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A religious sect landed Google in a lawsuit

nytimes.com

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Re: A religious sect landed Google in a lawsuit

#51

Post by tokai »

dang wrote: post #46

We changed the URL from https://twitter.com/alphabetworkers/status/15373969466917724... , which points to this. Submitters: " Please submit the original source. If a post reports on something found on another site, submit the latter. "- https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html Commenters: please don't post shallow/unsubstantive/flamey things to this thread—or any HN thread, but this one seems to have been unu…

If anything the NYtimes article is less original. The unions twitter thread and the linked medium post is closer to the story.

Re: A religious sect landed Google in a lawsuit

#52

Post by thrownawayalre »

It is Google so it gets that much publicity which is good for that particular case because it will be investigated and sorted out. Sexual abuse and discrimination enablers will be investigated. Good.

Too bad for the other large size company where similar things happen which won't get similar publicity and won't ever be investigated.

Not working at GOOG, but I don't get the hate in the comments or the idea that it is a google thing. The tough interviews that everyone is very critical about are actually a good edge against that sort of system (recruiting members of your cult). Too bad the process/interviews aren't that hard for contractors?

Re: A religious sect landed Google in a lawsuit

#53

Post by ginko »

dang wrote: post #46

We changed the URL from https://twitter.com/alphabetworkers/status/15373969466917724... , which points to this. Submitters: " Please submit the original source. If a post reports on something found on another site, submit the latter. "- https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html Commenters: please don't post shallow/unsubstantive/flamey things to this thread—or any HN thread, but this one seems to have been unu…

Changing the URL to a paywalled article no one can read isn't very helpful though.

Re: A religious sect landed Google in a lawsuit

#54

Post by ocdtrekkie »

dang wrote: post #46

We changed the URL from https://twitter.com/alphabetworkers/status/15373969466917724... , which points to this. Submitters: " Please submit the original source. If a post reports on something found on another site, submit the latter. "- https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html Commenters: please don't post shallow/unsubstantive/flamey things to this thread—or any HN thread, but this one seems to have been unu…

I think the choice not to label this a cult is inappropriate moderation, considering how it's classified by numerous groups, the fact that it has a leader known for serial sexual abuse, etc. Cult fits, calling it a "religious sect" is a pretty big attack on religion.

The "original source" is a blog post titled "The Cult in Google", here: https://medium.com/@kwilliamlloyd/the-cult-in-google-3c1a910...

Re: A religious sect landed Google in a lawsuit

#55

Post by [deleted] »

lotto-win wrote: post #30
bragr wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's pretty standard for cults actually. A big part of having a successful cult is screening out people who aren't susceptible. Having a less extreme outer cult ensures only the most vulnerable are served up to the more extreme stuff. See NXIVM or even Scientology with the split between "normies" out walking around and the Gold Base/Sea Org people.

I would love a good documentary about cults in general - in the style of "icarus" - reporter tries and documents it. Such a fascinating topic.

[deleted]

Re: A religious sect landed Google in a lawsuit

#58

Post by 2OEH8eoCRo0 »

mcntsh wrote: post #13
devnull3 wrote: post #3

Until last year I too use to dream working in Google. But increasingly the attractiveness is decreasing. I cannot put a finger on one specific thing. It has gone too large from a career pov.

I used to dream about working at Google until I interviewed with them. I got dragged along for months and largely ignored between interviews. The interviews themselves were impersonal and non interactive. They gave the impression that I should just shut up and write code in front of them and when I asked clarifying questions I barely got anything in response.

The experience was long and the recruiters were great but I definitely didn't feel like interviewers listened to what I had to say. Like I'd talk about past work, hostile managers, waiting 4 months for an admin to install software that was blocking a project. Then the Googler would ask something idiotic like, "tell me about a time you rallied your team to meet a strict deadline."

All I could think was, "I just explained how I'm out here waiting 4 months for software. Nobody is rallying shit. There aren't strict deadlines. Nobody cares. That's why I'm here interviewing."

Amazon was the same way. All they were asking was like, "Why didn't you adapt and overcome this obstacle? blah blah" What!? This is defense software numb nuts- I don't have privileges.

It seems that they ask great questions for engineers who already come from that culture.

Re: A religious sect landed Google in a lawsuit

#59

Post by WFHRenaissance »

2OEH8eoCRo0 wrote: post #58
mcntsh wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to dream about working at Google until I interviewed with them. I got dragged along for months and largely ignored between interviews. The interviews themselves were impersonal and non interactive. They gave the impression that I should just shut up and write code in front of them and when I asked clarifying questions I barely got anything in response.

The experience was long and the recruiters were great but I definitely didn't feel like interviewers listened to what I had to say. Like I'd talk about past work, hostile managers, waiting 4 months for an admin to install software that was blocking a project. Then the Googler would ask something idiotic like, "tell me about a time you rallied your team to meet a strict deadline." All I could think was, "I just explai…

> I don't have privileges.

FWIW, I've used this as my answer to that exact question. "Despite repeated requests and proactive discussions, all attempts to stem the were negated by management".

But yeah, in defense and a few other industries, it's really your job to shut up and work.

Re: A religious sect landed Google in a lawsuit

#60

Post by foodstances »

devnull3 wrote: post #3

Until last year I too use to dream working in Google. But increasingly the attractiveness is decreasing. I cannot put a finger on one specific thing. It has gone too large from a career pov.

It feels like they have no actual direction but they think if they just hire enough smart people (and prevent those smart people from working at competitors) they'll figure something out along the way. It's why they have a near constant stream of product/service failures (https://killedbygoogle.com/).
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