Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley • Hacker News Board

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#121

Post by Shivetya » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 3:55 PM UTC

rexreed wrote: post #36

This is getting to be a bit absurd. I understand and can sympathize with the plight of folks who feel that they are becoming economically marginalized in the region, because in many ways it is really happening. But public badgering of mid to low-level folks is not a way to gain a lot of support. It's like damaging the lobby of a Bank of America or smashing the windows of a McDonalds -- all it does is ruin the day for…

Why should it matter what level they are? If its wrong to harass the low level worker its wrong to harass any level of worker at their home. If you wish to protest a business do so at their business.

Lets just hope feel the same the next time they read about some mid level banker or stock broker having people outside their homes. Amazing how even in this community we have groups who think there is a difference just because of who you work for.

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#122

Post by ojbyrne » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 3:56 PM UTC

There are actual defense research establishments in the Bay Area. If these people were actually concerned with "collaboration with the military" perhaps they should be protesting in front of Lawrence Livermore Labs.

Its absurd.

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#123

Post by walshemj » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 3:56 PM UTC

mgunes wrote: post #91

jasonkester wrote: post #51

Absolutely 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.

No, there aren't "people"; there is "a person", me. Just one person. Everyone else is speculating on how the poor little "Googler"'s life is destroyed by a naive peaceful protest, derailing the issue with anti-left wing jokes, suggesting that "Googlers" carry weapons, and so on. HN at its best: when its ideological toe is stepped on. popcorn

And if I as a "techie" feel threatened an oppressed by those individuals I am.

I am in no way a right winger I was coming at it form the same direction that those who fought in cable street did.

"An injury to one is an injury to all"

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#124

Post by uname1 » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 3:56 PM UTC

Why aren't they at the doors of the government officials in charge of the surveillance state? It seems like a demonstration about inequality and gentrification wrapped in the hot topic of the day. (surveillance)

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#125

Post by gaius » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 3:58 PM UTC

Bahamut wrote: post #2

This 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.

I mean, it's kinda like driving by your house with a camera then putting the pictures on the web. Or slurping up your wifi credentials. Good thing Google employees would never get involved in anything like that.

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#126

Post by uname1 » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 3:58 PM UTC

bananacurve wrote: post #74

They probably used Google Maps and Streetview to get there.

The picture of his house on the flier was from Streetview...

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#127

Post by jedmeyers » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 3:58 PM UTC

walshemj wrote: post #8

Bahamut wrote: post #2

This 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.

You will never get it. The only reasonable sheriff to issue a CCW in the vicinity is in San Mateo county.

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#128

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 3:59 PM UTC

ericcumbee wrote: post #68

[deleted] wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[deleted]

Why is it that you think because someone has a gun they are incapable of acting rationally? If I were in the above situation I would not draw my gun with out feeling that there was a real threat to my life or property. And in that case I would rather have a gun than not have a gun.

[deleted]

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#129

Post by ericcumbee » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 4:00 PM UTC

DanBC wrote: post #78

ericcumbee wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is it that you think because someone has a gun they are incapable of acting rationally? If I were in the above situation I would not draw my gun with out feeling that there was a real threat to my life or property. And in that case I would rather have a gun than not have a gun.

Recommending gun ownership in response to non-violent protest seems sub-optimal. Perhaps a gun is a useful tool in that kind of situation, but surely there's a bunch of other conflict de-escalation stuff that can be learnt first.

you assume that the gun is the first option, when in fact its a last resort.

Re: Demonstration at Home of Google Developer. Google Bus Blocked in Berkeley

#130

Post by JeremyMorgan » Wed, Jan 22, 2014, 4:00 PM UTC

I would like to know what this "privilege" is all about. I'm a tech worker who makes a very good salary. Am I privileged?

I couldn't afford a fancy high end college, so I chose a cheaper one and got a loan from the Government, which I paid back in full.

I studied hard in a public school and those achievements helped me get a grant to offset some cost as well.

I got a job in tech support, worked my way up through the ranks by pushing myself and going above and beyond every day.

I continually educate myself with classes and books that I pay for out of my own pocket, and invest my own time to keep my skills sharp and advance myself.

I am a "tech worker" and I have a job that pays well above average, so am I privileged? I would like to know what was handed to me that couldn't have been given to anyone else who worked hard. I'm not a rarity: tens of thousands of people in the tech industry are exactly like me. They saw a target and they hit it.

That's why I don't support these idiots. It's an idea full of fallacies. They're just trying to ruin the lives of hard working mid level people based on perceived wrongs by their bosses by people with nothing better to do.