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Tech's Elite Hates Labor

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Re: Tech's Elite Hates Labor

#51
post #23
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder how the WGA will change its tune when language models will write episodes of indistinguishable quality from human writers.

I wonder when SWEs will change their tune when the same thing will happen to them.

The same way SWEs should have changed their tune when faced with outsourcing: Expand your skillset to ensure you're more than just an expensive commodity.

Re: Tech's Elite Hates Labor

#53
A theory that seems to predict the modern SV power elite's behavior is megalomania.

Megalomania: "In Psychology: delusions of power or self-importance, esp. resulting from mental illness; a passion for grandiose schemes. More generally: lust for power, a desire to control."

They have different rationalizations and explanations for different events, but many/most ideas come down to more power for themselves, and believing that only they can accomplish anything - not their employees, government, democracy, anything or anyone else.

Re: Tech's Elite Hates Labor

#54

As long as there are more people that will do a given job for less, we're all replaceable. There's just no incentive to raise the wages or standards.

Not a popular take, but a correct one. A correct Javascript class runs the same whether it was written for $5/hr or $150/hr. Obviously there are certain advantages of efficiency and communication, but over time those advantages erode, especially with increased WFH and the like.

"A correct JavaScript class", hah. Good luck if you think that's what it's about, chief.

Re: Tech's Elite Hates Labor

#55

They hate the professional managerial class, but love the coders that go above and beyond to write them patents and build them technologies (capital) for only a steady paycheck.

Patents are not worth much, sorry. Unless you're a patent troll. They're a by-product of other work.

Re: Tech's Elite Hates Labor

#56
It's easy for laid off tech workers to start their own companies. Lots of my friends and colleagues have over the years.

The fun thing about starting your own company, is you find out how much you're really worth!

Re: Tech's Elite Hates Labor

#57
>The tech industry is desperate to somehow frame a period of time where it took advantage of low interest rates to recklessly overhire and overinvest as something that created entitled workers.

But in a way, didn't it do exactly that? Lots of tech workers have the audacity to complain about having to show up to the office, like it's some form of oppression. Or act like getting laid off is something really cruel, while getting months worth of severance.

Re: Tech's Elite Hates Labor

#58
post #36

It feels like we’re due for a “big reset”, but I doubt it’ll be aligned with VC interests. They need labor more than we need those companies. Americans should pick up a French history book.

I'm not sure I see anything in French history I'd particularly want to emulate. The story of the French Revolution which I assume you're referring to is one of senseless barbarism and the old elites ending up back on top at the end anyway. The drownings at Nantes are among the most awful things to happen in Europe prior to WWII.

As for modern France and their propensity for rioting over minor labor disputes, who wants that either? Sure a narrow slice of the population gets early retirement but the youth unemployment rate is 20% and it is increasingly hard there to get onto a career ladder that would afford you an early retirement.

Re: Tech's Elite Hates Labor

#59
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder how the WGA will change its tune when language models will write episodes of indistinguishable quality from human writers.

wow it took only one comment to make the article right, and it's not only the elite, it's even the "little people" doing a lot of the hating.

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