Live data from Hacker News

I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

facebook.com

101–110 of 493 posts

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#102

The engineer describes Facebook as being on the "wrong side of History." I take this opportunity to remind my fellow readers that History is not an infallible goddess to be worshipped. The moral arc of the past several hundred years has bent towards liberty and tolerance, but this has not been consistent and was not inevitable. It is precisely when your values are on the "wrong side of History" that you should be def…

> It is precisely when your values are on the "wrong side of History" that you should be defending them the most strongly.

I don't see a basis for this conclusion in your arguments.

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#103
Interesting that someone would give a public resignation like this but still give two weeks notice (presuming he gave notice on Monday). I'd imagine it likely that the company would just let him go immediately after making a public statement.

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#104

He’s standing up for what he believes. You can disagree with his convictions, but you should admire anyone who risks personal and financial consequences for sticking to their guns. That’s what actual morality is—not just a “belief” that is talked about but acted upon even when the results will be costly.

I just don't agree that severing professional ties over political disputes is admirable. For society to function, people need to be willing to work with others whose politics they find distasteful.

There are things like mortgage rates and spending priorities that are healthy political democratic differences that should have no impact on your professional life.

There are also things that are not political. They are war. They are 'over my or your dead body' type of things like slavery, holocasts and treason. We don't vote on those and accept whatever the outcome is. We go to war. That's why that sort of stuff is in a constitution. Because it's not negotiable. Not up for popular vote.

Now. I do admit that I don't think that applies to Facebook. I don't think they are intentionally trying to end the US democracy and break the US society.

But never say never. There is definitely a point. One does not sell hamburgers to the KKK for example. Or help build their website.

That's also why you see so many apolitical brands speaking out and picking a side here. They do understand this is different. This is a war for human rights. Nobody deserves the privilege to stay neutral on this.

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#105

He’s standing up for what he believes. You can disagree with his convictions, but you should admire anyone who risks personal and financial consequences for sticking to their guns. That’s what actual morality is—not just a “belief” that is talked about but acted upon even when the results will be costly.

[deleted]

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#106
post #49

I don't understand why doesn't Facebook just: -Allow all posts -Allow users to customize what they want to see (e.g. "dont show me posts that glorify violence" or "only allow covid posts that match WHO guidelines" or "allow exceptions from political figures or of historical significance") and allow users to ban hide posts that are found untruthful by third parties (snopes, etc). To me effectively everyone wins. Faceb…

> don't show me posts that glorify violence

Does this include "We killed Osama Bin Laden" [perhaps with some details and photos of the operation]?

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#109
post #49

I don't understand why doesn't Facebook just: -Allow all posts -Allow users to customize what they want to see (e.g. "dont show me posts that glorify violence" or "only allow covid posts that match WHO guidelines" or "allow exceptions from political figures or of historical significance") and allow users to ban hide posts that are found untruthful by third parties (snopes, etc). To me effectively everyone wins. Faceb…

Hmm. I think you may be onto something. Tagging may not be that hard ( though false positives may be an issue ) and only showing stated preferences. But do we want to move into slippery slope of 'show me car accidents with at least one fatality'.

Re: I'm resigning from my job at Facebook

#110
I was supposed to interview at Facebook this week. My company is struggling and I expect I’ll be laid off before the year is over, so I figured that maybe I could push my ethical frustrations with the company aside and just go make some good money and ignore the fact that this company is undermining democracy and many of the things I value.

Seeing resignations from existing Facebook employees really woke me up and made me realize that I can’t sacrifice my values for a paycheck and stable employment.

I contacted the recruiter at the beginning of the week and told them I was going to stop the process and my reasons.

I hope that engineers taking a stand like the OP know that it is having an impact.

It’s tempting to be cynical, no job in tech right now is without faults, so why not just play the capitalist game? Everyone makes their own choices, but struggling to make the right choice for you is better than refusing to struggle.

Post reply on HN