I've been in tech for over 15 years and have never posted publicly under my own name any political opinion. I'm not sure if I'm being a coward or prudent. I used to identify with the left but now I lean conservative, and I feel like there is a huge bias towards that in tech. And any opinion can only hurt me if they look me up. Please let me know what you think on this matter.
Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
1–10 of 56 posts
Re: Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
#2It’s evidently shown in HN comments
Re: Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
#3Personally I’m not a fan of discussing these things at work regardless of what pov.
Work is something that should in theory unite us as we work on a mission together in exchange for compensation.
I get that external factors affect people different (I know I deal with my own shit), but I wish work would be an outlet away from those things to focus on something all together.
Re: Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
#4Personally I’m not a fan of discussing these things at work regardless of what pov. Work is something that should in theory unite us as we work on a mission together in exchange for compensation. I get that external factors affect people different (I know I deal with my own shit), but I wish work would be an outlet away from those things to focus on something all together.
I agree with that. I don't talk politics on the job at all, I feel we're all the in the same boat with the same mission to succeed and everyone on the team deserves equal respect.
I'm not saying I want to write a workplace manifesto like James Damore. I just want to be able to express my opinions outside of work and not have that influence hiring decisions.
Re: Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
#5No one on the internet discusses politics in a good faith. Most of the time it's not even a discussion, since neither side listens to each other and they just want to regurgitate their talking points, feel good about having the supposedly "correct" take and then belittle the other party for being "wrong". These people are not going to change their beliefs no matter what you write or how well-researched it will be.
Then there are mobs. If you'll get even remotely popular there's a non-zero chance you'll end up getting stalked by some weirdos from twitter/4chan. Lots of these people have close to infinite free time, no moral compass whatsoever, nothing better to do and possibly a mental illness that makes them obsess over certain topics. They will spread misinformation about you all over the internet or will try to get you fired from your current job over something you wrote 7 years ago. If you use your real name they'll quickly find out whatever they can about you and use that to harass you or your family.
Personally, I refrain as much as possible from posting about anything political on the internet, real name or not. It's a huge waste of time that adds nothing positive to a daily life.
Re: Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
#6I think we should. Politics is everywhere - it is how we organize our command chains and direct our collective action towards a set of goals. While corporations are rarely democracies, there is still politics in the sense that all the commands are the result of negotiations between the parts, in which each one informs the other about what's required and what are the possible outcomes.
There is, however, a tendency to take extreme positions and that needs to be fought. We must always debate in good faith - and ensure ourselves that we are doing so in good faith - that we listened, that our opinions are based on objective truths, and that we are willing to change our opinions when confronted by evidence against them.
Re: Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
#7No one on the internet discusses politics in a good faith. Most of the time it's not even a discussion, since neither side listens to each other and they just want to regurgitate their talking points, feel good about having the supposedly "correct" take and then belittle the other party for being "wrong". These people are not going to change their beliefs no matter what you write or how well-researched it will be. Th…
I think you are right. Maybe its best to make an active decision to avoid politics and the emotion trap they try to ensnare you in. I find it difficult when every news channel and every tweet tries to provoke a response from you. It can be very addictive.
Re: Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
#8Frankly I can't tell what's real or not any more. Filecounter, if that's your real name, you could be just concern trolling. You might be sincere. You might be a bot. You might be in the 50 ruble army spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt. Maybe you're just lonely and just want someone to talk to.
I would lean against posting your political opinions on the internet, and instead step away from the computer and you know, spend time with friends. Get some fresh air and exercise. If you want to have some political influence showing up in person is, I don't know, at least a million times more effective than posting internet opinions.
Re: Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
#9Personally I’m not a fan of discussing these things at work regardless of what pov. Work is something that should in theory unite us as we work on a mission together in exchange for compensation. I get that external factors affect people different (I know I deal with my own shit), but I wish work would be an outlet away from those things to focus on something all together.
I agree with that. I don't talk politics on the job at all, I feel we're all the in the same boat with the same mission to succeed and everyone on the team deserves equal respect. I'm not saying I want to write a workplace manifesto like James Damore. I just want to be able to express my opinions outside of work and not have that influence hiring decisions.
James Damore is a good example. By expressing an opinion in a somewhat careless way, and by the repetition of its simplification in even more careless ways, he managed to alienate about half the workforce at the company he worked for (and almost everywhere else).
I learned to use the Bernard Meltzer criteria: "Before you speak ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful. If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid."
Re: Ask HN: Is it unwise to post conservative opinions as a tech worker?
#10I would recommend posting opinions that follow a sound logical argument, instead of obsessing over identity.