I Don't Think I Can Stay in Tech • Hacker News Board

Re: I Don't Think I Can Stay in Tech

#91

Post by tstrimple » Thu, Sep 03, 2026, 7:36 PM UTC

thrance wrote: post #74

majorchord wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the problem, if we're talking about the US at least, is that the conservatives running things believe a government should be small... which inevitably leads to corporations virtually running parts of the government, unless you come up with a way to explicitly prevent that. But the people in power who want to remain in power would never go along with that.

Conservatives don't actually believe in "small governments": that's just another posture they take, like "states rights" or "protect the kids". Deficit increases much faster under Republicans, and Trump is no exception. They're funnelling money to government contractors through a bloated military whose sole purpose is spending tax payer dollars on expensive and useless toys, that can't even win a war against a theocr…

I find it incredibly frustrating how effective conservative propaganda is even on non-conservatives. The "fiscal responsibility" and "small government" stuff are just examples of the many convenient statements they have with absolutely zero bearing on reality in how they legislate. So many liberals even believe conservatives used to "just want a slow and measured rate of change" and Trump is somehow different. All that has changed is the amount they feel comfortable saying out loud. They are dispensing with the euphemisms and saying what they really mean now.

Re: I Don't Think I Can Stay in Tech

#92

Post by Timon3 » Thu, Sep 03, 2026, 9:32 PM UTC

Huarache1 wrote: post #89

Timon3 wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While the action itself maybe be positive, that does not mean the net sum of their actions is positive. It's entirely possible to earn money doing something good or neutral, only to use it in ways that cause comparatively greater harm. > Praying for your "enemies", both real or imagined, is a tenet for Christianity. At the same time, a lot of Christians find great satisfaction in the idea that their enemies will be d…

I think Foodbanks giving food to the poor, regardless of who the poor genuinely are (arguably not caring about what they believe or vote for, but still choosing to help them), is still a net positive action. Actions often speak louder than words.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with you that giving food to the poor is almost always a good action! My objection is strictly with the "net" part, because IMO calling almost anything on its own a "net positive action" is a category mistake.

To give a fictional yet IMO realistic example, what if the food bank is specifically created by investors to squash locally-owned businesses in very poor neighborhoods, only to then be closed down once everyone has to buy everything externally again? Those food banks would be a net negative action if they succeeded.

This is not meant as a critique of real food banks, it's just meant to show that the context must be taken into account to judge the "net effect" of any action.

Re: I Don't Think I Can Stay in Tech

#93

Post by hagbard_c » Thu, Sep 03, 2026, 11:13 PM UTC

hagbard_c wrote: post #81

omnimus wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As far as i know there is no threat of communism formin in US. Unlike fascism

You must have been living under a comfy rock the last few years since there are several communists - real ones, by their own say - in the running for positions in the "democratic" party. The coming elections will show whether they gain traction, if they do there is a real danger of communism forming in the USA. As to fascism that remains to be seen. If by fascism you mean the actual meaning of the term, i.e. (section…

OK, down-voter, be a man and tell me where you think I went wrong in my reasoning about the chances DSA-communists have in gaining a foothold or the danger of fascism gaining ground. Stop knee-jerking that down-vote button, tell us what you think - this is a discussion site after all, not a popularity contest or likes farm.

Re: I Don't Think I Can Stay in Tech

#94

Post by UncleMeat » Fri, Sep 04, 2026, 12:54 AM UTC

Huarache1 wrote: post #88

UncleMeat wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A doctor refusing to heal a bigot is not even remotely the same thing as refusing to work for a megacorp because of their direct involvement in military action that kills children.

It seems as though you're misconstruing what I said, I'm talking about the Foodbanks, not the Megacorps.

Then I have no idea what you are talking about.