Driverless Startup Zoox Suddenly Removes CEO • Hacker News Board

Re: Driverless Startup Zoox Suddenly Removes CEO

#51

Post by mcherm » Thu, Aug 23, 2018, 1:40 PM UTC

Fricken wrote: post #25

ratacat wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So... Are you in any relationships with them?

I know a programmer who worked for BioWare in my home city who has been with Zoox for about a year. I met him once, years before he left for SF, because we have a mutual ex-girlfriend. So yeah, I'm right up in there.

Hey, as someone who is just observing this and doesn't have a dog in the fight -- thanks. (I am assuming that -- although you didn't say it -- this is a full disclosure of ALL your conflicts of interest.)

I am not quite sure what I believe about when it is appropriate to accuse someone of having undisclosed conflicts of interest. But I am certain that the best way to respond to such an accusation is with a full disclosure of all conflicts of interest. Regardless of whether the accusation was appropriate, the disclosure ends the issue. And conflicts of interest (to one degree or another) are perfectly normal and do not invalidate a person's opinions or eliminate them as a useful contributor to the discussion.

Re: Driverless Startup Zoox Suddenly Removes CEO

#52

Post by pbhjpbhj » Thu, Aug 23, 2018, 2:34 PM UTC

tim333 wrote: post #46

okonomiyaki3000 wrote: post #33

Zoox? Those "Web 2.0 Name Generators" are fine if your company makes games or some nerdy stuff but I don't know how comfortable most people would be turning operation of their vehicle over to something that sounds like it was invented by Dr Seuss.

>It’s an abbreviation of zooxanthellae, the algae that helps fuel coral reef growth For what it's worth

I think I'd have gone with Zooxa ("zuza"). How do they pronounce Zoox, "zooks"?

Re: Driverless Startup Zoox Suddenly Removes CEO

#53

Post by maxerickson » Thu, Aug 23, 2018, 2:41 PM UTC

hendzen wrote: post #20

post-Theranos the attitude towards "fake it 'till you make it" is a bit different.

Just as likely that ye olde skeleton has come a-knocking.

Re: Driverless Startup Zoox Suddenly Removes CEO

#54

Post by zamfi » Thu, Aug 23, 2018, 3:00 PM UTC

Piskvorrr wrote: post #39

zamfi wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hate to be that guy, but it was “don’t be evil” not “do no evil”. Basically meant “don’t be like Microsoft” back in those days. Very different meaning than people often assume, and not about hype. More about not letting success get to your head and using it to crush everyone else.

Glad that worked out, right? *this post best viewed in Google Chrome

Companies change over time. Microsoft also isn't the same "evil empire" it was in the late '90s and early '00s.

Re: Driverless Startup Zoox Suddenly Removes CEO

#55

Post by askafriend » Fri, Aug 24, 2018, 2:05 AM UTC

throwawaymath wrote: post #47

askafriend wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your comment history suggests that you have some relationship with Zoox that you're not disclosing. You've commented on Zoox several times before in an overly enthusiastic manner. You've also commented several times before on autonomy and your comments have been called out for astroturfing in a couple of instances. Readers please beware and take this comment with a grain of salt.

Accusing someone of astroturfing (or in your case, merely suggesting it) undermines the integrity of online discussion. It has a chilling effect on perspectives that may be viewed as controversial. Just because someone is enthusiastic doesn’t mean they’re a shill. Even if you’re ultimately correct you shouldn’t wield that accusation without exceptional evidence - being an apologist for a company is not exceptional ev…

Fair - and feedback noted. I would have chosen different words but I don't regret delivering the message of caution.

The author chose phrasing that seemed to carry an authoritative tone and it begged questioning into the author's background/history.