Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum • Hacker News Board

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#151

Post by PheonixPharts » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:19 PM UTC

duxup wrote: post #34

I'm all for some good old civil disobedience as far as every day choices go in the outside world. However, I also think if you're employed somewhere there are reasonable expectations as far as workplace behavior goes that would prohibit the same "protest" or "civil disobedience" type behavior. It is interesting that the protestor immediately declares that they don't wan to work for such a company. It sorta begs the q…

The trouble is that "reasonable expectations" are set by those in power. Slave overs set "reasonable expectations" for slaves, feudal lords set "reasonable expectations" for peasants.

In such a world "reasonable expectations" by their nature foster a continuation of the existing power structures. Behavior that challenges "reasonable expectations" does so precisely because of the belief that the continuation of the status quo as perpetuated by those in power has become untenable.

Many people "reasonably expect" nations and companies to not be complicit in genocide, where is their recourse?

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#152

Post by surfpel » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:19 PM UTC

lordfrito wrote: post #125

Lately it seems that more and more rank-and-file employees believe that a company has some sort of moral obligation to take their political opinions into consideration. Corporations aren't democracies. Unless you're an executive or high ranking decision maker, you're along for the ride. I don't ask my kids for their opinion about my home budget, what house I should buy, etc. So it is at work. Expecting a company to k…

> If you don't like the job, leave it.

Meanwhile in your bio:

"I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"

So which is it? Defend those who speak up or demand they leave and berate them as "conceited/pretentious"?

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#153

Post by smashah » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:20 PM UTC

aaomidi wrote: post #111

When I was at Google, Google was systematically silencing Arabs and Palestinians. They had brought in a specific team to comb through memegen and silence any pro-Palestinian (literally pro the people, while anti Hamas) messaging. While I was there, multiple Googlers actively reached out to me and other Arabs and asked them "Do you support Hamas?" These also weren't just low-level employees either. I had these experie…

[flagged]

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#154

Post by 6510 » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:21 PM UTC

PheonixPharts wrote: post #72

mise_en_place wrote: post #22

My old manager put it best: No politics and religion in the workplace. Seriously, it's as simple as that. We are here to work, not philosophize about politics and current events.

What that means is "only status quo opinion and politics". It's implicit support of the mainstream ethos of corporate America, one which has well established it values profits over people. Management works to serve those corporate interests, so it is in their interest to convey the message that the appropriate thing to do is be silent and comply.

the default is very political.

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#155

Post by hd4 » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:22 PM UTC

CommanderData wrote: post #134

hd4 wrote: post #65

really hoping dang doesn't let this get flagged off the front page like similar threads on this subject, even though it's obviously contentious. this is a conversation that needs to be had and also recorded for posterity.

Israel has a professional misinformation and cyber warfare arm. It isn't even denied. Professional as in AC office's and salaried. I have no doubt they actively work in forums like these and try their best at applying pressure for which works sometimes and other times does not.

You summed it up nicely.

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#156

Post by colechristensen » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:23 PM UTC

themgt wrote: post #144

colechristensen wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is this not just racist behavior? An Israeli presenter who is based in Israel is being protested. Was there any connection beyond that to the war?

It says he was protesting Project Nimbus which is Google cloud/AI for the Israeli government and military. You can also see the conference he was attending itself hardly shies away from the political/military connections, e.g. “The Israeli tech ecosystem is built on very strong foundations. We have the academia, we have the manpower, and we have the special military units,” said Dina Pasca-Raz, Partner and Head of Te…

My questions weren't just rhetorical, there is nothing in the posted article about the political connection of the meeting / conference that was disrupted.

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#157

Post by smashah » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:23 PM UTC

mola wrote: post #132

smashah wrote: post #27

So being anti-Genocide is a fireable offense at Google?

[flagged]

Why do zionists have unlimited justifications for executing a holocaust against the prisoners of the Gaza death camps just so zionists can expand their illegitimate lebensraum?

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#158

Post by xboxnolifes » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:25 PM UTC

surfpel wrote: post #152

lordfrito wrote: post #125

Lately it seems that more and more rank-and-file employees believe that a company has some sort of moral obligation to take their political opinions into consideration. Corporations aren't democracies. Unless you're an executive or high ranking decision maker, you're along for the ride. I don't ask my kids for their opinion about my home budget, what house I should buy, etc. So it is at work. Expecting a company to k…

> If you don't like the job, leave it. Meanwhile in your bio: "I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" So which is it? Defend those who speak up or demand they leave and berate them as "conceited/pretentious"?

The right applies to government involvement, not social.

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#159

Post by PheonixPharts » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:25 PM UTC

lordfrito wrote: post #125

Lately it seems that more and more rank-and-file employees believe that a company has some sort of moral obligation to take their political opinions into consideration. Corporations aren't democracies. Unless you're an executive or high ranking decision maker, you're along for the ride. I don't ask my kids for their opinion about my home budget, what house I should buy, etc. So it is at work. Expecting a company to k…

This same logic can be used to justify any system of exploitive power. Companies control my ability to eat and be housed, these companies drive global politics. If the voice and ethics of the people are not allowed to influence these, then what voice to do the people have? Is my choice is to keep in line or starve how is that any different than any other despotic system?

You're own profile says "I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." but clearly this only applies for the 8 hours of the day I am not at work (less if I work late)?

Re: Google fires employee who protested Israel tech event, shuts forum

#160

Post by user_7832 » Fri, Mar 08, 2024, 7:25 PM UTC

duxup wrote: post #114

rs_rs_rs_rs_rs wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

I'm thinking someone does some sit in at city hall or such. Things along those lines. Some folks do a sit in one day, they make themselves heard, there ya go. There are of course limits.

I partially agree, depending on the topic being protested. I was writing a reply to the above commenter before it got killed, but it is an open question to all who oppose such demonstrations.

> Would you have any suggestions of what else could the guy have done, that would've brought similar media attention to the topic?

> The line between "annoying/childish protestors" and "folks legitimately raising awareness" is ill defined for me, perhaps if anyone else has better suggestions I would be happy to hear them.