I hate this because I am in support of freedom.
I love this because I am in support of freedom.
Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
101–110 of 296 posts
Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
#102The more reasonable direct action would be to simply not use a smartphone, not use the internet (or Google Maps), and not host a website. Opt out of the whole thing. I'm not clear on how these people can justify blocking the buses and showing up at people's houses, but then organize using Google's products.
No way. The benefits of technology (and the natural resources it consumes such as airwaves and exotic materials) should not be reserved for those who kowtow to commercial interests. A more reasonable direct action is to develop and socialize technological practices which uphold community values: DuckDuckGo, Open Street Maps, Firefox, Cyanogen, encryption, CB radio, amateur radio, GNU/Linux.
I'm saying it is MORE reasonable than showing up at someones house, not necessarily the best course of action. I agree there are other reasonable courses of action as well, as you outlined.
Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
#103Why all the rage directed at Google and not, say, the government that institutes these policies? Something just feels 100% misguided about these attacks.
Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
#104They probably used Google Maps and Streetview to get there.
But aside from all the great free services google provides, and the money it has poured into its offices and the surrounding area, what has it done?
What have the Romans ever done for us?!
Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
#105Is this an Onion style web site or is it real? If real its utterly incoherent thinking and illogical behavior on part of the people involved. I still cannot accept its real.
It's real.
Looking at their other stories/posts, I find it - I dunno what I find it, actually. It does strike me as a fight and struggle with everything. A war on life.
Personally, I'm not into the military at all, never have been. I do find that Google's connection with the military (more than just Boston Dynamics) unfortunate. I'm sure they have a reason why they are doing what they do with them, as do all the companies that work with that part of the government. It would be nice (a pipe dream I suppose) if tech companies shunned the military. Singling out this this guy - I'm not sure what good it will do.
Which ultimately leads me to think about you have to be the change you want to see. Harassing people like this is probably not going to get them to change their mind. At all. Reminds me of some documentary I watched (The Corporation maybe?) where some protestors were at an ex-Shell Oil ceo's house, doing their thing. The guy came out, offered them team and biscuits and engaged in a sit down discussion with them on his lawn. Granted, no one changed anyone's minds, but the fact they could engage in a civil conversation - both sides! - was a good thing.
As someone who's lived in SF since the early 90's and seen it go thru good and bad and ho hum times, I think all this tech worker/bus hype is misplaced. I've also lived in NYC and dated someone who completed their masters at Columbia in urban planning. While I'm not claiming to be an expert, I know a thing or two about the real reasons for skyrocketing rents and 'gentrification'. For anyone looking for a great history of NYC, check out Ken Burns 'New York'. Awesome in it's scope and presentation. It get's really interesting and relevant to today when it hits the 20th century and Robert Moses appears. (SF's version of Moses is Justin Herman)
So would I prefer the manhattanization of SF over the detroitization of SF? Absolutely. Is it that simple? Probably not. But for anyone that's been around for more than few years, you remember what the corner of 10th & Market was like before it went thru it's Twitter and redevelopment phase? This is one example and I do feel like it was a dick move on Twitter's part to cry about the tax break. But, if it means the area is cleaning up, then I figure that's better than the way it was.
Anyway, I don't feel like any of these tech protests are worth much or will amount to anything. I feel like the protesters are targeting the wrong thing and need to refocus their efforts on their local government.
Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
#106Absolutely horrifying. More so because there are actually people here in this thread defending the crazy person who's trying to destroy somebody's life because they don't like the company he works for.
Let's pretend Google isn't causing very real problems for the poor and lower middle class in the Bay area. Let's also pretend that we can blame an inorganic "corporation", but never the individuals who design it, steer it, and totally embody it.
Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
#107I feel for the plight[1] these people are facing, I really do and I want to help. _BUT_ if you started showing up at my home protesting and making my family uncomfortable, that creates a different problem entirely. Anyways I'm assuming this site is fake because I can't find this being reported anywhere else... and I assume the protesters know better than to pull a stunt like this. 1. Let's be clear though, this is a…
What they're doing is trying to make it socially unacceptable to assist the NSA/ DoD, and quite frankly it's overdue. I get the feeling that most of the criticism here against the protesters is because HN identifies with the Google employee(s), not because the protesters are wrong. It's a purely emotional reaction.
Supporting the DoD should be unacceptable? Isn't that the same situation? That someone is working for the DoD or NSA needs a job just as much as the next person, he was merely an employee for the DoD, not on top and pushing an agenda.
Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
#108If the headline were Demonstration at the Home of Developer and this was only over luxury condominiums, would the response of HN be more neutral or favorable?
I suspect it would be, and that raises an interesting question in regard to why I am conditioned to give more weight to etiquette when the issues are more weighty -. this event touches on corporatism, militarism, economic disparities, and the illegal use of public infrastructure for private profit all in addition to basic neighborhood activism.
When did citizenship come to be considered poor form?
Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
#109This is shameful behavior - it is tantamount to mob rule & harassment, with the effective statement that "We strongly dislike what you're doing, so we are going to disturb your private residence and prevent you from going to work". No person who isn't committing a serious crime deserves that whatever his/her beliefs.
If I where a Googler working in SF id have to start seriously thinking about getting a PPW license. PPW is short hand for the Uk licence to carry a gun for personal protection - and yes there are tech companies that do have staff that do that.
I have my CCW (Carrying of Concealed Weapon) license. In Kentucky, you must go through an instructional class before getting your weapon -- and you learn that pulling your weapon out should only happen when you're prepared to use it in a lethal manner -- otherwise the aggressor could fight you for your weapon.
You don't get a handgun as a show of force -- you get one to protect yourself from imminent harm...and some asshat blocking a bus isn't putting you in imminent harm: you're in the bus, and hopefully the bus driver has already called 911 to get the person/people who are blocking the road out of your way.
Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley
#110And this is why you should have a gun in your home, folks!