside. Make some real life friends... For it seems as if you too close to the forest to know that its made up of trees.

Its just like fast food. If its all you eat, you have no idea what real food tastes and feels like...

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#247

Post by bastawhiz »

tomp wrote: post #138
ordinaryradical wrote: post #8

He’s standing up for what he believes. You can disagree with his convictions, but you should admire anyone who risks personal and financial consequences for sticking to their guns. That’s what actual morality is—not just a “belief” that is talked about but acted upon even when the results will be costly.

He's trading practically 0 money (actually might be paid more in his next job if he selects one with a bit less growth potential) for a lot of virtue signaling value. I mean nothing evil, but not that admirable and altruistic. Real good deeds aren't announced.

I strongly disagree. Quitting your job is just about the most disruptive thing you can do in terms of the effect it has on your own life. Some folks might have an easier time finding another job than others, but that doesn't change the fact that he's actively choosing to stop creating value for an organization that his morals don't align with.

And additionally, quitting your job on moral grounds is _absolutely_ something you should post about. He made a personal post on Facebook, as a current Facebook employee, noting that he's leaving. This will be seen by his coworkers, and as the very presence on HN demonstrates, the public at large. Virtue signaling is Old Navy changing their profile picture to a rainbow flag during Pride month, or an NFL team posting a black rectangle on Instagram to support BLM. Virtue signaling is _not_ quitting your job to protest your employer's ethical failings, or writing content that would violate a non-disparagement agreement.

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#248

Post by adpirz »

12xo wrote: post #39

Social media is fast food. If you eat it all the time it makes you feel awful and will destroy your mental and physical health. But its cheap, easy to get and tastes really good... So stupid people love it.

Remove "stupid", and this is otherwise accurate.

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#249

Post by [deleted] »

artsyca wrote: post #122
blickentwapft wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s a highly privileged position to be in to make a personal stand and leave your $250,000 job for another $250,000 job. Not judging this way or that, just saying.

I'm calling total BS. He should stay to change the system from within. Total waste of hard work to give up now. This is a knee jerk reaction and the poor lamb is going to live to regret it. I'm surprised they didn't have him out on his ass the same day and gave him a whole extra week to potentially sabotage the systems. Edit: OK fine. I agree it's totally an uphill struggle and in all fairness it's one we're all figh…

[deleted]

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#250

Post by icedchai »

testbot123 wrote: post #123
kyuudou wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"“If you keep in mind that he is what I refer to as a corrupt idealist, then you can be assured that he will move mountains for you.” The green-eyed man laughed. “Okay, that’s a new Americanism on me. What the hell do you mean by a corrupt idealist?” Claude folded his hands. “That’s a person who will do everything he can to make something happen when he is convinced that he is working for the good of the many, while…

Don't have any commentary on the substance of this quote, but man that is some terrible writing.

Absolutely. It's practically unreadable.
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