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The tools I love are made by awful people

ankursethi.com

31–40 of 185 posts

Re: The tools I love are made by awful people

#31
post #20

> Things will only change when democratically elected governments across the world step in with regulation, drag Big Tech through the courts, and fine them billions of dollars. How will that help you install Linux.

Why is democracy so universally worshipped? Do they realize evil people with business interests ALSO participate in a democracy?

Re: The tools I love are made by awful people

#35
> Why am I in this state of tension with computer products when I use a multitude of non-computer products made by corporations that cause much more harm to people and nature?

> I drive a Hyundai car, shop at Reliance stores, wear clothing made by Zara. Why am I not concerned about the poor behavior of these other organizations? It’s not like they’re any better than Google, Microsoft, or Apple.

> Honestly, the reason is not entirely rational.

Honestly I don't have the answer and it's a great question. There seems to be a mix of passion, trends, media, social exchanges and probably tons of small parameters making this happen in our heads.

Re: The tools I love are made by awful people

#36
post #20

> Things will only change when democratically elected governments across the world step in with regulation, drag Big Tech through the courts, and fine them billions of dollars. How will that help you install Linux.

With the funds raised everyone can be assigned a Linux expert to sit next to them.

Re: The tools I love are made by awful people

#37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I agree with the sentiment, just out of curiosity, would you buy a Tesla if it meets your needs and even if you disapprove of Elon's actions?

I think it's more rational to fuss about buying a Tesla than about buying a Windows license for a few reasons: * It's a heck of a lot of money to send to any company, so it makes more sense to pause and consider what you're funding. I can't put that much effort into every * Tesla is far more about Musk than Microsoft is about... whoever runs Microsoft these days. There's a very specific person tied to it. * Driving a…

I feel similarities to the trolley problem[0].

[0]: https://neal.fun/absurd-trolley-problems/

Re: The tools I love are made by awful people

#38
The genius of capitalism is in its unique ability to harness the energy of sociopaths* to produce valuable products and services**.

If there was no freedom to amass fortunes, these people would still exist, and they would do even more damage in whatever theoretical social structure we would have.

* And to a lesser degree, the self-interest everybody naturally possesses.

** Minimizing negative externalities is the responsibility of government accountable to the people.

Re: The tools I love are made by awful people

#39
post #8

I've been entirely on Linux for over fifteen years now. And I used to develop for Win32.

Same here! I'd love to know why the author keeps crawling back to Mac after trying Linux. I feel grateful that Linux exists and would never contemplate moving away from it. I totally understand that I am an esoteric techie and other people may have different experiences, of course. But in the ~14 years Linux has been my daily driver, it has improved so much.

for me the main reason is that mac just works. I spent less time configuring my OS and tinkering around and just focus on my work.

Re: The tools I love are made by awful people

#40
post #3

Switching to Linux is not easy. You almost have to hit a wall when you are just done with the bargaining to keep something like Apple or Windows. It kind of takes a major jump. You also need to be persistent after that jump and not retrench when you can't pull from the familiar. You'll get there at some point just don't think or care about the awful people - think about how and in what way you want to operate directi…

I still remember getting all amped up at taking the leap to Linux when I read this or that guide for doing so in a 90s issue of MaximumPC and I made it as far as realizing there weren't drivers that would work with my mouse (without _considerable_ effort) and noped right out.
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